The Summer of Firsts and Lasts

So why is being his girlfriend so complicated? Back when Pure was finally sent off to the printer, my editor and I brainstormed some ideas for new projects. Well, she sent me an email of ideas and I did some decoupage and thought about them. One of her suggestions actually two of them, combined together turned into After the Kiss.

Her other suggestion — the one I sat on and kept quiet for awhile — was to write something about sisters. And I agreed that a sister YA book would be great to do. Because being part of a sister triangle is really interesting. And … hard sometimes. I wanted to explore the archetypes of eldest, middle, and youngest sister, and the connections between them.

I wanted to show the different relationships between eldest-middle, middle-youngest, eldest-youngest and etc. I didn't fall for any of them. Not because of their flaws exactly but maybe because we don't see much else! While I can appreciate a book where the boy storyline is subtle, it still has to be believable! Again, one storyline would have really helped this! Although honestly, I'm not sure they story would have worked without all three of them as narrators.

But it bothered me. While I totally knew where the sisters were coming from, I was totally lost on the boys! They just seemed confusing! Maybe that was the point! But I wanted more. Calla has been in love with Duncan for five years. Every year at camp, they bond, and are best friends, and Calla is smitten. I still can't decide how I feel about Duncan. He really confused me.

And James was Violet's interest, but he was barely in it enough to be called an interest. No, that didn't really happen. Which both bothered me, and made me love him more than the rest. It's hard to explain. I know what you're thinking: Geez Al I thought you liked this book! The girls were uniquely awesome!

Crazy codependent but the love between them was palpable! I liked that the camp was used as a way to force them to grow up, no matter what that meant for each other! Could have used fewer nicknames though! Plus "sissy" just bothers me. Of the three sisters, I think Calla was my favorite! But that changes a lot! She's really idealistic and I loved that about her! It's her last summer before college, and she's working in the office of the camp, but it's not working the way she wants.

I loved her even though I related more to Violet! Vi seems to find herself in bad company, but she likes the thrill of it which I can kind of relate to. Sometimes you just need the anti-you to know who you are. At the heart of this story, it's about three sisters who have to learn how to let go, and pull each other closer at the same time. And THIS aspect of the story, the author excelled at with flying colors.

I loved watching each of the girls stand on their own just as much as I loved them when they came together when they needed each other the most. It's about finding balance, and happiness, and understanding that sometimes summers are short for a reason. That kind of magic can't last all year long. Anyway it prob didn't come across in the review, but I do recommend it!

It really does hold your interest. I was up until 4 AM finishing it! Makes me wish I'd spent a summer away at camp! No, it's not a must-read, but still a good summer choice! It'd probably be better for girls that have sisters they are really close to. Jul 02, Beyond the Pages rated it really liked it.

The Summer of Firsts and Lasts was such a telling coming-of-age book. With huge themes throughout, this book was absolutely spot on. It was able to capture the uncertainty, angst, drama, and up and down adventures that go along with growing up. Sweet, driven, focused on discovering self outside of "comfortable" identity, budding interest in boys but would be okay going without if need be , family-oriented the unit is important to her; the special bond that she shar The Summer of Firsts and Lasts was such a telling coming-of-age book.

Sweet, driven, focused on discovering self outside of "comfortable" identity, budding interest in boys but would be okay going without if need be , family-oriented the unit is important to her; the special bond that she shares with her sisters is quite obvious ; there is a quiet wisdom and strong sense of character about her; she is fiercely loyal - Violet: It was very easy to get into. I felt like the main characters - Daisy, Violet, and Calla - were each on a journey of discovery, finding out who they were, what they were about, and what they were made of both individually and collectively.

They needed to experience life outside of each other just as much as together. The things that the girls experienced transformed them. They certainly, none of them, were the same as when they first arrived. They were all challenged. Although some of their lessons were harder than others, life happened to them and they were perhaps changed for the better.

I love how these sisters stood by each other at the end when all was said and done. No matter what, family is family and that endures. No matter how upset we are with one another or how betrayed we might feel because of the actions of one another, family always should always stick together. All three girls showed a sense of strength in the final analysis. Even with that, however, they were mindful of, I think, the fact that you can survive despite challenges. Okay, I didn't love every one of them, but I really adored a few of them. Even though he didn't appreciate Calla and the unspoken relationship they had yet to explore, I loved him.

