Christina June
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Blink
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
Ashlyn Zanotti has big plans for the summer. She’s just spent a year at boarding school and can’t wait to get home. But when Ashlyn’s father is arrested for tax evasion and her mother enters a rehab facility for “exhaustion,” a.k.a. depression, her life is turned upside down.REVIEW
The cherry on top? Ashlyn’s father sends her to work with a cousin she doesn’t even know at a rustic team-building retreat center in the middle of nowhere. A self-proclaimed “indoor girl,” not even Ash’s habit of leaving breadcrumb quotes—inspirational sayings she scribbles everywhere—can help her cope.
With a dangerously careless camp manager doling out grunt work, an overbearing father trying to control her even from prison, and more than a little boy drama to struggle with, the summer is full of challenges. And Ashlyn must make the toughest decision of her life: keep quiet and follow her dad’s marching orders, or find the courage to finally stand up to her father to have any hope of finding her way back home.
Ashlyn thought she had served her time, and would be able to return home after spending a year away at boarding school. But, then she learned of her father's arrest online, and in the blink of an eye, all her summer plans, and maybe her future plans, were altered. She was quickly whisked away to the woods of Pennsylvania to work at a wilderness retreat with her cousin, Hannah. This indoor girl was dreading her new outdoor job, but it would prove to be her summer of self-realization and change.
Characters
I had "met" Ashlyn in June's first book, It Started with Goodbye, and was excited to get to know her better. My heart went out to her, when she found out that her family was going in three different directions that summer. Her feelings of abandonment were strong, as well they should be, but I was grateful that she was able to find some comfort in her aunt, uncle, cousin, and some of the retreat staff. Her cousin, Hannah, and Baxter were two standout characters. They were very supportive, but didn't push Ashlyn too hard, and that was exactly what she needed to help her work through her family issues.
Family Focus
Ashlyn's family was in trouble. Her mother was seeking treatment for her depression, and her father was to begin serving his sentence in prison. Either one of these would be a stressful situation, and Ashlyn had to bear the weight of both. But, you know what? She used the time and space at camp to reflect on her relationship with her family. She realistically struggled with her feelings for her father. She loved him, but was also frustrated with him for the demands he constantly made of her. Through her separation and a lot of refection, she came to terms with her issues regarding her father, and resolved to try and fix things with her family, because in the end, she loved them. I also liked that Ashlyn was building a bridge back to her aunt, uncle, and cousin. They were such a big part of her growth and healing, and I was glad she was keeping them in her life.
Lots of Fun Stuff
I was all over this setting. The wilderness retreat was such a fun and unique place to spend the summer. There were bon fires and bike rides, swimming and scavenger hunts, sunrise hikes and zip lining. It just posed a wealth of possibilities and I had a great time being there with Ashlyn.
There was also hints of an adorable romance in this story. It was not a full-on romance, and the character justified her stand on why it wasn't, but I so, so wanted it to be. In fact, I was hoping there was an epilogue waiting for me, so I could see how Ashlyn's family made out AND see if my ship happened. Alas, there was none, but I am holding out hope, that June writes another book set in this world. Maybe Hannah could get her own book. It could happen, right?
Overall
A fabulous, low-drama coming of age story. It was a heartwarming tale of family and finding your voice, and I was happy to accompany Ashlyn on her journey.
* ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
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BOOK LINKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She is the author of IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE, EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE, and the forthcoming NO PLACE LIKE HERE.
Have you ever been zip lining?
Let us know in the comments!
Low-drama! You've said the phrase to get me to read this ASAP. I've had Christina June's debut since forever now, but still haven't read it. I like the sound of the wilderness retreat and the characters too. Glad you enjoyed it! :)
ReplyDeleteI am all about the low-drama. Her debut was adorable. I need to circle back and read her second book, but I really enjoyed the two I have read.
Deletethe wilderness retreat sounds great and i can tell this is one you enjoyed from your great review.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Really fun setting, and I thought June used it well.
DeleteI love the sound of Ashlyn’s extended family. They seem like they were truly supportive when she needed it most. Too bad you didn’t get your full-on romance on an epilogue but it still sounds like a truly worthy story. :)
ReplyDeleteI will always want the romance to happen. You know me! Still a great read, and I love that June always incorporates family in her stories.
DeleteI like the sounds of low drama, and adorable romance and a girl finding her way while dealing with some tough family stuff. Sounds like a positive read!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much the vibe of all Blink books - very positive. But, it was sweet and fun and the exploration of Ashlyn's feelings was very realistic.
DeleteThe wilderness sounds like such a great setting, and I'm all for a low drama romance! Great Review Sam!
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
I was all about the setting. There were so many fun possibilities, and June definitely used it well.
DeleteAshlyn sounds like a really great character; it sounds like she's really able to grow a lot over the course of the book.
ReplyDeleteShe was a very real teen for me, and she was dealing with some major family issues, as well as struggling with her feelings for her father. I like that the author had her explore and resolve her feelings with her family, which were very complicated.
DeleteOh cool, I didn't realize Ashlyn was in that other book. I think that's on my Kindle so I'll definitely have to go back and read it.
ReplyDeleteShe was in the first book. The one, who got arrested with Tatum.
DeleteThis pushes all the right buttons for a fun summer read:)
ReplyDeleteI would say all June's books fit my idea of summer reads - on the lighter side with happy endings.
DeleteIt must be so hard when you are so excited to go home and then suddenly everything is going to change. I think the theme of abandonment is going to be hard hitting and I can see why she struggles with it so much! But I am glad this one has a family focus -- that is something I am always looking forward to in books.
ReplyDeleteThe whole situation was quite sad, but the author turned it into such a great learning experience for the main character, and let it be a way for her to reconnect with nuclear and extended family, as well as a time for her to explore, who she was.
DeleteSounds like a good summer read! I have always been fascinated with summer camp like reads since I have never been to summer camp myself!
ReplyDeleteIt's even cooler than camp, because it's camp for grownups. There were team building activities and walls and zip lines. It was a fun setting.
DeleteI was part of the Bookstagram tour - I hope you got to see my picture - and can't wait to read this one! I love your review!
ReplyDeleteMary
I don't go on Instagram a lot. I will have to pop over and check it out.
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