Nantucket Blue

May 21, 2013 ♥Rachel♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nantucket Blue was more than I was expecting. I looked at that amazing cover and thought: light summer read, fun and flirty romance, lazy days at the beach. Sign me up! This was more. It was a story about defining your identity, best friends, family, loss, and first loves.

Cricket Thompson has been best friends with Jules since eighth grade. Cricket loves Jules and her family almost in a hero worship sort of way. So when tragedy strikes Jules’ family, Cricket wants to be there with her, comforti...more

22 likes · like · see review

May 08, 2013 Danny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read full Review at Bewitched Bookworms

Summer in Nantucket

Cricket was excited when her best friend Jules invited her to spend the summer with her family. But when tragedy comes to Jules family, Cricked is not welcome anymore. But Cricked dreamed about Nantucket for so long that she’s determined to stay there on her own!

This summer turns out to be completely different!

Cricket – my girl with the beautiful heart!

I loved loved LOOOOVED Cricket! She was beautifully real and such an incredible genuin...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 22, 2013 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-realistic, ya-cute-fun, couldnt-put-it-down, loved-this-book-more-than-i-expecte, sad-it-ended, want-a-sequel

Cricket Thompson is a good girl with crush on a hot boy, a fun best friend and an opportunity to spend the summer in Nantucket with her best friend's family. When a tragedy strikes, and she is uninvited to the beach, Cricket takes matters into her own hands, and scores herself a job and a place to stay.

But things don't go exactly as she planned. The job falls through, the boy dumps her before they even get to a kiss and the best friend becomes a raging, ungrateful bitch. Oh, and she falls in lo...more Cricket Thompson is a good girl with crush on a hot boy, a fun best friend and an opportunity to spend the summer in Nantucket with her best friend's family. When a tragedy strikes, and she is uninvited to the beach, Cricket takes matters into her own hands, and scores herself a job and a place to stay.

But things don't go exactly as she planned. The job falls through, the boy dumps her before they even get to a kiss and the best friend becomes a raging, ungrateful bitch. Oh, and she falls in love despite all this.

I expected a light summer read with this, and what I got was a lot more. This was really well written and researched- I felt like I could feel the sand between my toes and smell the scent of Marc Jacobs perfume mixed with the ocean. What I liked was the realistic aspect of this. Best friends who turn out to be not such good people, crushes on boys that you can't control, jobs that suck but the friends you make there make it bearable.

I loved the storyline and the arc with her mom. I hated Parker and I was so disappointed with Jules' behavior and treatment of Cricket, that I wanted to reach in the book and slap her across the face. Cricket lost someone she loved too, dammmit!! UGH. Though i wanted to shake Cricket for not getting the hint right away, I realized that she is a teenager and needed to make those mistakes for a reason.

But the thing is, when you read the ending to a book you can't put down and it doesn't quite satisfy that itch for character closure and then you discover there is no sequel in the works as of yet, it's very disappointing. I want another year in Nantucket with Zack and Liz and Gavin, only with Cricket on the inside of all the parties. I want more with her mom and even a groveling apology form Jules. That would be awesome.

Addendum: I fell in love with Nantucket as a result of this book. I've spent the last few hours looking for other YA books based on Nantucket and have not found one! Such a shame to not take advantage of using this beautiful place as a setting!(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 16, 2013 Karla Mae rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: published-2013, 2013-reads, covers-me-like, net-galley, summer-loving, young-adult

Everyone's life has love and death and drama and hope and fear…

A summer spent in Nantucket should be filled with fun strolls at the beaches, parties and snagging the attention of her long time crush - that's what Cricket was looking forward to. But she spends her summer there working in an inn folding and washing sheets with her best friend not talking to her acting up that their years of friendship didn’t exist and that she didn’t even know her.

Cricket is a very genuine character with a good h...more Everyone's life has love and death and drama and hope and fear…

A summer spent in Nantucket should be filled with fun strolls at the beaches, parties and snagging the attention of her long time crush - that's what Cricket was looking forward to. But she spends her summer there working in an inn folding and washing sheets with her best friend not talking to her acting up that their years of friendship didn’t exist and that she didn’t even know her.

Cricket is a very genuine character with a good heart and she’s a really catchy and great story teller. She’s friendly, generous, and adventurous and definitely goes for what she really wanted. I admire her loyalty to the friendship that she has with Jules even after all the turmoil and the bitchy-ness that happened between the two of them. Cricket is good yes, but I really didn’t like her extreme dependency and attachment to Jules and her family. I get it that when her own family falls down Jules and her family was there for her but seriously, though they welcome you as their own family there are still limitations - limitations that maybe Cricket forgot to see. Plus, she enables Jules to act bitchy and humiliate her to some people and it’s not really good. Another thing is that she thinks too much of what other people might think about her and what she do - I may like that characteristics at times but I prefer characters who don’t give a shit about what anyone else thinks. I mean if you’re doing the right thing why should you guard what you’re doing? It's your own life and you may do anything as you please just as long as it does not involve the ruination of other people.

But! There is a big but in there even after my rant about Cricket’s not so good characteristics; I admire her for growing up and developing. She came to Nantucket as a bit childish and just goes with what she wanted and goes with the flow but she came out of there matured and carrying a lot of lessons about life and love and friendship and I really do admire her for that. She's still the same Cricket but different in some areas.

Jules "the-so-called-friend" was a tough character. I started reading this having the impression she would be the one to stand by Cricket through stuffs knowing that Cricket’s state of life was on the edge of nowhere but no she didn’t because she succumb into her own misery and lost and started to act up badly. I was also expecting for things between her and Cricket to get better in the end but also it didn’t. I'm really trying my best to understand her and it seems that she also wanted to take Cricket back to be her friend but I just can’t solve her puzzle. Her sudden transformation causes her friendship with Cricket to seriously fall down and it was really a waste of one great friendship.

