Book: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

★★★★/★★★★★

“I somehow knew that the particulars didn't matter. She was my heart, she was half of me, and nothing, certainly not a few measly hundred miles, was ever going to change that.”

 Okay, so SYBG is my fourth Morgan Matson book and if you're a fan of books about friendship, love and summer fun, you should read this! This is my fourth Matson book and ever since reading The Unexpected Everything (my first) and loving it sooo much, I knew I gotta read her other books. You can read my review of her other books here: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and Second Chance Summer.

Since You've Been Gone tells the story of Emily Hughes when she wakes up one day to find her best friend, Sloane, gone. She and Sloane have been best friends for two years so Sloane and her family just disappearing without a word worries her. Emily doesn't know where Sloane has gone to and she's sure that if ever Sloane will leave town, she'll definitely tell Emily. Because that's what best friends would do, right? But when it's been two weeks and Sloane still hasn't picked up her phone or replied to any of Emily's messages, Emily doesn't know what else to do. Until a letter, or to be exact, a list, came for her. Emily is sure it's from Sloane by the writing alone but what she doesn't understand is why would Sloane send her a list. But it doesn't matter, all Emily knew is that it's from Sloane and it's something. 

1. Kiss a stranger.

2. Go skinny-dipping.

3. Steal something.

4. Break something.

5. Penelope.

6. Ride a dern horse, ya cowpoke.

7. 55 S Ave. Ask for Mona.

8. The backless dress. And somewhere to wear it.

9. Dance until dawn.

10. Share some secrets in the dark.

11. Hug a Jamie.

12. Apple picking at night.

13. Sleep under the stars.

 I can understand how Emily is feeling without Sloane to spend her summer with. Because while Emily is the awkward, shy one, Sloane is the out-going, friendly and adventurous one. Sloane makes Emily feel braver and she encourages her to do things Emily would never dare to do. They have everything planned out for the summer, how it's going to be their best yet, so Sloane's sudden disappearance freaks out Emily. But with the arrival of the list, Emily feels like it's a way to find Sloane. She thinks that maybe, just maybe, if she finishes everything on the list then Sloane will miraculously just comes back. 

I love the concept of the list and it actually reminded me of the times when I used to have lists of things I'll do on summer too. It included crazy things like Jump into the pool with your clothes on and yeah, Dance until dawn which I really enjoyed! Sloane's list is a little bolder but I was glad for Emily for she's able to finish everything on it. Kiss a stranger is crazy but Skinny-dipping is definitely crazier. I'm also happy that the list brings new people into Emily's life because if it used to be Emily-and-Sloane before, it's Emily and her friends (Frank, Collins and Dawn) now.

The characters are all endearing and Frank, oh Frank! I wasn't sure about him at first but as I read on I came to like him more and more. I mean, he's just so nice and smart and perfect! He sees Emily when no one else does and I love how their friendship blooms into something more. Their runs together are probably my favorite part especially the mixed tapes! Then there's Collins and Dawn, too. Collins is so adorable and I loved the friendship he has with Frank. He's funny and he acts all cool but deep inside he knew the real him. Dawn, on the other hand, comes out at the right time in the book and I love how she and Emily instantly clicked. Next thing we knew they are hanging out and summer is fun again. It's just sad to see how their rift is never resolved in the book. And of course, there's also Emily's family. I like Beckett and how cute he is! I don't have a brother so I'm so fond of little/older brothers in books. 

“I don’t think you have to do something so big to be brave. And it’s the little things that are harder anyway.”

Emily and Frank's romance is also adorable. It's cute and I love it everytime Frank says the right things to Emily. They slowly work on their friendship, from being running mates to being Living Room Theater actors together which I think is really sweet. But the latter part of the book where Frank went to see Lissa and Emily thought Frank has chosen Lissa over her, I was a bit frustrated with Emily because if she thought Frank would choose Lissa after their kiss, then she's a dumbass. I mean, didn't she see that things between Frank and her are going right and Lissa is already history?

