Rules Of Summer by Joanna Philbin

Rules Of Summer by Joanna Philbin

Release Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Poppy

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 352

Summary:THE RULES OF SUMMER is about two 17 year-old girls living in the same beachfront mansion in East Hampton for the summer, one “upstairs” (the daughter of a very blue-blooded family) and one “downstairs” (the niece of the family’s housekeeper.) Isabel is the privileged daughter who’s used to having guys fall at her feet. Rory is the no-nonsense girl from a small New Jersey town who’s always been the friend, never the girlfriend.  Besides becoming each other’s unlikely allies, both Rory and Isabel have a summer romance that will change their lives.

My Thoughts: I’m one of these people who don’t like it when the perspectives switch back and forth, especially without really telling us. And this book did that, a lot. It did bug me a little bit.

We are introduced to Isabel who is the rich families daughter. She is used to getting what she wants when she wants it. Guys fall at her feet, she never really has to second guess anything.

The other girl in this novel, my favorite, is Rory. Rory comes from another town where she lives with her mother who is like a child. Rory takes care of her more than she should.

Rory goes to spend the summer helping her aunt and waiting on this family. Shes supposed to do errands and just do whatever needs done. Rory thought this could be an opportunity to get away from her mother and see something new.

Rory and Isabel form a complicated and great friendship. It starts out rocky at first but it got interesting to say the least. Both girls also meet guys. Isabel likes a older guy who is a surfer, while Rory likes Isabel's brother Conner.

I really really liked Conner. He is what made the story for me. I just wish we had got to see him more and got to interact more.

This is the story of self discovery, and seeing how the other half lives.  I loved Rory as a character and I did like the plot.

Overall: I enjoyed reading it. I thought there would be more rivalry or more scandal but there wasn't too much. Don’t get me wrong, there was some but nothing I found too thrilling or surprising.  I enjoyed it but not a favorite I guess.

Cover: Its alright, but it doesn’t really stand out, you know? 

What I'd Give It: