Blog Tour: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

 

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.
Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t. 

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-coloured tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.
A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Why?
Nantucket Blue was on my 2013 radar for ages so when I caught wind of this blog tour I was so excited!

First Impressions!
The first chapter brilliantly set up the cast of characters and Cricket's world view through a game of lacrosse. It felt unique and I was instantly drawn in.

What I loved:
Cricket- I loved Cricket! I really felt for her with her divorced parents and the ending of her surrogate family. I loved how she grew so much during one summer. She started out as a girl who had dealing with her parent's divorce by immersing herself in her best friend's family and believed heavily in her ideals of people, but she ended as a girl secure in her own worth, independent and self sufficient.
Diary feel- The whole book felt like Cricket's personal diary with all her thoughts and feelings laid bare. This increased with the addition of her mum's actual diary entries that popped up. It made Cricket's emotions and issues much more real and authentic.
Side Cast- I loved the side cast. Jules, I felt for her but she was at times unfairly harsh to Cricket especially with Jay. I loved Zack he really owned who he was and showed Cricket true friendship despite his own situation. I loved how brash Liz was and how she was so friendly towards Cricket. George, I liked how his project really connected Cricket to the Nantucket and opened up a surprising plot line. The whole Nantucket community had such a feel of community and all the different personalities even the horrible ones added to the feel of the book.
Twists- I loved all the little twists and turns! I guessed a few and a few shocked me! They all really added to the plot, the flow of the story and kept me guessing
Setting- The setting was what initially drew me in and I really enjoyed it! It was removed from Cricket's comfort zone forcing her to adapt to the situation. I loved the small community feel and the isolation.
Timeframe- I loved how summer framed the book from beginning to end. Summer is always a magical time and this book explores that time through so many different avenues. I liked that the book ended at the end of summer, even though I do want to read more I think it was the best ending point for such a summery read.

What I didn't love as much:
Resolution- The book did end at the end of summer which was appropriate but I wanted more resolution! Especially between Cricket and her Dad and with Jules!
Cricket's Dad- I was appalled by her father's lack of enthusiasm in his own daughter! He'd divorced his wife not his children. He put more thought, effort and expense into his new wife's son's 6th birthday than his own daughter's 18th and was surprised that she was upset! Cricket's mum may have been abit vacant but she clearly adored her daughter the same could not be said for her Dad!

 

I really enjoyed this book and I know I'll be dipping in and out of it for ages it was the perfect combination of light sweet beach read and serious contemporary!

 

Will you be giving Nantucket Blue a try?

Much Love!
Lettie

Xxx