Title: What I Thought Was True
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Genres: YA, Romance
Reviewed by: Ellen Fritz
Ellen’s rating: 4/5
SUMMARY
Gwen Castle has never so badly wanted to say
good-bye to her island home till now: the summer her Biggest Mistake Ever,
Cassidy Somers, takes a job there as the local yard boy. He's a rich kid from
across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and
housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of
cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never
escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks
fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer
struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the
people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.
A magnetic, push-you-pull-me romance with depth, this is for fans of Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Deb Caletti.
A magnetic, push-you-pull-me romance with depth, this is for fans of Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Deb Caletti.
REVIEW
Comfortably paced and filled with summer fun, romance,
and some drama, What I Thought Was True
is a relaxing read. With a new summer job, a crush on handsome Cassidy Summers,
and a cousin with an obsession to become captain of the swim team, Gwen Castle
has an eventful and illuminating summer.
The magic of this book is all in the characters and
their extremely entertaining interaction. Gwen is a thoroughly fleshed out main
character with all the normal doubts, desires and dreams of any healthy,
balanced teenager. Although she often feels that boys just want her as a means
to an end or, perhaps, a passing interest, she is still willing to take her
chances with Cass in hope of the dream relationship that her best friend,
Vivien, and her cousin, Nic, has. Ultimately wanting to do the right and honest
thing, she is horrified when her father gives her some extremely dubious
advice.
Cassidy Summers, the other main character, gives the
impression of relaxed casualness. He seems to be the perfect romantic and hard
working island yard boy, yet, one gets the impression that he might be keeping
secrets from Gwen.
From Grandpa Ben and nasty old Mrs. Partridge, to
despicable Henry Ellington and Gwen's mentally handicapped little brother,
Emory, the author created a rich cast of highly imaginative and realistic
characters.
Although this book is by no means the kind of
suspenseful read that will get your adrenalin going, there are a few instances
where I most certainly wanted to resort to a bit of nail biting. It is a heartwarming, romance-filled story
with realistic and often touching human interaction, some betrayal and a lot of
depth. This lovely clean read for young adults can definitely be enjoyed by
adults as well!
ABOUT the AUTHOR
Huntley Fitzpatrick grew up dreamy and distracted
in coastal Connecticut. She flourished in a family of bookworms where everyone
always had their nose in a book. She kept an exhaustively thorough journal which
frightened her boyfriends but has proved very useful in her career as a writer.
Her debut contemporary Romance, MY LIFE NEXT DOOR, was published in June of
2012 by Penguin-Dial for Young Readers. Now she laughs with and eavesdrops on
her six children who provide her with perspective and material. She is
represented by the amazing Christina Hogrebe of the Jane Rotrosen Agency.
Follow us with:
No comments:
Post a Comment