Seventeen-year-old Charlotte O’Dell knows this summer is going to suck. Her mother just died, her sister hates her, and her dad has completely checked out. Fulfilling her mother’s final wish, the family heads to Angel Island for the summer to stay in a beach house her mother once loved.
After a year of being shut away taking care of her mother, Charlotte is numb and practically afraid of her own shadow; she hopes going to the island will give her the time and space she needs to begin healing, and an opportunity to bring her family back together. When she meets her mysterious neighbour, Ezra, it doesn’t take long for Charlotte to confess the issues she’s developed. Ezra begins giving Charlotte assignments to get over her fears, and although she accepts his tasks, all she really wants is to be with him. When she’s with Ezra, she’s able to forget the hollow ache in her heart and the fact that her family is falling apart. But Ezra has secrets…
Can Charlotte pull what’s left of her family together, mend her broken heart, and allow herself to fall for Ezra? Or is it all just a storm waiting to happen?
Why?
First Impressions!
I wasn't too sure but once they set off for Angel Island I was sucked in! I loved the community feel of Angel Island and how welcoming and friendly all the locals were. I liked that Charlotte immersed herself in Island life and found her place. Charlotte seemed to have taken the majority of the weight from her Mum's illness and subsequent death.
What I loved:
Angel Island- I loved the community feel of Angel Island. It seemed like one of those places where everyone knew everyone but the people were very welcoming and friendly to Charlotte and her family. I liked that they had embraced tourism and technology- a lot of 'book islands' seem to be overly isolated. I liked how Miranda and Kennedy embraced Charlotte and defended her. I loved Adam- he was such a funny guy! I liked how Lilah tried to connected with Ella and especially with and her stories about their mother. I even liked the 'grumpy' shop keeper who had time to offer condolences to a tourist. I think Angel Island made for the perfect setting for a book on grief, loss and moving forward..
Charlotte- Charlotte had been dealt a heart-breaking lot in life. She'd been the one to watch her mother deteriorate, her sister had stolen her former life, her friends had abandoned her and her dad wasn't much help! As she'd been so focussed on her mother she didn't even have a real plan for after High School! I really felt for her and I loved how her grief and life progressed and how she slowly let people and activities in to her life. I admired how she didn't lash out at her family and embraced the island.
Ezra- I loved Ezra! He was such a compassionate character, I liked how dedicated and hard working he was as well. I loved how he saw Charlotte needed a push and encouraged and challenged her to socialise with the other girls and face her fears. His night time adventures were surprisingly endearing! They also created the perfect backdrop for lots of Charlotte and Ezra bonding :) Without spoiling this mysterious character, Ezra was definitely a good caring male character and suited Charlotte perfectly!
Grief- I liked that the O'Dell family seemed to personify three different coping mechanisms and methods of grief. Charlotte was the organiser , she'd spent the year with her mother helping her through and had taken over the mothering role. Understandably she suffered from insomnia and confusion, it was good to see her work through that. Her Dad couldn't quite seem to accept the death and was very lost and distracted. Ella was just plain mean and seemed to take all her anger out on Charlotte. I liked how these three different methods coexistent and how they slowly learnt to live and deal with each other again. It was very realistic and at times heart breaking.
Ending- No spoilers! The ending gave clear resolution of all the issues in the book, hope for the characters and made perfect sense- what more could I ask for?
What I didn't love as much:
Ella- Towards the end of the book I did get Ella's motives and reasoning behind her actions but she was so callously cruel and mean towards Charlotte and disrespectful of her mother that I couldn't get myself to like her!
Rating
I really love the setting, the people and Charlotte. I highly recommend it :)
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx
