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The Pizza Chronicles #2
Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza?
RV, having successfully completed his freshman year at the demanding Boston Latin School, is hoping for a great summer. He’s now fifteen years old and looking forward to sharing many languid summer days with his friend Bobby, who’s told him he has gay feelings too. But life and family and duties for a son of immigrant parents makes it difficult to steal time away with Bobby.
Bobby, too, has pressures. He spends part of the summer away at football camp, and his father pushes him to work a summer job at a friend’s accounting firm. Bobby takes the job grudgingly, wanting to spend any extra time practicing the necessary skills to make Latin’s varsity football team.
On top of everything, RV’s best friend Carole goes away for the summer, jumping at an opportunity to spend it with her father in Paris. Luckily, there is always Mr. Aniso, RV’s Latin teacher, to talk to whenever RV is lonely. He’s also there for RV when he inadvertently spills one of Bobby’s secrets, and Bobby is so angry RV is afraid he is ready to cut off the friendship.
Bobby, too, has pressures. He spends part of the summer away at football camp, and his father pushes him to work a summer job at a friend’s accounting firm. Bobby takes the job grudgingly, wanting to spend any extra time practicing the necessary skills to make Latin’s varsity football team.
On top of everything, RV’s best friend Carole goes away for the summer, jumping at an opportunity to spend it with her father in Paris. Luckily, there is always Mr. Aniso, RV’s Latin teacher, to talk to whenever RV is lonely. He’s also there for RV when he inadvertently spills one of Bobby’s secrets, and Bobby is so angry RV is afraid he is ready to cut off the friendship.
- GenresContemporary
ebook
First published May 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 11, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Without knowing beforehand that Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? is the second book in the pizza chronicles, I will admit that I wasn't lost once. Maybe it's because this series could be read out of order but who knows? I guess I will have to dive into the first book to let you all know.
In it, you will meet RV and he is the oldest son in his family. After first meeting him, I didn't really know what to think. He was the oddball in his family and didn't really seem to connect with anyone. Especially his younger brother. I mean he does have Carole and Bobby but that's about it.
While being the nerd at school, RV is also going through some things and is trying to figure out his sexuality. Honestly, college is all about experimenting so I can see how he's trying to figure out if he's gay or bi. Heck, he could be anything his heart desires - same for Bobby.
In the end, this book dove into such deep and meaningful topics. Definitely enjoyed this and look forward to my next book. Possibly the first one?
Without knowing beforehand that Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? is the second book in the pizza chronicles, I will admit that I wasn't lost once. Maybe it's because this series could be read out of order but who knows? I guess I will have to dive into the first book to let you all know.
In it, you will meet RV and he is the oldest son in his family. After first meeting him, I didn't really know what to think. He was the oddball in his family and didn't really seem to connect with anyone. Especially his younger brother. I mean he does have Carole and Bobby but that's about it.
While being the nerd at school, RV is also going through some things and is trying to figure out his sexuality. Honestly, college is all about experimenting so I can see how he's trying to figure out if he's gay or bi. Heck, he could be anything his heart desires - same for Bobby.
In the end, this book dove into such deep and meaningful topics. Definitely enjoyed this and look forward to my next book. Possibly the first one?
June 3, 2020
This is the second book in a series and I'm going to sum up a bit of stuff that many be spoiler-y if you haven't read the first book.
Arvydas "RV" ...... (sorry I don't have the tenacity to write his last name) is the eldest son of Lithuanian ex-pats living on green cards in Boston. RV's parents have worked hard for their modest American existence; it's not the American Dream they had envisioned upon emigration. They are up for citizenship, if they can pass their tests, but RV's dad is a bit sour on the idea. RV also struggles to connect with his younger brother Ray, who seems like a "cool kid" while RV is an avowed dweeb and total book scholar.
