Twenty Boy Summer By Sarah Ockler

Summary: "Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

My Thoughts: I've been on a good book spree lately! I've been reading wonderful books! First we are introduced to Anna and her two best friends Frankie and Matt. Frankie and Matt are siblings. They have all known each other forever, since they were kids. Recently, on Anna's birthday, Matt and Anna kiss and start a beautiful secret relationship. Matt and Frankie are going on vacation soon and Matt says he will tell Frankie at that time. It needs to be him who breaks the news to her. Anna and Matt fear it may change things between the 3 of them. I loved the first kiss between Matt and Anna. We don't get to know much about Matt before the accident but I could already feel like I knew him my whole life. Matt is than taken away from Anna and Frankie. Frankie loses her brother and Anna loses the one guy she's always loved. Well, Anna vowed to let Matt tell Frankie about their relationship so she won't break her promise to him. Time goes on, and Frankie's family asks Anna to go on vacation with them. The same spot the family had spent years going too. Its going to be weird without Matt there and even weird that Anna is with them (she had never went). Frankie has a brilliant plan! To meet twenty boys during the vacation. How can Anna meet boys when all she can do is still think about Matt? And what happen to the necklace he wore around his neck? I wanted to jump into the book and get a search party out for that necklace, I wanted it so bad so I could give it to Anna.

Anna and Frankie meet two boys named Sam and Jake. Honestly, I didn't want to like Sam, I didn't! If I liked him, would that make Matt disappear in my mind? Should she still be pining over a dead boy?

This book was marvelous! I loved the idea of a twenty boy summer, even though they made it nowhere near Twenty. I loved Matt. I even liked Sam. I think the best part of the book was the bond of friendship between Anna and Frankie and Matt. Even though Matt wasn't around, I could still feel him. I loved the stolen kisses and late nights with Matt. I even really liked Sam. I still longed for Matt but Sam was still a good guy. The dialogue was all written so beautifully. I felt like I was sitting on a beach taking it all in. It was such a emotional and heavy book. Half of the time I didn't know rather to be happy for Anna or cry for her. I loved her diary entries. I loved her for even keeping the diary.

Want to know what happens to Anna? What about Sam? Want to get to know Matt better? Does Frankie find out about Matt and Anna's relationship? Than what happens?

Overall: If you haven't noticed by now, I adored this book. Please go read it today! Ever felt like you were cheated by time? Kiss a guy and have him taken away too soon? Love your childhood best friend? Read this book today.

Cover: Its so simple yet elegant!

What I'd Give It: