The Summer Of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther
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Web ID: 14717395Ratings & Reviews
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Perfect Beach Read!
This is a cute summer romance that had me giggling and tearing up at times. Curse you cartoonish covers that hide all the trauma within! But all deception aside, I loved Meredith and Wit as well as their escapades in Martha's Vineyard. This book has me hankering for seafood and a game of Assassin with friends. Perfect for a read on the beach. *Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks FIRE for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The best kind of YA summer romance!
This is my favorite kind of YA summer read!! A beach, a cute boy, and a sad back story. The game of Assassin really made this book, I think. It was such a fun way for Meredith the reconnect with her family and get out of her own head a bit. It was also a creative way to introduce the extended family - personalities really come out in a competitive setting. Wit was the ideal YA love interest - he was funny and clearly intelligent, but also incredibly caring and perceptive. He and Meredith were a perfect match, in my opinion. As much as this was a love story it was also about grief and life after loss. I was glad we got to hear a little about it from several perspectives - a sister, cousin, friend, and parent.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The perfect summer YA read!
The story follows Meredith, a young woman whom just graduated high school and is starting college in the fall. After a difficult two years including the loss of her sister Claire, Meredith & her family are returning to Martha’s Vineyard for her cousins wedding. While a newly single Meredith, goes on this trip with no expectations - she meets Witt, her cousins fiancé’s stepbrother and everything gets tangled up from there. The reason I loved this book so much is that it reminded of what it feels like being a teenager during summer wondering what the next steps in life are. I loved being able to see Meredith coming back into her own after such a terrible loss through her connection with Witt. If you are a fan of a good summer romance, Cape Cod, Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard - I totally recommend it. It definitely fits the island vibes. A major thank you to @netgalley & @sourcebooksfire for the earc in exchange for an honest review! #TheSummerofBrokenRules is out 5/4! So make sure to pick up your copy then ☀️
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
my dream summer read!
y’all I can’t even summarize my thoughts on the summer of broken rules bc I just finished it and am still reeling. here are some bullet points: - 5 stars for sure because this has everything I could’ve ever wanted in a book: an amazing backdrop (martha’s vineyard, a place I’ve always dreamed of going), a huge tight knit quirky family, an incredible sisterhood bond, a super cute love interest, a romance that develops quickly and doesn’t have a ton of drama, a killer game of water gun assassin, AND a wedding?!? yes. oh yes please - I NEED to go to martha’s vineyard now! I’m such a sucker for beautiful backdrops in books. and the farm?! what a cool family place!!! I love how it’s based on the real place that kl walther has spent summer family vacations. a new england extended family and friend vacation sounds like so much fun. there is so much detail on the island: the cast goes to different towns, local restaurants, and shops. the description made the island really come alive for someone who’s never been there - THE GAME OF ASSASSIN!!! what a neat tradition that brings everyone together. I love how everyone has their different strategies, and how meredith really comes out of her element this year by going offensive instead of hiding, and how she wants to win to feel close to claire. I really was cracking up the entire time they were playing, and I was so on edge trying to figure out who would win. and wit’s epic rooftop assassination? yes - takes place over the week leading up to cousin sarah’s wedding. but it didn’t feel unrealistic time wise; like some books that take place over a short period have way too much happening each day, but this one nailed it - and the wedding! super extra matching shirts, a perfectionist mother of the bride, a pinterest board worthy reception, and the hashtag #HurrayShesADupré. so dreamy - meredith and wit start flirting from the get go and it’s amazing. their assassin pact? the perfect way to start a friendship! and them trying out different pet names — too cute. I love when romances develop quickly - what kind of dreamboat even is wit?!? he’s smart, funny, flirty, adventurous (dude reads travel guides. of new zealand. for fun), watches friends, and is so clearly in love. yesss. I want one - this book is CLEVER. “By 11:50 am, there were plenty of Foxes sneaking around the Farm.” get it? the fox family? sneaking? around the Farm? for assassin? too good - sometimes the timeline is hard to follow. like it’ll switch to a past conversation and I don’t notice until I’m confused, but it gets easier to follow these switches as the book goes on and as meredith lives more in the present - it would’ve been helpful to have a farm map and a family tree at the beginning. there were a lot of houses and names, and it was kind of hard to keep track of at first. it gets easier to remember everyone as the book goes on, but it felt like we were just kind of thrown in at the beginning and expected to swim - overall: some good stuff. summer vibes. realistic grief. a quality read! I finished reading this in two sittings because the cuteness and energy really drew me in!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Best book I've read in 2021!