I thought he was charming and sweet. I liked how he cheered for her and encouraged her. He tried to be sensitive even when he delivered his news. I felt like, in time, these two could have something. I wanted to figure her out. She was salty and sweet. Hot and not cold maybe warm.

She had grit and guts. There was more to her than met the eye. I admired her courage, especially when she faced Calla and apologized. I thought he was unique and interesting. He wasn't afraid to be different and he got the kids he was working with. I know he didn't have a large role, as it were, but he was way cool. He and Daisy had like this vibe. It connected through running. Young Adult also mature middle graders Plus: Yes and No Stand Alone: Yes and No Interest in More: Sep 17, Deri David rated it liked it. And then there is the antagonistic non-sister, Brynn, the bad girl Violet hooks up with at camp and, in the end, causes the sisters to be that much closer.

The title, the summer of firsts and lasts, is right on target. The three sisters attend summer camp together — Calla as a camp counselor, her last time to be at camp before she goes off to college. Always wanting to please everyone, and a little on the judgmental side, according to her sister, Daisy, Calla is in love with Duncan. Daisy, the youngest sister, bullied by a couple of girls in her cabin, finds her own strength, and gains independence apart from her sisters. For me, the ending redeems the book when Calla rescues Daisy and Brynn after a possible compromising incident involving a seedy bar and a couple of guys up to no good.

Calla and Daisy are forced to leave camp, and Daisy, in her new-found strength, decides to leave camp with them. I love the sister bond. I found interestingly an allusion to Harry Potter! Overall, a pleasant read. Dec 12, Michelle Wrona rated it it was ok Shelves: Well, I was wrong. The Summer of Firsts and Lasts wasn't the novel for me. First of all, I disliked the events. Nothing really "big" happened, did I mention that I didn't finish the novel at all? I read until about half of it, and then I threw it down, it made me so upset.

When you thought that something big would happen, it never did. The author kept us gue 1. The author kept us guessing, but in a bad way. I was waiting for the calm after the storm, but it ended up being gloomy the whole way through. Then we had the characters. They actually weren't so bad, I really liked Violet and Daisy, Violet reminded me of myself, the writer.

Calla was the one who really didn't make a difference in this novel, I felt that she did nothing, and she was a brown-noser, if you know what I mean. The setting was good, you really don't see many teen novels that are set in a camp, right next to C. Hunter's Born at Midnight. Overall, I was really bored with this novel, and it really disappointed me.

Please, trust me on this one. Feb 02, Kristina rated it it was ok. I really wasn't feeling this book. While the setting was fine, I believe that it was the characters that really dragged this book down for me. It's difficult for me to choose between giving it two or three stars. The whole book just left me feeling nothing at all, especially towards the characters. They were whiny, and I honestly had no care in the world what happened to them, when I could actually tell them apart.

For years they've been going to Camp Callanwolde, and while activities-wise they know what to expect, it's the people that throw them off. These three distinct sisters all share in three different experiences, as they struggle to hold onto their bond as sisters. Calla has been in love with Duncan for as many summers as she can remember, and feels that this summer is her last to tell him her true feelings.

Violet has her eye on James, a boy whom she's known for a few summers as well, and has now become a camp counselor. However, seeing him in a way that she'd like to is more difficult then it seems, and requires a few camp rules to be broken. Finally, Daisy has eyes for Joel, but doesn't know how exactly to act on her feelings.

Is this going to be a summer of heartbreak? So, if it weren't obvious by the rating I really didn't care for this book. The characters annoyed me and there just seemed to be no pizzazz at all. I felt more like I was reading the diaries of three very dramatic girls, only with a swell narrative. The story just fell flat with me, and I kind of struggled to keep reading. Calla, the oldest of the sisters, was the easiest one to recognize. From her seemingly never-ending whining about Duncan and not getting to spend near enough time with him and her sisters, I'm only left shaking my head at her.

You wanted to work behind the scenes at camp, you deal with the consequences, please. This was really the only reason that I could tell her apart from her sisters because I saw the name Duncan printed in nearly every other sentence of her chapters. Though, despite, she is responsible and does take care of her sisters in the best way that she knows how to. So, I applaud her for that.

Next, the other two sisters were the ones that I kept getting confused. I knew that Daisy was the runner and Violet was the writer, but as far as which boy each other wanted, I was lost throughout the entire thing. Well, maybe just up until the end. I think that Daisy was the youngest sister, but I'm not willing to place money on that. As far as Violet goes, she just seemed very bi-polar and hasty and just kind of irritating.

