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Malibu Summer
Surf's up at Malibu beach, where the days are hot and the nights sizzle.
Amber. Inexperienced but headstrong - she's determined to prove she can cope on her own.
Jason. Bossy and arrogant...and constantly on Amber's mind.
Lucia. Beautiful and worldly-wise, she's nobody's fool when it comes to men.
Brett. Malibu's silent Romeo. Can anyone get past his defences?
Mike. The sexy neighbour who can turn the temperature up a little too high...
Amber's about to find out that there's no such thing as a perfect summer...
Amber. Inexperienced but headstrong - she's determined to prove she can cope on her own.
Jason. Bossy and arrogant...and constantly on Amber's mind.
Lucia. Beautiful and worldly-wise, she's nobody's fool when it comes to men.
Brett. Malibu's silent Romeo. Can anyone get past his defences?
Mike. The sexy neighbour who can turn the temperature up a little too high...
Amber's about to find out that there's no such thing as a perfect summer...
358 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1995
3 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 27, 2015
My all time favorite teen book! It's about a girl named amber from Wisconsin for starters ;) I have read this book 100 times. For the record I don't re-read books. This one I loved no matter how cheesy
July 31, 2022
I really enjoyed this one. The characters felt authentic and I liked the slice of life feel of it.
June 13, 2021
Cute for 1995. The dialogue is very stilted. The plot is completely unrealistic. And the main character is pretty blunt and rude. The love interest does that little boy crush thing of always picking on the main character and being mean to her. But I sped through this 350 pager. The cover models look about 10 years older than the characters in the book. Also the little boy she’s babysitting is mute in the beginning but magically cured by the end of the summer. They never explain what happened with him. Was he autistic?
May 28, 2014
As a teenager I felt like I read this book at least 100 times. It was one of my favorites!!! Every now and then I will reread it. It's comforting and I just love the characters. I visited Catalina Island because of this book!
September 2, 2016
Loved this in my high school days!
June 2, 2015
I probably read this a dozen times at least as a teen lol. Still an old favorite
August 21, 2020
Very fun summer read!
December 14, 2020
Paper book review.
Re-reading as I knew this was a favorite of mine back in middle school or high school. I like the concept, but my rational mind goes, this would never happen. Super rich family in the public eye, no way they would allow a substitute au pair for the summer, let alone a 16-year-old coming from 2000 miles away! I don't buy that Amber is 16. Her parents don't treat her like she's 16, she doesn't speak or act like she's 16. Only a few times when she's getting into a conversation do I hear some of her age come out. Otherwise, she's acting more like 19.
I like the side characters, as that's really a determining factor for me if a book is good. Do the side characters have depth, and are they memorable? I don't get the parents really. I don't get Brett. I feel like his character got one odd moment at the end, and it was written off as "Oh, we told you he was weird," and how he'll get over the embarrassment, because now he's the center of attention and he can see how much his family cares. I like the banter between Amber and Jason, I just wish Brett hadn't been thrown in there as a sort of rival-but-not.
I also found Amber's character confusing. She goes from being super dedicated to her job, interested in soaking up some sun and gaining job experience, to actually saying at the end of the book that part of her reason for going to CA was to find a romance. Mike was appropriately creepy, Tony was charming and likeable. Jason, I think, is my favorite character, juggling so many family members and personal projects, yet he finds time to be interested in Amber and she just has ZERO clue. She was actually frustrating me at the end there. Literally, people are telling her point blank that Jason is into her, and she just doesn't see it.
It's cheesy and cliche, but I still find the story overall charming. Not without its problems, but if you can suspend your disbelief and are looking for a trip back to the 90's for a bit, I think this is the book for you. No obvious references to technology or culture that would pull you out of the story. A few mentions of VHS tapes and not wanting to carry one of the family cell phones, but other than that, this book doesn't really have a time stamp for when it takes place. I enjoy that.
Re-reading as I knew this was a favorite of mine back in middle school or high school. I like the concept, but my rational mind goes, this would never happen. Super rich family in the public eye, no way they would allow a substitute au pair for the summer, let alone a 16-year-old coming from 2000 miles away! I don't buy that Amber is 16. Her parents don't treat her like she's 16, she doesn't speak or act like she's 16. Only a few times when she's getting into a conversation do I hear some of her age come out. Otherwise, she's acting more like 19.
I like the side characters, as that's really a determining factor for me if a book is good. Do the side characters have depth, and are they memorable? I don't get the parents really. I don't get Brett. I feel like his character got one odd moment at the end, and it was written off as "Oh, we told you he was weird," and how he'll get over the embarrassment, because now he's the center of attention and he can see how much his family cares. I like the banter between Amber and Jason, I just wish Brett hadn't been thrown in there as a sort of rival-but-not.
I also found Amber's character confusing. She goes from being super dedicated to her job, interested in soaking up some sun and gaining job experience, to actually saying at the end of the book that part of her reason for going to CA was to find a romance. Mike was appropriately creepy, Tony was charming and likeable. Jason, I think, is my favorite character, juggling so many family members and personal projects, yet he finds time to be interested in Amber and she just has ZERO clue. She was actually frustrating me at the end there. Literally, people are telling her point blank that Jason is into her, and she just doesn't see it.
