The Summer After You and Me - Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Book Synopsis: Sunbathing, surfing, eating funnel cake on the boardwalk—Lucy loves living on the Jersey Shore. For her, it's not just the perfect summer escape, it is home. And as a local girl, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in over Memorial Day weekend, crowding the shore and stealing moonlit kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Lucy wants more from love than a fleeting romance, even if that means keeping her distance from her summertime neighbor and crush, Connor. Then Superstorm Sandy tears apart her barrier island, briefly bringing together a local girl like herself and a vacationer like Connor. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm. And day after day, week after week, Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken home. Now with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances?
Lucy and Andrew were best friends, with the possibility of becoming maybe something more. That all changes on prom night when Stacie (yuck) and Andrew are spotted together, and Lucy's summer plans are washed away just like Hurricane Sandy... too soon? Connor Malloy is Lucy's next door neighbor, unrequited love, and long-lasting crush.
I liked this book, there was just one slight aspect that definitely lowered the ratings in my opinion was the stupid inclusion of a fortune teller. Which by the way, didn't even make much of an impact or add much importance to the story. Being a fellow New Jerseyian, I can't even begin to explain how much this book made me think of the damage that Superstorm Sandy caused. Not to sound cliche but we are stronger than the storm.
After reading this book, I am now more knowledgeable of sea creatures mating and dating habits, thanks to Lucy's junior thesis paper with all of those pointless, yet interesting factoids.
My recommendation? Definite read for the summer, especially if you happen to be stuck in a waiting room or waiting for a rainy day to pass.
Rating: ★★★★☆