It's the summer following RV's freshmen year at the prestigious Boston Latin School. RV is a real scholar and thinker, and he's a bit nerdy if he does say so himself. He struggles to fit into his Lithuanian role, and he doesn't fit in well at school. He has two good friends: Carole who was his first girlfriend, and Bobby who is somewhat of a boyfriend. Bobby had asked RV for tutoring help in the first book, but they both feel an attraction that leads to discussing their fluid sexuality. Bobby thinks he's gay, but he doesn't want ANYONE to know. RV struggles to understand his sexuality, but he's thinking he's gay because he's really generally attracted to men. He worked on these ideas while visiting his dear Latin teacher, Mr. Aniso in the hospital last winter. Mr. Aniso is clearly gay, and was brutally bashed one weekend. Their mentor-friendship has grown over the course of the summer when RV has felt more and more isolated. Carole is in Paris with her dad, a military man with a new appointment, and Bobby spends more and more time at football camp.
Bobby is black, Mr. Aniso is gay, and RV is the child of immigrants, and potentially gay--or bisexual. They each experience prejudice in their lives and RV documents this with the kind of unflinching honesty only a confused child can bring. Mr. Aniso and Bobby both agree that RV is innocent, but in different ways. Mr. Aniso affirms RV's goodness and willingness to see the best in people, and Bobby is a little on the pressuring side, willing to explore their sexuality in a way that's a bit too fast for Bobby.
I really liked the side characters here, even Ed, the garage and gas station owner that RV works for. Ed is without question the embodiment of white American male supremacy, but RV is able to talk to him in ways that diffuse his inherent racism. He's a product of his environment like many unacknowledged racists, and RV is able to shift his bigoted paradigm. RV also grows the strength to stand up for his family, and his feelings, once he figures out the depth of them.
This 15 year old's digital journal is the meat of the story, and RV's private thoughts really cut to the heart of racism and prejudice over several classes. In a time when there is heightened awareness of the institutional racism and racial inequity in America, RV's insight is a welcome call out for people to just be more human, and understand that their personal experiences does NOT invalidate the injustices experienced by others.
I adore RV and will follow him on his quest for truth, justice and the American experience. Trigger warning for incidences of gang behavior, teen drug use, and a shooting.
Arvydas "RV" ...... (sorry I don't have the tenacity to write his last name) is the eldest son of Lithuanian ex-pats living on green cards in Boston. RV's parents have worked hard for their modest American existence; it's not the American Dream they had envisioned upon emigration. They are up for citizenship, if they can pass their tests, but RV's dad is a bit sour on the idea. RV also struggles to connect with his younger brother Ray, who seems like a "cool kid" while RV is an avowed dweeb and total book scholar.
It's the summer following RV's freshmen year at the prestigious Boston Latin School. RV is a real scholar and thinker, and he's a bit nerdy if he does say so himself. He struggles to fit into his Lithuanian role, and he doesn't fit in well at school. He has two good friends: Carole who was his first girlfriend, and Bobby who is somewhat of a boyfriend. Bobby had asked RV for tutoring help in the first book, but they both feel an attraction that leads to discussing their fluid sexuality. Bobby thinks he's gay, but he doesn't want ANYONE to know. RV struggles to understand his sexuality, but he's thinking he's gay because he's really generally attracted to men. He worked on these ideas while visiting his dear Latin teacher, Mr. Aniso in the hospital last winter. Mr. Aniso is clearly gay, and was brutally bashed one weekend. Their mentor-friendship has grown over the course of the summer when RV has felt more and more isolated. Carole is in Paris with her dad, a military man with a new appointment, and Bobby spends more and more time at football camp.
Bobby is black, Mr. Aniso is gay, and RV is the child of immigrants, and potentially gay--or bisexual. They each experience prejudice in their lives and RV documents this with the kind of unflinching honesty only a confused child can bring. Mr. Aniso and Bobby both agree that RV is innocent, but in different ways. Mr. Aniso affirms RV's goodness and willingness to see the best in people, and Bobby is a little on the pressuring side, willing to explore their sexuality in a way that's a bit too fast for Bobby.
I really liked the side characters here, even Ed, the garage and gas station owner that RV works for. Ed is without question the embodiment of white American male supremacy, but RV is able to talk to him in ways that diffuse his inherent racism. He's a product of his environment like many unacknowledged racists, and RV is able to shift his bigoted paradigm. RV also grows the strength to stand up for his family, and his feelings, once he figures out the depth of them.