Liz, Gavin and George makes this summer more bearable for Cricket. These three have different personalities but they all get along with Cricket and even help her get occupied for most of her stay. They did help her learn things and open up her mind to other.

I was honestly surprised by the romance on the story. I really didn’t expect the love interest to be who it is so I was beyond surprised. I didn’t hate the love interest but I'm also not much invested to it. I’m not rooting for anyone for Cricket in the story so I think the love interest will do plus they’re cute. (It’s just that I really don’t go for younger guys.)

Despite some of my frustrations, Nantucket Blue is still worth the read. It was fluffy, summery engaging read that you would enjoy no matter what age group you belong in. Oh and because of this Nantucket is now listed on one of my most coveted places to visit in the near future. :)

Thanks to Disney Book Group and Netgalley for providing an advance copy for review.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

May 04, 2013 Kailia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-book, read-in-2013, young-adult

3.5

I regret reading Nantucket Blue on a rainy, cold March day. Everything about this book made me pine for the summer. Nantucket Blue was a book I wanted to read at the beach with a glass of lemonade (actually ice cold Coke, but lemonade is more summer-y, right?), having a view of the gorgeous ocean. I have never spent my summers in the Northeast coast (only the South) but this book made me want to get on a plane as soon as the summer begins and head to Nantucket. While I am very much a charact...more 3.5

I regret reading Nantucket Blue on a rainy, cold March day. Everything about this book made me pine for the summer. Nantucket Blue was a book I wanted to read at the beach with a glass of lemonade (actually ice cold Coke, but lemonade is more summer-y, right?), having a view of the gorgeous ocean. I have never spent my summers in the Northeast coast (only the South) but this book made me want to get on a plane as soon as the summer begins and head to Nantucket. While I am very much a character girl, the setting is the real gem of Nantucket Blue but Leila Howland wrote a story where every aspect worked well together for the most part.

Lets talk about Cricket, our main character. I have to admit that I liked Cricket. Cricket was the bigger person in this situation and after Jules went through a family tragedy, Cricket gave her space. She let Jules breathe and come to terms with what happened and I respected Cricket for that. When her planes for Nantucket fall through, Cricket didn’t give up. Instead of sulking and complaining like I would, Cricket held up her head and fended for herself. Along the way, Cricket did grow as a character and she learned more about herself than she could have imagined but the growth wasn’t in large amounts. For one, a certain incident that happened with a certain guy made me shake my head. I think Cricket had a good enough head on her shoulders to not let that happen.

As much as I liked the characters, the setting was the best part of this novel. Nantucket was described in such a way that I felt like I was there in the Atlantic Northeast, feeling the ocean breeze. It was absolutely fantastic and again, the descriptions made me want to skip right over spring and get to summer. I have this love for small resort towns and Nantucket reminded me of Colby, the resort town many of Sarah Dessen’s books are set in. Nantucket is real and Colby is not but if you’ve read a Dessen novel, Colby is the pace you want to be for the summer. With small diners and restaurants and quirky natives, Nantucket Blue came alive, almost as if it were a character itself.

As I’ve said before, I’m not a fan of having too many issues or stories strung together in one book. Very rarely does this work in favor of the book and some how, Leila Howland did exactly that. There were many different plotlines featured in Nantucket Blue that were executed well but not very well because Leila Howland didn’t connect everything to an “ending.” Until I realized how realistic it was. The ending did have loose ends but they were believable. Like in real life, people are not able to change or accept an issue in a matter of days and in Nantucket Blue, the ending did just that.

I hate to admit this but I did have issues with Nantucket Blue. For one, a lot of the issues featured were superficial and not as developed as I’d have liked. As much as I love romance, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance in this one. Sure I liked the love interest but I didn’t feel like I was given enough background on the love interest and his relationship with Cricket prior to where the book began to actually believe in their romance. And as much as Cricket developed as a character, none of the other side characters did. Sure I got to know them on the surface, there wasn’t more to them. These little aspects put together are the only reasons why this book is getting a 3.5 star.

Overall, Nantucket Blue is a book I recommend to read at the beach, when you’re looking for pure entertainment. While the character and plot will make you happy, the description will make you want to abandon anything and everything and go to Nantucket. (less)

1 like · like · see review

May 10, 2013 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

In Leila Howlands, debut novel Nantucket Blue was really well written. I was hooked from the very first page! It really reminded me of The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han, which is one of my favorite series because of the romance, and the love of the beach which is also in this novel. Like any contemporary YA novel it was romantic, real, had good humor, friendship. You can really relate to the characters.

Cricket is our main character who is determined, strong and is able to hold her...more In Leila Howlands, debut novel Nantucket Blue was really well written. I was hooked from the very first page! It really reminded me of The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han, which is one of my favorite series because of the romance, and the love of the beach which is also in this novel. Like any contemporary YA novel it was romantic, real, had good humor, friendship. You can really relate to the characters.

Cricket is our main character who is determined, strong and is able to hold her own. Her friendship with Jules was great at first but later in the novel after a tragedy that hits Jules family, she tries to be with her friend (Clayton Family) Cricket was very close with the family and felt the grief as well. This friendship did feel like a friendship, Jules was changing into another person and I felt that Cricket did try to reconnect with her, but she always kept her distance while losing her best friend.

Nantucket Blue was a great book to read as showing readers how described the novel is about Nantucket, which I heard is beautiful. Cricket starts working at a hotel, who she meets new friends and even a customer who tries to help achieve her goals. Liz was a great character as well as supporting Cricket through her problems who was more of a best friend that Jules. I loved the plot and felt that these characters who go through a lot of changing during one summer. With her mother's journal by her side Cricket discovers this new side of her to become her own.

