Hot Summer Nights tells the story of Carly McFarlane who works as a camp counselor for a group of kids over the summer. She’s also determined to find the perfect guy for her best friend, Heather, so she could stop stealing the guys Carly dates. She thinks fellow counselor, Jack Ryder, is the perfect match for her pretty friend, but then again, Carly’s plan backfires when she finds herself falling for Jack instead.
Don’t let yourself be fooled by the seemingly formulaic teen romance plot because there’s nothing typical about it. The story is rife with serious-in-tone subplots, such as Joelle’s (Carly’s older sister) unplanned pregnancy and the tension between the two siblings. This takes a lot more space in the book than the interaction between Carly and Heather, which was the supposed provider of conflict in the story. This is actually a good thing because Carly resounded to me as the level-headed, strong, responsible, non-whiny heroine that I like. Her flaw, which is her continued patronage of Heather’s meddling in her relationships, made me feel frustrated in a good way—this made her character authentic and relatable.
Because of the serious subplot, teens who would read this story expecting to be swept off their feet with the swoon factor may get slightly disappointed. Personally I like this unconventional story because it’s nothing like the sugar-coated, tweetums romances we’re seeing in this day and age.
Nevertheless, this is a romantic story and the romance follows through in the end when Jack makes his grand gesture. While reading this charming scene, the author’s simple prose evoked a poignant feeling in me as a reader and left me with all the right feels at the right moment.
ook at that old school cover! I find the outfits hilarious. But then again, that was the fashion in the 90s, when this book was published. Sometimes, it's refreshing to read an oldie but goodie like this one, where teens don't have to deal with the cyber age. Based on the title, it's obvious that the book occurs during summertime. Athletic Carly is working as a counselor for a bunch of first, second and third graders. This summer, she's determined to set up her best friend Heather with the perfect guy because she's fed up with Heather stealing the guys that she dates. Carly doesn't really blame the guys for falling for pretty and delicate Heather, who's also a ballerina. She finds the perfect guy to match with her best friend in her artistic co-counselor, Jack. He's good-looking, funny and available. Unfortunately, things backfire when Carly realizes that Jack is indeed perfect but maybe not for Heather.
As always, Elizabeth Chandler has a spunky, sporty female for a main character. They're not girly in the sense that they don't bother with pretty outfits or make-up and instead focus on being active and doing sports all day long. I like laid-back girls like that because I feel like we'd get along well (even if I'm not the least bit sporty - I'd probably be athletic if I wasn't so lazy). One thing I noticed about all of Elizabeth Chandler's novels in the Love Stories series is that the family of the main character plays a significant role in the story. In this case, what was highlighted was Carly's relationship with her pregnant older sister, Joelle. I liked the development of Carly and Joelle's relationship. What bothered me though was how Carly can be best friends with Heather when it seems like Heather is a superficial kind of girl and she's only interested in guys already attached to Carly. Anyway, I liked the book as a whole because it's another light and fun read from a favorite author. I hope she writes more of these kinds of stories because I enjoy reading them. I recommend this for fans of Elizabeth Chandler or those who like the Love Stories series.
I was a bit under the weather yesterday afternoon. It was raining, I was feeling the first flush of a fever. I was craving for chocolate and my feet were cold. Nothing else to do but dig in my bookshelf and read something that did not require much thinking. I just wanted to feel.
And so: this book. I bought and read it back in the sixth grade, a time when a girl feels inadequate about her life in general, and just wants a boy to make everything all right. Fast-forward to yesterday, eleven years later: I am down to the last few pages, and my nose is red from all the crying, and tissues are strewn all over my bed. Apparently I am still a sucker for stories like this, quite a chick, really. It's disgusting but isn't it wonderful as well? T., still a fool for love. Assured and independent? Check. Finished with school and has own job? Check. Awkward, socially retarded, and lives in a boy-/man-less universe at the age of twenty-four? You bet.
As I've never really given provoking and/or useful reviews (I'm a writer, not a critic), I'm afraid I'm not going to be of much help. There's something to be said about works still having the same effect on you after more than a decade has passed, and life and the world has come in between. It's not a work of art. It's not a Murakami or a Kundera and it doesn't even come close to the fullness of an Atwood poem. But it is a love story, if anything else. The title's a misnomer; it's not a trash novel and it doesn't have a sex-filled plot. It's full of teenage angst and immaturity and everything else that makes your blood sing when you're at that age. It's a story that makes me wish I had long, red hair that cannot be tamed.
Gosh, listen to me. I'm such a girl. At least, yesterday I was. I did enjoy reading it - and I'm more than sure I've got a few more titles under the Love Stories series to make me babble again. But please don't take my word for it, as I am currently inebriated with hormones. I am not entirely sure how keen or reliable this is for your own good.
