Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Title: Second Chance Summer 
Author: Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Source: Bought
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Summary: Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.


Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

Review: Second Chance Summer absolutely broke my heart to pieces. It made me cry countless times leaving the ink on the page smudged, but it also made me so very happy. This book made me feel so many emotions that I wasn't even sure that I could feel.


I loved Taylor so much. She was a very different girl at the end of the book. She'd grown in inexplicable ways and she learned to face things instead of running away like she usually did. I love connecting with characters in books but usually it doesn't happen. But in Second Chance Summer it kept happening over and over again. I don't share any of Taylor's problems but I just clicked with her. She is truly one of the most three-dimensional characters I've read about it a long time.


And Taylor's just the main character! Her family and friends were all so fantastic. The reason I think I cried so hard was because I got attached to all the characters. Everyone was unique and special in their own way. I'm in love with Henry, Taylor's friend from long ago. I think if he was real I would want to hug him because he's so adorable, sweet and fun! Taylor's dad is a very important character in the story line but he also touched my heart. He was the one that made me realize how grateful I should be to have a living, healthy and wonderful Dad. Taylor's father is one of the best literary dad's in all of YA.

Matson has a perfect writing style of this kind of book. It's not flowery but it's gorgeous. The setting of this one was also insanely awesome. I wish I could go spend a summer in the Poconos!

Second Chance Summer is one of the most powerful reads I've read this year. It's a fantastic book that I don't think anyone would regret reading.


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