She's a smart-alec, who manages to befriend the camp basketcase, and sets off on a sort of rule breaking mission. Whatever, you can pick your friends, that's no big deal.

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However, I felt that Brynn was a bit right there in the end when she talked about friendship. Even though Brynn did kind of push Violet and James together, I agree that friendship is supposed to be more important. Then, with Daisy, I almost pitied her when those girls in her cabin and running class did those mean things to her. But, she didn't do anything about it, and I just ended up shaking my head more for no resolution of this in the end.

Myself being pretty close to my family can really appreciate when I see or read about it. This was one of the aspects that I did like about the book, and I only wish that we'd seen more of this. Also, I really wish that we'd seen more of the camp aspect. Sure, we read about certain activities, and a few actually get fleshed out, but there were just other parts that I'd have liked to read about.

Like smores or something. As far as the life-changing summer bit, what exactly occurred that was so life-altering? Violet ends up being kicked out taking Calla with her for sneaking out with Brynn, after managing to score with James. Daisy figures out that there aren't any sparks between her and Joel and is bullied by her cabinmates. Then, she ends up leaving with her sisters at the end without resolving anything. When I think of that I think of something huge and monumental occurring, like a death or some epic self discovery, none of which I thought really happened in this book.

But hey, maybe that's just me? Overall, this book was decent. I found the characters to be overly whiny for my taste, which ended up deterring me from any other good quality that existed in this book. I really hate when that happens. However, maybe you'll end up enjoying it more than I did. Three different scoops of ice cream to represent three very different girls.

I can dig it. If you want a summer read for when it's snowing and cold outside. Or, if you just want another summer read for any time of year. Apr 09, Abby M rated it really liked it Shelves: Going into this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. At one point in the story, I got very bored, which dragged this book out for longer than it should have taken me to read, but after getting back into it and finishing it, I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. This book is about Calla, Daisy, and Violet, and their summer at camp is Going into this book, I wasn't sure what to expect.

This book is about Calla, Daisy, and Violet, and their summer at camp is portrayed through their different points of view. Calla is the oldest, and has a major crush on a childhood best friend, Duncan. But, has never had the nerve to tell him how she really feels and this is her last chance before college. Violet is a goody-two-shoes outside of camp, but this year, everything changes. She makes a new BFF, Brynn, who pushes her to her limits and brings out her wild side, which she turns out to really like.

She also meets a boy, James, who experiences her wild side first hand. Daisy is the complete opposite.

The Summer of Firsts and Lasts

She has never been the one that boys typically go after, until she catches Joels eye. But things aren't always as easy as they seem, and for Daisy, it means complicated. I really enjoyed this book, especially how it made the characters so different, and then made each "chapter" through someone else's perspective. This made the book more interesting for me, having to wait to find out what would happen next with one character to read the chaos in another characters life. The one thing I did not like was how the story got dry at some points.

The author would drag out certain events that, I guess, made me keep reading, but some were events that could have been summed up in one section. This would have made more room for other scenes to be dragged out and some new crazy to be brought in. Overall, I would recommend this read, specifically, to people at a younger age. I think the events that happen can be super relatable to some people and help give insight on a certain topic. Although this was a little hard for me to get through at some points, I really did enjoy this book, and the end was well worth the wait!

Aug 17, Alicia rated it liked it Recommends it for: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Violet has a huge crush on one of the counselors James , for some reason we don't really know other than he is super cute and nice. He's also out of reach, due to being a counselor, so I guess there's a hint of "forbidden love" in Violet's story.

Violet also enjoys writing. Calla is in love with Duncan, also a counselor. But Calla is working in the office part of the camp now, so it's not really "forbidden" for her to like Duncan. She's had a background with Duncan for the past five years they've been at camp, and it's her last year to actually tell him how she feels because she is going away to college after the summer.

We don't learn much about Calla except that she's a workaholic and crazy for this one boy, kind of a dreamer. I don't recall her saying what she was going to college for, but maybe I missed it. Daisy ends up liking a guy named Joel rather quickly, they flirt a little but don't talk very much. Daisy is a really good runner, one of the best in the class next to another guy called Rutger who she befriends.

