I couldn't finish this book; I had to DNF at 52% because it just wasn't working for me. I couldn't connect with the characters or the story.

Best Bits: I don't always find myself drawn to contemporary reads, but something about this one was calling to me. I'm glad that I got the chance to read it, because it satisfied my urge for an emotional summer read. I thought that the characters and situations felt real, especially as the book went on and Cricket and Jules grow and change (seriously, if you compare their first conversation in the book to their final conversation it speaks volumes of who they are as people). I also thought that Howland did an excellent job dealing with the tragedy. I really understood the change in Jules, and felt for Cricket who couldn't help her. The romance was sweet, and didn't feel like insta-love. Seriously, I almost danced with joy about that one. It was obvious to me who male romantic lead would be, but it was still nice getting to see it happen.


The one thing that I want to rave about is the ending. No fear, there are no spoilers here. Howland doesn't tie up all of the loose ends in Cricket's life. Things are still messy at the end, and I loved that about this book. When I set down my Kindle (at 4 am after being unable to put it down) I reflected back on the book and it was nice to think about the possibilities for the future of these characters. Nantucket Blue was an emotionally satisfying read, and a must-have for summer.

Nit Picks: I actually struggled with where to rate this one, and almost took the cheater's way out by giving it two grades. I don't have any large nitpicks to address, which is always a rarity. I do wish I could have seen a bit more of some supporting characters, as we're introduced to a few who make one or two brief appearances. The conflict at the end could have been avoided, but Howland did a great job of explaining it to the reader, and as a teen I probably would have done/felt the same way.

Favorite Quotes:

"The sky was bright blue with three marshmallow clouds" -1% on Kindle

"It's better to have the morning to yourself than the evening. You don't have to feel lonely when you're alone in the morning." -44% on Kindle

Did not manage to download this book on time. I am very sorry that I did not manage. Thanks for the opportunity.

Read 5 years ago - It was an extremely cute read. Reminded me of a romance where you know where the ending is going however you still keep reading because of the the writing and swoon-worthiness of the story.

This book was GREAT. It was very much like Sarah Dessen. It had her themes and style and such. It wasn't as good as Sarah Dessen YET, but I think that Leila Howland will be just as good in the next few books or so. It had everything: sadness, romance, the beach and drama. There was a small twist at the end, too, which was fantastic. I will definitely read all of the authors other books and you should, too!

Love love love love love love love this book and this author!

I was lucky to be able to read this early and I loved the story, the characters and the setting.

I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a fun beach/summer read though not entirely light and fluffy. It was a quick read that explored a few relationships — romance, a fractured friendship and a strained mother-daughter relationship — in a really great setting that will have you thirsting for your own summer romance in Nantucket. I really LIKED it and on paper it looks like it should have been an absolutely PERFECT read because I can’t really pinpoint what I DIDN’T like about it but, for some reason, I never got to that OMG I LOVE IT SO MUCH point like sooo many of my friends.

The biggest thread of the story really revolves around Cricket and her best friend Jules. They have had that ultimate close friendship that every girl wants until this tragedy happens in Jules’ life and suddenly Cricket is being shown the cold shoulder. I thought this break in the friendship was done really well and felt realistic of that weird kind of tension that happens between friends — the analyzing & asking yourself WHY they are made at you, that longing you have to tell your best friend something, etc. I actually identified a lot with Jules after this tragedy and, even though she was being a royal BEYOTCH to Cricket, I just always felt for her because I did a lot of pushing people away after my mom passed away. However, I had a hard time when I found out her reasoning for it. I liked that their storyline wasn’t so cleanly wrapped up but I will admit to wanting more.

I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this story. It felt like it fell into place just perfectly and was so romantic and sweet and very worth of the swoon. I loved how it developed and the complications that went along with it but it was this really bright spot in the story when it was hard to deal with how Jules was being and the dynamics between Cricket and her parents.

I thought Cricket was easy to relate to and I thought she was incredibly realistic. She wasn’t a perfect character, you wanted to smack her upside the head sometimes but ultimately you could feel for her. She wanted to be there for Jules even when Jules wasn’t having it and she had a big heart even if sometimes she didn’t look out for herself. I really liked Cricket’s interactions with the secondary characters that she meets on Nantucket and I thought they were really special and added a lot to Cricket’s summertime adventure. I loved the character development of Cricket and that she realized she couldn’t stay stuck in the past. She deals with a lot in this summer and I think, though there are ups and downs, she handles it gracefully.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I thought Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland was a really great summer read that had a little bit of everything in it. I loved that it wasn’t just a romance but a story about friendship and parental dynamics and how Cricket handles these things and really starts finding out who she is. Truly, I can’t really think of anything that bothered me or that I didn’t like about it, however, I only really felt like “oh I really LIKED it” rather than OMG I LOVED IT. Somewhere it just didn’t click for me as it did for other reviewers.

I really enjoyed this book. Our library kids love it as well.

I so wanted to enjoy this one. I love summery romantic books. However after several attempts at reading this book I found that Nantucket Blue was just not the book for me. I hope other readers found more enjoyment from it than I did.

A sweet summer romance. Not totally my taste, but enjoyable enough to read.