Top 5 Wednesday: Summer Reads

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! Today I'll be taking part of the weekly meme Top 5 Wednesday. This is hosted by Sam from Thought on Tomes over on youtube. I know, two blog post in one day! Who would've ever thought that would be possible? :D

This week's topic is top 5 summer reads. Here are my picks for the week, in no particular order!

5.) One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank
I just recently read this through Netgalley and this will be the perfect read for the upcoming summer season. Not only is the setting in summer (and Paris), but the novel is fun and quick paced, just like I'm sure we wish all of our summers to be. Though this isn't the perfect book, I had such a great time reading it. Read more of my thoughts in my book review here!

4.) Boys Over Flowers by Hana Yori Dango 
Okay, I've only read the first six novels in this manga series, but I am going to be reading more of it hopefully this summer. The plot of the series is so much fun and the unique cast makes it a perfect read for the summer. 

3.) Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill 
Meant to Be is a classic YA contemporary novel. I forgot if it's set in the summer (I read it Dec. 2014!), but even if it isn't the book is perfect for the summer. This is similar to One Paris Summer in that our main character travels internationally and falls in love with someone that gave off a bad first impression. I want to read more by Morrill because her books are like candy: short and sweet. 

2.) Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
New Adult screams summer to me. I was trying to put a new adult novel here that isn't by CoHo, but her books are perfect for summer and can't be compared. To be honest, I'd recommend any of her books that I've read by her for summer besides Ugly Love. Maybe Someday is Hoover's lightest book so far and for that reason, it's the best to read during the season. Check out my review here. 


1.) Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Last but not least is a book that I'm sure will end up on so many lists this week. Since You've Been Gone is the epitome of a summer read. Not only is it set in the summer, but it has a fun unique plot. While it is long for a contemporary, it flew by so quickly. 

And that is my T5W for this week! What books come to mind when you think of summer?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Book Review: One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank

*I recieved One Paris Summer via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own and have not been altered.*

One Paris Summer was pure fun.

The novel centers around Sophie Brooks and her summer abroad when visiting her dad that left her and her brother the year before without warning. She's not that excited to go, as she hasn't spoken to her dad since she left and she doesn't get along that well with her brother. Sophie has to live with her brother, her dad, his new wife, and her daughter. The set up for this book was pretty simple. Sophie travels internationally and eventually falls in love with the city even when her step-sister Camille does everything she can to make Sophie miserable. 

There are two main reason why I liked this book: the music and the character development.

Music is portrayed so well throughout the novel. Sophie is a pianist, and even though she is on vacation, she still has to practice in order to maintain her skills. I loved how her passion didn't go on the back-burner just because she was meeting all these cute boys. Music is a part of her, and I really appreciated how much of an aspect it was in the book. I was able to connect with Sophie more because I am a musician myself (I play clarinet!)

The other reason this book was enjoyable was the character development. Not only does Sophie develop throughout the course of the novel, but so do the secondary characters and the relationships. However, Sophie's character development really stood out. In the first scene of the novel, she comes off as naive and somewhat weak. By the end of the story, she is sure in herself and what she wants. She grows into a character that I could not only relate to, but see myself being friends with. Her character development was paced so well and it wasn't just a big jump from her insecure self to her confident one. 

The only thing I didn't really like was the romance. I know, I know! Maybe I'm just picky, but I didn't like Matthieu that much. Sure, he was charismatic, but what sets him apart from the another standard love interest? Nothing, really. He has a bad ex, made a mistake in the past, jokes around, and has a great smile. Their relationship also progressed way too quickly for me. Sophie is just starting a relationship with him, and by the next month they love each other? It just wasn't believable to me. 

Besides that, I don't have any faults with the book. I liked the characters enough, but I didn't love them either. My favorite part was the growth of the cast of characters in the novel and the musical aspect. The familial tensions were also very well done. 

I would recommend this to anyone who wants an easy and fun contemporary novel. One Paris Summer isn't perfect, but it sure is fun. To put it simply, it's perfect for the summer. :D

With that, I give this book
3.5 out of 5 Stars!

 

What are some fun YA contemporaries that you have read recently?

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!