Another thing I liked was the romance created in Nantucket Blue. Cricket does fall in love with the most unexpected male lead that your would suspect it a bit but at the same time root for him and this forbidden romance. Leila Howland is definitely another author to add to your list! If you loved the Summer I Turned Pretty Series, you will definitely love this new book who sets to navigate her own life, fall in love with a forbidden boy (who you will love). I will be looking forward to the next book by Leila. Also its a great summer read!! I love this cover!!(less)

1 like · like · see review

May 25, 2013 E.S.P. rated it 4 of 5 stars

At last. I was supposed to write this review days ago, but my overwhelming laziness possessed me to hold off until today. Pity.

I'm actually kind of excited to write this. I'm into this new YA kick. I'm a little more than sick of Young Adult books, to say the least. But anyway.

Normally I start reviews of talking about the characters, but today I want to begin with the setting. Prior to this, I've never have heard of Nantucket before. Blame it on the fact I have no life. The way Nantucket is des...more At last. I was supposed to write this review days ago, but my overwhelming laziness possessed me to hold off until today. Pity.

I'm actually kind of excited to write this. I'm into this new YA kick. I'm a little more than sick of Young Adult books, to say the least. But anyway.

Normally I start reviews of talking about the characters, but today I want to begin with the setting. Prior to this, I've never have heard of Nantucket before. Blame it on the fact I have no life. The way Nantucket is described in the book is actually the reason I'm Wikipedia-ing it now: it sounds exotic, yet homely at the same time. The pictures I've seen of it are so gorgeous, that I feel an ache in my chest to go there. That, and the way the author makes Nantucket feel like a place where you can belong.

In the beginning of the book, Cricket suffers the death of a person she considers somewhat close to her. The sense of death inside those moments is a feeling very hard to portray to the reader. I had tears in my eyes. Unfortunately, I was reading that part in a public place, so it looked quite odd for me to be sniffling to myself. But I managed to keep it together. The death part is kind of what steers the course of the story. Although its not her family member who has died, eventually that death brings it's grief to Nantucket, making it a place a lot less amazing as Cricket would like.

Cricket is such a sweet fragile person, loyal to those she loves. Like many, she makes mistakes, but she learned from them, some others can't say for themselves. Though she was pushed around and didn't really have the world on her side, she overcame it. I loved that about her.
There are romantic aspects in the book, but it is not the main figment of the story. There are other elements added to it. But the romance, and the forbidden part of it, had me like, "Oh crap." I feel bad for poor Cricket because of all the curveballs thrown her way, but all the more fun for me.

Nantucket Blue was a great book, maybe even better than the credit I'm giving it. All my YA fans will love it, like I did, and islanders like myself will praise it's name. I'm keeping it on my bookshelves.

See more of my reviews and get your book reviewed at whoistheserialreader.blogspot.com.(less)

like · see review

May 12, 2013 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5/5

This was sweet, sad then real.

Early parts have her feeling like safe in her little nook. Happy, is what she was. While it’s not necessarily ripped out form under her, it sort of disappears. More importantly she’s at first oblivious then in denial then later clueless as to why. All they while, she’s trying to be understanding over their loss but having the most difficult time at it as she’s unable to separate their loss from hers… because that’s the way things have always been: no her, no t...more 3.5/5

This was sweet, sad then real.

Early parts have her feeling like safe in her little nook. Happy, is what she was. While it’s not necessarily ripped out form under her, it sort of disappears. More importantly she’s at first oblivious then in denial then later clueless as to why. All they while, she’s trying to be understanding over their loss but having the most difficult time at it as she’s unable to separate their loss from hers… because that’s the way things have always been: no her, no them, but an us. ‘Till it isn’t anymore.

So, she’s caught adrift, and you’re sad for her, but wanting her to open her eyes because boundaries? This girl saw none. And it’s in failing to see these that the lead read young for a girl turning eighteen, young, a bit desperate, and unaware of boundaries. And it’s failing to see these walls that much of her heartache springs.

Discoveries of all sorts

Friend gone, mother not there, father not really there either and all the while she’s caught in this in between time of kid but not kid. Feeling disappointment but being old enough to know that time’s up and the boat’s sailed… that it’s not her turn anymore because while she’s not ‘old’ old, then he’s older now. And you kind of hear her heart break, you know?

All made even more complicated with discoveries of a version of a mother so different from the one she’d become familiar with (and even dislike). There’s this disappointment between them, from her for her mother especially. So that her being caught in the middle of kid and not kid anymore? It’s most strongly felt between them because it felt like the kid was doing the mothering and if not, it felt like it was the kid wanting to not get stuck and wanting (needing to) move on, what she thought was the grown up thing to do. It felt simply felt sad, especially when considering the predicament she’d find herself in later.

Then there were other sorts of discoveries of just how strong she could be in finding her own way, seeing things for what they were… finally owning up to wrongs done, but before the last: feeling all these things that others were capable of letting her feel:

A lot of these were sad ones, but some a sweet respite, particularly between her and a certain other. The connection made between them was familiar but not; because it’s builds on. And if at first, there was that odd and doesn’t feel right feeling going on in me, it’s a feeling that didn’t persist. Mainly because I found it truthful her learning more of that side her. There was truthfulness to how young they both read. The reluctant attraction, heart beating then suddenly racing and then throw in just a bit of that conflicted “I can’t/ we can’t” and well, see, I finished this in three hours. If that’s not sign enough of a good read, well, I have no idea what is.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

May 11, 2013 Desirae rated it 3 of 5 stars

I am going to start by telling you this book moved a little slow for me. I got a little frustrated with Cricket. I just wanted to yell at her to grow up and stop acting like a teenager. Then I remembered, she is one. And I start to think back to when I was a teenager...yikes...those are scary thoughts...*shivering*... back to our book. So our Cricket has a bit of a falling out with her best friend Jules after Jules suffers a terrible loss. I feel bad for Jules, I do. But I didn't think Cricket d...more

like · see review

May 09, 2013 Candace rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked this one up because I was desperate for a summery read. I was aware that it's not a light fun read, but it's still set in Nantucket in the summer and has a summer romance. It deals with some heavier things like grief and friendship and some family issues as well. A lot of it is Cricket finding her way.

