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Nantucket Red

(Nantucket #2)

Leila Howland (Goodreads Author)

3.93 · Rating details · 2,016 ratings · 245 reviews

Cricket Thompson's lifetime of overachieving has paid off: she's headed to Brown University in the fall, with a spot on the lacrosse team and a scholarship that covers almost everything. Who knew living in the dorm cost money? An Ivy League education seems to mean living at home for the next four years.

When Cricket is offered the chance to earn enough cash to afford a real ...more

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Hardcover, 288 pages

Published May 13th 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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Average rating 3.93 ·

Rating details

· 2,016 ratings · 245 reviews

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Sep 04, 2013 Nicole rated it really liked it

LOVED. Not as much as Nantucket Blue, but oh my gosh <3

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Mar 26, 2015 Deanna rated it did not like it

Shelves: shitty, stupid-love-triangles, boring, young-adult, contemporary, romance

How to read this book without getting pissed at:

• protagonist
• at the love interest
• and at yourself

for being sadistic/masochist enough to even go through this angsty/bs of a plot that could have been avoided if:

they knew how to communicate better
the love interest wasn't being an idiot
the protagonist wasn't being an idiot
seriously. you two have cell phones. COMMUNICATE

1). Open the book.
2). Read up to the point where they break up (which is in the first two/three chapters).
3). SKIP ALL THE WAY TO ...more

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Apr 20, 2014 Charnell (Reviews from a Bookworm) rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed-on-blog, read-2014, netgalley

For more reviews and giveaways, go to http://reviewsfromabookworm.blogspot....

I read and reviewed Nantucket Blue, and gave it 4/5 butterflies, and instantly moved onto my copy of Nantucket Red. I had found Nantucket Blue to be a really easy read, it had it's funny moments and it's cute romance moments. It wasn't a book that blew my mind or anything, but it was definitely enjoyable. So I went into Red with high hopes, I was hoping for another fun, enjoyable read. Unfortunately, for me at least, N ...more

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Jan 22, 2014 Jen Ryland added it

Shelves: may-2014

I started out unsure about this one -- the first few chapters moved through an entire winter and spring at a rapid clip, and as a result there was a lot of narrative summary. But once summer arrived and the story really got going, I got much more invested.

This is a story about change -- facing change, accepting change, adapting to change - and I liked that. Friendships and romances are strained and broken and sometimes remade, but nothing remains exactly the same.

I agree with Starry Eyed Jen th ...more

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Jun 29, 2014 Selma rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.25 / 5
Really loved this sequel ,made me feel so many emotions !!
This duology is in my opinion the perfect summer reading material!

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Mar 30, 2014 Isamlq rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-galley, aaw-yeah

a three point five (maybe even a four) (i cannot decide!)

Well, now... for a while there I thought this sequel wasn't going to hit the same high notes that the first did. I was wrong, it only took one or two chapters before I got into the flow of things to recall why I was so engrossed by the first book as much as I was.

For those expecting happily-ever-after's in this, this isn't exactly just that. Recall the frustration felt over a friendship unraveling; then, recall the giddy feel over Cricket a three point five (maybe even a four) (i cannot decide!)

Well, now... for a while there I thought this sequel wasn't going to hit the same high notes that the first did. I was wrong, it only took one or two chapters before I got into the flow of things to recall why I was so engrossed by the first book as much as I was.

For those expecting happily-ever-after's in this, this isn't exactly just that. Recall the frustration felt over a friendship unraveling; then, recall the giddy feel over Cricket and Zach, and the shifting in their paths: from him as that one other familiar thing tied to her past, to him being her something else. I gnashed my teeth for her over the first, then sighed (and sighed some more) over the second.

Yet, this sequel one is more than Cricket falling in love or even her clinging to memories of 'when it was good' as she had in Blue; Red has her opening herself to more than one hard truth: that what's good doesn't always stay so; that what's bad can shift and even be set aside; and that what she needs doesn't necessarily aline with what she wants (or vice versa). But more it's her outgrowing certain high school fancies and drama's and just growing up with it becoming clearer to her that things (the good or the bad, as well as what she wants and what she needs) aren't set in stone.

There's growing here -and I loved that- not just by her, as they ALL allow things and issues to shift around- either allowing something else/new to happen or getting back some what used to be. It's to this end that I'm torn: this sequel starts with an ending of sorts; it's this ending that opens multiple possibilities to her- her, questioning the authenticity of what she and Zach had; her and another and that tentative reconnection (that wasn't exactly a reconnection); her and her goals and setting after the same; the culmination of all said with her then her ending up in roughly the same spot she'd found herself at the beginning of Blue, only here she's more bruised by certain developments yet still tentatively open to other things.