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For a quick summer read, it's not bad. If you're looking for a cute summery story that doesn't really have a super intense plot, then this is good for you. The writing style is very good, there weren't many punctuation or grammar errors that I saw. The author seems to know what she's doing, unlike a few more famous authors I've read who can't write worth a damn. I also did like the cover, the three coloured ice cream cone, each colour representing one of the sisters.

A lot of first and last things happen for the girls that are both good and bad. However, here's where my criticism comes in. The things that bothered me are: There were a lot of scenes that could have just been cut out and the book probably would have been like pages and still got to the point. It just seems like every mundane detail is described of the girl's daily routines. We get to hear about how amazing Daisy is at running every time she has track, also everything in her routine of track everyday.

We get to hear about Violet describing eyeballing James and obsessing over him. Everything that Calla does in the office is described almost daily. She also goes off on tangents and tangents about Duncan a lot. And I did end up skimming through a lot of it sorry but didn't really miss out on any plot.

I guess she was supposed to be the bitch-who-can-be-sort-of-nice-sometimes "friend"?

I don't think she was evil or anything, just really weird and crazy and a troublemaker. She doesn't think before she acts. She doesn't care about consequences. For me, I don't like getting in trouble. I wouldn't want to risk getting kicked out of camp for some cheap thrills, or to impress someone else, as Violet tries to follow Brynn to impress her.

Brynn was probably supposed to be the antagonist to cause drama between the sisters, but she was really annoying. I guess the author probably made her that way on purpose, so you never know whether to love her and think she's cool or hate her and think she's dumb. Also, there was no real reason why Brynn was this way. She supposedly had a good family life, and nothing else was really explained about her behaviour or background. Her character wasn't explained or developed enough. There are parts where she talks to Violet and gets a little personal, but we don't hear exactly what she says.

Well, according to Violet, James was a camper with her two years ago, and she sort of bonded with him then. The next year he wasn't at camp, but now he's back as a counselor. The minute her and James see each other on the first day, Violet begins describing how, when their eyes meet, it's like something sparks between them. The first week, they barely interact, except to make goo goo eyes at each other from across the room, and Violet is convinced he's the "one".

She eventually sneaks out with Brynn to a counselor bonfire after telling Brynn her feelings for James, and Brynn makes her and James sit together. After a few words at the fire, Violet and James sneak off to have sex in a field. The sex scene is sweet and romantic, but I find it kind of abrupt when they just end and get up and leave the field afterwards.

I just don't really get the whole love at first sight thing. She takes his actions and words to heart, and imagines a whole entire life for them after camp. She's just been too afraid to tell him her true feelings, but this is the last chance she has to do it. One night she decides that she wants to tell him soon, but thanks to Violet and Brynn, Duncan finds out about her feelings in the wrong way. He, however, doesn't reciprocate those feelings, leaving her devastated and no longer wanting him in her life.

I just find it sad that she completely ended a five year friendship because the guy didn't love her in the way she wanted him to. There isn't too much of a climax either. Brynn basically forces Violet to follow her to the nearby bar through the forest at night, which is against the camp rules of course and the punishment for getting caught sneaking off after hours is getting sent home.

They almost get into a compromising situation when two weird guys start to pay attention to them and want to take them home. Brynn is enjoying the attention while getting drunk, however Violet is not, so she sneakily calls Calla to come get her, despite knowing that Calla is upset with her. Calla comes with the camp van and brings Brynn and Violet back.

They get found out and Calla, Violet and Brynn are forced to go home the next day because they broke camp rules. Daisy hears about this and decides to go home too. Daisy kept going on that she was slowly learning to be independent at camp, but then she basically decided to go home because her sisters were. Sure she had a rough time with girls being mean to her, but once she pushed Montgomery the jealous bully girl around, she seemed to stop.

So why did Daisy suddenly want to leave? Calla hasn't changed too much, and neither has Violet. Violet only did a few "bad" things like sneaking out and smoking pot due to Brynn's influence, she'd never do those things on her own. I do have to give Daisy credit, she does overcome her fear by going on a zipline and pushes a bully down, but otherwise it still seems she's co-dependent on her sisters.

The good-bye scene between Violet and James was not that great, either, Violet lost her v-card to him, so you'd think there would have been more words exchanged. Violet basically dismisses him after a hug and a kiss, not taking him seriously, and it bothered me. Sure, not saying that you have to get with the person who took your V. It was just that Violet acted like what her and James did was "meh, whatever". Especially when they used different nicknames from one sentence to the next.

