Second Chance Summer by Morgan MatsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Yay I've finally read a Morgan Matson book! I went into this book with low expectations because for some reason I thought this was her first novel, and boy was I wrong on both points!
One of the first things we learn about our protagonist, Taylor, and her family is that they are not that great at being a family. They never really talk much to each other, and her father is was always working. We really get a sense of this because every time they do talk, it’s awkward because they’re not used to it. I notice this quickly because Taylor was always blushing, and I was like, really?? It’s not that bad, they’re your family! But I guess for her it was. It was really nice and satisfying seeing Taylor’s relationship with her family really grow much stronger over the summer.
Something that kind of wasn't so great is that it was very predictable. And that really means something coming from me. I read a lot of reviews of books after I've read said books with people saying the book was predictable, and I always never saw any of the twists coming. I usually just like to read and think about what’s going on in the story right where I’m reading, and not think ahead about what might happen, or try to figure out any twists. And that’s what I did with this book too. But I still ended up predicting almost everything that happened before it did, without trying. So the way I did it, it was actually disappointing when it goes exactly like I thought it would. Not the “All right! I'm a genius!” moment that usually happens when you guess a major plot twist.
I found myself being really impressed with the wide variety of hobbies and skills and things discussed in this book! Not only were they discussed, they were discussed with lots of knowledge about said topics! I've never read a book with so much little tidbits of insight into so many seemingly little things. There was so much stuff on ballet, curly hair, random facts, the stars, movies, and lots of other things I can't remember! Each time I came across one of these I took a second to really praise Matson on her thoroughness.
Something I noticed throughout the entire book were all the editing errors. There were lots of sentences like, “He pass the book to me” (not an exact quote) instead of, “He passed the book to me” and things like that. Also, the transitions from memories back to present were sooo choppy! It would go from a memory that happened 7 years ago back to the present one line after another! It was pretty confusing at times. Like, at least start a new paragraph when we come back to the present or something! Speaking of memories, past Taylor was an idiot. There, I said it. I know she was only 12, but I know when I was twelve I wouldn’t… okay you read the book for yourself and find out. I've always prided myself on always picking fight over flight, I'll just say that. What’s with the lead female roles in books always either being complete wimps or waaay too unrealistically crazy?
One thing that this book truly surprised me with… was that it was funny. Actual, laugh out loud, funny. I’ll tell you this, books never, ever, make me laugh. The last time a book made me laugh was back in elementary school reading the Junie B Jones books. And it was because Junie said the word poop. But I digress. Books that are labeled ‘comedy’ or ‘humor’ haven’t even been able to do the trick. Sure, books have made me giggle or snicker a good bunch of times, but never a hardy laugh. And by god this book did this book do it. The line that really made me laugh was just so unexpected, that I reread it 2 or 3 times and it kept making me laugh. This was the first time this book said something humorous, and it completely caught me off guard. I don't want to say the line lest it ruin your reading experience if you haven't already read it. But after that moment, there continued to be these amazing moments that I was so not used to, and they were great. Now, I’m absolutely not saying this is a comedy by any means, I’m just saying there’s some funny moments.
Ending this on a positive note, Second Chance Summer was a nice read, though it did not succeed in making any tears drop down my face. It had its ups and downs, but was a joy to read for the most part. I already have Matson’s other two books in my possession and am eager to get to them soon.
Favourite quotes:
"But as long as you know your constellations, you're never lost."
“The thing is that people only get hurt—really hurt—when they’re trying to play it safe. That’s when people get injured, when they pull back at the last second because they’re scared. They hurt themselves and other people.”
"Did you do great things?"
"I cried, I tried to think of puns that might make my father laugh one more time, and I looked at the stars."
“Daddy," I whispered, feeling my own breath hitch in my throat. "I love you."
Just when I was sure he was asleep, the one corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. "I knew that," he murmured. "Always knew that.”
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