When Anise's dad breaks the news that they will be spending their summer in Nebraska to take care of family, she doesn't want to go at all. Now, some may say she's being self-centered. Her reasons for staying or purely beneficial for her alone. But the reality is, I felt for Anise. If I were in her situation, I'm pretty sure I would have acted the same. She just wants to have fun this summer with her friends and surfing, not being stuck in a place that doesn't even have a beach. But off she goes to Nebraska and she got more than what she bargained for.
The people Anise met in Nebraska were just what she needed to help her be open-minded about things in life. Lincoln was the perfect addition to the story! I totally loved him and his quirkiness and all the cuteness he brought to the story. I will say, at times I thought Anise and Lincoln fit more as friends, but that's just me. Anyways, Anise's cousins were great. I loved the relationship that they got to build over the summer and how close it brought all of them. I really liked Anise's relationship with her father. It felt so real! They don't agree on everything, but their bond is something special and they know they can fully trust one another.
I wish there had been more time for Anise's friends from Santa Cruz. We only got glimpses of them. And also, the ending left me hanging a little. The ending should have had more to it, for sure.
Overall, Girl Out of Water is a cute contemporary that's perfect for a summer read! It deals with family, friends and growing up. For a debut, this is hands down a great one and I can't wait to read more of Laura Silverman's work.
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FollowThis review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.