Avery is going away with her family for the summer. Since her parents are teachers, they get every summer off, and every summer they take Avery and her younger sister Lauren camping for vacation. But as this is the summer before Avery’s senior year, and her parents feel like it’s their last summer together as a family, they booked them a place for the entire summer at Bear Meadow, which has every summer activity they could think of. It has everything, really. Everything except for wi-fi.
But maybe that’s a good thing. Right after Avery and her boyfriend Trent had broken up, her best friend Shay had kissed him. On the way up to the camp, Shay had texted Avery, trying to apologize, but Avery wasn’t ready to hear about it. Maybe having some time away will help Avery feel better about her best friend.
Right away at the camp, Avery has another guest spill hot coffee on her, so an employee grabs a staff shirt for her to change into. Then when she’s walking back to the lobby where her parents and sister are, Avery stumbles into a band rehearsal and meets Brooks. He mistakes her for a fellow staff member and invites her to watch them rehearse again the next day. But when she shows up to try to set the record straight, he gets upset and walks away. She finds out that staff aren’t supposed to make friends with the guests. But Avery finds herself falling in with lifeguard Maricela.
Meanwhile her sister, a prolific online video producer, decides she wants to make a documentary about the band. They’re practicing for a competition at the end of summer, and since Lauren can’t post online all summer, she decides to film the band and edit the footage in a long-form documentary. It’s been her dream for a long time, like Brooks has a dream of winning the music competition. Which makes Avery ask herself what her dream is. Is she working toward a future that excites and inspires her, or is she just moving forward toward the dream her parents have for her?
The weeks go by, and the sisters get to know the band members better. When Brooks talks about trying to write a new song and throws out a few of his lyrics, it’s Avery who has an idea for the next line. They start spending time together finishing the song for the competition. But then the lead singer is injured and gets sent home for the summer. When the band breaks up, Brooks has no one to sing his new song. Avery can sing, but she has crippling stage fright. Is this her opportunity to take a chance and create her own future? Or will she stay quiet, play it safe, and not risk making a fool of herself?
Sunkissed is a sweet summer rom com about one young woman’s journey to figure out who she is and what she wants. Author Kasie West has created characters that resonate with their humor, their kindness, their uncertainty, and their willingness to take risks. Avery’s journey in this novel is one we’ve al known at some point in life, having to choose between what others want for you and what you want for yourself. Watching her grow into her strength and into her own voice is what gives life and soul to this story.
Sunkissed is a perfect summer read, charming and fun without being too deep or too sad. There is a lot of tension, a little kissing, bonfires, a giant Slip’n’Slide, new friends, old friends, plenty of snacks, laughter, and a little bit of sunburn. What more could you need?
Egalleys for Sunkissed were provided by Random House Children’s (Delacorte Press) through NetGalley, with many thanks.
