Second Chance Summer

by Morgan Matson

[Angie]

Second Chance Summer is a different kind of YA novel, since it doesn’t focus on romance, but on family. It’s about hard times, but not “edgy” controversial issues. It’s about Taylor, a girl who always runs from her problems and the summer that changes her life forever. Taylor’s family has gone to their lake house every summer with the exception of the previous five years. There’s always something that came up, and Taylor was actually glad not to return since some things went down that she’d rather not face even after all this time. But now, there’s no avoiding it. Taylor’s father has stage four pancreatic cancer, and only three months to live. This will be their last summer as a family, but no one is talking about it.

There’s a lot going on in Second Chance Summer, but it all ultimately comes down to communication, love, and not taking anyone or anything for granted. Taylor’s family is pretty normal. They’re not overly affectionate, but they’re also not completely distant from one another. They just don’t talk about anything, but Taylor still feels like the odd one out. Her sister and mother share ballet, while her brother and father share academics. Taylor is kind of on her own, which explains why she has the tendency to just take off when things get rough. But during this summer, she learns to face her problems head on, now that she’s faced with one that cannot be avoided. She also gets a second chance with the people she’s hurt in her past.

Second Chance Summer is on the long side, but for the most part it didn’t feel that way. I read it in less than a day, and never felt bored. In the beginning I was really interested in finding out what had happened five years ago that was so terrible that Taylor had lost her best friend and first boyfriend, and caused her to hide away from the lake house. This is revealed slowly throughout the book as short flash back chapters. But once I got past the big reveal, I did feel like the story dragged a bit. We now know what happened, and all that’s left is for Taylor to face it, fix it, move on, and of course, her father ultimately succumbing to his illness.

The story isn’t all sadness and tough life lessons. Second Chance Summer does have its funny and sweet moments. I did like the romance, which isn’t the focus at all. Taylor and Henry are cute together. My favorite of the happy bits was the dog, Murphy. He was abandoned by the previous renters, so Taylor’s family takes him in, despite her brother being afraid of dogs. It’s actually quite funny and adorable how he overcomes that fear. Taylor’s dad also provides lots of great puns throughout.

In the end, I really enjoyed Second Chance Summer. It’s full of love, but not necessary the romantic kind. Taylor is surrounded by friends and families all through this last summer, which was both nice and sad to read about it. For whatever reason, cancer books just don’t make me cry, but I’m sure this book will draw out tears from many readers.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.