Cricket has always spent a lot of time at her best friend Jules house, and it's become her 'comfort zone' sort of. And when tragedy strikes Jules family, it strikes Cricket too. But inst...more I picked this one up because I was desperate for a summery read. I was aware that it's not a light fun read, but it's still set in Nantucket in the summer and has a summer romance. It deals with some heavier things like grief and friendship and some family issues as well. A lot of it is Cricket finding her way.

Cricket has always spent a lot of time at her best friend Jules house, and it's become her 'comfort zone' sort of. And when tragedy strikes Jules family, it strikes Cricket too. But instead of being pulled in to grieve with the family, she's pushed out and for the first time she's on her own. Her plans for Nantucket have been canceled but she's not giving up and decides to make it on her own. She lines up a job and heads out there herself. While some of this may have been done in naivety, she really thought that things would be fine, I think she did the right thing. She took things into her own hands and made things work. And while it wasn't exactly what she had planned, she doesn't give up and head home to mope, she just trudges onward even while things are falling apart.

I loved Cricket. She was kind and good and lovable. She's the sort of girl I want to be my friend. While she's still in the stages of just dreaming about boys and what she thinks of them in her head, through the summer she finds out much more about boys and what real love really is.

I adored the romance! I saw it coming way before it ever happened, but I loved it. There's no insta love or a love triangle. This could have easily been a triangle, but instead avoided that drama. And thank goodness! I was worried for a moment, but it really was only a moment. There's was no lengthy hard decisions for her to make. She knew her heart and she went with it. Not that she didn't make mistakes, but luckily for the most part everything was drama free regarding the romance. It was very nearly perfect. The only thing I'd change is having a few more special 'moments' between them. Really though, that's not much of a complaint cause I really did adore them.

I cried, I laughed and I cried some more. This book managed to bring out the emotion for me. I needed it though. It was the right book at the right time. I felt anger at her friend for not being a true friend and I wanted to slap her silly. I felt sadness at what Cricket had to go through alone and I felt that little spark of happiness in my gut when things went good for Cricket, when she found her way on her own without any help. When she started to realize her feelings for this one particular guy and when things started to work out for them as they discovered their love.

I loved this book, it worked perfectly for me. And I think I would give it 4.5 stars. It's just not quite a 5 star read for me, but it's so close! I have debated this and I have decided 4 stars will be my overall rating just because I feel like it could have had a tiny bit more to elevate it to even better!

You will be able to find this review (up soon!) and others like it on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com (less)

like · see review

May 09, 2013 Big Book Little Book rated it 3 of 5 stars

Caroline for www.bigbooklittlebook.com
Copy received prom publisher in exchange for an honest review

When it comes to selecting my holiday reads I’m attracted to books that are uplifting, set in interesting and exotic locations with a strong romantic theme, and the guarantee that even if the sky remains overcast and grey during my “stay-cation” in Blighty, I will at least get to experience sun, sand and sea within the pages of a book.

The cover of Nantucket Blue alone ticked a lot of my essential s...more

like · see review

May 09, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Characters-
Cricket is such a lovable character. My heart went out to her right away even as I knew she was making mistakes. I understood her actions were coming from her heart but I could see from the reactions that they weren't seen that way. Cricket has had it tough in the parental department. Her parents are divorced. Her father remarried to a wife who has a difficult child, one she adopted from a Russian orphanage who has special needs. There is no time for her. Her mother is just depressed...more Characters-
Cricket is such a lovable character. My heart went out to her right away even as I knew she was making mistakes. I understood her actions were coming from her heart but I could see from the reactions that they weren't seen that way. Cricket has had it tough in the parental department. Her parents are divorced. Her father remarried to a wife who has a difficult child, one she adopted from a Russian orphanage who has special needs. There is no time for her. Her mother is just depressed. And she'd love someone to wallow in her misery with her. The Claytons are her ideal family and she's over there all the time. But when tragedy strikes them, Jules Clayton, her best friend, cuts the ties that bound her to them and Cricket feels homeless. She's determined to live on Nantucket for the summer for numerous reasons, the biggest being that Jules will need her. I gave Cricket and A for effort. She has absolutely the biggest heart. She helps everyone, is afraid to have her own happiness for fear of hurting someone else. She's almost too good to be true, but she isn't an angel so hold onto your halo.
She's just as vulnerable as the rest of us to corruption. But in a very fun way.

Jules- Didn't like her. The End! You won't either. I dare anyone to tell me they did. Meet me on the playground.

Zach- Jules' brother. Zach was like a breath of fresh air as far as guys in books go. He wasn't the hero to save the day. He wasn't pretending to be anything. He was just Jules' younger brother. He was funny and a familiar face when Cricket really needed one. He knew where to go and how to stay out of trouble and how to avoid people. Even the good beaches. So he was good for Cricket. Someone she'd known for a long time who didn't resent her relationship with his mother.

There are a lot of secondary characters, plenty, and they all play important roles. Some are more developed than others like Cricket's mom, while Jay Logan, Cricket's crush since 8th grade is hardly known. But some of the secondary characters really bring Cricket's days to life and help fill in the story with some memorable scenes. There is even a Kennedy like family living on Nantucket.

The world is Nantucket in summer. I don't think it gets much better than quaint little towns with expensive shops, incredible restaurants, little inns and bed and breakfasts, cobblestone streets and an island surrounded by white sandy beaches, sailboats and blue water. I'll take a house there please! Honestly you'll feel like you can walk the streets yourself. And you'll know the inn where Cricket gets a job and lives while she's on Nantucket. I can picture her little room so well. I see the beaches. And the uber rich homes on the beaches. Yeah, not hard to imagine at all.

