Mini Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Published: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Simon and Schuster BYR

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

My Thoughts

Second Chance Summer is the touching story of one family trying to make their Summer the most memorable yet. Taylor and her family decide to go to their Summer house after years of not going but this Summer is different, you see her father is gravely sick and this might be his last Summer. So they go to the one place where they have the best memories and hopefully this Summer will make them closer and they can focus on the good. 

Taylor loved her Summers in the Poconos, she had a best friend and her first love there, but her last Summer there she lost her best friend and she left her crush without a word. Being back feels strange yet comforting but once she runs into both of the people she left behind this Summer just became more complicated than Taylor wanted.

Second Chance Summer is all about family, friendships and love. We get the aspect of her family and them dealing with their dad and his illness and how that will have a huge effect on the family not only this Summer but for the rest of their lives. Despite her world falling apart all of this has made her family closer and stronger. We also have Taylor just trying to figure out life and trying to repair relationships from her past. I loved how this story was so real and it was touching and showed us how growing up is a very hard thing to try to navigate. Morgan Matson gives us a well-rounded story and spotlights teen life at its best, this is one book that is the perfect thing to read during the Summer.