5 ⭐️ This book was as close to perfect as you can get and I loved every second of it. I’ve never bought. NetGalley preview book after I read and review it but I might break that for this one. First off, the setting is lovely, I saw another review that said a map would’ve been helpful to refer to and I agree! It was a tad hard keeping track of all the different places and characters, maybe a more extensive family tree? Anyways, lovely setting, perfect writing. I was giddy and giggly. The story was sexy and fun, respected the grief but wasn’t cheesy or overly sad. There was no part of this story that dragged or dwelled on unnecessary aspects or storyline, if anything I wish there was more to delve into. The relationship between Wit and Meredith was perfect, the one liners, the emotions, everything. It made my heart so happy to read and go along on their journey. I enjoyed their challenges, even thought their story was quick I didn’t find it unrealistic. The game of assassin was such a fun element, a bit confusing because of the many characters but it played alongside the story so seamlessly. I’ve played this game in life and it’s so fun! This book was just fun, one you want to live in real life. Living in this story was amazing, and I’ll revisit soon. This is a must buy!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Great Summer Read for the Romantic in You
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the e-ARC for review! Before sneaking back into the Annex that night, I visited the ancient oak tree on the edge of the lawn and ran my fingers over the notches carved into the trunk. Summer after summer, Claire used an ax to keep track of her victories. “I’m going to win,” I whispered once I’d reached the final mark. “I’m going to win this thing.” You ever read a book that makes you want to listen to the seagulls caw and take a warm nap in the sunshine? That was The Summer of Broken Rules. It was a warm hug. And LOOK AT THAT GORGEOUS COVER. One of the best things about Walther's writing is how atmospheric it was. I felt like I was at Paqua farm with Meredith. I felt like I was scheming with Mer and Wit in the Assassin game. I could see everything so clearly - could smell the salt air and coconut sunscreen, could feel the love this huge family had for each other. I think I especially loved the setting because Martha's Vineyard has been a dream trip of my mother's for decades, and she's never gotten the chance to go. This novel made me want to take her. It's usually difficult, when you have such a large cast of characters, to really flesh them out, but the Foxes, Duprés, Witrys, and friends reminded me so much of my large family that I had to smile. More than anything, I loved Meredith; her strength, her humour, her confidence even as she grieved for her sister, even as she was constantly reminded of her loss. Were there moments she frustrated me? Of course. But it's summer. She's 18. As the title of the book suggests, rules don't apply. Usually I'm not a fan of pop-culture references in books (they always feel like something older authors throw in to their YA books to "connect" with readers) but in this case, I loved the constant allusions to Taylor Swift (but I am a Swiftie, so that's a given). The writing was great. Never too expositional, but detailed enough that, as I've mentioned, I felt like i was there with Meredith. This kind of book is my perfect happy medium - Young Adult but just edging into New Adult territory. Campy, but in the best way. Elevated teen romance. Babies! Summer! Wedding! Assassin game! Family! Good food! Honestly, even writing this review, I'm getting a little jealous of Meredith (except for, you know, the life-altering loss and crippling grief). 4.5 stars rounded down, and only because of some very specific things that made me go "huh" that I won't bother mentioning because I don't want to spoil anything! BRB, gotta go find me a Wit.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
READ THIS BOOK!
I truly ADORED this book. For me, it was everything I wanted in a YA, and in any book: characters with depth that immediately draw you in, a setting that transports you, engaging pacing, and swoonworthy romance. K.L. nailed it in all of these respects. Not only is it the PERFECT summer beach read, but it's a warm and tender and charming story that you'll come back to again and again -- no matter the season. The synopsis: Meredith Fox has been going to Martha's Vineyard for the summer as long as she can remember. But this summer is the first one back since the death of Meredith's sister. It will all be overwhelming, but even more since since the entire extended family will be together for her cousin's big wedding. Unfortunately, Meredith's longtime boyfriend unexpectedly dumped her two weeks before the wedding, leaving her dateless. Luckily, she has the perfect distraction. Her family has a tradition of playing the ultimate game of Assassin every summer, and this year it will take place during the week of wedding festivities. But her target just happens to be a very cute groomsman. She's determined to not let herself get distracted, not let herself be lost in another doomed relationship. But as the week progresses, she can't help falling for him, which may cost her not only the game, but also her heart. Doesn't this concept immediately engage you? And it's just so well done. Between the takes-you-there descriptions of Martha's Vineyard, the mouthwatering food, and this lovable family, you're immediately tucked into this dreamy, but achingly real world. You can feel the hope and the grief and the wildness and the heartbreak that Meredith feels and you experience it alongside her. I felt like a teenager again, and that is my marker of a great YA. I truly felt *there.* Plus, there are Taylor Swift references (love!), fun and games and family dynamics, and a boy that will make you blush. (And can you believe that cover?! Heart eyes!) Loved, loved, loved.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Summer in a Book
When I started this book, I didn't have very high expectations as it seemed just like another young adult contemporary book but I was quickly proven wrong. Walther managed to craft a story that just felt like happiness, even though the plot revolved around a very tragic event. The strong family ties and friendships were something that I could only dream of having. That what this book felt like, it felt like I was reading a dream come true. I loved watching Meredith grow and find peace with everything that happened. Grief is a an insanely hard subject, but I think that Walther crafted a beautiful story of how one moves on after the loss of a loved one, while still managing to keep the story light hearted. Also, if I could marry Wit right now, that would be greatly appreciated. The characters in this book were unforgettable, and I truly felt like a part of the family while reading it.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com