Which brings me back to where I'm torn--- despite all the sad and sadder going on for her, things went on. Sad is not the end of the world for her... because along with the said, came the new: EXCEPT there's this too perfect way things unfold. The depressing is eventually (always) balanced out by some new thing, some new development that has Cricket proving time and again that she is a good girl, (here, prone to mistakes,) but a good girl nonetheless. It's not supposed to be a negative but I kept coming back to how too perfect, too 'right' it felt.

Now set aside my nitpicking, and I will say: I enjoyed this story. Mainly because she grows up- they all do. And it's them experiencing first hand, that their roles are not set; that things and people can and do shift about... and it's in that aspect where there's truth.

Thank you, NG! ...more

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Jun 18, 2015 Kristin Hackett (Merrily Kristin) rated it it was amazing

Originally posted on SuperSpaceChick :

It took me WAY too long to read the conclusion to Leila Howland’s Nantucket Blue series after having loved the first book as much as I did but it wasn’t completely my fault! If I had been able to find my copy of Nantucket Red I would’ve read it sooner but despite labeling all of the 20+ boxes of books I packed, it was nowhere to be found until I went through every last box on a mission to find it (of course it was at the bottom on the last box). I didn’t Originally posted on SuperSpaceChick :

It took me WAY too long to read the conclusion to Leila Howland’s Nantucket Blue series after having loved the first book as much as I did but it wasn’t completely my fault! If I had been able to find my copy of Nantucket Red I would’ve read it sooner but despite labeling all of the 20+ boxes of books I packed, it was nowhere to be found until I went through every last box on a mission to find it (of course it was at the bottom on the last box). I didn’t realize how much I needed more Cricket, Zack and Jules in my reading life until I dove back in and let me tell you, it was a blissful experience.

The second book picks up at the beginning of the school year after Cricket and Zack decide that the long distance thing is not for them. Instead, they choose to “pause” their relationship while they figure things out but after an unfortunate phone call which Zack misinterprets, he ends up dating the awful girl Parker who Jules had ditched Cricket for in Nantucket Blue. While it was so great to see Jules and Cricket back as besties, it hurt my heart every time I would read about Zack with Parker. Cricket is such a driven and exceptional teen and I love being in her head. I wish Leila Howland would write more stories with these characters because I honestly love them and I want them to succeed in everything they do. Even though we got a fantastic epilogue, I could see so much more happening for them.

In Nantucket Red, Leila Howland expanded upon everything I loved about Nantucket Blue. Being back in the familiar Nantucket setting felt like spending my own second summer there on the beach surrounded by preppy people in pastel colors. While last summer dealt with handling difficult emotions and finding love, this summer was much more of a personal journey for Cricket. She’s all set with her Ivy league college plans but after finding a special list, she begins to question what it is she truly desires and what path she needs to take in the future.

Final Thoughts: Nantucket Red is the delightful conclusion to Leila Howland’s Nantucket Blue series. If you’re looking for an engaging beach read Nantucket Blue and Nantucket Red would be the first books I would suggest. My only complaint is that there aren’t anymore Nantucket books to read because I’m head over heels for this little summer paradise as well as the main characters. ...more

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Feb 23, 2014 Ashley (Loves Books) rated it it was ok

Real rating: 2.5 stars

**A version of this review will post to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.**

Three pages in and I remembered how little I liked Zack. 20 pages in and I was ready for him to just shrivel up and go away. And…well I can’t say what I want there since it’s a spoiler, but I was glad we had Ben introduced, even though he was fairly predictable in terms of what he would do for Cricket. I liked him, despite all his baggage, and thought what he added was much needed.

And even though I Real rating: 2.5 stars

**A version of this review will post to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.**

Three pages in and I remembered how little I liked Zack. 20 pages in and I was ready for him to just shrivel up and go away. And…well I can’t say what I want there since it’s a spoiler, but I was glad we had Ben introduced, even though he was fairly predictable in terms of what he would do for Cricket. I liked him, despite all his baggage, and thought what he added was much needed.

And even though I really couldn’t stand Jules in the first book, I kind of came around to her in the second. I still don’t think she’s a very good friend, but she and Cricket are a fairly good representation of a real friendship. They have bumps and breaks, and they never really address it—which is very much like a lot of friendships (my own and others I’ve seen). As terrible as it sounds, some friendships just need to exist no matter what you’re forgiving or ignoring.