The story was fantastic! Cricket has to learn that the friend she thought she knew as well as herself has either changed or been only showing part of herself to her. She learns how to stand up for herself and what she wants. To fix her own mistakes and how to be okay with things when she can't change them. She makes a lot of mistakes. Boy does she! This could be called My Summer of Mistakes. She's either putting her foot in it or showing up where she's not wanted or some other faux pas. But it's never intentional. And that's why you'll love Cricket. Her heart is in the right place. And she's on her way to do the right thing when she gets waylaid by something. Or someone gets in her way. Or someone just mows her down. Truthfully, Cricket has much more of a backbone than I will ever have!
You want character growth? Yes, a lot. And the ending, oh so painful, right to the very last words.

This is for mature readers. Drinking, sexual situations and language. It is a sometimes painful coming of age story about growing up, moving on and finding love where you least expect it.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 26, 2013 Peggy(Le BookSquirrel Blogger) Warren rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was given an ARC for an Honest Review.

Nantucket Blue Was a cute read.Cricket has a plan and that plan is to accompany her best friend to Nantucket for the Summer.But her Best Friend happens to go through something horrible and ends up ending her friendship with Cricket.Unfortunately Cricket wasn't aware of this so she heads to Nantucket to get a job for the summer so she can still be there for her friend.This Summer will show Cricket love,losss,hard work and growing up.
I thoroughly enjoyed...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 23, 2013 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction

The lacrosse game at the beginning of Nantucket Blue hooked me by providing instant insight into the characters. From that opening scene, I expected a breezy, beachy romance. I was shocked when tragedy hit Jules’s family, and the book took a more serious turn than I had anticipated. The family relationships seemed so real and complex – Cricket’s mother’s sadness and refusal to move on after the disintegration of a once-happy marriage, Cricket’s feelings about her father’s new family, the way Jul...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 22, 2013 Lyndsey Rushby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Nantucket Blue wasn’t really what I expected it to be. The book started off really well, showcasing the friendship between protagonist Cricket and best friend Jules. The pair are inseparable and plan to have the best summer ever together in Nantucket before heading off to college. However, tragedy in Jules’ family prevents this from happening and Jules shutting Cricket out. I hated how this friendship was so easily broken up. I understand the reasons behind this happening but I had mixed feeling...more Nantucket Blue wasn’t really what I expected it to be. The book started off really well, showcasing the friendship between protagonist Cricket and best friend Jules. The pair are inseparable and plan to have the best summer ever together in Nantucket before heading off to college. However, tragedy in Jules’ family prevents this from happening and Jules shutting Cricket out. I hated how this friendship was so easily broken up. I understand the reasons behind this happening but I had mixed feelings about these reasons. To me, Jules just came across as a bitch and it made me dislike her very quickly.

However, even with Cricket and Jules not talking to one another, Cricket still heads off to Nantucket for the summer with the hopes of making everything ok again. For me, Cricket was extremely young and a bit naive. She heads off to a place she has never been before, thinking it would all work out perfectly. Even after Jules tells her she can’t stay with them, Cricket turns up anyway. She was a lovely, sweet character and I really did want her to do and be better. As a character, she was extremely genuine and a nice person but this didn’t always do her any favours. I was glad to see that during her time in Nantucket, Cricket grew up a hell of a lot.

Nantucket Blue has a very unexpected romance. While it was a nice touch, I think it could have been much better. The romance was lacking in many places and it was hard to see the passion between Cricket and her love interest. I think this may be due to who he is but it just wasn’t very believable for me. This whole aspect of the book was a little one sided most of the time which made me think it just shouldn’t have been included. I would have much preferred more time being spent on just Cricket and her really getting to know herself without having a boy get in the way.

Due to the romance aspects and Cricket being a bit of an idiot for some of the time, the plot wasn’t fantastic for me. I wanted more about it being the summer; I wanted more beach time and more excitement. Instead, I got a lot of time spent in the hotel where Cricket got a job and then her also working for some guy writing a book. While some of these aspects were interesting, they just weren’t very summery. While I didn’t dislike this book by any means, it just wasn’t the best summer read out there.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 18, 2013 Jodi Papazian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-reads

** This review is based on an ARC and does contain SPOILERS. **

I really enjoyed Nantucket Blue. It is one of those perfect summer romance books that makes you feel like you are indulging in a beach read no matter what season it is. The characters were likable and eccentric and fun to lose yourself in.
Right before the start of summer vacation, Cricket is devastated when her best friend's mom dies. Nina has been like a mother to her - especially during the times when her relationship with her o...more

like · see review

Feb 02, 2013 Vanessa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am lucky enough to have received an advance copy of this book and I LOVE it. Cricket is a wonderful narrator and character that magnetically draws you into her world. Her summer on Nantucket is hardly what she expects - full of turmoil and complicated romance - but as a reader you root for her throughout. Cricket's resourceful, and she needs to be, as she faces some hard challenges (like her best friend Jules acting like she doesn't even like her). In lots of ways, this novel is about growing...more

1 like · like · see review

May 16, 2013 Atmika rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, blog-tour, contemporary-2013-challenge, debut-author-2013

More like 3.5 stars

Image Courtesy: Infinity and beyond

Cricket's summer started with a lot of hope. She was going to Nantucket with her best friend Jules Clayton and her family. She was finally going to be with Jay Logan, the guy she has been crushing on since forever. But life had something else planned for her.

Cricket is a great MC. She is real and relate-able. She is such a great friend. She is loyal and fights for the people she loves. She did a lot of growing up through the book. She un...more More like 3.5 stars

Image Courtesy: Infinity and beyond

Cricket's summer started with a lot of hope. She was going to Nantucket with her best friend Jules Clayton and her family. She was finally going to be with Jay Logan, the guy she has been crushing on since forever. But life had something else planned for her.

