Sarah Ockler

Once again Becky from Becky's Barmy Book Blog was kind enough to write this post about Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer. I also loved this book!

Why I love Sarah Ockler’s novel “Twenty Boy Summer”

I read this back in March for the first time and immediately fell in love with the story. The book deals with some sensitive subjects but instead of shying away or glossing over they are dealt with head on.

Anna, Frankie and Matt are best friends, next-door neighbours and basically inseparable. Matt and Frankie are brother and sister, and on Anna’s 15ht birthday her wishes come true – Matt kisses her.

Convinced that Frankie needs time to digest the information Matt makes Anna promise not to reveal their relationship, Anna agrees and they enjoy secret meetings and stolen kisses. But the day before Matt and Frankie are due to go on Holiday, Matt dies. The three of them are in a car crash and only the girls survive. Anna now feels like she must keep her promise to Matt to protect Frankie. But then Frankie comes up with a plan, to meet twenty boys over the summer, but how can Anna let go of Matt and love anyone else.

The book looks at how different people cope with bereavement, you have Matt’s parents, Frankie, Anna the best friend/girlfriend, family friends, school friends. Although it mainly focuses on Anna and Frankie.

But despite being such a sad subject, this book maintains an air of lightness and freedom. The girls try to move on and enjoy their life and you see them come to terms with their life and loss as the book goes on.

It makes you really think about what you have and yearn for a first love like Anna and Matt’s, it also shows that life can go on and that the person that has gone will always be with you in your heart.

The book also looks at first love, first lust, parents, adventure, friendship, truths and lies and what it truly means to love and let go.

It’s a bitter sweet story that makes you cry, laugh, gasp, shout and have you gripping the book and yearning to know what will happen.

I re-read this yesterday and loved it just as much as the first time. There is just something about this book that makes me feel full and bubbly.

Thank you, Becky! :)