I also liked the addition of the List—which I won’t elaborate too much since it’s a nice little element to stumble upon, but it was a nice focus and creative way to weave a depth into the characters.

Overall, however, I still wasn’t a fan of the story. There’s just something about every character that’s a little offputting to me, and it’s hard for me to get into a book where I’m not rooting for anyone, not even a little bit. I felt the end wrapped a little too nicely (even…well. Even though.), and I started flipping through the last 30 pages or so just to get it over with. All the elements I loved in the first book barely return (if at all), and not in a capacity I liked, which was pretty disappointing for me.

While I still liked the writing itself (relatability at it’s finest!), I didn’t like Nantucket Red any more than Nantucket Blue—but that’s all for personal reasons to me. I feel like if a reader liked book one, they’ll really like Book 2 and how it progresses. The characters do grow a bit, go through some pretty adult consequences and decisions, and it’s a nice addition to their stories. Just not for me. ...more

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Sep 15, 2014 Lauren R. rated it really liked it

Shelves: couldnt-put-down, genre-contemporary, young-adult, 2016-read, saw-that-coming, own-physical, summery, cover-love, ship-so-hard, friendship-goals

It took me forever to actually read this book and I didn't expect the ending (aka not seeing these characters again) to hit me so hard. As usual, Cricket was a typical teenager who made stupid decisions and jumped to conclusions. It's hard to read that now that I'm not that age anymore, but it makes me so nostalgic for that summer between high school and college. I feel old now. Anyways, this was a fantastic duology that I'm sure I'll revisit someday. ...more

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Apr 13, 2020 Abigail the Fangirl rated it liked it

My thoughts are everywhere with this book. I can only handle so much romance strife in a book before it drives me insane. A lot of the aspects of this story were enjoyable, but I found a lot of flaws in it as well.

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Jan 09, 2014 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-books, authors-ive-met, signed

While the fact that this book exists totally broke my heart when I heard of it, I think it was a perfect sequel. Books don't always show after the happily-ever-after. It's hard and rough and sometimes more trouble than trying to achieve HEA in the first place. I think this books shows that to great effect. Well done!

Full review here.

I was really happy with Nantucket Blue. I thought it was a fun, sweet summer read with plenty of substance, and I was very satisfied with the way it ended. So, natur While the fact that this book exists totally broke my heart when I heard of it, I think it was a perfect sequel. Books don't always show after the happily-ever-after. It's hard and rough and sometimes more trouble than trying to achieve HEA in the first place. I think this books shows that to great effect. Well done!

Full review here.

I was really happy with Nantucket Blue. I thought it was a fun, sweet summer read with plenty of substance, and I was very satisfied with the way it ended. So, naturally, when I found out about Nantucket Red's existence, I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. Because in the world of contemporary romance (or any kind of romance, I suppose), a sequel means one thing: conflict. And sure enough, the summary for Red had me reaching for the tissues. Why? WHY, LEILA?! Why would you betray your readers so?! I can't tell you how much anxiety I felt for this book because I LOVE Cricket and Zack together. The two of them apart, I just don't know how to handle that.

The first thing I need to mention is the pacing. I think Leila did a phenomenal job taking what was a summer book and creating a sequel that hits the high points of the rest of the year without rushing and then bringing us back to the heart of summer. It's not like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which always glossed over the events of the year. In this case, what happens in November, in December, at graduation are the events that set up the rest of the book. There's enough time for Cricket and Jules to resolve their relationship and introduce the bulk of Cricket and Zack's conflict. There's enough time for Cricket to become motivated to head back to Nantucket. Meanwhile, Leila does cut out the unnecessary things. This has never been a series about the rest of the year. It's a summer series. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to showcase the ins and outs of school or of senior year, but simply, those things don't quite matter in this book, in this series. Cricket doesn't get on the ferry until chapter twelve, but those first eleven chapters were essential.

Although I really enjoyed Blue (four stars worth), now that I've read Red, I think this sequel was quite necessary, and that's what made me bump it up to five. I didn't know that I needed this sequel until I read it, and now, I can't imagine only having Blue. The reason Red is so essential is because of Cricket. She's the kind of girl who seems to define herself by her relationships. Her relationship with her mom is kind of meh after her parents' divorce, her relationship with her dad is nearly nonexistant. Jules is her leader, and she fairly worships Nina. After Nina died and her friendship with Jules seemed to crumble, Cricket was adrift, which is why she went to Nantucket in the first place. She wasn't able to repair her friendship with Jules–yet–but she managed to find Zack. Now that she and Zack are broken up, it's kind of back to square one. I love that her stepmom's parents give her the push to strike out on her own on Nantucket, and I love that Cricket rises to the occasion. Cricket is tested in so many ways in Red, and I love that she takes the hits and keeps on keeping on. I attempted to review Blue, but I found that there wasn't much to say other than I enjoyed it. This time I can say that Cricket is an everywoman with tough situations and, at times, just plain sucky circumstances but she manages to fight her way to the top. This book really is all about Cricket, and I think that's awesome.

I met Leila at TLA this year, and I asked her if she was going to surprise us with any more books like Nantucket Green, and she gave me a noncommittal answer. I take that to mean, in typical author fashion, that it's not a yes, but if the story is there, it could be a maybe. And honestly? I'd be okay with another one. Sure, that means more conflict, but I think the way Cricket handles everything that happens in Red and where she and Zack stand at the end of the book, the two of them are more than prepared to handle whatever else may come at them. I think they're no longer floating aimlessly in the naive cloud of first love. There's serious heartbreak in Red, yes, but it served to shape two people whose eyes are open to the sometimes harsh realities of life but whose hearts are also open to love and trust and friendship. If Leila does end up adding more books to the saga of Cricket and Zack, I will read them gladly, and I hope you will too. ...more

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May 20, 2014 Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley, arc-to-review-read, ya

3 Cute Finding Your Way Stars!!!

eARC for Honest Review from Disney - Hyperion via NetGalley

After meeting Cricket and Zack in Nantucket Blue I couldn't wait to find out how their relationship blossomed in this book.

As I was quickly hoping for a HEA and a cute YA romance I was surprised to realize that this is not what I was going to get. Instead this is a tale about growing up, becoming your own and finding your own path. Once you can do that then you get the sweet r

...more

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Sep 29, 2013 Brandi Kosiner rated it really liked it

I wanted to read Nantucket Red because I really enjoyed the summer feel of Nantucket Blue. But not only did it have the fun and free feeling, there was also a romance I enjoyed, the tension with her friend, the loss of friend's mom, as well as Cricket having to work hard and how she grew as a result of her summer in this high end community.
When Nantucket Red started, we got to see Cricket at home, in her groove with the private school, an athlete as well as trying to still navigate the waters I wanted to read Nantucket Red because I really enjoyed the summer feel of Nantucket Blue. But not only did it have the fun and free feeling, there was also a romance I enjoyed, the tension with her friend, the loss of friend's mom, as well as Cricket having to work hard and how she grew as a result of her summer in this high end community.
When Nantucket Red started, we got to see Cricket at home, in her groove with the private school, an athlete as well as trying to still navigate the waters with Jules since their fights and tension the previous summer, and the fact that she was dating Jules' little brother Zack. They were so good together, but unfortunately distance and the time apart put a huge strain on their relationship. We had to see him with another girl, and the shaky ground of one person wanting one thing and the other another. I was still cheering for them, just wanted to get rid of Parker first, because I hate the cheating. They had such tender times and hot make out sessions as well as the shared history, since Cricket was with Jules so much and an honorary member of the family.
Cricket is accepted at Brown, and she ends up back in Nantucket trying to gain enough money, since her grandparents offered to match the money she made and help her actually be able to have the full college experience with dorms, eating on campus and feeling of freedom instead of living at home. Cricket meets up with her roomie from last summer and gets a job waitressing, which challenged her in ways that she didn't expect, and pairs her with Amy, another waitress who trained her and also seems to dislike her and not want to be around her. There is a weird tension between her, Cricket and guitar bartender guy that Cricket talked to on the ferry. I had my eye still on Zack, so even though they had the banter and teasing and a seed of possibility, the way that he only talked to her when Amy wasn't there had me wondering what was going on. I don't know though why I was holding out for Zack, because of who he started dating. I get that the pause button on their relationship didn't really work, and that teen relationships are dysfunctional and people make bad decisions, but I think he has a good heart and she loves him, so I guess there you have it.
So weird love situation aside, I do think that it worked out for the best and that it was pretty obvious where it was going after the book got going. I am happy with how things ended, not neatly wrapped, but laced with hope and possibilities as well as with their history, attraction and chemistry to fuel things along.
Nantucket caught my attention, I enjoyed Cricket, and watching her grow. She had to make some hard decisions as well as deal with a bunch of no fun stuff that not all teens have to. She all of the sudden felt so alone with the weird rift that is only semi healed at this point between her and Jules. She is learning to try and accept how things are and make the best out of what can be done or changed.
Her summer, and ultimately the ending of this book really shows that there isn't one right answer for everything and life isn't one size fits all. I love that Cricket is so passionate and how she fights so hard for the things that she wants. But she is also woman enough to admit when she has been wrong and work to change it. She grew so much more even in this book, and I loved watching her grow into a young adult making her own choices and way in life.
It was a fun read, with just the right amount of emotion, and drama to keep the plot going. I finished it in a day and would have done a one sitting if time would have allowed.