Cricket is a great MC. She is real and relate-able. She is such a great friend. She is loyal and fights for the people she loves. She did a lot of growing up through the book. She understood that at the end of the day what matters is not what everybody else thinks about you but what you see when you look in the mirror, how you feel about yourself is the only important thing in life.

Jules was not my favorite character and I understand that that she lost her mom and that's probably the worst thing that can happen to a person but how she treated Cricket was wrong but I do get her point of view. I understand that she closed herself in and maybe felt threatened and possessive about her family but she lost a really great friend in the process.

Also, here the MC is not directly suffering a tragedy. I mean she was very close to Jules's mom, I get that, but that's still her best friend's mom and it just goes on to show that sometimes somebody else's loss can change your life. It's something different from other YA books where generally the MC loses someone and we see them overcome that loss. Maybe, if I read this story from Jules POV I would be able to understand her better and be more sympathetic towards her.

The writing is great. It flows easily and still manages to hit the right emotions. It's more than a light, fluffy read but it still has the summer feel and cuteness of first love. It will make you smile and has a great ensemble of secondary characters like George, Liz, Jay, Gavin. Zach was cute. He grew on me but I wasn't swooning over him or anything. The romance does not take over the plot. I felt that it was more a growing up story than anything else.

I liked the ending. Everything just doesn't automatically becomes okay in real life. It takes time and that's just how it is. It's a fast read. I hope you like it! (less)

like · see review

May 13, 2013 Sassy Spratt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nantucket Blue is a high school love story with so much more behind it. The reader is exposed to grief, angst and many other emotions alongside feelings of young love. The story of Cricket in her first summer on the peaceful island of Nantucket is one I won't soon forget.

Our main character, Cricket, is an almost 18 year old girl who wants many things from her summer. She wants to help out her best friend, Jules, get over the grief of losing her mother. She wants to get away from her terrible b...more

like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 Shawn Lane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

What a great summer read!!! Full review to come!My first summer read of 2013, and it’s not even Valentine’s Day! Of course the release isn’t until May, but what perfect timing and what a wonderful book for the kick-off of summer reading!

The first thing I liked about Nantucket Blue, was the cover! I judge books by their cover, and this one definitely is attractive and appealing, and will pull in the perfect audience for this teenage love story!

The second thing that I liked about Nantucket Blue,...more What a great summer read!!! Full review to come!My first summer read of 2013, and it’s not even Valentine’s Day! Of course the release isn’t until May, but what perfect timing and what a wonderful book for the kick-off of summer reading!

The first thing I liked about Nantucket Blue, was the cover! I judge books by their cover, and this one definitely is attractive and appealing, and will pull in the perfect audience for this teenage love story!

The second thing that I liked about Nantucket Blue, was the friendship between Jules and Cricket. They are the perfect match as best friends. Their friendship is built on a solid foundation. That foundation does crack, and along with it, so does the friendship, but it’s repairable. Even beyond the tragedy, beyond the tears, heartbreak, and unthinkable circumstances, their friendship will be there in the end.

The third thing I liked was the setting. It is the perfect setting for a summer read. What teenage girl doesn’t want to spend the summer in Nantucket in her bikini, hanging out with the well-to-do and falling in love? After the tragedy, Cricket’s chance to spend the summer in Nantucket was demolished, but Cricket, the best-friend she was, found a way to be in Nantucket for the summer. Nantucket didn’t turn out quite the way Cricket planned, but true to summer magic, the summer turned out perfect!

The fourth thing that I liked was Zach. In fact, I loved Zach. He’s true to himself, lovable, funny, and the perfect character to transition Nantucket Blue into the perfect love story.

My favorite part of the entire story was Cricket’s mother’s diary! Not able to keep a traditional diary as a teen, because of her nosey aunt, her mother pens her memoirs in an Emily Dickinson book of poetry, which Cricket’s takes with her for the summer. It’s such a wonderful addition to Nantucket Blue to see Cricket reading her mother’s memories of the time she spent in Nantucket.

Leila Howard has written a delightful debut novel. It is for the older teen reader due to mature content.

Happy Summer Reading!

FTC required disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 22, 2013 Lisbeth Avery {Assorted Insanity} rated it 3 of 5 stars

Actual Rating: 2.5

MINI REVIEW

I really don't know what to think of this book. While I did like it to an extent, I didn't love it or feel anything remotely near "love". In the end, the book left a bittersweet taste in my mouth for a few reasons. NANTUCKET BLUE feels like two books. There's the cute summer job story with really nice characters and an overall fun feeling. This part is my favorite. It's an extremely fluffy thing - something that I usually wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.

And then...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2013 Cathy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a coming of age story with a lot of heart. You know when you read a book and it just overall makes you feel good about yourself and about everything in general? This was that book. I felt good after reading it, I felt good about the characters and their situations. It was just a really great read.

We meet Cricket (which is a great name by the way) and the Clayton's just as they are going through a tragedy of a loss one. Cricket and Jules are the best of friends or at least she thought sh...more This is a coming of age story with a lot of heart. You know when you read a book and it just overall makes you feel good about yourself and about everything in general? This was that book. I felt good after reading it, I felt good about the characters and their situations. It was just a really great read.

We meet Cricket (which is a great name by the way) and the Clayton's just as they are going through a tragedy of a loss one. Cricket and Jules are the best of friends or at least she thought she was until this tragedy happened and wanted nothing to do with Cricket. Cricket's life is not the best at home, her parents recently divorced and she feels as if her mother is not there at all for her that's why she feels as if the Clayton's are her family. But things progress as summer is abound and everyone is out for their summer vacations. Nantucket Island is where Jules will be so to be a good friend that is where Cricket will be. The job she had fell through but she found something better for her.

