My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genres:
Contemporary Romance, YA Romance,
YA Fiction, YA Contemporary
YA Fiction, YA Contemporary
Blurb:
Summer isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but it might be pretty close.
College-bound singer Joy has never been all that graceful, never been in love, and never really lived for herself. But when she’s suddenly free from her overbearing brother, Joy dreams of living out a summer full of music, sunshine, and an empty schedule.
There's just one catch...
Joy's hilarious duet partner, Cale, needs her to be his fake girlfriend so he can attract Lena, Joy's unattainable best friend. Cale’s plan is a tad crazy, but if Joy knows anything about Cale, it’s that he can make crazy work in his favor.
But when Lena’s long-time crush, Jin, returns home for the summer, Joy realizes Cale’s chances might be impossible. Jin is nothing short of perfect. Easygoing, charming, and insanely good-looking… Joy has to find a way to even the odds without jeopardizing the friendships she’s worked so hard for.
Things get complicated when Joy falls head over heels for the boy that was “off-limits.” Just when she thinks her first love might be the real deal, her controlling brother—and her family’s dark past—get in the way. Joy could lose a lot more than a carefree summer.
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“I’m stuck on you, Joy. I meant it when I said I would fight for this. If you want me to.”
HELLO. SWOONFEST.
I'm not going to share whether it was Cale or Jin who said that line, but oh my goshhhhhh did it give me the feels. 👀👀
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| it was extremelyyyy romantic 😍 |
Just like its book cover, Joy's Summer Love Playlist was cute, detailed, and vibrant. Cale was adorably goofy. Jin was amazingly sweet. And it was easy to see why Joy had mixed feelings about both of them. (I know that I had a hard time deciding who I shipped her with more, lol.)
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| #teamcaleeee? or #teamjinnnn? 🤔 |
Let's see some of those highlighted parts, shall we??
CT: Should we drive together? I can pick you up from Lena’s
CT: Actually, I don’t trust that beater. I’ll come get you
📖
Lena showed up with a flamingo pink off-shoulder sweater, leggings, and a side ponytail.
Minus the side ponytail, this would be me...no questions asked.
📖
“She’s not out here, you know. You don’t have to pretend to like me.”
“I don’t pretend to like you, Joy.”
📖
“You’re a rare kind of wonderful, too, Joy. I don’t mind fighting for that.”
📖
CT: You were beautiful and amazing
📖
There’s a flicker of insecurity in him. He looks down and continues tracing my fingers.
📖
“You thought breaking my heart would make it easier?”
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| swoonfesttttt. |
There are honestly so many other quotes/lines I could share with y'all, but I don't want to spoil anything...and I think you see my point. 😉😍
I loved the text messages. I loved the huge role that music had. I loved all the summer activites. And, of course, I loved the romance. 💕💕
As far as content goes: So, there was quite a bit of language in the book. I expected a few curse words to be sprinkled through at different points, but I personally found it to be pretty consistent, and there were also a couple of times when the curse words were paired with God's name. Also, because of something that happened in Joy's past...there is a "sensitive content warning" at the beginning of the book. If you decide to read the book, please take the warning seriously! There was nothing triggering for me, but what happened to Joy (along with the aftermath) could be triggering to others. Joy's older brother, Carson, did have several different violent outbursts in the book (due to what happened to Joy in the past) and his attitude/actions could also be triggering to others...so, please keep that in mind as well. Underage drinking was also mentioned in the story. Besides that, there was some suggestive content and mentions/hints of different topics that some readers might be uncomfortable with.
Overall, if you're looking for a summer read filled with fun, change, and drama...then this book might just be for you! 😉💗
*And despite the book being based around a loveeeee triangle, there IS a happily ever after, so no worries there!
~I received an e-copy of this story from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
*Well, assuming Joy picks the guy you liked her with best. 🤔👀
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About the Author:
Piper Bee was born and bred in the Pacific Northwest, bleeding onto the page from a young age with fantastical adventures, murder mysteries, and stories about broken lightbulbs. She focuses on young adult fiction that fiddles with the differences between virtues and dreams, where good usually prevails. She's an avid eater with a hunger for culture and love for the Creator who is telling the greatest story of all. She also speaks Japanese terribly.
Learn more and contact her on piperbeeauthor.com
