Nantucket Red by Leila Howland.

Cricket Thompson's lifetime of overachieving has paid off: she's headed to Brown University in the fall, with a spot on the lacrosse team and a scholarship that covers almost everything. Who knew living in the dorm cost money? An Ivy League education seems to mean living at home for the next four years.
When Cricket is offered the chance to earn enough cash to afford a real college experience, she heads back to Nantucket for the summer. But the faraway island challenges Cricket in ways she hadn't anticipated. It's hard to focus on earning money for next year, when she finds her world opening up in entirely new ways-to art, to travel, and, most unexpectedly, to a future completely different from the one she has been working toward her whole life. A friendship blossoms with Ben, the gorgeous surfer and bartender who encourages Cricket to be free, even as she smarts at the pain of seeing Zack, her first love, falling for her worst enemy.
But one night, when Cricket finally lets herself break all her own rules, she realizes she may have ruined her carefully constructed future with one impulsive decision. Cricket must dig deep to fight for her future, discovering that success isn't just about reaching goals, but also about listening to what she's been trying to ignore-her own heart.

Thoughts!

I was initially unsure about a sequel to Nantucket Blue as I loved the book but I did want more resolution which Nantucket Red provided and more!
I loved that we got a sweeping overview of Cricket's year so the book was mainly set during the summer.
Cricket was the same great character. I loved her determination to equal the money offered to her so she could go to her dream college. I liked seeing her and Jules on better terms although I'm still not a fan of Jules! Nantucket had barely changed in a year so Cricket just slotted back in. I loved Liz returning and the way her character had developed and matured. I even liked Ben, because he was honest and almost a male version of Cricket, relationship wise. Zac was really frustrating this book! The way their relationship petered out initially was annoying but Zac's reaction and subsequent actions were just... I did enjoy the fact this book seemed less heavy with painful drama and more coming of age complete with the confusing love life!
I loved the ending the choices Cricket made. She really proved to be mature self sufficient and independent, secure in her goals and relationships. Overall Nantucket Red is a lovely positive summer read about a girl growing into herself and a fun summer community.

Rating

Nantucket Red is a brilliant companion to Nantucket Blue. It adds depth to the characters, expands on their background as well as being strong enough to standalone.

 Have you read the Nantucket books?
Much love!
Lettie
Xxx

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



Monday Round Up!

One of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!
 
I haven't done this meme in ages!
I started a new job and everything got a bit hectic :)
Last week I was mainly assembling Ikea furniture and catching up with old friends so it's still all systems go!
This week I'm travelling back to Uni for a massive meet up with my Uni friends which I'm so excited about!

Last Week's Posts!
 Mini Reviews: Liz Reinhardt Edition! 4 Hearts all around for Liz Reinhardt!
Friday Five~ Dystopia Characters New Friday post featuring five favourites- first topic is male dystopia characters!

Read!

Both courtesy of NetGalley!

Losing It was a fun read, not quite what I was expecting!

The Elite was amazing so glad I got my hands on a little early.



Reading!

These two are both touring my blog in early May so I want to make sure I'm all set!
I'm reading two at a time because Nissa is only on my tablet which I don't always have with me.

What's Next?

I can't decide! This is a mixture of blog tours, NetGalley and books I just want to read- let me know if you recommend any of them!

Upcoming Posts!
Reviews~ The Elite by Kiera Cass and Losing it by Cora Carmack.
Friday Five~ Should be posting one of either side characters or female characters!

How have you all been?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx