Forever Summer

Chelsea High #2

by Jenny Oliver

For all fans of Jenny Han, Holly Bourne and The Kissing Booth comes the must-have teen read from bestselling fiction author, Jenny Oliver!

Summer term and the heat is rising ...

It's summer term at Chelsea High, the most exclusive school in town! The weeks ahead are filled with glamorous events - including a variety show AND a trip to a tropical island! But a shock revelation has new girl Norah Whittaker rethinking everything she thought she knew about herself. With family, friendship and romance up in the air, studying at Chelsea High is NEVER straightforward!

You know you're in for a treat when you open a Jenny Oliver book (Debbie Johnson, author of The Comfort Food Cafe series)

Genres: Young Adult

384 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2022

About the author

Jenny Oliver is the bestselling author of The Summerhouse by the Sea - the PERFECT book for your summer reading! Out May 18th.
Her book The Sunshine and Biscotti Club, set in sunny Tuscany, was nominated for the Best Contemporary Romantic Novel at the RONA awards.
Jenny wrote her first book on holiday when she was ten years old. Illustrated with cut-out supermodels from her sister's Vogue, it was an epic, sweeping love story not so loosely based Dynasty.
Since then Jenny has gone on to get an English degree and a job in publishing that's taught her what it takes to write a novel (without the help of the supermodels). She wrote her first book The Parisian Christmas Bake Off on the beach in a notebook that would end up covered in sand each afternoon and damp from the sea. Nowadays her inspiration comes from her love of all things vintage, a fascination with other people’s relationships and an unwavering belief in happy ever after!
If you are looking for some bite-size reads why not try her Cherry Pie Island novella series. The first five books - The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Cafe, The Vintage Ice Cream Van Road Trip, The Great Allotment Proposal, One Summer Night at the Ritz and Four Weddings and a White Christmas are out NOW! Mouthwatering, feel-good and the ultimate escapism!
Follow her on Twitter @JenOliverBooks, Instagram jenoliverbooks or go to the website jennyoliverbooks.com to find out more about Jenny, her books and read her blog!

Reviews

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only regret with this book was not having realised Jenny Oliver had moved into YA books sooner than I did, as I would have loved to have read Chelsea High first.

In fact I didn't even realise until after I had started reading Forever Summer and then pulled up the info my computer at which point I twigged, but with that I will say this can easily be read as a standalone, but it may have taken me a bit longer to get to grips with the sizeable cast of characters.

And my regret is purely because I was enjoying this one so much it's a shame I hadn't had a chance to read the series in order, as this is 100% my sort of book.

I absolutely loved it!

I've always loved books set in schools and this was no exception, and I couldn't help but really feel for Norah, her boyfriend is currently in New York with a seriously ill brother, her father is in prison, she is at a school for the rich only thanks to her grandparents paying the fees, and she's not really got that many friends.

There are all the sorts of dynamics you would expect in a high school but there is also in terms of sports, well the school has a polo team, i mean I went to a private school with a whole range of sports on offer, but we certainly didn't have ponies and polo! I did love that Norah was in the Netball squad, which allowed me to relive my attempts to get into my own Netball squad (I always failed).

There are so many big themes running through this book, and a plethora of fabulous storylines. I am completely hooked on Norah's life and want more. I really really hope there will be another book in this series, as I'm certainly not done with my time at Chelsea High. I was enjoying it that much.

Thank you to Electric Monkey and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.


After reading so many Mystery/Thriller, I wanted to read something light and quick. I requested it on Netgalley and didn't realize that it is part of a series. It wasn't mentioned anywhere neither on Netgalley nor on Goodreads. So I wasn't aware of the characters past and the reason behind their relationships. It was like joining a class in middle and you have to teach everything to yourself.

Norah and Ezra are in a relationship (I didn't get to know how they were there in the first place, because they were so different to each other). He is in NY where his brother is going through some treatment (I don't know if he was only studying in the UK or he was from the UK). Coco is Ezra's Ex and famous model/Instagrammer. Laurent, Coco's brother, has joined the school this year, apparently, he was in Argentina for six months so he is new to Norah. Well, Norah is new in Chelsea high and doesn't have many friends without Ezra she is kind of lost.

After struggling at the start, I started to understand characters and their dynamics. The story was fast-paced and a bit different. I wanted to read something light and cheesy and it served me right. I wish, I knew more about Norah's dad and her paternal side. I was unable to understand the last scenarios as I wasn't invested in Norah's dad story. I got it that the author was promoting self-love above everything but sometimes it felt forced. Overall I enjoyed it.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous sequel to Chelsea High! I went into these books with no expectations, I just wanted to enjoy some great books. They are nice and easy reads, that you just can't put down! I finished Chelsea High in one sitting, and this one not much longer!

More twists! More family drama. New friends, A trip to Greece and a new boy on the scene! The world of Chelsea High is never boring.

