Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (2013-05-07) Paperback – 1763

Okay, I have to say it: I like The Unexpected Everything better. I really love the setting of Second Chance Summer (BEACHES. LAKES. SUMMER. YAY.) but I enjoyed the overall content of The Unexpected Everything better, though I might be slightly biased by the dogs. I still haven't read Amy & Roger's Epic Detour or Since You've Been Gone, but I'LL GET THERE EVENTUALLY.Everyone always talks about how you should buy a box of tissues when you buy this book. And the blurb indicates that, too. But the thing is? I barely cried. Yes, watching Taylor lose her father was painful. Watching him waste away. I can't even imagine what that's like. And the emotion certainly came across. But I am a crier. Look it up in the dictionary and you'll find my picture. I can pretty much cry about anything at any time. Emmy & Oliver, a relatively cute contemporary, made me cry. I sobbed like a baby at the acknowledgements in The Summer of Chasing Mermaids. If it's even remotely sad, I CRY. But I didn't cry until the very end of Second Chance Summer, and even then, there weren't a whole lot of tears.I just wanted more, I guess. I think the emotion could have come across more, could have moved me more, I guess. Or maybe I am becoming a dark and emotionless zombie? Honestly, I think that's the more likely scenario.The only other complaint I have is that Henry and Lucy are holding this huge grudge for something that HAPPENED WHEN THEY WERE 12. And it's not like Taylor killed somebody's dog. She left without saying goodbye, sure. But the icy way they treat her for it, five years later? I just found that so ridiculous.Okay. Moving on.Moodboards are great because I get to waste an afternoon on Pinterest and call it productive.I didn't connect to Taylor as much as I would have liked, but I really loved the way that she wasn't perfect. And she recognized it, too. I loved her relationships with her family members, her breakfasts with her father, the way she began to take care of her sister. The family dynamics in this book should basically be legendary. That definitely got me a little emotional and I think was really central to this book.I loved the movie nights. I'm pretty amazed at the way she powered through her job, though. It says often that the day moves slow and she's basically painfully watching the clock, which I totally understand, but whenever I work food service I complain non-stop, even when I'm working with people I like. I'm sure everyone would like me better if I was more like Taylor and just silently watched the clock.The romance was sweet and I liked how supportive Henry and Taylor were of each other. I was kind of upset when they kissed after having maybe two REAL conversations after meeting again, but it's fiction so I moved on.tl;dr: The family dynamics and struggles were really the highlight of Second Chance Summer. It highlighted how even in tragedy, life goes on, and although I didn't really get the sheer amount of emotion I was expecting, I really enjoyed this contemporary. 4 stars.

Kleenex Count - 4...actually 5, maybe even 6 if this review makes me cry as well.This Young Adult book by Morgan Matson is one that will put you through the ringer. I had to get up and give my Dad a hug & tell him I love him after this.SCS is a summer set story revolving around a family that is taking their summer up to an old family lake house that they used to visit each year until about 5 years ago. But it all has a hidden, sad reason behind it. The dad wants the whole family to spend that summer up there because it is possibly his last summer at all. Of course, Taylor, our main character, is a little apprehensive to return since she didn't exactly leave on good terms. She also has a strong habit of running away from her problems. She is a poor public speaker and has a tendancy that reminds me of Emma Swan, running when things get too real or confrontational.So as you can probably guess, this summer is going to be all about Second Chances for Taylor as well as a huge growing summer for her entire family. Throw in some part time jobs, some puntastic shops, and a great host of side characters including Matson's dog Murphy, and you have a heartwarming story that will make you laugh, smile, and cry all within a few pages of each other.I absolutely loved every moment of this story. It's something that will touch your heart with something warm. IT will also make you want to call up your Dad and tell him you love him. Which is not a bad thing.

Originally posted on my blog: www.book-scents.comAfter I finished reading Since You've Been Gone, I loved it so much that I knew I had to read Morgan Matson's other books ASAP. I owned Second Chance Summer already and ended up reading it along with Rebecca from the Library Canary!Firstly, I've heard a lot about this one, all great things and also warnings about reading with tissues. Everything I heard was true. I already knew this was going to be a tough, emotional read just given the content. Taylor is spending the summer with her family at their vacation lake house -- one last summer together because their dad has just gotten diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. His doctors have given him a few months to live. I mean, what do you even do given that information? So the members of the Edwards family, Taylor, her younger sister, her older brother and her mom drop whatever they had planned for the summer and they all go to their lake house that they used to spend every summer at.The beginning made me tear up in the first 10%. Morgan Matson just has this skill to reach into your soul with words and draw out your emotions. It probably didn't help that I kept relating to the subject matter. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer quite a few years ago and I could identify with Taylor's initial feelings. Thankfully, in my case, it was found extremely early and after surgery and treatment, he is doing okay now. But I felt like I could just feel what Taylor was feeling and the need to run away and also the disinclination to talk about it with anyone.Another aspect of Morgan's writing that I love is her character development. Taylor shies away from conflict and has a history of running away from things. It's the reason she hasn't returned to the lake since she was 12. When she left it that summer, she left things in a mess that ended two of her most treasured relationships. This was one aspect that made me so curious, like, WHAT happened that summer?? Anyway, as the story progresses, Taylor learns to confront her fears and weaknesses and attempt to change and seize the second chances to do things right.The family dynamic is amazing. I loved seeing their interactions, especially the quiet ones between Taylor and her dad. I adored her dad and that made it all the harder to handle! I really enjoyed all the relationships portrayed with Taylor and her siblings and her parents, and seeing them come together more that summer and learn to treasure the time together and enjoy the little moments. I loved seeing Taylor salvage her friendship with Lucy and seeing that develop -- I swear, Morgan is the queen of all things friendships. She is a master at writing them!! Anyway, the one aspect that I wasn't really a fan of was the romance. I mean, sure, I really liked Henry and he was really adorable. But every time Taylor interacted with him, I'd just get annoyed at Taylor. I understand that it was a pivotal example of her character progression but it just wasn't my favorite.This was just such a beautifully written story with an amazing family component. I was thoroughly attached to all the characters and each relationship is just so well formed. I teared up while reading but the last 10% of the book or so? I left the room I was reading in to hide in my room by myself so I could sob in peace while I read. It's heart breaking and you will cry but it's such a great book! If you haven't read it yet...please do!