Through this experience and even if her friend is not being the good friend she wishes she was Cricket begins to realize little things about her life and how she can be better about herself. She makes new friends, ones that will last for a long time and in those friendship she realizes just how much she missed this companionship. She grows up a little on that Island all throughout reading about her Mother and how she used to be exciting when she was living there. '

Cricket finds love in the most unexpected place, and even though it was a shocker to me, I really enjoyed watching their relationship bloom. Goes to show you that really anything is possible. Cricket finally finds her path and the strength to stand up to her past and look forward to her future. I felt really empowered reading Cricket's journey. All the characters were very dynamic and appealing and even the setting was a lot of fun, really made me ready for the summer to be here.

I hope you get a chance to read this book because it's definitely worth the time to read this. I was addicted quite quickly to her journey.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 17, 2013 Ashley (Loves Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Real rating: 3.5 stars
***This review will be posted to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.***

San Diego had a fantastic bout of weather recently; even though it was early March, the entire week was in the high-70s to mid-80s, and it was absolutely glorious. And it was the perfect time to read Nantucket Blue, because it made me yearn for beachside reads, romps in the ocean and bonfires below a star-speckled sky.

Nantucket Blue follows Cricket as she heads to Nantucket for her summer in order to fol...more Real rating: 3.5 stars
***This review will be posted to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.***

San Diego had a fantastic bout of weather recently; even though it was early March, the entire week was in the high-70s to mid-80s, and it was absolutely glorious. And it was the perfect time to read Nantucket Blue, because it made me yearn for beachside reads, romps in the ocean and bonfires below a star-speckled sky.

Nantucket Blue follows Cricket as she heads to Nantucket for her summer in order to follow and be there for Jules, her best friend, whose family suffered a devastating tragedy. But Jules turns into someone Cricket barely recognizes, and she's left to make her summer into more than a support system.

I was a little surprised at how sad this entire book is. I mean, I know it starts with a horrible tragedy, and of course I expect that to permeate a lot of the thoughts and actions throughout. But there was a small line of sadness that seemed to snake through all the words, all the thoughts, and it was a little startling that I'd be laughing with Cricket and Zack and still feel a little morose. I'm not saying this is a depressing, ugly cry book, not at all; but there's always something lurking behind the blue ocean.

Can I say how little I liked Cricket and Jules? Jules especially - I just didn't understand her character. yes, I get why she acts the way she is, but I never got the sense she was a great friend anyway. In the memories she was fine, but nothing worthy of how much Cricket is willing to do for her. As for Cricket, she was so slow on the uptake that I was entirely too frustrated with her the entire novel. There were so many different instances I wanted to yell at her to get there quicker, that she was missing vital parts and only seeing such a small version. I know that's often how it is in real life, but some things were unforgivable to me. Perhaps the only element I liked with Cricket was the romance she was struggling with - which is weird, since I wasn't a fan of the boy she was with. He was sweet, but his entire plotline was very formulaic to me. I didn't get the chemistry between the two. Cricket's thoughts and feelings towards him though were the most real part about her, and one I enjoyed seeing on the page.

Something I did love? The Cranberry Inn where Cricket starts to work and everyone that came out of there! I absolutely adored George, Gavin and Liz; enough where they made this entire story worth it for me. They were such fantastically developed, completely unique characters and I wanted nothing more than to check into the Inn and join them. They have such distinct voices and interactions, I wish I knew them in real life.

And not surprisingly after declaring how little I liked the main characters and how much I liked the secondary ones - my favourite part to this entire novel was the secondary storyline! I can't say much about it since it's not in the synopsis, but there's an underlying plot that intertwines a little with the main one, and I love it. It's such a fun story to learn about and read along to, and I liked how we slowly get varying perspectives. Perhaps it's the journalist in me that liked to go deeper into the history and find out the stories behind others; whatever it was, I found myself flipping past Cricket's dramas to get to the work she was doing.

I have to note though, I really liked Leila Howard's writing. I can't quite pinpoint what it is specifically, but I was very attracted to her words and structures. There's something very relatable about her words, and that was a treat.

Nantucket Blue had several misses for me, but completely made up for it with secondary characters and storylines. Though it is a sweet, summery novel about defining yourself without others, I found the background to shine much brighter. And even though that's frustrating sometimes, I am completely content to look at the scenery more than the play.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 15, 2013 Vanya D. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-ya, read-in-2013, netgalley, to-re-read

NOTE: I received Nantucket Blue from Netgalley. Thanks for the opportunity!

This is a book about friendship; a book about love; a book about making mistakes and searching for forgiveness. It's a book of growing up and realizing that standing up to the challenge is what can get you to move on - not succumbing to regret and guilt. A book where love develops over time, and not straight away. A book that teaches to expect the unexpected, to trust your instincts, to be brave and hardworking.

It's also...more

1 like · like · see review

May 14, 2013 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya_contemporary, 2013, dac, ya_realistic

Visit Love.Life.Read for more of my reviews.

Cricket is flying high at the end of her junior year. Her best friend’s family invited her to come to Nantucket with them for the summer but then tragedy strikes the family in pieces. Feeling as if she needs to be there for her best friend, Cricket travels to Nantucket to only get rejected by Jules. Not being able to stay with her nor did she have the nanny job she thought she would be doing this summer, Cricket ends up working and living in one of the...more Visit Love.Life.Read for more of my reviews.

Cricket is flying high at the end of her junior year. Her best friend’s family invited her to come to Nantucket with them for the summer but then tragedy strikes the family in pieces. Feeling as if she needs to be there for her best friend, Cricket travels to Nantucket to only get rejected by Jules. Not being able to stay with her nor did she have the nanny job she thought she would be doing this summer, Cricket ends up working and living in one of the historic inns as a chambermaid and eventually an intern. Life is not going as she planned but something else begins to happen when Zach stops being just Jules younger brother.

Zach is rocked to the core when his mother passes away. Jules and his father are coping in their own way—meaning not being able to breathe a word about their beloved Nina. Cricket is the only one who is willing to talk about her. The sparks fly between the two of them but they know their relationship cannot be out in the open—right?

