That One Summer by C.J. Duggan

That One Summer (Summer, #3)

by C.J. Duggan

Loving Chris Henderson would be wrong. Diabolically disastrous. I mean, what is there about him to love? He’s moody, bossy, brooding, a control freak, and that’s on a good day … but there was one achingly obvious fact that haunted my every thought, every minute of every day …

He sure could kiss.

As the countdown to the new millennium begins, there is one thing everyone agrees on: no one wants to be in Onslow for New Year’s Eve.

So that can only mean one thing: road trip!

No longer the mousey, invisible, shy girl from years ago, Tammy Maskala is finally making up for all those lost summers. A new year with new friends, which astoundingly includes the bossy boy behind the bar, Chris Henderson.

She likes her new friends (at least most of them), so why does she secretly feel so out of place?

After chickening out on the trip, a last-minute change of heart sees Tammy racing to the Onslow Hotel, fearing she’s missed her chance for a ride. The last thing she expected to meet was a less-than-happy Onslow Boy leaning against his black panel van.

Now the countdown begins to reach the others at Point Shank before the party is over and the new year has begun. Alone in a car with only the infuriating Chris Henderson, Tammy can’t help but feel this is a disastrous start to what could have been a great adventure. But when the awkward road trip takes an unexpected turn, Tammy soon discovers that the way her traitorous heart feels about Chris is the biggest disaster of all.

Fogged up windows, moonlight swimming, bad karaoke and unearthed secrets; after this one summer nothing will ever be the same again.

Reviewed by lizarodz on

5 of 5 stars

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I LOVE Duggan’s Summer series! It’s one of the best YA series around, you can find the reviews for the first two books here: The Boys of Summer and An Endless Summer . That One Summer is Chris and Tammy’s story and it was awesome!

I think this is my favorite book in the series because I can easily identify with Tammy the best. Tammy is shy, a bit OCD, a worrier, a loyal friend and she gets migraines (just like me!). She reconnected with Amy on the previous book and is now a regular at the Onslow Hotel, even if she doesn’t feel like she fits in yet. Now, Chris is always scowling and broody, but I have a soft spot for him. He is so strong, has a quiet self-assurance, he is a great friend to have on your corner and very considerate. I just love him, even if before That One Summer, he was a big mystery. Who would know that he would turned out to be such a romantic?

What can I say about the Onslow Boys? They are all amazing, handsome, caring, loyal, (*keep inserting here all the good adjectives you can imagine*)… This group of friends, now with the addition of the girls, is one that I would love to have been a part of as a teenager. I long to see what would happen next.

The story is so funny! Tammy gets in such amazingly hilarious situations. She’s athletic, but sarcastically she’s also a klutz. The plot is simple, but not boring at all; I always love a good road trip. I also enjoy Duggan’s writing, it’s easy to read, even when it’s filled by Australian regionalisms.


Overall, That One Summer is my favorite book of the series so far. I can’t wait to read Ringer’s story next.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 21 February, 2014: Finished reading
  • 21 February, 2014: Reviewed