He looked right at me as he gave me a half smile. “You're the brightest thing in the room”, he said. He lifted his hand from my waist, and slowly, carefully brushed a stray lock of hair from my cheek. “You shine.”

My breath caught in my throat. People said those kinds of things about Sloane-not about me.

 “What?” frank asked, his eyes on mine.

 “Just...” I took a shaky breath. “Nobody's ever said something like that to me.”
 

“Then they don't see what I see,” he said.

So the book ends with Emily finally figuring out where Sloane is. She goes to find her and after a long drive, with Frank, she finally found her best friend. We get to see Emily and Sloane's friendship with flashbacks and with them, we see why Emily is so attached with Sloane. They had a great friendship, not all fun but they also had some small fights and misunderstanding and sometimes Emily feeling inferior, but they were what made their friendship stronger. 

Overall, I super enjoyed this book! I love the characters, the story, the romance and everything else. Highly recommended if you love a fun, summery book (with lists and mixed tapes!) 

Book: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

 ★★★★/★★★★★

 “The best discoveries always happened to the people weren't looking for them. Columbus and America. Pinzón, who stumbled on Brazil while looking for the West Indies. Stanley happening on Victoria Falls. And you. Amy Curry, when I was least expecting her.”

This might not be my most favorite Matson book but I surely loved and enjoyed it! Amy and Roger's Epic Detour is a perfect summer read with an exciting road trip and likeable characters. This actually reminded me so much of With This Heart by R.S. Grey with the road trip and a cute boy for a company. Light, heart warming and entertaining, this book is one of those you will certainly enjoy.

I always love road trip stories especially because they mean exciting destinations, good music, lots and lots of snacks and road trip games! I admit I want to have a bizarre road trip myself (of course, with a cute guy with me!) and who knows someday I might write a book about my epic trip too!

“But there are two things that are absolutely necessary if you're going to be hitting the road.”

“And what are those?”

Roger smiled at me as he paused at a stoplight. “Snacks and tunes.” he said. “Not necessarily in that order.”

Amy Curry just lost her dad in a car accident. Ever since the accident, Amy found herself afraid of driving and somewhat distant from her mother and twin brother. And it didn't really help that her mother decided to move to Connecticut to start anew. Now Amy is living alone in their old house, finishing school but once it ends, she must travel to Connecticut to live with her mother. Everything is going as they planned until Amy's mother tells her she has to drive her car all the way to Connecticut because it'd be cheaper that way than to ship the car. Instantly, Amy knew there's no way she can but, of course, her mother knew it and tell her she's got her a driver who's willing to drive her. Enter Roger, Amy's childhood friend and now driver. It's awkward at first but soon Amy and Roger find themselves enjoying and taking a little detour from the route Amy's mother had planned for them. It's an epic detour with lots of music, snacks, 20 questions and spontaneous stop overs. A journey that lets both Amy and Roger realize and accept some things in life.

“It’s not about the destination. It’s getting there that’s the good part.”

 I love all the characters! Amy is the kind of character that is so hard not to like and she's been through enough pain. There's the guilt from the accident which she really struggles from that she can't even talk about it and then there's her issues with her mother and brother Charlie. The trip also reminds her so much of her dad which just breaks her heart because she, her dad and Charlie were supposed to go on a trip their dad had planned and was so excited about. And Amy just seems so hurt and broken I want to hug her myself! Roger, on the other hand, is so good to be true! I mean, he's a total gentleman, adorable and sweet. He takes care of Amy all throughout and I love that along the way he gets to clear some issues of his own too.

The secondary characters are also as lovely and likeable! Walcott, Bronwyn, Loenard and Lucien are a hell of secondary characters and I enjoyed them all. I think they made the book more exciting, inspiring and entertaining. Amy's short but meaningful encounter with them surely teach her a lot about some things. And Lucien? If I didn't like Roger enough, I would've shipped him and Amy! Lol. 

