I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. on 2010-06-01
Genres: Dating & Sex, Friendship, Love & Romance, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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There Are Some Summers You'll Always Remember Sometimes I wake up shivering in the early hours of the morning, drowning in dreams of being out there in the ocean that summer, of looking up at the moon and feeling as invisible and free as a fish. But I'm jumping ahead, and to tell the story right I have to go back to the beginning. To a place called Indigo Beach. To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves. To the start of something neither of us could have predicted, and which would mark us forever, making everything that came after and before seem like it belonged to another life. My name is Mia Gordon: I was sixteen years old, and I remember everything.
The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells, no brainer, takes place over, you guessed it! The Summer! 16 year old Mia goes to visit her rich family in the Hamptons. She does not fit in very well with her cousin and her cousin’s upscale friends. One night, Mia’s cousin ditches her at a party. When one door closes, another one opens.
Mia forms a bond with the most interesting, 3-D character of the novel, Simon. Simon is eccentric, he is an artist, and he quotes F. Scott Fitzgerald. Clearly, favorite character status of The Summer Of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells. I thought the interactions between Mia and Simon were excellent. The chemistry was there, and had me wanting more.
The themes of The Summer Of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells are definitely themes teens today can relate to, such as overcoming inhibitions. Mia’s mother calls her fat, when if what I am thinking is correct, and Mia is the girl on the cover, she is clearly skinnier than I am, and y’all I am a tiny girl. So, Mia has all sorts of body image problems, but she isn’t anorexic or anything. I guess she hates her body because she has big boobs, when her cousin and her friends do not. Sigh. What a terrible problem. Well, I suppose if you are consistently told you are ugly and surrounded by beautiful people, you probably do really find yourself not good looking. IDK I can’t relate, as I wake up in the morning and chastise myself for being really, really ridiculously good looking. But, I digress, back to themes. Well, Mia eventually says “self, I am pretty in someone’s eyes, therefore I am hot.” That is the gist anyways. I wish she didn’t need confirmation from someone else, but I can understand it.
To be quite honest, I was not immediately engaged by The Summer Of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells. As soon as action started happening, and she stopped crowing about her ex, I became interested. I know, I know, when you are a teen and you break up with a boy, you are clearly obsessed and want to date him again. However, I am past this point in my own life, so I find this crowing rather boring. However, I bet 16 year old April would have ate this right up after a particular painful breakup.
As far as the ending of The Summer Of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells, I was not a fan. At all. I thought it was a complete cop out. It completely turned me off. However, I am one of those people where if I don’t like an ending, I wind up feeling very disdainful toward the book. Not everyone is like me, and I bet a lot of people will love this book. However, it was not my favorite.
I will say, The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells is not Dessen caliber, as far as contemporary goes. Yet, it was an average beach read and something I could see a lot of teens enjoying while sunning in the Hamptons or Myrtle Beach, or the local pool.
Other Reviews of The Summer Of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells:
Cheryl’s Book Nook
Abby (The) Librarian
Pop Culture Junkie
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Great review..I've been seeing this book all over the blogosphere recently. I need to give this one a try.
Great review. You are ridiculously good looking, how do you stand yourself? lol
I have this for review as well… I'll send you a link when I've posted my thoughts.
I enjoyed your review April. It made me smile!
I don't like books where characters obsess over their exes. I guess I can't relate to that at all and have no patience for it.
I don't know that I would love this book but I might like it. I think I will definitely try to get it from a library.
Really awesome review! I think I'll give it a chance, I love summer reads 😀
I'm unsure whether or not I want to read this book. We shall see. Wonderful review. :]
I love the cute title of this book but the plot and characters sound meh. I like how Simon sounds but Mia sounds like she would be a difficult character to like. Bad endings will completely ruin my feelings for otherwise enjoyable books too! Great review, it sounds like a fun and fluffy enough summer read. 😀
I love the cute title of this book but the plot and characters sound meh. I like how Simon sounds but Mia sounds like she would be a difficult character to like. Bad endings will completely ruin my feelings for otherwise enjoyable books too! Great review, it sounds like a fun and fluffy enough summer read. 😀