It's cheesy and cliche, but I still find the story overall charming. Not without its problems, but if you can suspend your disbelief and are looking for a trip back to the 90's for a bit, I think this is the book for you. No obvious references to technology or culture that would pull you out of the story. A few mentions of VHS tapes and not wanting to carry one of the family cell phones, but other than that, this book doesn't really have a time stamp for when it takes place. I enjoy that.
June 21, 2021
Okay this book is probably not 4 stars worthy so I'll say 3 and a half. but For a good while now I've been mostly reading splatterpuck horror and balls to the walls disturbing horror to the point I was waiting for really messed up stuff happen in every dang movie
so i think it was time to read something wholesome and this fit the bill I've been wanting to read a non-horror teen book for awhile.
its got a bunch of beach, hot sun, going on dates with boys. Rich ppl throwing money around. but a fun 80's teen romance, just what I needed. it was a breath of fresh air to have a teen book where no one is brutally murdered and I get to see how one of those books played out without something bad happening
my biggest problem was just how DENSE Amber is.. like I just wanted this to happen
Lucia: "amber Jason likes you."
amber: no he likes you
Lucia: *GRABS AMBER'S HEAD AND STARES AT HER* HE LIKES YOU NOT ME
amber: but he likes brunett-
Lucia: *SHAKES AMBER'S HEAD VIOLENTLY* YOU DUMB BITCH ITS YOU NOT ME!! MY GOD STOP BEING SO F@&$ING DUMB!! I'M TOO YOUNG SHUT UP!!!
so i think it was time to read something wholesome and this fit the bill I've been wanting to read a non-horror teen book for awhile.
its got a bunch of beach, hot sun, going on dates with boys. Rich ppl throwing money around. but a fun 80's teen romance, just what I needed. it was a breath of fresh air to have a teen book where no one is brutally murdered and I get to see how one of those books played out without something bad happening
my biggest problem was just how DENSE Amber is.. like I just wanted this to happen
Lucia: "amber Jason likes you."
amber: no he likes you
Lucia: *GRABS AMBER'S HEAD AND STARES AT HER* HE LIKES YOU NOT ME
amber: but he likes brunett-
Lucia: *SHAKES AMBER'S HEAD VIOLENTLY* YOU DUMB BITCH ITS YOU NOT ME!! MY GOD STOP BEING SO F@&$ING DUMB!! I'M TOO YOUNG SHUT UP!!!
May 31, 2012
This book would have gotten a 5 from me back in the day. I loved this book. Now I want to try to find the book I loved the MOST back in high school that was kind of along these lines.
Reading the book today, with my slightly more jaded world view, I find it hysterical and cheesey. However, to be fair for the love I had for this book back in the day I gave it a 3.
It's pouring down rain today, so a Malibu day does sound kind of nice.
If you're 13-16 you might enjoy this book, but otherwise (unless you're taking a walk down memory lane like I am) I would pass.
Reading the book today, with my slightly more jaded world view, I find it hysterical and cheesey. However, to be fair for the love I had for this book back in the day I gave it a 3.
It's pouring down rain today, so a Malibu day does sound kind of nice.
If you're 13-16 you might enjoy this book, but otherwise (unless you're taking a walk down memory lane like I am) I would pass.
August 12, 2008
As a teenager I loved this book! I can't find it in my parents house anymore so I don't know if it's actually any good.
February 14, 2015
Read this in middle school and it made me want to have that epic summer romance. A great book. So sad to see it out of print.
March 29, 2015
If you're a teen, you may love it. Cheesey and unrealistic though!
January 18, 2020
A gem of a teen romance - Amber takes a job as an au pair and soon she's attracting every guy she comes across. Mike from next door, brothers Jason and Brett, renowned surfer Tony - what is this small-town girl going to do with all this interest in glamorous California? Brought some sunshine to the cold winter nights!
July 17, 2022
I read this dozens of times when I was a pre-teen and rereading it again at age 30, it feels like just yesterday! Still holds up and I remember so many parts of it word for word. Perhaps my favorite YA romance ever.
June 13, 2019
I’ve been reading this book since middle school. I’m 32 now . Still gets me in the mood for summer, still adorable still a favorite teen book.
November 11, 2020
I just luv dis book. Still my all time favorite teen romance and all, book.😊
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April 23, 2023I read this years ago as a teenager. I vaguely remember the story, but I do remember liking the book. The main character was likable as was Jason, the brother.
September 26, 2025
One of my fave books in middle school that I reread over and over! Probably doesn’t stand the test of time but the nostalgia factor for me is off the charts!
January 13, 2015
Ha! I read this in high school, just for fun and I loved it. It's completely unrealistic, as the heroine, Amber, is maybe 17 with no babysitting experience and is invited to spend the summer in California as an "au pair" to a child who many today would consider to be on the spectrum. And while her parents have reservations, they let her go without even knowing the adults involved. I only wish my parents were that cool. In California she lives on the beach, goes to Hollywood parties and is surrounded by sexy guys just waiting to hook up with her. She is smart and eventually settles on the smart, grouchy one who is much more mature - he's in college. Then of course they agree to be serious and arrange to spend summers and holidays together or something. In retrospect, probably not a good example for teens, but it's a sight better than Twilight! And I was so crazy jealous of these people.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews