Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Title: Moonglass
Author: Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: May 3, 2011
Source: Bought

Summary: I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.


Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

Review: Moonglass is the perfect, and I mean truly perfect, read for a summer day.

I loved Anna. I was immediately drawn into her life, her feelings, and her pain. She was such a special character and it was so easy to love and feel for her.

Anna and her Dad's pain through out the book hurt me. I'm tearing up just writing this. I cannot even begin to imagine the type of grief/guilt that both of them went through. But Kirby offered an insight into their grief and made it so real for the reader.

I loved the concept of moonglass. It was such a special little thing that made me want to find a beach and a hot lifeguard and look for some sea glass!

And speaking of lifeguards, I loved Anna's love interest Tyler. He was funny, adventurous, hot, cocky, hot, and some more hot. And I could tell that he cared about Anna. They were so cute. And their relationship was real.

Another thing that I especially enjoyed was the setting. When I was reading Moonglass I felt like I was transported to Crystal Cove with Anna and the characters. I felt like I was a bystander, in the setting, watching them. It was such a special experience. I love books that can make you feel so many emotions and get you wrapped up in the setting.

An absolutely marvelous debut. I can't wait to read more from Kirby.

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