“Tomorrow will be better.”

“But what if it's not?” I asked.

Walcott smiled and let go of the CD. “Then you say it again tomorrow. Because it might be. You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better.”

I loved that Amy and Roger both enjoy the trip and along the way they meet new friends, discover new things and feel new feelings. They both learn a few things and Amy finds herself slowly opening up and mending her relationship with her bother and mother. Same with Roger for he finds himself moving on from a relationship he doesn't deserve. And the romance between them is really sweet. Though it doesn't happen until the latter part, it's there. And I'm actually glad it's not an insta-love!

 

This book is really an entertaining read, has a simple plot, interesting characters and a bit emotional. I don't live in America so I also found it a bit informative with all the details about some of the states. The scrapbook part is one of my favorites too.The playlists, the pictures and notes make it more interesting and fun.

* * *

“Sancho Panza.” Drew repeated. “It's from Don Quixote. The navigator. But listen. The thing about Magellan is the thing about most explorers. Most times, they're just determined to follow impossible things. And most of them are so busy looking at the horizon that they can't even see what's right in front of them.”

Book: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

★★★★/★★★★★

“A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted- mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more.”

This was my second book of Morgan Matson and after reading The Unexpected Everything, I became a fan of her and decided to read all her other books. Second Chance Summer is a story about family, friendship, life's mishaps and second chances at things. 

Taylor Edwards has a habit of running away especially when things get hard. It's in her nature to just leave when she realizes things are not going her way. But when they receive the news that their father has cancer and he wishes for them to spend their summer at the family's lake house, Taylor has no choice but to agree and face that first thing she ran away from five years ago. 

Taylor wasn't the best character for me but she wasn't the worst either. She was your typical teenager who had boy-school-family problems, who sometimes got scared and who sometimes did things she regretted. At first I didn't feel any special connection with her (I actually didn't like her) but I slowly grew on her and I liked how her character has developed throughout the book. And given her circumstances, she'd been a strong girl and at some point she learned to brave things she thought she couldn't handle and she realized that running away can't really solve a problem. If anything, running away could make things worse. 

The thing I loved most about this book is the way how it focused mainly on the family aspect. It was heartwarming to see how Taylor and her family began to get closer with each other as they spent more time together. Warren and Gelsey were more like my kind of characters and it was nice to see them enjoying the summer despite thinking they should be spending it somewhere else. There were some scenes that brought tears to my eyes and it was just so heartbreaking everytime there was Taylor-Dad scene. I'm close with my family so it was really good seeing Taylor's family developing their relationship with each other. And at some point I knew it would have a sad and heartbreaking and inevitable ending so I braced myself right before it happened.

“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.”

 Taylor and Lucy's friendship was also another thing I loved in the book. Five years of lost friendship but they still found a way to rekindle. It was hard, of course, but at some point they realized that their friendship was worth reviving after all. And Henry, oh my god Henry! I know I always fall for every guy in the book I read and Henry was no exception. Twelve year old Henry was hurt by twelve year old Taylor by disappearing one summer five years ago. It was supposed to be a special summer for them with developing feelings and first kisses but when things didn't turn out the way Taylor expected them to, she decided to just run away. Now Taylor was back and Henry was surprised to see her again. But as summer went on and explanations were laid out and second chances were given, Taylor and Henry found themselves catching up on five years worth of things they missed on each other. 

“I thought you'd never speak tome again.”

“I tried,” he reminded me, and I smiled at that. “But seriously,” he said, looking right at me, his tone a little more measured, “you're a hard habit to break.”

I've grown to love Matson's writing even after only reading two of her books. Her characters were simple and realistic and though I didn't like Taylor at the beginning, Matson did a good job at her character-development. And it was a perfect book for summer with the lake house, the beach, the family games/movie nights and all the summer activities. And oh, the fireworks! Overall it was a good book that will make you smile, cry and will make you cherish your family more. A book not about having the best or worst summer, but about learning a thing or two about life. A book about family, friendship, life's mishaps and second chances.