This 15 year old's digital journal is the meat of the story, and RV's private thoughts really cut to the heart of racism and prejudice over several classes. In a time when there is heightened awareness of the institutional racism and racial inequity in America, RV's insight is a welcome call out for people to just be more human, and understand that their personal experiences does NOT invalidate the injustices experienced by others.
I adore RV and will follow him on his quest for truth, justice and the American experience. Trigger warning for incidences of gang behavior, teen drug use, and a shooting.
September 24, 2020
If you’ve ever wondered where you belong or what you truly value, Andy V. Roamer’s Why Can’t Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? is a delightful way to consider your options. Yes, it might be classified as young adult literature, but its themes are ageless and timely. And true, it reads with more depth if you’ve read Why Can’t Life Be Like Pizza, the first edition in Roamer’s The Pizza Chronicles series, but it works as a standalone.
Written as fifteen-year old RV’s computer journal, this teen’s summer vacation is chock-full of dilemmas. Lithuania-American RV understands his parents’ struggles with their heritage as they wrestle to become American citizens, but he wishes they didn’t foist these on him, while he struggles to acculturate. And RV’s love interest, Bobby the football player, also struggles with pressure from successful black parents who battled against cruelty to achieve.
While RV’s sounding board, best friend Carol, summers in Paris, her boyfriend seems to be shutting RV out of their mutual business. And RV’s younger brother is a lost, angry kid. Plus, RV’s part-time job takes violent twists. RV isn’t certain he’s gay and looks to Bobby for support. But is support possible, if Bobby needs to stay closeted… or will it rip them apart? The tension undulates, much like life…. And I wished I could turn life’s pages as fast as I did this book’s. “The future wasn’t something promising anymore, but there was that big fat question mark instead.”
One reason Why Can’t Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? rises to importance is that RV’s simple questions are as profound as most people’s answers. And he examines them with refreshing eyes. “Don’t take on other people’s prejudices. It’s easy to do sometimes, so be careful of that.”
He certainly struggles with ethics, like when he wonders if he can discuss his relationship problems with his proudly-out gay teacher. RV’s self-honesty is a refreshing model during an era of slippery liars. Even if he often keeps his mouth shut, not knowing what to say, RV doesn’t rationalize his choices. “Breaking my promise to Bobby would feel like a betrayal of him. And that’s the last thing I want to do.” Oh, that adults could remember this sentiment!
Mr. Roamer enlivens The Pizza Chronicles with RV’s love of words, which parallel his confused self-reflection. Since I happen to be a logophile, I frequently laughed, because RV’s definitions are deceptively simple, yet humorous and perceptive. “Oblivious is a good word too. It’s a little like invisible, but better. It means you do exist but are clueless. Hello! How often do I feel clueless about things?” Or how about this? “Procrastinate. My new ten-cent word. Sounds kind of dirty, doesn’t it? Procrastinate. Something people do in the dark.”
Andy V. Roamer’s ‘Why Can’t Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza?’ is an all-around winner! Go ahead, I dare you not to smile your way through each page, for RV’s hunger to understand, as much as the humor.
Written as fifteen-year old RV’s computer journal, this teen’s summer vacation is chock-full of dilemmas. Lithuania-American RV understands his parents’ struggles with their heritage as they wrestle to become American citizens, but he wishes they didn’t foist these on him, while he struggles to acculturate. And RV’s love interest, Bobby the football player, also struggles with pressure from successful black parents who battled against cruelty to achieve.
While RV’s sounding board, best friend Carol, summers in Paris, her boyfriend seems to be shutting RV out of their mutual business. And RV’s younger brother is a lost, angry kid. Plus, RV’s part-time job takes violent twists. RV isn’t certain he’s gay and looks to Bobby for support. But is support possible, if Bobby needs to stay closeted… or will it rip them apart? The tension undulates, much like life…. And I wished I could turn life’s pages as fast as I did this book’s. “The future wasn’t something promising anymore, but there was that big fat question mark instead.”
One reason Why Can’t Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? rises to importance is that RV’s simple questions are as profound as most people’s answers. And he examines them with refreshing eyes. “Don’t take on other people’s prejudices. It’s easy to do sometimes, so be careful of that.”
He certainly struggles with ethics, like when he wonders if he can discuss his relationship problems with his proudly-out gay teacher. RV’s self-honesty is a refreshing model during an era of slippery liars. Even if he often keeps his mouth shut, not knowing what to say, RV doesn’t rationalize his choices. “Breaking my promise to Bobby would feel like a betrayal of him. And that’s the last thing I want to do.” Oh, that adults could remember this sentiment!
Mr. Roamer enlivens The Pizza Chronicles with RV’s love of words, which parallel his confused self-reflection. Since I happen to be a logophile, I frequently laughed, because RV’s definitions are deceptively simple, yet humorous and perceptive. “Oblivious is a good word too. It’s a little like invisible, but better. It means you do exist but are clueless. Hello! How often do I feel clueless about things?” Or how about this? “Procrastinate. My new ten-cent word. Sounds kind of dirty, doesn’t it? Procrastinate. Something people do in the dark.”
Andy V. Roamer’s ‘Why Can’t Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza?’ is an all-around winner! Go ahead, I dare you not to smile your way through each page, for RV’s hunger to understand, as much as the humor.
July 6, 2020
FR- Alors alors … alors j’avais énormément aimé le premier tome de cette série et j’avais hâte de retrouver RV et son univers. J’avais trouvé très rafraîchissant ce premier tome. J’avais adoré l’humour qui s’en dégageait et la vision de la vie d’RV.
Du coup j’avais super hâte de commencer le roman. Le Trigger Warning du début du roman m’a un peu refroidit mais une fois le roman lu, je me suis rappelée que le roman pouvait être destiné à un public plus jeune et que ce trigger warning pouvait être nécessaire.
J’ai encore une fois passé un très très bon moment de lecture. L’humour est toujours aussi présent et j’ai retrouvé tous les éléments que j’avais adoré dans le premier tome. RV est un personnage que j’aime énormément. C’est un de mes personnages préféré en Young Adult et j’aime beaucoup les thèmes abordés dans cette trilogie.
Ce deuxième tome est largement à la hauteur du premier. RV évolue encore et j’ai adoré le suivre dans ses questionnements, ses découvertes. J’ai adoré voir son amitié avec Mr Aniso se développer ainsi que sa relation avec Bobby.
Le thème de l’héritage culturel est encore bien présent et son traitement était vraiment intéressant. RV se trouve petit à petit pour notre plus grand plaisir.
En résumé,une série qui continue sur sa lignée, un roman Young Adult qui traite de sujets d’actualité de manière juste et abordable. A découvrir sans plus tarder.
ENG- So well well well… well I really liked the first volume in this series and I couldn’t wait to find RV and its universe. I found this first volume very refreshing. I loved the humor and RV’s vision of life.
So I couldn’t wait to start the novel. The Trigger Warning at the start of the novel chilled me a little, but once the novel was read, I remembered that the novel could be intended for a younger audience and that this trigger warning might be necessary.
I had a great time reading again. The humor is still present and I found all the elements that I loved in the first volume. RV is a character I really like. He is one of my favorite characters in Young Adult and I really like the themes covered in this trilogy.
This second volume is largely up to the first. RV is still evolving and I loved following him in his questions, his discoveries. I loved seeing his friendship with Mr. Aniso develop as well as his relationship with Bobby.
The theme of cultural heritage is still very much present and its treatment was really interesting. RV is gradually found for our greatest pleasure.
In summary, a series that continues on its lineage, a Young Adult novel that deals with current subjects in a fair and accessible way. A book to discover without further delay.
Du coup j’avais super hâte de commencer le roman. Le Trigger Warning du début du roman m’a un peu refroidit mais une fois le roman lu, je me suis rappelée que le roman pouvait être destiné à un public plus jeune et que ce trigger warning pouvait être nécessaire.
J’ai encore une fois passé un très très bon moment de lecture. L’humour est toujours aussi présent et j’ai retrouvé tous les éléments que j’avais adoré dans le premier tome. RV est un personnage que j’aime énormément. C’est un de mes personnages préféré en Young Adult et j’aime beaucoup les thèmes abordés dans cette trilogie.
