The Summer My Life Began

From the Publisher:

A fabulous romance with a very unexpected guy . . . The opportunity to explore her love of cooking . . . The freedom to be whomever she wants . . .

This is what seventeen-year-old Em gets when she goes to spend a month at her aunt’s island resort. It’s a dream come true—and exactly the break Em needed from her strict family and their high expectations of her.

But when Em uncovers a long-buried secret about her family, everything changes. And suddenly, Em finds herself making some big choices about her future—choices she never dreamed she’d have the chance to make . . .

What I thought:

Yes, another "coming of age" story that I have recently read.  And, yes, I loved it!  I originally requested this book from NetGalley.com and was then contacted by JKS Communications to participate in their book tour for "The Summery My Life Began."  

I requested this book because:  1) I wanted to read a summery-book; 2) the cover is pretty catching; 3) it is set in the idyllic Outer Banks (one of my favorite places!) and 4) giving an author I've never heard of, let alone read before, a spin.

It was definitely worth it!  The characters are well developed and easy to relate to.  I was unsure at first what was going on with the main character, Em.  Truthfully, I wasn't sure that I would be able to relate to the rich kid, life laid out for her kind of existence that she had.

When she set off for the summer in order to meet an aunt that she never even knew she had - who knew the fun she'd have, the secrets she'd uncover and the ability to find and be herself - not who everyone else wanted her to be.

The scenery is beautiful.  I could totally picture everything in my head.  It made me want to have a room at their bed and breakfast at the beach!

The Summer My Life Began is a wonderful book for any age group from teenagers through centenarians!  Who doesn't love a great book of  teen and family angst and love set at the beach?  This story will fill you with hope, inspiration and goodness.  It was a great, easy read!