Jupiter Rising by Gary D. Schmidt

 

5*

I decided to re-read Orbiting Jupiter before reading this sequel, and it was just as heart-wrenching as I remembered. I recommend any reader do the same for context, but this can technically be read as a standalone since some of the background story of Jupiter’s parents is revealed. However, getting a greater sense of why Jack so desperately wants to keep Jupiter (his foster sister and Joseph’s daughter) close makes this story that much more poignant. Schmidt never shies away from highlighting how poorly children can be treated by parents who should love and protect them and how the government agencies that are supposed to safeguard abused children so often fail in their duty because of unscrupulous lawyers and the misguided idea that all efforts should be expended to keep them with their blood relatives.

In this story, Jack’s adopted parents fostered Jupiter’s father who was just 14 when she was born. Eventually, they began fostering her as well and are in the process of adopting her when her maternal grandparents, who ignored her for the first three years of her life, decide to fight for custody. At the same time Jack has to worry about losing her, he’s also paired by his coach with one of Joseph’s former bullies, Jay Perkins. As they spend every weekday afternoon running the roads of their small Maine town, they start to grudgingly build a friendship and Jack finally learns why Jay was so angry at Joseph. I couldn’t help but hope that Jack wouldn’t suffer the loss of anyone else he loves. Schmidt writes achingly beautiful coming-of-age stories that highlight just how strong young people can be when faced with some of the worst of humanity. Be sure to have tissue ready! Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Clarion Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Effie Olsen's Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow

 

3*

This long-time friends-to-lovers, small town romance will appeal to foodies. It is a second-chance romance, but even more of an exposé on farm-to-table restaurant culture, toxic and sexually-abusive male chefs, and how much harder it is for a woman to find success in the high-end restaurant world. Effie Olsen has been in the business for 16 years, ever since leaving home (an island off the coast of Maine) and finishing culinary school, and in all that time, she hasn’t stayed in any one place for too long. When she is let go from her latest executive chef job in San Francisco, she begrudgingly moves back home, intending to only stay the summer and never expecting that the home she couldn’t get away from fast enough may be just the place she needs.

My biggest frustration with this book and reason for the 3* rating is Effie and her insistence that she must leave at the end of the summer, despite her growing feelings for her childhood friend, Ernie, and her admission that her life as an itinerant chef has left her unhappy and unfulfilled. I’ve never enjoyed the trope of a main character resisting love because they want to preserve a friendship, yet giving into their attraction while also giving the love interest false hope. Friendship is the best basis for a loving relationship, so when the chemistry is strong, how is that a bad thing? In this case, Effie’s indecisiveness and getting Ernie’s hopes up were just too off-putting for me. If this trope doesn’t bother you and you’re a fan of small town, friends-to-lovers romances, give it a try.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale

4*

In this sweet coming-of-age romance, Babe is on the cusp of adulthood, facing a possible future without her lifelong friends, still suffering from a broken relationship with her closeted ex-girlfriend, and wondering if she should break her own rule and fall for “summer boy” and artist-in-residence Levi. As high school ends and Babe looks forward to a last summer on their small island in Maine, something happens that rocks her world and forces her to evaluate what it means to be a true friend. Although Vale uses the predictable trope of the main character losing (in some way) everyone she’s ever loved, she carefully handles the slow-building, but precious relationship between Levi and Babe who fears that he is “just another memory waiting to happen.” The fact that he doesn’t react to the news that she’s bisexual is a relief, but her lies of omission threaten to destroy everything. The scenery as seen through an artist’s eyes is central to the story, and Vale does an outstanding job of drawing readers in and making them root for a happy ending. Highly recommended for libraries serving teens, especially those interested in art.


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Swoon Reads through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.