Bottom Line: Another summer with Cricket and even more character development.
...more

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Jan 17, 2017 Emma Mclauglin rated it it was amazing

i thought that the book was amazing!!!! It made me feel like i was apart of there life.

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Oct 31, 2013 Jenea rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Nantucket is the second book in the series, and I was happy to find it. The ending of the first book was one of those bittersweet ones, so to have Cricket’s story continue was certainly something that I want to read about. This is a great view of that summer between the last year of high school and a new chapter starting college, and how things can change so much.

Cricket is back from Nantucket and is in her senior year of high school, being offered a scholarship has her excited for college, bu
Nantucket is the second book in the series, and I was happy to find it. The ending of the first book was one of those bittersweet ones, so to have Cricket’s story continue was certainly something that I want to read about. This is a great view of that summer between the last year of high school and a new chapter starting college, and how things can change so much.

Cricket is back from Nantucket and is in her senior year of high school, being offered a scholarship has her excited for college, but at the same she has to figure out to pay for all the things the scholarship doesn’t pay for. During the summer she finds herself back in Nantucket, working at a restaurant. There is also a cute guy that works there, he might just be what she needs to get past all the pain she has been feeling about her relationship with Zack.

I have to sat, that I kinda missed Cricket, Zack, Jules and Liz. Cricket doesn’t seem like the same girl, she has her mind set on attending school, and just about the summmer before. Liz was just a blunt and spunky, and exactly the friend that Cricket needed. Of course Zack and Jules were great in this one too. We also are introduced to a couple of new people. Loved Ben, he was such a sweety.

Cricket’s story picks up shortly after returning from Nantucket, the first few chapter are basically her entire senior year, and then we are back in Nantucket for the summer. A little strange to have it all crammed in there, but it really didn’t bother me once everything was back where it all started. I just love the beach touristy setting and it would definitely be a place I would like to visit. There is plenty of flirting, and sweet moments, and of course there is drama, what would a summer in Nantucket with Cricket be without drama. But this was the type of drama that no one wants, and could jeopardize all the things she has been working so hard for. I was so happy with the way Cricket handled it all, her growth was so wonderful, amazing what those three months during the summer can do for you. It wasn’t just her growth that made this a great coming of age story, it was Zack and Jules’ changes too. The ending was a satisfying one for me. I think this was a great crossover between YA and NA, and would be a fantastic read for fans of YA contemporary romances for the upcoming summer break.

Nanntcket Red was a worthy sequel, it’s fun, romantic and growing up. Howland has certainly made a fan out me, and I will be on the lookout for more books from her.

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...more

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Jun 15, 2015 Anna rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, finished-that-series

I started reading Nantucket Red almost immediately after I finished its prequel, Nantucket Blue. Although the first book was good and addicting, there were a few things that just didn't quite seem resolved, and so I had to find out if everything worked out in the end.

Nantucket Red took place soon after the events in the first book. School is about to start, and Cricket and Zack are about to go to school in separate states. They had to decide if and how they would continue their relationship.

T I started reading Nantucket Red almost immediately after I finished its prequel, Nantucket Blue. Although the first book was good and addicting, there were a few things that just didn't quite seem resolved, and so I had to find out if everything worked out in the end.

Nantucket Red took place soon after the events in the first book. School is about to start, and Cricket and Zack are about to go to school in separate states. They had to decide if and how they would continue their relationship.

The first part of this book and the events within, seemed really quick and rushed. Almost a whole year goes by, and it wasn't long before we were reading about the following summer. Cricket made a decision and I could not understand why she did what she did, and the logic behind it. I also didn't feel like she and Zack really talked about things in detail. Their last conversation before each left for school was just...really short and abrupt. And then I had expected Cricket to elaborate more on how she felt about things, since it was a big deal, but the only time she really expressed conflict was when she was with Zack in person.

I am still wondering what happened with Cricket and her dad. In Nantucket Blue, things were tense between the two and something unfortunate happened. However in the beginning of Nantucket Red, it a was as though nothing had happened. I wanted to know what their first encounter after that quarrel was like, even if it was though a flashback. For a while, I thought I had missed something. I thought the two would never have any kind of heart-to-heart, but fortunately there was some resolve.

Once Cricket was back on Nantucket, the story seemed to slow down a bit, which was good. Some of the events made me really sad. Other things made me really happy! Liz brought so much to the story, and I really loved her character. She was just the friend that Cricket needed and I am glad that they could be there for her. Ben was another character who I really liked. He was so sweet and I really admired how he stuck to a decision he made, even though it was hard. I was laughing out loud when he was teaching Cricket how to drive stick shift! I remembered when my mom was trying to teach me, and how frustrated I got. I reacted the same way Cricket did, when I got upset. :)

I really loved Cricket's list and how she tried to follow it. It taught her so much about herself and who she was. I had to really admire her plan at the end. It took a lot of courage to do what she wanted to. I was kind of hoping that there would be more to the epilogue. I would have loved to have read about the characters 10-15 years from now. Were they still friends? Did they have careers that they loved? Did anyone get married and have babies?

I recommend this book to those looking for a good, romance series. There are two books total (as far as I know). Like the previous book, I'd say that Nantucket Red is geared toward older teens due to content and language. ...more

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Jun 04, 2014 Alexa rated it really liked it

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Oh, this book! Nantucket Red is a wonderful story. I loved being reunited with Cricket and other familiar characters from Nantucket Blue. But most of all, I love how Howland really explores that time between high school graduation and college orientation, how she tackles the feelings and situations one might get into. It had me tearing up towards the end, which I always think is an excellent thing.

REVIEW:

(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)

Nantucket Red is an incredibly awesom FIRST THOUGHTS:

Oh, this book! Nantucket Red is a wonderful story. I loved being reunited with Cricket and other familiar characters from Nantucket Blue. But most of all, I love how Howland really explores that time between high school graduation and college orientation, how she tackles the feelings and situations one might get into. It had me tearing up towards the end, which I always think is an excellent thing.

REVIEW:

(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)

Nantucket Red is an incredibly awesome follow-up to last year's Nantucket Blue, and I dare to say that I enjoyed this even more than the latter. Howland perfectly captures during the summer after high school graduation and before college orientation, complete with all the good and bad feelings and surprising situations. Grounded in the familiar faces that pop up, it was a pleasant surprise to read Nantucket Red.

It was such a pleasure to revisit Nantucket, and post-novel, I want to go and visit in person one day. The setting is perfect for a book set in summer, and I felt like I had been transported with all the details Howland included. It was also great to see so many familiar faces in this novel, including Cricket herself, and I found myself pleased with how well-developed everyone was. It was a great reunion all around, and I happily immersed myself in this story without a backward glance!

Cricket is the central character, but she's facing different circumstances this summer. I loved that many things - friendship, romance, summer, college - were on her mind as she spends another summer in Nantucket, and Howland does an excellent job juggling them all. Contending with everything that's going on in her mind is no easy feat, particular considering all the emotions (good and bad) she feels. In spite of her doubts and her fears, Cricket finds her way, and that is the main reason I cried reading Nantucket Red.

Everything about Nantucket Red works - the characters, the setting, the story. It flows so easily and organically that it's almost as if Howland is just recounting the story of someone she actually knows in real life. Even though it's no longer summer, I'd still say that Nantucket Red (and Nantucket Blue) are totally worth the read! ...more

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Oct 10, 2013 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: realistic-fiction, pretty-damn-good, 5-stars, arc-or-first-reads, read-in-2014, series

As seen on The Quiet Concert

4.5 stars

When I first learned that Nantucket Red was Cricket's story of personal growth, and not a continuation of her romance with Zack, I lost a little enthusiasm to read it. I am not really sure why, since I enjoyed Nantucket Blue for more reasons than the romance, but that is why it took me so long to pick it up, despite all of the promising reviews. Until one fateful Saturday when I had no idea what to read next and so I wondered over to my bookshelf... and well, ...more

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Feb 08, 2014 Kelly | xoxo, Kelly Nina rated it really liked it

Fantastic follow-up and conclusion to Nantucket Blue. This book continues to be full of raw emotions. Leila Howland doesn't know how to fake it. Her characters are honest and real and feel like people you know in your real life. Full review to come closer to publication date :)

Full Review At...