Book: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

 ★★★★/★★★★★

 “I knew that this couldn't last- that there were people waiting and he had things to do and this couldn't go on forever. But in that moment it was like everything fades away and there was only me and Clark and the possibility of us- whatever we might become- stretching forward in a hundred different directions, all of them unexpected, each one better than the last, the ending not yet written.”

Lighthearted and entertaining, The Unexpected Everything was my first book of Morgan Matson. It was one of those books I wished I'd read with my bestfriends because like Andie, I have three crazy bestfriends who I missed hanging out with. It was a fun read and the characters were all easy to love.

I definitely enjoyed this book and I can give you five reasons why.
 First, the girls/friendship. Alexandra "Andie" Walker is a smart, determined girl who has everything planned out for her summer. She has three bestfriends; Palmer (the optimist), Toby (the hopeless romantic) and Bri (the happy-go-lucky). While Andie tries to survive her summer with a new job (walking dogs) that she really didn't want to take but didn't have a choice, she has friends by her side who support her unconditionally. She has three bestfriends to tell her if she has dog hair all over her or her party dress is too sexy. I liked how the friendship in this book was portrayed with all the meet-ups at the diner, the boy-talks, the pool party, the scavenger hunt and all the group texts they had. And of course, the drama. The four of them are basically sisters at heart and their friendship is everlasting. Until someone keeps a secret and the others find out about it.

Second, Bertie and the other dogs. Don't you just love everything that involves dogs? I mean, they're cute and they always want to play with you and they smooch you! I instantly loved the cover of this book the moment I saw it because there are dogs and it's lovely. How Bertie played a big role in the book was also cute.

Third, father-daughter relationship. Andie's father, Alexander Walker, is a prominent congressman. But a scandal is tagged on his name right now, affecting his career and endangering his place in congress. He wanted only the best for his family but when Andie's mom died five years ago, he became distant and Andie felt like she's lost her dad too. Her dad became busier and barely gave time to her. But now that he's not allowed to work (which was all he ever did) because of the on going investigation on his case, he's spending more time at home, with Andie. And as they spend time together which is awkward at first, Andie and her father eventually stop tiptoeing around each other and decided to face their father-daughter issue head on which in the end works out perfectly.

DAD
Hey, hon. Make sure to get some gas on your way home from Clark's. I don't want you to run out on the way to Mystic.
ME
Sure. But what do you mean "Clark's"? I'm at Palmer's. We're watching educational television.
DAD
Don't make me GPS the car again.
ME
Gas. Sure. 
Clark says hi.
DAD
Get me a summary of his new book and all is forgiven.
ME
I'll see what I can do
Clark says if you promise no Secret Service agents he'll think about it
DAD
Tell him he's got a deal.

Fourth, the emojis. Didn't we all pass that phase when we were so in love with emojis that those were all we used? Like 👧🚗🍕👌and ☀️🚗🍨🍨👙🌊🌊🏊 and 🍔🍟🍎🍜🍕🍹 or just simply 👊!

Fifth, C.B. McCallister. Cute. Older. Shy. Fantasy novel writer who published his first book at the age of fourteen. How cool is that? I loved that Clack is not your typical boy next door but a little mysterious and deep. He loves writing but after publishing his first two books, he thinks that he's done. Until he meets new friends and a new girl who he loves making up stories with and walking dogs with.

Overall, it was a lovely book with dogs and emojis and bestfriends and cute boys. In short, you should read it!

“In all the movies Toby has made us watch, it was always somewhere very romantic. On top of the Empire State building, on a rain-streaked airport runway, at a New Year's Eve party. This moment did not, an any of the movies I could recall, take place in a bookstore in New Jersey packed with fantasy-novel readers, many of whom were in costume.”