*Gifted- Thank you Electric Monkey and Tandem Collective for my gifted copy*

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light easy to read YA story about friendships, young relationships and family ties. Norah is a likeable young woman learning about love, trust and making her way in the competitive world of high school. The side story of her father seemed a strange addition to the plot but added to her worries and showed her strong relationship with her mum.

[elisa dessena · Rating 4 out of 5]

low-key happy with the ending
this book was good but not a favourite

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

Norah Whittaker's life has been turned upside down. Although her parents rejected their privileged upbringings to live a 'more genuine life', her father was still looking for get-rich-quick schemes and has recently been sent to prison for investment fraud. Norah and her mother are still living on their houseboat, although no longer moored on the idyllic Mulberry Island, and now she goes to the very exclusive Chelsea High School, all funded by her maternal grandparents. Things are looking good, Norah has a boyfriend, Ezra, but he and his family are staying in New York pursuing specialist medical treatment for Ezra's little brother.

When the new school term starts we are introduced to Laurent Summer, brother to Mean Girl Coco Summers, who has been in Argentina for six months improving his polo game. Laurent is just as good looking as his sister, but also just as entitled, arrogant and condescending.

What follows is a madcap mixture of school sports (but polo not football), advertising shoots on a Greek Island for a perfume brand for which Coco is an influencer, plots involving a criminal gang and Norah's father, a love triangle, and the school play.

Imagine Mean Girls meets Mallory Towers meets Gossip Girl - if that's your vibe then I think this will be right up your street. I'm *whispers* fifty-five years old and I still enjoyed this high school romp.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 'Chelsea High' last year and really enjoyed it. It was a quick read and perfect for when you want something easy and fun to read, therefore when I found out that there was a sequel I was really excited to read it. However, this book was a strange one for me. The plot of this book felt so random and weird to me, and also felt really rushed overall.

There were so many random 'plot twists' throughout the book. The storyline about Norah's dad and the guy who was blackmailing her and her dad felt so random and was not concluded in this story. I assume this will be concluded in the next book, but it made the book feel like the filler book in a series.

Norah and Laurent possibly being siblings was the most random and pointless storyline because it did not add to the plot at all, it would have made sense if them possibly being siblings led to them getting closer but there was no possible chance of that occurring because it was resolved two pages later when they found out that they weren't siblings, and so it did not add to the story at all.

Ezra cheating on Norah was so out of character in my opinion. Why would he just randomly cheat on her, when at the beginning of the book he was telling her how much he loved her? And then him claiming he cheated because of the stress of his brother being sick? Doesn't make sense to me and also is a horrible and disgusting excuse.

The synopsis of this book mentions the photo-shoot to Greece, but this plot line occurred within the first 30/40% of the book and was not mentioned at all in the rest of the book, so what was the point of that part?

Also Norah annoyed me a lot more in this book. I can't remember if she was similar in the first book, but I found her so annoying and entitled in this book. She constantly complained about the rich kids she went to school with and acted like she was poor because she lived on a boat with her mum, when she was also going to this expensive school that her grandparents paid for. If you ever watched Gilmore Girls, Norah reminds me of all the worst entitled, spoilt brat parts that the character Rory Gilmore also has.

I don't know how I feel about this book. I really liked 'Chelsea High' but this book felt so rushed and pointless. I just couldn't see the reason why this book exists. Maybe it should have been longer or maybe there should have been less pointless plot twists which could've led to more development on the other storylines so it would have felt less rushed.

Maybe I will read the next book in the series if there is going to be one, just so I can see what happens but it would not be one that I would be rushing out the buy when it comes out.

Thank you to Electric Monkey for providing me with an advance copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bee Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the follow up to Chelsea High which published just over a year ago. In that book Norah and her mother had to leave their home when Norah's father is accused of fraud. His parents enroll Norah in super snobby, super expensive Chelsea High, kicking off the rest of the plot.
In this one, Norah's father is serving his prison sentence. Norah is dealing with her boyfriend being on another continent, the local Mean Girl still trying to take her down, and an arrogant new schoolmate, along with all the normal issues teens have. Norah goes through a lot in this book, and despite the ultra exclusive setting, it never feels less than completely relatable.


Personally, I didn't agree with a decision Norah makes right at the very end. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that while she can of course make up her own mind and do whatever (her author) wants, I would not have made that choice, and I feel vaguely disappointed in her. It's got to be a good sign when a book has me this involved, right?

If you're looking to read this, I'd recommend starting with the first one, but I definitely recommend these as fabulous novels for teenagers, and for anyone else!

[Michelle (around - catching up!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Summer is the drama I had no idea I needed in my life...I have 100% been reading this book when I was supposed to be doing other things and now I'm craving a third book. I love a good story that involves standing up to bullies, but Forever Summer is so much more than that. It's a really good high school/family drama that takes a good look into the complexities of relationships. It's set in and around central London and makes me feel nostalgic for a place I've never lived, I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of London. If you haven't read book one (Chelsea High), I honestly would read that first, because so much has already happened in Norah's story with both her family and school way before everything takes a huge swerve in this one and it's good to be properly introduced to the characters.

