Today, Emily is pleased to be a part of the The Summer My Life Began Blog Tour
hosted by JKSCommunications!
Find the rest of the tour here.
The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Publisher: Speak
256 Pages
A great summer beach read filled with sunshine, cooking, and--of course--romance!
Elizabeth Margaret--better known as Em--has always known what her life would contain: an internship at her father's firm, a degree from Harvard, and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is, it's not what she wants. So when she gets the opportunity to get away and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em learns that her family has some pretty significant secrets. And then there's Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn't. Naturally, she can't resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels that for the first time ever, she is really living life on her own terms.
VISIT THE AUTHOR:
FIND THE BOOK:
Interview:
1. The Summer My Life Began stars a girl who grew up in a life that wasn't really her own, how did you get the idea to have her spread her wings and find herself?
I’ve worked with kids and teens for some 15 years now and ‘coming into their own’ is a common theme. Some teens know who they are and what they want to be. Others become whatever their parents direct them to be. And others flounder around for years and never figure things out. The important thing is to make smart choices but to also follow a great combination of your heart and your brain.
2. What would you have done if you were in Em's situation, being forced into a life that you couldn't pick for yourself?
I’d like to believe I’d do the same as Em and follow my dreams.
3. Who was your least favorite character to write? And your favorite? Why?
Hm, honestly I liked them all: Gwenny’s silliness, Cade’s silent strength, Tilly’s eccentricity, Frederick’s intelligence, Grandmother’s sternness, and Em’s quest for fulfillment and family.
4. What do you believe the future holds for Em?
Culinary school, opening her own restaurant, and lots of kissing with Cade.
5. Do you think you'll write more summery, YA romances?
Yes!
6. What's next in store for you?
I’m working on one right now that takes place in Florida.
7. What do you use as inspiration when writing?
As long as I have my legal pad and .9 pencil, I’m inspired.
8. What's the best vacation you've ever taken?
I spent 10 days hiking in Hawaii and definitely plan on going back.
9. This is a great summer read. What are you going to be reading this summer?
I’m reading Simone Elkeles right now. Boy can she write some teen romance!
10. What's some advice you have for aspiring authors?
Write, write, write. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day, write. And study the craft.
Quickies:
Cats or Dogs? I have a dog named Guapo so I am bound my loyalty to say dogs.
Summer or Winter? Summer!
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate (as long as there are nuts involved)
Beach or Forest? Beach.
Early or late riser? Early. TOO early.
Favorite book? Are you kidding me? I have so many they would be impossible to list.
Favorite author? Again, are you kidding me? LOL. Don’t make me pick one. I have too many.
Favorite book genre? Anything YA adventure and romance.
Favorite food? Coffee (does that count?)
The Summer My Life Began is a fast, light read that's perfect for a day of relaxing in the summer sun!
Elizabeth Margaret, or Em as she's referred to in most of the story, and her sister are born into a world of prestige. As they grow, they must learn to meet their family's expectations: perfect grades, ivy league education and a high-standing job like a lawyer or a doctor. All Em wants is to be a chef and get away from the high stress of her family's expectations. So she decides to go to an aunt's Bed and Breakfast. She's never heard of this aunt, but receives an invite as a high school graduation present.
The way that Em's life is depicted really annoyed me, but based on television shows, movies and other books, the way she grew up seems normal for a upper class citizen. For me, it was hard to believe and actually a bit frightening. My parents want me to be the best I can be, but they want me to do what I want to do. To see someone's parents so prejudice to people who aren't rich, or careers that aren't high end, is very unnerving to me. I wanted Em to immediately get out of that house and find her own way.
As soon as Em makes her way to her aunt's home in North Carolina, I wanted to visit my own family there. The way Ms. Greenland writes the scenery really makes you want to go to the Outer Banks. And eat a lot of food. Reading Em's descriptions of the food she's cooking made me literally drool. I'll admit to having to have food around as I read this one. That's how delicious the meals sounded! Ms. Greenland has a way with descriptions!
I had a few issues with this book, but overall, I enjoyed it. There are a lot of cheesy aspects in this book. Rich girl falls for the poor, mysterious boy. It's almost insta-love. He knows the real secret about her and this causes drama. Much of the drama is needless. Em's voice is a bit younger than I picture for a legal adult. She doesn't always seem like someone who just graduated as a valedictorian. It's not a very unique character set-up or plot, but the author really makes it her own.
I don't know how, but the twist in this book really blew me away. I think it was my favorite part of the book - besides the romance. I mean, I'm a total romance junkie. And the romance in this story is very realistic and sweet. I love Cade. He's a great guy. The word that comes to mind when I think of him is actually "summer" because not only does Em meet him in the summertime, but he himself almost embodies it. Cade is a good match for a character like Em. Em is sweet, but she lets people rule her life and that bugged me. She's a sweet girl who didn't deserve to be controlled, but loved for being her own person.
This book is a very light read. Perfect for sitting out in the sun and relaxing. It's got its own drama, sure, but it isn't drama that is going to make you need tissues. That's why it's so good for summer! It's refreshing to read something so carefree after the dark books that I've been reading lately! The Summer My Life Began is a recommended book for all-age teens who need an easy summer read!
I received a free e-copy of this novel from the publisher for a blog tour in exchange for my honest review.
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