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Jun 20, 2016 Scarlette rated it it was amazing

Yes. Yes. Yes. LOVED this series. This is one of the few series in YA that I think actually deserves to be a trilogy (just for the spectacular characters). Leila is one of my new favourite authors and she made me absolutely adore stepping into Cricket's world. Perfect book to kick off the summer with! ...more

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Oct 10, 2013 Gaby rated it really liked it

Is there going to be a Nantucket Yellow or something because I would love a whole rainbow of colors for this series, please and thanks.

Longer review to come...

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Oct 26, 2014 Michelle To rated it it was ok

Shelves: purchased, disappointed, pretty-much-eh

Actual Rating: 2.5/5

Talk about character regression. Ugh.

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Nov 21, 2014 Aysha rated it it was ok

this book was to slow and it didn’t catch my attention that much

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Dec 08, 2015 Kyra (Book Allure) rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, faves, my-husbands

I HATE HOW I READ THIS DURING FINALS WEEK I COULDN'T FOCUS ON MY EXAMS AT ALL BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK ...more

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Jun 11, 2018 Chloe rated it liked it

Shelves: owned, read-in-2018

3.5 stars

Definitely better than the first one.
Quite an enjoyable summer read, and now I wanna go to Nantucket

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Feb 02, 2014 Karla Mae (Reads and Thoughts) rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-net-galley, 2014-reads

*ARC kindly provided by Disney Book Group thru Netgalley.*

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Jan 13, 2020 Cristina (Girl in the Pages) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-read

There’s something about Leila Howland’s writing that makes it compulsively readable among the huge selection of YA contemporaries on the market today. I think it’s due to a combination of the dreamy, beachy setting of Nantucket along with her willingness to go just a little farther than other YA authors in her heavier content, from sex to grief to bullying. There’s a rawness around Cricket’s experiences that makes the narrative hit home a little more without compromising its status as a fun, bea There’s something about Leila Howland’s writing that makes it compulsively readable among the huge selection of YA contemporaries on the market today. I think it’s due to a combination of the dreamy, beachy setting of Nantucket along with her willingness to go just a little farther than other YA authors in her heavier content, from sex to grief to bullying. There’s a rawness around Cricket’s experiences that makes the narrative hit home a little more without compromising its status as a fun, beachy read.

The first thing that I, (and many other reviewers, I’m sure), have to bring up is that the beginning of the book goes fast. It picks up only a few weeks after Nantucket Blue ends and drops a huge bomb on you early on, View Spoiler » It rushes through Cricket’s senior year in just a few chapters in order to get to the aspect that readers really crave: the quaint yet fabulously wealthy summer on Nantucket.

Returning to Nantucket in Red really felt like a convincing return to characters who had gone through realistic change over the course of the year. Cricket is less responsible and more focused on questioning than excelling. Liz is now the new Gavin, and Jules doesn’t ignite quite as much fury in me when I read about her. Cricket’s redefining the relationships in her life, especially with Jules’ family, and Nina’s presence still hovers awkwardly yet kindly above them all. A new romantic interest appears in the form of an older guy who Cricket uses to experiment with and try other sides of herself. Overall, Cricket faces a mini-existential crisis of sorts, which leads her to finding herself in a very compromising situation, and the fallout forces her to reevaluate her childish behavior all summer and focus on some major life choices.

Though I found Cricket’s behavior cringe-worthy throughout most of the novel, I appreciate that she screwed up in some pretty bad ways and had to face realistic consequences to deal with afterwards, consequences that had even me, who is usually less than sympathetic toward characters’ who’s stupid behavior gets them into trouble (it’s the Capricorn in me), nervous for the outcome.

While Nantucket Red really focuses on Cricket’s coming of age and debating which path to travel down post high-school, there is the continuation of some themes from Nantucket Blue that I really appreciate in this series. I like how the story shows the service industry side of Nantucket, as the YA genre is already over saturated with series featuring the fabulous wealthy and shockingly unsupervised teenagers of such expensive destinations. I admired watching Cricket work as a waitress and house keeper in this series, and that it didn’t seek to portray her as a stereotypical girl in poverty; rather, she’s middle class with a good life but has to work on her own to provide for the extras she wants out of life. I also like how there wasn’t a complete demonization of the upper class either, as Cricket is heavily involved of the lives of Jules and Zach who are definitely wealthy but not obnoxious about it (well, at least not all of the time).

