Christina June

Look at that stunning cover!

No Place Like Here is a perfect summer read all about discovering yourself and moving past your past.

Ashlyn developed as a character throughout the whole novel. Before going to camp, she is afraid of speaking out. Ashlyn collected quotes but did not follow them. With the help of her cousin, Hannah, and her friend, Baxter, Ashlyn steps out of her shell to reveal a strong leader. Although I appreciated all her character growth, she felt emotionally distant.

The camp was described in such a manner that I had a little map drawn in my head with colors and sounds for everything. Honestly, I felt like I was there with Ashlyn and experiencing everything for the first time.

No Place Like Here was a bit different from what I was expecting but still a good, wholesome read for young and older readers.

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Content: 5 Stars

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.… (mehr)

Really enjoyed the friendships in this, and the romance, though only a small component of the story, was incredibly sweet. But the resolution of the book's main conflict—between Tatum and her parents—felt shoehorned (Cinderella pun absolutely intended) into the last few pages of the book, a careless and convenient effort that failed utterly to address the parents' inconsistent, shame- and punishment-driven parenting style in favor of Tatum's resolve to be more understanding and more forgiving of her family's treatment of her.… (mehr)

It Started with Goodbye is the story of Tatum Elsea who starts her summer by being charged with shoplifting after unwittingly being the getaway driver. In reality, Tatum was only with her best friend because she was trying to protect her from her boyfriend who was the real thief. When Tatum tells the truth to the police, her best friend deserts her, she receives hours of community service as her punishment, and loses the trust of her father and stepmother. Nothing goes right for Tatum as she spends most of her time in her room resenting her stepmother for keeping her locked up in the house in what amounts to house arrest. Things start to change for Tatum when her stepgrandmother, Blanche comes to visit.

This modern Cinderella story very successfully conveys all of the emotions that Tatum is feeling from anger and hurt to frustration and loss. The "Goodbye" in the title refers to valediction or the closing of letters and emails that are sprinkled throughout the story. Tatum obsesses over these and that adds a level of realism and heightened emotion. A very well written story with lots of depth and feeling.… (mehr)