Ce deuxième tome est largement à la hauteur du premier. RV évolue encore et j’ai adoré le suivre dans ses questionnements, ses découvertes. J’ai adoré voir son amitié avec Mr Aniso se développer ainsi que sa relation avec Bobby.
Le thème de l’héritage culturel est encore bien présent et son traitement était vraiment intéressant. RV se trouve petit à petit pour notre plus grand plaisir.
En résumé,une série qui continue sur sa lignée, un roman Young Adult qui traite de sujets d’actualité de manière juste et abordable. A découvrir sans plus tarder.
ENG- So well well well… well I really liked the first volume in this series and I couldn’t wait to find RV and its universe. I found this first volume very refreshing. I loved the humor and RV’s vision of life.
So I couldn’t wait to start the novel. The Trigger Warning at the start of the novel chilled me a little, but once the novel was read, I remembered that the novel could be intended for a younger audience and that this trigger warning might be necessary.
I had a great time reading again. The humor is still present and I found all the elements that I loved in the first volume. RV is a character I really like. He is one of my favorite characters in Young Adult and I really like the themes covered in this trilogy.
This second volume is largely up to the first. RV is still evolving and I loved following him in his questions, his discoveries. I loved seeing his friendship with Mr. Aniso develop as well as his relationship with Bobby.
The theme of cultural heritage is still very much present and its treatment was really interesting. RV is gradually found for our greatest pleasure.
In summary, a series that continues on its lineage, a Young Adult novel that deals with current subjects in a fair and accessible way. A book to discover without further delay.
January 10, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza starts with RV who has decided his summer will be boring compared to his friend that is going to Paris and his romantic interest that is juggling working with football camp. To add to his terrible summer, RV will have to work with his dad's friend in an auto shop/gas station store. Meanwhile his family life is chaotic and his kinda-boyfriend is still struggling with their relationship.
At first I had a hard time getting into the book because of the writing. It was very stream of conscious and reminded me of a series of diary entries. But I eventually warmed up to the characters. RV's approach to his problems were sensible for someone his age. I'll admit I judged the character a little too early based on the writing style in the beginning, but I was glad I kept reading. There were a few plot lines that weren't tied up, but I guess not everything can be closed and solved as soon as summer break ends.
I have to admit Andy Roamer wrote a realistic take on a teenager's life. A lot of similar books have characters that have one main conflict going on in their life, but it is more realistic for them to struggle with different conflicts coming at them from different directions -- home life, romantic relationships, friendships. There is rarely one single issue in anyone's life. And the way it all took a toll on RV's mental health and summer experience were reasonable.
Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza starts with RV who has decided his summer will be boring compared to his friend that is going to Paris and his romantic interest that is juggling working with football camp. To add to his terrible summer, RV will have to work with his dad's friend in an auto shop/gas station store. Meanwhile his family life is chaotic and his kinda-boyfriend is still struggling with their relationship.
At first I had a hard time getting into the book because of the writing. It was very stream of conscious and reminded me of a series of diary entries. But I eventually warmed up to the characters. RV's approach to his problems were sensible for someone his age. I'll admit I judged the character a little too early based on the writing style in the beginning, but I was glad I kept reading. There were a few plot lines that weren't tied up, but I guess not everything can be closed and solved as soon as summer break ends.
I have to admit Andy Roamer wrote a realistic take on a teenager's life. A lot of similar books have characters that have one main conflict going on in their life, but it is more realistic for them to struggle with different conflicts coming at them from different directions -- home life, romantic relationships, friendships. There is rarely one single issue in anyone's life. And the way it all took a toll on RV's mental health and summer experience were reasonable.
February 12, 2021
I found the story and RV to be full of heart and it made me wish God had graced me with a little brother. Being that the main character in this story is questioning his sexuality I felt that how it was presented and handled was done extremely well. It's not easy to be a teenager especially one struggling about whether they may or may not be gay. Summer did not turn out as RV had imagined it. His very best friend Chloe ended up going to Paris to spend time with her dad and Bobby has a jam-packed summer full of football practices and a part-time job his dad is forcing him to do. Not to mention his own confusion with his sexuality. Though he is somewhat farther in his journey than RV, he's still somewhat unsure and certainly, thanks to his overly masculine dad feels the need to overcompensate his manliness.
Things at home are also stressful for RV as his parents are still working hard towards getting their US citizenship. They also ask him to work the summer at a gas station of a family friend that unbeknownst to them actually turns out to be rather dangerous. Luckily, RV has the guidance of his teacher from school Mr. Aniso. He is fast becoming an excellent mentor and someone who he can trust to help her decipher the confusion that is being a teenager. I wish I had someone like Mr. Aniso for guidance when I was growing up. I hope there are more novels in this serious as I enjoyed this novel and its predecessor a well.
Things at home are also stressful for RV as his parents are still working hard towards getting their US citizenship. They also ask him to work the summer at a gas station of a family friend that unbeknownst to them actually turns out to be rather dangerous. Luckily, RV has the guidance of his teacher from school Mr. Aniso. He is fast becoming an excellent mentor and someone who he can trust to help her decipher the confusion that is being a teenager. I wish I had someone like Mr. Aniso for guidance when I was growing up. I hope there are more novels in this serious as I enjoyed this novel and its predecessor a well.
January 13, 2021
DNFed at 47%
My Dad helped me give it up, actually. He said "You read half of it and you don't like it? Why do you torture your head like that!?"
And he's right, I have to start dnfing things I don't enjoy much sooner.
This is yet another story of a teenager who's trying to find his place in the world.
He is gay. Or not. He has no idea. He has "boring" parents who want him included in the Lithuanian community. He likes words. And there is a strange teacher who meets with 15- year-old boys for drinks and stuff.
I really can't point out a single thing that was inovative or remarkable. It was blunt and boring and I didn't like a single thing about it.
I'm sorry.
A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
My Dad helped me give it up, actually. He said "You read half of it and you don't like it? Why do you torture your head like that!?"
And he's right, I have to start dnfing things I don't enjoy much sooner.
This is yet another story of a teenager who's trying to find his place in the world.
He is gay. Or not. He has no idea. He has "boring" parents who want him included in the Lithuanian community. He likes words. And there is a strange teacher who meets with 15- year-old boys for drinks and stuff.
I really can't point out a single thing that was inovative or remarkable. It was blunt and boring and I didn't like a single thing about it.
I'm sorry.
A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2020
I honestly was not a huge fan of the writing in this book. While the journal style writing was something that made it easy to connect to main character, the writing itself was not very deep. I had not read the first book and I think that probably would have helped me fill in some of the context that was missing for me. I also kept waiting for something big to happen and just never got there. While the premise of the book was evident, it was just a somewhat boring read for me. I was provided with an ARC from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 7, 2021
This was an important book for students, teenagers, adults who are having difficulty coming out. 3 friends over one Summer, deal with family drama; friendship changes; and the newness of coming out. Although younger children with higher reading skills would be able to read and comprehend, they may have questions and will need an appropriate adult to explain. While important, it is a sweet romantic book, I highly recommend.
September 6, 2021
This was a sweet coming of age romance.
I absolutely recommend reading book 1 before heading into this for maximum enjoyment.
The story is interesting and the content is low on the angst and the steam.
I found the characters to be relatable and engaging.
Definitely recommend this if you enjoy a low angst, coming of age, young adult romance
I absolutely recommend reading book 1 before heading into this for maximum enjoyment.
The story is interesting and the content is low on the angst and the steam.
I found the characters to be relatable and engaging.
Definitely recommend this if you enjoy a low angst, coming of age, young adult romance
January 10, 2022
2.75 stars.
This was the second book in the series and I still do not like the diary-feel of the book. It made it hard to follow the story. It was sort of okay, but it did not make me wanna read the next book in the series that comes. RV was sort of okay, but the book still lacks the drag-in feel and make me enjoy it. It was not much better than the first one.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
This was the second book in the series and I still do not like the diary-feel of the book. It made it hard to follow the story. It was sort of okay, but it did not make me wanna read the next book in the series that comes. RV was sort of okay, but the book still lacks the drag-in feel and make me enjoy it. It was not much better than the first one.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
August 29, 2022
You must read book one first that sets up the series. In this book RV is on summer break since he’s 15 his family has him get a part time job in a local store/ garage.