Overall: Nantucket Red delivers on all of its promises from Nantucket Blue, from the dreamy setting of Nantucket to the painfully raw teenage emotions and hormones raging inside of its characters, while still not falling into the category of being a “heavy” or “issue” book. It features realistic character development (for better and for worse) and doesn’t hide any of its characters flaws or triumphs. While there were aspects of the characters story arcs I disliked, I have to acknowledge that they were well done. A solid contemporary read, Nantucket Red indulges readers just as much as Nantucket Blue does, although it does likewise deliver on some of the more problematic elements from earlier in the series, such as slut-shaming, girl-hate, etc. (which is what ultimately kept it from being a 5 star read for me). If you liked Nantucket Blue you should definitely pick up this sequel, as it really adds depth to its’ characters stories. ...more

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Apr 12, 2018 Gabriella rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Written expertly from the teenage point of view, Nantucket Red by Leila Howland shows the importance of following your heart and is very relatable to teenagers.
Nantucket Red is about a girl named Cricket Thompson who lives in Providence, Rhode Island. She is a senior in high school, and, just like other high school seniors, she is trying to figure out her next steps in life. She ends up getting accepted into Brown because of her lacrosse skills, but she needs to make eight thousand to be able t Written expertly from the teenage point of view, Nantucket Red by Leila Howland shows the importance of following your heart and is very relatable to teenagers.
Nantucket Red is about a girl named Cricket Thompson who lives in Providence, Rhode Island. She is a senior in high school, and, just like other high school seniors, she is trying to figure out her next steps in life. She ends up getting accepted into Brown because of her lacrosse skills, but she needs to make eight thousand to be able to afford to sleep in the dorms, so she goes to Nantucket, a small island, over the summer to make money as a waitress. As she is dealing with all these stresses, she is coping with her emotions for her former boyfriend, Zack, who moved away to boarding school and began a relationship with Cricket’s enemy, Parker, even though Cricket thought they had agreed she and Zack were not breaking up, but rather “pausing” their relationship until the following summer. Now she is trying to move on, even though she seems to run into Zack everywhere and cannot stop thinking about him.
This was a good read, and I had a hard time putting this one down. I feel that this book also incorporates the lesson of following your heart. All her life, she worked hard playing lacrosse and doing well in school which helped her get accepted into Brown, however, she realizes that she is not sure that is exactly what she wants to do with her life, This lesson is shown when she says to Zack, “I’ve lived in Providence my whole life. I want to live somewhere else.” It felt so good to release the truth, to surrender to it. “I don’t want to go. And I love lacrosse. But I also feel, I don’t know, done with it.” Because she is unsure, she takes a gap year and moves to New York with one of her best friends to try out a different job working for a journalist/writer. I feel that Cricket’s story shows readers the importance of trying new things to discover what is best for them.
I also enjoyed this book because it is very relatable. The author does a wonderful job writing from the teenage point of view. Cricket Thompson goes through very relatable struggles during the book because she is trying to figure out her life after high school. The book also shows the struggle many teenagers go through trying to figure out their feelings. Cricket goes through a lot of love drama, and she works to figure out her feelings throughout the entire story. When she finds out Zack has a new girlfriend, she summarizes her thoughts in the following quote, “I didn’t have to ask if it was a girl. I just knew it in my bones. As I felt air vacuumed from my lungs, I made a promise to myself not to cry.” This quote clearly depicts the emotions Cricket is feeling as a teenager. Hence, I recommend this book to teenagers who enjoy realistic fiction they can relate to. ...more

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Aug 09, 2017 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: tears-were-shed, feel-good, young-adult, duet, love-triangle, coming-of-age, friends-to-lovers, summer-love, adventure-journey

Nantucket Red places its focus on things like freedom, independence, friendship, and self-exploration. Nantucket Blue was more about experiencing those magical butterflies for the first time and falling in love with someone you didn't expect. I'm a sucker for romance, so enjoying this book even more than the first was a pleasant surprise.

The story picks up where it left off at the end of summer. Cricket and Zack decide to put their relationship "on pause" when Zack goes off to boarding school in ...more

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Aug 17, 2018 Julie rated it it was ok

I don't really see the point of this book. I feel like the message and and overall theme of the book could have been included in the first one. Maybe it's been too long since I've read the first one, but I thought Cricket's obsession with Nina a little strange. I don't remember Nina being so fancy; I thought she was more of a hippie free spirit like Sadie. (view spoiler) ...more

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About Leila Howland

Leila Howland

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Leila Howland grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. She is the author of the YA novels Nantucket Blue, for which she was named a Publisher’s Weekly Flying Start author, Nantucket Red, and Hello, Sunshine, as well as the Silver Sisters middle gra ...more