Let’s Gab
Summer of Sloane was such an unexpected gem. I really loved it!
I am a very seasonal reader, so I have been leaning towards fantasy / sci-fi for months! I picked up Summer of Sloane on the airplane back to Seattle from California to begin spring quarter, and ohmygod was it perfect!
First of all, this book is set partially in Seattle, and the author is a local PNW gal! How wonderful is that?! I love living in Seattle, so reading a book set here by someone who is from here too is so cool.
By the end of the very first chapter, I WAS HOOKED. I mean, wow. Erin knows how to bring the reader in to the heart of the drama without it feeling forced or overwhelming!
When Sloane escapes to Hawaii to stay with her mom, she can’t fully leave the horrible realities of her life in Seattle, but I’ve got to give her credit for trying! I really loved how strong Sloane was, even if I would have dealt with situations slightly differently. I thought she did a great job at creating a beautifully real character in Sloane, though. She was fierce and confident, with moments of vulnerability that made her just oh so real. She was bold and opinionated, which was great even though it sometimes translated into rash decision making!
Another thing I loved about Summer of Sloane was the amazing cast of characters! Sloane’s relationship with her twin Penn was so lovely, they were so close but it still felt like a realistic sibling relationship. I also enjoyed the laid back, supportive, and fun character of Mia, her BFF is Hawaii. I couldn’t help but love every new character we met in beautiful Hawaii.
The romance was just so incredibly sweet. Finn was another character that felt so real. Gorgeous and rich, but also sweet, with some serious family baggage. I thought that the romance in this book was so believable, and I was rooting for them all the way.
With Sloane in the wake of a horrible break up- I felt that this story had great pacing. There was great character growth and space for self reflection, in addition to fun romance.
Summer of Sloane had a TON of super real life problems. While this book was incredibly fun and enjoyable, it was also just spot on when it came to addressing real life problems that teens have to deal with sometimes. Erin is graceful in her addressing of relationship and friendship difficulties. The drama was never overwhelming!
Ultimately, the amount of character growth in this story is what made it so beautiful. It was entertaining and had me laughing all over the place, but the characters themselves really showed increased depth and growth over the course of the story.
I loved that this was a story primarily about Sloane, focusing on herself, and kind of coming to terms with the heartbreak of her reality. It was also just SO FUN! I loved the strength of Sloane even in the vulnerable moments, and how she took her pain and made productive, thoughtful decisions moving forward. It was a charming story of forgiveness and learning to live for yourself first and foremost. It deals with some tough situations, and is quite dramatic, without trivializing the situations in any way. It’s about second love, second chances, and learning to sometimes put your own happiness as a priority. I LOVED IT.
I gave Summer of Sloane 4.5 out of 5 Stars!
About the Author:
Erin L. Schneider is native to the Pacific Northwest, attended college in Honolulu – and although Hawaiian – should never be allowed on a surfboard. With more than twenty years in corporate merchandising, she’s now a full-time writer living in Seattle with her husband, Neal; their baby boy, Kellan; a rowdy German shepherd named Ronin; and two crazy cats, Ono and Poke. She’s a member of both the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and SCBWI, and is also co-founder of the YA Buccaneers.
SUMMER OF SLOANE is her debut novel, out May 3, 2016 from Disney-Hyperion. Visit Erin online at Erin L Schneider or on Twitter: @ErinLSchneider1.
Erin is represented by literary agent Lisa Grubka of Fletcher & Company.
Yaaaay! I’m so thrilled that you loved Summer of Sloane! <3 Thanks for participating in the SST.