Book Review: The Summer of Skinny Dipping

The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 304
Source: Received from publicist for honest review

Summary: Sometimes I still wake up shivering in the early hours of the morning, drowning in dreams of being out there in the ocean that summer, of looking up at the moon and feeling as invisible and free as a fish. But I'm jumping ahead, and to tell the story right I have to go back to the very beginning. To a place called Indigo Beach. To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves. To the start of something neither of us could have predicted, and which would mark us forever, making everything that came after and before seem like it belonged to another life. My name is Mia Gordon: I was sixteen years old, and I remember everything.

My Review: The Summer of Skinny Dipping was a perfect Summer read. I literally finished it laying on the beach. The vibe and feel of the detailed writing helped me picture the words in my mind. Also, being right in front of the ocean surely helped my imagination. Mia, the female protagonist, was quite an interesting character. Her personality was likable and distinct. The story began with Mia getting her heart broken by her first boyfriend. I related with her pain and understood why she wanted to escape from all the drama. Mia and her family set out to spend time with her aunt and uncle in the Hamptons for the Summer. She enjoyed spending time there with her cousin Corrine. However, not everyone stayed the same. Her cousin's demeanor changed and Mia found herself trying to join in but, failing miserable. Moments of flashbacks to their past times together helped me recognize their altering relationship.

Corrine and her friends were the typical stereotype of Hampton girls: spoiled, rich and stuck up. I disliked when they treated Mia like an outcast. Yet, she never lost herself in this environment. Mia remained true to her being and I admired that quality in her. Another character that I enjoyed getting to know was Simon. He was definitely unique, quirky and artistic. The bond formed between Mia and him was sweet. Their late night visits on the beach were fun and freeing. By the end of the book, I was expecting a happy ending, but was sadly left heartbroken. I can't say much, besides the fact that Amanda Howells truly knows how to shake things up. Overall, it was a story of love, coming of age, heartache and unfortunate events. All the elements to create a great, well-balanced novel.

My Rating: (4.5)
Author's Info:
Amanda Howells grew up on a small bay on the Atlantic Ocean and spent summer weekends in the Hamptons while a college student in New York City, where she studied creative writing. She has published many stories for teen and adult readers and now lives in the pacific Northwest.

For more info on Amanda, visit her site:
-GoodReads