If they could have just picked one nicknme and stuck to it like most people do, it wouldn't have been so annoying. I didn't learn anything from this book that I didn't already know being as I'm over a decade older than these characters so it didn't do anything for me in that sense. I guess, my being older, played a part in the things I found that I didn't like about it. The book wasn't horrible but it could be long and tedious at times, plus I found the characters lacking much personal change or growth at the end.

I just think it could have been done a bit better, that's all. It did talk about the summer camp events that they did, and it brought me back to when I was in summer camp. However, since I was so shy and my camps were only a week long, my having any luck with guys was Well, I did get in trouble once when I jumped into the pool AFTER the final whistle to leave was blown, and I was supposed to stay behind for five minutes during the next pool session.

I don't think I did, but nobody really cared that much. Oh yeah, I'm so badass. So, that's the gist of my own "crazy" camp adventures. I kind of wish there was adult summer camps. Even at my age, it would be nice to get away for a week or two, and make new friends. Hah, of course boys are off the radar since I'm engaged now. But it would still be fun. YA section at the St. This book was actually pretty good. Each chapter is one of the girls point of view.

You get confused at first but then you get the hang of each of their stories. Three different stories between three sisters at summer camp. The ending was kind of sweet yet sad. Here are the main characters and their stories: She is a counselor at the camp and it is her last summer before she goes to collage.

She wants to get her longtime crush Duncan to fall in love with her. Th This book was actually pretty good. This is her last chance to do that. But things go out of hand, out of taking care of her sisters, going to late night campfires with the other counselors, and getting Duncan to notice her. With a embarrassing moment when she gets drunk and Duncan helps her.

But when her sister's friend sends a note to Duncan telling him about Calla's feelings for him she finds out that he doesn't like her. He just likes her like a friend. She goes to get Violet when she sneaks out with her friend. When they say she has to go she feels like a failure. But with her sisters she feels better.

She is not a rule breaker. But she turns into one when she starts sneaking out with her crazy friend Brynn. She also wants to get James a cute counselor to fall in love with her. With help from Brynn she just does. She and James are really in love, but Calla isn't happy for her because James even though he is friends with Violet he is a counselor. Violet doesn't really listen to her and still likes James. Brynn gets mad when Violet didn't tell her right away that James likes her too.

They fight but soon make up. Violet tells her everything that went on with her and James. Violet also tells her about Calla who likes Duncan. Which Brynn then does the plan in sending the letter to him. Violet is blamed and she and Calla get into a huge fight. She also sneaks out with Brynn and they go to a bar, meet some sleazy boys.

Violet calls Calla to pick her and a drunk Brynn up. She comes and the next morning they are busted by Deena the head counselor and boss of everyone at camp. She, Calla, and Brynn have to leave camp. They are all upset.

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Brynn says sorry to Calla and says she meant no harm. James is upset that Violet has to leave. They promise they will keep in touch and maybe visit each other. Violet is sad to leave since things are really starting to get good for her. But she knows she broke the rules and for that she has to be punished. But also feel sad when they don't pay attention to her. She likes this boy named Joel but when they kiss she doesn't like it.

She figures things won't work out for them. She likes to run and makes a few good friends. But she also makes enemies two girls named Olivia and Montgomery. They hurt her and her friends. Her sisters try to help but she doesn't want that. With nasty tricks played Daisy gets upset and wants to go home. But she figures it out and things go good for her. She likes it there.

Until she learns that her sisters are leaving. She knows that no matter much she likes it at camp, wherever her sisters are she will be with them all the way. Sisters should stay together where ever they are because they will always have each other. So in the end, all three girls figure things out and stay together. Even though they won't be at camp. The book was sweet, funny, and cute. Sep 11, Colleen Scidmore rated it liked it Shelves: The Summer of Firsts in Lasts is a story about three sisters, Calla, Violet and Daisy that go to the same summer camp that the parents had met at and where Violet and Calla had already been to several summers in a row.

Each sister has their own story and challenges at camp that they are trying to overcome. Calla is the oldest and no longer a camper but an office worker helping out behind the scenes. She feels a little left out because she is not a counselor like all her other camper friends her a The Summer of Firsts in Lasts is a story about three sisters, Calla, Violet and Daisy that go to the same summer camp that the parents had met at and where Violet and Calla had already been to several summers in a row.