This book ended up being a LOT more serious than I expected. I thought it was going to be a mushy, fun, easy read. It ended up being surprisingly heart-wrenching and real. I enjoyed the author's writing style and thought the characters were nicely constructed. I was disappointed by the ending though. Was it a "good" ending? I suppose so. But it was abrupt and seemed rushed, with no good explanations about what happened to the other characters or how things really ended. After reading through so much romantic tension, I wanted a more drawn out, satisfying conclusion. I was also a little let down by how some of the characters were two dimensional. I thought the plot was a very good one though, and there were some laugh-out-loud moments as well. :)
Yo amaba este libro.... De esos que empezaba y lo devoraba en una tarde... Quien no vivió algo así? la eterna lucha contra tratar de no "enamorarte" del mismo que alguna amiga.... Y lo que empezó como un excelente plan, termino siendo un sin fin de sentimientos y un amor que deberá superar muchas cosas.... Si sos adolescente y queres saber sobre amor... Este libro es super recomendable.... Tan tierno...
I have to say, for a romance novel, this is really good. I mean, it's not Jane Austen, but I found it very enjoyable and a lot more serious in tone than the usual "omg, that hot guy is sooo dreamy!11!" kind of plot you usually get. Also, I didn't want to strangle the heroine for being dumb or whiny. And the love interest was really sweet. If you are an occasional romance novel reader and want something good, this might be for you.
This was the last book i read of this author and loved it from the first page. The hero is so witty and so nice! I dont know why the author didnt write more of these sort.
There aren't enough stars in the sky for this book. I remember loving it when I first read it, but I wasn't prepared for a re-read twenty years later and how much I would feel. Elizabeth Chandler has written something magical. I cried, I reread the dialogue, I swooned, I laughed out loud, and then I cried again. This book is WONDERFUL and it's going straight onto my favorites list. If it was released today (I think this entire series could actually be re-released), it would be gold. The characters are so vulnerable and so human. The relationship between the sisters, Carly and Joelle, and the love triangles, were so lovingly rendered. They felt so real and authentic and honest. They existed off the page, they breathed, they made mistakes, they apologized, and I was absolutely enchanted by them and transported. There is nothing special about this book; no magic, no destiny, no vampires. It's an ordinary story peopled with flawed, ordinary characters, and I absolutely loved it.
Mom's need not worry at all! Amazing for tweens & teens, no sex, no talk of sex. Not even sexual innuendos, (Despite the cover and title) just kissing! First kiss/first love, romantic, creative, clever, funny! I would highly recommend these "love stories" books written by different authors. They're what I started out on, as an adolescent in the 90s, daydreaming about my future first love, 😻 and I sometimes still pull them out and read them as an adult! And, most all of the main characters, a girl looking for love, have a best friend/gal pal like most of us do/did to rely on, and to chat with! My mom loved these for me, as did I!
Hot Summer Nights was one of my absolute favorites in this series! Get the kleenexes, it's awesome! It's funny, realistic, and I love that the main character is a tomboy! Excellent writing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
One of my all-time favorite books from my all-time favorite romance author. Re-reading this felt like opening a shoebox of old high school mementos. I love how witty, sporty and spunky Carly is, and how her personality complements with Jack's charming, artistic and funny vibe. Her only weakness is her loyalty to her best friend, Heather, and how she belittles herself compared to her. The sub-plot where Carly deals with the unexpected pregnancy of her older sister, Joelle, adds a serious tone in a light and charming love story. I'll never get tired of this story.
My favorite young adult love story back in the 90’s. I love, love stories that begin as a love-hate relationship. I am a sucker for those plots. But this story is my all time favorite. I can just pick it up and start from anywhere in the book. It makes me laugh out loud and gives me the tingles. The right combination of love, friendship and sisterhood that I can totally relate to. A very short read but I love it.
I found this a random pile of books from middle school. I was obsessed with it when I was 12. I wish I could have kept those warm feelings towards it but unfortunately it's just not the same. It will always have a nostalgic hold over me. Great literature it is not. And it was kind of mean. People using people all over the place.
Title is a bit misleading, or maybe that's just me. I wish there was a confrontation. You'll know what I mean when you read it. I was itching for it like mad. But other than those two things it was perfect, perfect. I loved the writing, the camp, the kids, the sister. And Jack. I love Jack. It was the perfect slow burn summer romance.
This book may aim at a much younger audience, but it's been fun to read, it really was. Jack is a real dream-guy. And it's a good lesson that Carly learns throughout the novel: good looks and popularity is not everything in life and cannot bring true happiness.
My favorite Love Stories book of all time. It has all the ingredients I look for in a love story - some heartbreak, poignancy, and the right amount of sweetness to make me giddy. I just wish there was another chapter after Carly and Jack finally got together.