[Sabina · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Forever Summer' is the second book in Chelsea High series by Jenny Oliver. While I found the first part of the series simply titled 'Chelsea High' quite boring the second book is way way better. Many completely unexpected things are going on since Ezra is in New York for his little brother's (Josh) medical treatment and Norah went back to her new extremely posh school alone. Norah is still dealing with her father being in prison and with Coco Summers, but this time there's also Coco's immensely handsome and sporty brother Laurent and things are getting really complicated on the Summers' front. Not to give you any spoilers a lot of things are going on in this book and you definitelly won't be disappointed. I read this book at one go.

[Felicity Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I haven't read a teen book in a while.....and I loved and thoroughly enjoyed this one!!
Written with great sensitivity and insight into the world of young people and what they have to deal with emotionally and at school.
Brilliantly written, with so much to get involved with, including glamour, sport and travel being just a few. Loved the characters and locations which were very recognisable!
North Whittaker lives on a boat moored on the Thames in London, and goes to school at Chelsea High. No spoilers here!
Amazing read for the summer!
Thank you for the opportunity to read early with NetGalley.

[Lorraine Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not the target audience for this type of book but nevertheless I enjoyed it. It was an entertaining read, perfect for lazy summer days.
I found the main character likeable and believable and wanted to find out how her story would end.
It seems that this is the second book in the series but it was fine to read as a standalone and I do not think I missed anything by not having read the first.
If there was to be a third book in the series then I would happily read it to take the story further. This book does show the uncertainties and anxieties of teenage love but to be honest relationships can be a minefield at any age.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - after having no expectations. There were several strands to the story, from school rivalries to family love to Norah's father's incarceration. I felt like I missed a little bit of the back story between Ezra's family and Norah as I hadn't read the first book, but this shouldn't stop anyone who hasn't picking up the book.

Including Laurent's background and the polo was also fascinating and was something I don't think people know much about.

I would definitely recommend this book and looking forward to any sequels.

[rohini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever summer was a quick fluffy read that was really enjoyable!

This book was great and I loved the fluff and writing! The characters were also super realistic and I rooted for Norah throughout!

I haven't actually read the first book in this series so it was a bit difficult to understand the subplot of her father but other than that this was a brilliant read and I would recommend it if you're looking for a quick read!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc! All opinions are my own.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5
I was kindly given a copy of this book by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I liked returning to the world of Chelsea High again but I missed the storylines and characters from the first one. I just wasn’t as engaged in this one though it did pick up in the final third for me.
I liked the arc the book took and I’m glad the whole book wasn’t purely about the modelling shoot.

[Patricia Moren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful story around the angst of being a teenager. Those that have and those that have not, the winners and the losers but also the ones who don't want to follow the crowds and manage to find a greater meaning in life.. If only they realised that is one of the pivotal moments of their lives, Great story.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teen high school tale with all the angst set in a private school in Chelsea. It was refreshing to have this kind of tale set in the UK rather than America. As it's Chelsea there is glitz and glamour, bitchy, entitled cool kids and Norah and her friends who are likeable but not quite in with the crowd.
It was a good story, not as run of the mill as I thought that it would be.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Chelsea high i was really looking forward to the next installment.This is such a fabulous story and when I saw it was written by Jenny Oliver I had to click on it straight away. Very well written and leaves you hooked from start to finish. Perfection!

[My Yorkshire Litmosphere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norah is back again and we head into Summer Term at Chelsea High! This time there is alot of drama, flights to Greece for a photoshoot, boy drama, friendship drama, family drama…basically A LOT of drama!

I was pleasantly surprised by Forever Summer, you can clearly tell that the author has found her feet in book two and is spinning tales and tricks like there is no mañana!

Norah is still a bit spoilt and irritating but then if you were part of the “IT Crowd”, but didn’t have the money to back you up, you would be too.

Favourite character by far is Laurent - not only because his name is ridiculous but also back I love how much he loves himself and how much of an impact he has to the story!

All in all, Book Two of the Chelsea High series is a fun YA read, primed for anyone who likes stories based in High School and loves a bit of teen drama Mean Girls Style.

Thank you to Electric Monkey and Jenny Oliver for a #gifted copy of Forever Summer to review! ♥️

[Isabel :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

i read the first book and in the same library book i got the other one. the first one was alright, pretty basic read but this one was soo boring, i only read about a quarter of the way through and didn’t finish because it’s just boring tbh

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the original!! I’m glad it focused less on the family stuff and more on the romance because I found the court stuff boring last novel

[Sarah Hollowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was ok but wouldnt read again

[Lynne Easy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be a YA book but I loved it (I'm 58!!) Lovely read

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

[Anggita Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made me feel way too much secondhand embarrassment, not to mention the character is very pick- me. I don't really recommend this book to 13 +. But it's a good book for kids i guess.

[iloveninariva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book at my local bookshop and bought it. Didn’t know anything about it nor the author but the book was amazing!!