Review: Summer Constellations by Alisha Sevigny

 

Summer Constellations

by Alisha Sevigny

May 1, 2018
264 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

Julia Ducharme is ready for a fresh start. Her little brother has finally recovered from a serious illness, and now she just wants to enjoy peak season at the campground her family owns. Maybe this will be the year her annual summer fling with Dan Schaeffer becomes something more?

But her summer dreams are quickly shattered. First, Dan arrives for vacation with a new girlfriend in tow, and then Julia discovers this may be her last summer in the only home she's ever known.

Crushing medical bills have brought her single mom to the brink of bankruptcy, and a wealthy developer is sniffing around the campground. He sees what Julia sees: lush woods, a pristine lake, miles of trails for adventure. Unlike Julia, he thinks this is the perfect spot for a casino resort.

Heartbroken and afraid, Julia looks to the stars for some perspective. Taking her telescope down to the dock one night, she has a chance encounter with a guitar-playing boy who offers some helpful advice. Too bad this handsome stranger is the developer's son, Nick Constantine.

As plans for a resort move forward, Julia is desperate to find a solution that doesn't mean leaving the lake. Nick, in turn, is desperate to separate himself from his father's aggressive business tactics. He promises that, together, they can thwart the sale.

But can Julia trust him to conspire against his own father? And could she ever she trust him with her heart?

Review

Summer Constellations was a quick if not somewhat predictable summery read. While I didn't click with the characters as much as I would've liked, I definitely fell in love with the setting.

The most magical part of Summer Constellation was the campground. It sounds like a magnificent property full of beauty and tranquility. The thought of breathing in the fresh air, jumping into clear water, taking in a starry night sky and just embracing nature has me longing to go camping (even though I've only ever camped a grand total of once in my life haha).

I loved the importance of family and the unexpected treasure hunt in the story. "Maybe it's not about being remembered but making a difference to someone or something else." (ARC, p. 120). Julia's family had their differences but they held an unbreakable bond.

Julia's devotion to her family and their home was the best. She sometimes came off as a bit childish but I loved her strong and adamant attitude on protecting her family home. The campground wasn't just a piece of property to Julia. It was more than just her home- it was a piece of her and she did everything in her power to hold on to it.

The romance in this one was insta-lovey. I was surprised at how easily Julia got together with Nick. Arguably they started out as little more than a summer fling but given the reservations she showed with her ex-crush Dan, her bold actions with Nick felt a tad unbelievable. They were sweet together but their relationship just moved too fast.

Don't go into Summer Constellations expecting an epic love story. Instead, enjoy a quick and easy summer romance complete with breathtaking sceneries and heartfelt familial bonds.

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way. All quotes were taken from the Advance Review Copy I received.