Cricket is a wonderful protagonist and is instantly relatable and likable. She is battling her own parents divorce plus her dad's new family, the death of her pseudo-mom and her crush on Jay, the popular boy from her school’s rival. Feeling that she would be best to support her friend in Nantucket, she is shocked and disheartened when she learns that her friend lied to her.

Zach is a great love interest. Despite being two grades younger than Cricket, he does not come off as the younger guy. Their bond over Zach’s mother and then the spark that happens between them on Fourth of July will forever change their relationship. He does not come off as a “typical” teenage guy—he is more in touch with his emotions and feelings but I liked that characteristic as it makes for a good fit with Cricket.

It is intriguing that he is the younger of the two—not too many books have the guy being younger, especially a sophomore to a senior. I like that Cricket is able to grow, learn and stand up for herself at the end of the summer/book. Jules made me mad, frustrated and sad because she is so utterly completely lost that I cannot help but wonder if she will be alright in the end. Nantucket Blue is a perfect book to read just in time for summer—this book is a delightful and touching book about overcoming trials, standing up for yourself and getting what you want in the end. I highly recommend this contemporary fiction for its touching moments and sweet romance. It is a perfect summer read or for anytime when you want to cling to summer or the moments of first love.(less)

like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 Jen Ryland added it

Shelves: edelweiss, debut-challenge-2013

After a tragedy in her best friend's family ruins Cricket's plans of summering with them in Nantucket, Cricket decides she'll make the summer happen on her own. Cricket was a character I didn't love at first, but she slowly grew on me. Her relationship with her best friend Jules was an unequal one, with Jules holding all the power and Cricket always feeling uncertain. And I while I felt Cricket's despair at losing her best friend, I never understood what Cricket saw in Jules. Still, I can fully...more After a tragedy in her best friend's family ruins Cricket's plans of summering with them in Nantucket, Cricket decides she'll make the summer happen on her own. Cricket was a character I didn't love at first, but she slowly grew on me. Her relationship with her best friend Jules was an unequal one, with Jules holding all the power and Cricket always feeling uncertain. And I while I felt Cricket's despair at losing her best friend, I never understood what Cricket saw in Jules. Still, I can fully accept that for a teenage girl, losing a best friend can be even more devastating than a romantic breakup, and I thought this aspect of the story was movingly portrayed.

I'm fairly familiar with Nantucket and thought the book also did good job of depicting the uneasy relationship between the locals who live on Nantucket year round, the people who vacation there, and the army of seasonal workers who make hotel beds and sling fried clams when the island's population increases five-fold in the summer months. The scenes of Cricket working at the inn were my favorite -- Cricket's blunt, funny co-worker Liz was a standout and their exchanges about cleaning other people's toilets were priceless. Liz was a far better friend to Cricket than Jules ever seemed to be.

Nantucket Blue did have an abundance of plot lines. There was the Clayton family tragedy, the breach in Jules' and Cricket's friendship, the death of a local politician, Cricket's discovery of her mother's journal, Cricket's relationship with a writer staying at the inn, and Cricket's forbidden summer romance. While many of these subplots did converge toward the end of the book, I still felt that removing a couple of them might have resulted in a stronger story.

This book reminded me a lot of the Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Both books feature a family tragedy, a secret romance, a vivid summer setting and a girl who is trying to navigate the minefields of teen friendship and love.

Read the full review on my blog, YA Romantics
(less)

like · see review

Mar 02, 2013 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-debut-author-challenge

3.5 out of 5 rating

I sometimes have a hard time with YA contemporary novels. For some reason, I often find the main characters to be immature. Thank goodness this wasn't the case in this book. I tought Cricket was pretty mature for her age.

Slight spoiler--the tragedy that happens is that Jule's mom has a brain aneurysm. This hit a little close to home because the Christmas before last I got a text that one of my good friend's mom had passed away due to the same thing. How heartbreaking. And Cric...more

like · see review

May 12, 2013 Tiffany (For Those About to Read...) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nantucket Blue is the perfect summer read. It’s carefree and fun, but still sad and tragic. It’s about growing up, discovering who you are, and falling in love. The setting was really charming and makes you want to escape for a perfect summer vacation.

Cricket is supposed to travel to Nantucket with her best friend Jules, but once Jules’ mom passes away unexpectedly, Jules just really needs some space. Cricket loved Jules’ mom and is devastated by her passing as well. She does everything she can...more

like · see review

Apr 14, 2013 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

I received a Copy from Netgalley and Disney for review.

Nantucket Blue is, in a nutshell, the book that I wanted The Summer I Turned Pretty to be. A smart, athletic, socially aware but unskilled girl loses a role model, loses her best friend, spends the summer away from home, makes some mistakes, falls in love, learns a lot but certainly not everything. I enjoyed the book very much.

Specifics: In a novel of this length, characters are not going to be über-developed; I thought Howland did a good j...more

1 like · like · see review

May 16, 2013 Ariella Blake rated it 3 of 5 stars

More of my reviews at Secrets of Lost Words.

Rating: C

Nantucket Blue is a story of a girl who is going on summer vacation. She was planning on going to Nantucket with her friend Jules until Jules' mom died. Jules then went cold on her and turned out to be a completely different person.

Cricket as a character was great. She was easy to relate to and we read about her adventure of growing into her own person. I think she really found out who she was on her trip at Nantucket and that summer definitel...more

like · see review

title link	preview: Nantucket Blue
avg rating	preview: Nantucket Blue Goodreads rating: 3.73 (290 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13597696-nantucket-blue?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351075836l/13597696.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13597696-nantucket-blue?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland[/url]

Nantucket Blue

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Leila Howland

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Nantucket Blue

Nantucket Blue

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Leila Howland

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Nantucket Blue

new topic
Discuss This Book