This is just more on his life and how things go in a teens life and family and his view of the world.
There is quite a lot of action in the book that holds your interest.
This is just more on his life and how things go in a teens life and family and his view of the world.
There is quite a lot of action in the book that holds your interest.
October 15, 2020
This was a hit and a miss. Although I did like the first book and wanted to love this one it fell kind of flat for me. It was missing the spark that book one had. I ended up finishing this one but should have DNFed.
July 1, 2020
I really had a hard time finding the right flow with this book. I felt like it was lacking something and I can not quite figure out exactly what. I was able to finish it, but I didnt like it.
July 7, 2020
And RV's saga continues. Summer is supposed to be a time to relax, have fun, spend time with friends and forget about the pressure of school. It didn't take long for RV to figure out that his summer plans weren't going to happen. His best friend was off to Paris, his parents wanted him to spend the summer being responsible. Not exactly what a high schooler wants to hear when summer vacation is supposed to start. To make matters even worse, Bobby's parents want him to spend the summer being responsible as well and he's spending the rest of his summer at football camp. All of which leaves little time for RV and his summer plans. *sigh*
As with the first book in this series, the story pretty much takes place inside RV's head. He's a quirky, awkward sorta teen who worries about everything and tends to overthink things. I'm kind of enjoying getting to know him. He makes mistakes, like all teens are likely to do, but he means well and has a good heart. He also has the support of friends and he's making new ones along the way. I think his family means well, but sometimes they frustrate me as much as they do RV.
I'm kind of hoping that there's more to come in The Pizza Chronicles, because I'd love to get to know RV and his friends even better.
I received Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? in exchange for a fair and honest review.
As with the first book in this series, the story pretty much takes place inside RV's head. He's a quirky, awkward sorta teen who worries about everything and tends to overthink things. I'm kind of enjoying getting to know him. He makes mistakes, like all teens are likely to do, but he means well and has a good heart. He also has the support of friends and he's making new ones along the way. I think his family means well, but sometimes they frustrate me as much as they do RV.
I'm kind of hoping that there's more to come in The Pizza Chronicles, because I'd love to get to know RV and his friends even better.
I received Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 20, 2021
I loved the first book in this series both for the character of Mr. Aniso and his relationship with RV and because I thought the author did a superb job of capturing the right "voice" for the age the characters were supposed to be. They weren't adults masquerading as kids. That ability to capture voices continues with this second book. RV, Bobby, Carole are all off getting summer jobs and not getting to spend as much time together as they would like. For RV and Bobby, that means they have some difficulties handling their developing relationship. Everything about this felt real and I can't wait to see what happens with everyone in the next book when summer is over.
June 21, 2022
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
This is the second installment of the series and starts our main character RV who has decided his summer will be boring compared to his friend that is going to Paris and his romantic interest that is juggling working with football camp. To add to his terrible summer, RV will have to work with his dad’s friend in an auto shop.
I didn’t really love the writing. It was very stream of conscious and reminded me of a series of diary entries, which I know is supposed to be the point. There were a few plot lines that weren’t tied up, but I guess not everything can be closed and solved as soon as summer break ends. The humor is still present and I found all the elements that I loved in the first volume. I loved seeing his friendship with Mr. Aniso develop as well as his relationship with Bobby. Overall, it was a fun read and another step in RV’s journey towards self-acceptance.
This is the second installment of the series and starts our main character RV who has decided his summer will be boring compared to his friend that is going to Paris and his romantic interest that is juggling working with football camp. To add to his terrible summer, RV will have to work with his dad’s friend in an auto shop.
I didn’t really love the writing. It was very stream of conscious and reminded me of a series of diary entries, which I know is supposed to be the point. There were a few plot lines that weren’t tied up, but I guess not everything can be closed and solved as soon as summer break ends. The humor is still present and I found all the elements that I loved in the first volume. I loved seeing his friendship with Mr. Aniso develop as well as his relationship with Bobby. Overall, it was a fun read and another step in RV’s journey towards self-acceptance.
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