She feels a little left out because she is not a counselor like all her other camper friends her age and has to spend all her time away from the fun. This is also her last year at camp, she is about to leave for college and her last time to ignite anything between her and Duncan, her crush from her very first year who is also her best 'bud'.

Violet is the middle sister who seems to be the fun and exciting one and has all the boys she can handle after her. But she only has eyes for one, James. James in now a counselor and she is a camper so their romance is going to be a bit tricky. She also has a crazy, trouble maker and really for lack of a better word bitchy new friend Brynn who I can't stand. She chooses to spend more time with this girl than anyone at camp, I guess because of the thrill of a different type of fun she's used to.

But Brynn's really not worth it in the end to me. And last there is Daisy the youngest sister and also the baby the other 2 seem to look out for. Daisy goes through the worst of it. She is young and homesick and dealing with some really upsetting bullying. At first she doesn't know how to deal with it all and just wants to go home.

But Daisy turns a corner later and learns to stick up for herself. It was a kind of sweet and mild coming of age story for all 3 of the sisters, who have to grow up a bit at camp. And this book really made me think how really important family is even when there those times you can't stand to look at some of them. I was surprised that I ended up liking this book somewhat in the end. I'd say it's probably a I would rate it higher if it wasn't so damn slow in the beginning.

I feel like some of the story was to adolescent for me, but there was also some material that was a little older and I could relate too. I may even pick up another one of Terra Elan McVoy's books, you never know. Feb 16, Shanyn Chick Loves Lit rated it really liked it. I'm a camp girl. I went to camp for eight years as a camper and four or five more years as a counselor or staff member. And I know what goes on there. So - first thought - a book about camp?

My second thought when starting a book about camp which I've only done a few times before , is that I hope the author gets the mood of camp right. It's an immediate Do Not Finish for me if the author doesn't write about camp in the right way yes, I'm picky - but I also feel knowledge I'm a camp girl. It's an immediate Do Not Finish for me if the author doesn't write about camp in the right way yes, I'm picky - but I also feel knowledgeable enough about the topic to be this way. Which means she did it right.

There is a camp feeling that is hard to explain, but McVoy did the best of all the camp books I've read previously. Her characters noted that camp friends are immediate and fast, that the few weeks you are there are what you live your whole summer for, that you rarely talk to camp friends besides at camp. She got the cabin dynamics, the group sessions, the campfires all right. On top of that, the three sisters that narrate the book in turns each have distinct personalities and each behave according to those personalities - meaning they don't do things for the sake of a good story in the book.

By the time I got to know the sisters, not only was I really missing camp - I really wanted to be part of their sister clan. The title suggests some trials and tribulations, and that certainly happens while the sisters experience their summer at camp. It's fun to not know which events will be 'firsts' and which will be 'lasts' - I wasn't really ever able to predict an outcome before it happened. A book about camp and sisterhood, The Summer of Firsts and Lasts will get you in the camp spirit whether you've been to camp before or not.

You'll be wishing you were roasting marshmallows right next to Violet, Calla, and Daisy, and wanting to hold their hands when things go badly. A great summer read! Aug 05, Jennifer rated it really liked it Shelves: I tore through this pretty quick, but it wasn't as light as I expected it to be. Not everything was resolved all hunky dory at the end which was a nice surprise.

Terra Elan McVoy | The Summer of Firsts and Lasts

Less about romance than relationships between sisters and friends although there's definitely still some romance , McVoy tells the story of one session of summer camp through the rotating viewpoints of three sisters. Daisy is a sophomore just beginning to discover her talent for running but plagued by her cabinmates' mean girl antics. Violet's a senior who is trying to balance her new friendship with the camp wild child and a hot, forbidden romance with a counselor.

Calla, the oldest, will be off to college in the fall, but for her last summer at camp she's won the only office intern spot which leaves her in a unique position somewhere between staff and counselor - not really fitting in with either group and struggling with her feelings for Duncan, her best friend at camp for years and now a counselor himself. All three girls know this is their last summer together at camp and they're determined to make it a summer they'll never forget.

The relationships among the three sisters are extremely complex and well-depicted; I also really liked that the three girls had distinct personalities, not just different interests. The whole summer camp experience as depicted here was fascinating to me - I remember going away to camp as a kid, but I never did it as a teenager and I wonder if this is really what it was like. All in all, an excellent summer read that won't rot your brain. Nov 15, Calla rated it it was ok.