Annaberry Reads: May 2016

Review: Summer of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider

Title: Summer of Sloane
Series: (a standalone)
Author: Erin L. Schneider
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Date Published: May 3, 2016

Warm Hawaiian sun. Lazy beach days. Flirty texts with her boyfriend back in Seattle.

These are the things seventeen-year-old Sloane McIntyre pictured when she imagined the summer she’d be spending at her mom’s home in Hawaii with her twin brother, Penn. Instead, after learning an unthinkable secret about her boyfriend, Tyler, and best friend, Mick, all she has is a fractured hand and a completely shattered heart.

Once she arrives in Honolulu, though, Sloane hopes that Hawaii might just be the escape she needs. With beach bonfires, old friends, exotic food, and the wonders of a waterproof cast, there’s no reason Sloane shouldn’t enjoy her summer. And when she meets Finn McAllister, the handsome son of a hotel magnate who doesn’t always play by the rules, she knows he’s the perfect distraction from everything that’s so wrong back home.

But it turns out a measly ocean isn’t nearly enough to stop all the emails, texts, and voicemails from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, desperate to explain away their betrayal. And as her casual connection with Finn grows deeper, Sloane’s carefree summer might not be as easy to find as she’d hoped. Weighing years of history with Mick and Tyler against their deception, and the delicate possibility of new love, Sloane must decide when to forgive, and when to live for herself.

Review: Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan

Title: Not in the Script
Series: If Only...#3
Author: Amy Finnegan
Date Published: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Not in the Script was a really cute, YA contemporary book. I really liked the Hollywood spin on the story, and getting a glimpse of what it could be like for young actresses and actors, from dealing with the paparazzi to putting together a T.V. show. Actually, most of my favorite parts of the book were when they talked about production, edits, and sets, especially when we learned about sound studios and what they are used for. It takes so much time and effort to just put a small scene together! Anyhow, I found all of that fascinating.
Emma did not seem like your stereotypical starlet that one might envision for a celebrity. She was very down to earth and approachable. She was kind, considerate, and very likable. I also admired how she was attending online courses while having a career in acting. There were times that she did frustrate me, however. She could be naive and let others take advantage of her. So many of her problems could have avoided with simple communication and/or not waiting so long to explain herself.
The love interest in the story was pretty sweet. I could really see why the two could relate to each other and be compatible. There wasn't and epilogue at the end, but I could see the couple staying together, despite it being a Hollywood romance.
Surprisingly, I think my favorite character was Kimmie. Yes, she was mostly a brat, but I got a kick of her sarcasm and quick whit. I appreciated that she stood up for herself and expected others do the same.
I would definitely recommend Not in the Script to those looking for a fun, light, contemporary romance. This is a book I would even share with my own teenage daughter. It was pretty clean, and I think she would enjoy the same aspects that I did.