Customer Reviews

Lovestruck Summer

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lovestruck Summer is the perfect example for why I adore Harper Teen's summer romance paperbacks. Since, it provided a well developed story with unique characters, unlike the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies which mostly leave me with the bad kind of chills after reading them. Though, with saying that I still like some of them well enough.

Going back to Lovestruck Summer, I simply loved this book. Actually, I kind of liked it better than Melissa's Violet series.

This novel was a quick read, but it still proved depth to it. One of my favorite parts was the funny and surprising characters. Since, I loved how Quin's cousin Penny had a cross dressing dog. Then there always was funny Quinn and sweet Russ.

Also, unlike most teen summer romances it delayed the romance of Russ and Quin. Since, whenever you thought they were finally going to be together an obstacle erupted and then another. Leaving your eyes to be glued to the pages waiting for the moment they would be together at last.

Overall, Lovestruck Summer is one sweet and cute ride. I suggest to fans of Sleepless by Terri Clark and Save The Date by Tamara Summers.

Grade: A+

Music-loving Quinn is looking forward to spending a fun summer before college in Austin, Texas, the live-music capital. She's got an internship at a record label and a place to crash at her cousin's condo. But when she gets to Austin, not all is she expected: her cousin is a complete sorority girl, her internship is only one day a week, and Russ, the world's most annoying cowboy/frat guy will not leave her alone. One thing's for sure: this will be a memorable summer!

Melissa Walker's fun-filled and light novel is the perfect relaxing, summery read. Quinn is a very smart, confident character, but not too perfect, and Walker's large cast of unique and quirky supporting characters makes Lovestruck Summer quite memorable. Russ is a great male lead: annoying at first, but sweet and genuine, and reading about his and Quinn's misadventures is quite humorous. Walker makes Lovestruck Summer a smart but fun read about the ups and downs of romance with an engaging narrator that's easy to fall for. This book makes a great, budget-friendly pick-me-up.

LOVESTRUCK SUMMER
MELISSA WALKER
Contemporary Young Adult
HarperTeen

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

A perfect summer read! LOVESTRUCK SUMMER features Priscilla aka `Quinn' but don't call her Priscilla! Quinn has big plans for the summer, interning at the Amalgam records, and finding the supreme boyfriend, an indie loving guy with the perfect hair and some funky glasses and she`s sure she`s going to meet him in music loving Austin. But things aren't quite what she expected in Austin, something she finds out right away when her study-conscious cousin Penny picks her up at the airport, resembling something more out of a sorority guidebook then the cousin she remembers. What quickly follows is one of the funniest romantic comedies I've read in a long time!

Ms. Walker has a knack for creating memorable characters and LOVESTRUCK SUMMER continues that trend. I liked Quinn immediately, especially her attitude and the fact that her life seems to revolve around music. She practically lives in headphones, using the music to drown things out. Her cousin Penny, fellow intern Jade and neighbor Chrissy round out the cast of characters, as does Miss Tiara, Penny's cross dressing dog, one of the most unique characters I've ever read! And don't forget the two complete opposite guys she finds herself attracted to, skinny indie DJ Sebastian and country loving jock and frat boy, Russ. One minute Quinn wants to never lay eyes on the frat boy again and the next, she can't wait to listen to the mix tape he makes her. The summer in Austin moves fast, and Quinn finds herself deeper into the Austin way of life, her preconceived notions about pretty well everything falling away--or so it seems, until she gets called on it by someone unexpected. Has Quinn changed at all or is she merely the same girl who stepped off the plane, the one who wanted to have the perfect summer romance?

It's hard to pick just one favorite scene to highlight in the review, because I enjoyed them all--especially the ones between Russ and Quinn. But I'd have to say one of my favorites is when Russ takes Quinn for a trip down the river. The chemistry between the two characters is great, the dialogue hilarious and the scene is so well done you feel like you're tagging along with them.

LOVESTRUCK SUMMER is a fun young adult romance that will have you lose track of time as you lose yourself in Quinn's summer and hope she ends up with the right boy.

[...]
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews

Quinn Parker is about to have the summer of her life. She's flying out to Austin, Texas to live with her cousin Penny and has a job working for the label of her favorite indie rock band. The only thing that could make this music filled summer any better would be a boy, the perfect boy in fact. The thing is though, there is no such thing as perfect. Her summer fling becomes a huge question and then there's the cute cowboy next door who just seems to bring the heat to Quinn's summer. Then there's the fact that Penny turns out to be a sorority bimbette who is completely opposite of Quinn. Then there's her job, which is more like a half-job and leaves Quinn with a bit too much free time. Well it might not turn out as the all time best summer, Quinn definitely is in for an eye-opening summer vacation.

Melissa Walker is one of the best authors for teen girls. She gets them and understands how to pique their interest. Lovestruck Summer was no exception to her awesome books streak and I really, really liked it!

The plot was fun and cute. There were a couple twists and turns that really added to the positive vibe the book cast. I loved the focus on music and the setting was a lot of fun. While it was fluffy, it was one of the best chick-lit books I have read in a long time. It satisfied my romantic heart and completely transported me to the sweltering heat of Austin with every page turn. Melissa Walker definitely knows her way around a romance as she made me lust for a summer as supreme as Quinn's.

For a fluffy romance book I was pleasantly surprised with the characters. I felt all the characters really came to life, all with their own quirks. Even Penny, your classic sorority girl, was 3-D with her spunky dialogue and of course her cross-dressing dog. Quinn was funny and relatable. I loved how the reader got to see her develop friendships. I often found myself wanting to screat at her from being so blind when it came to guys, but hey it was worth it!

On a side note, there were many tiny refrences to the Violet books which made me giggle, a lot. It was just another element that added to the cuteness factor of this book.

Overall this was such a fun read and I encourage you all to pick it up and give it a go.

Now that she has put high school behind her, indie-rock fan Quinn (her real name is Priscilla, but don't call her that) has got a great plan for her last summer before college. She's landed an internship with the very hip Amalgam Records (the very label that records her favorite band) in Austin, Texas. So Quinn is going to spend the summer in Austin with her studious cousin Penny. She plans to use her internship to learn more about the recording industry and to hook-up with the perfect summer fling.

The moment Quinn arrives in Austin, her plan starts taking some serious hits. Penny is not quite as studious as she has led the family to believe. In fact she's a sorority president who goes by the nickname PP (Party Penny) and hangs around with girls who have more in common with Barbie Dolls than they do with Quinn. Then there's Penny's friend and next-door neighbor Russ, a condescending frat boy who takes an evil delight in annoying Quinn whenever and wherever he can.

The internship is not at all what Quinn had imagined either, although it does lead her to Sebastian, a DJ who fits the image of her summer fling to a T. Sebastian seems to be into Quinn too, which makes the fact that she can't seem to get Russ out of her mind even more perplexing.

Sigh. I honestly can not say enough good things about this book. This is my first book by Melissa Walker and it will not be my last. I started this book last night and finished it today and I wish it would have been longer. This is one of those books that the characters were so awesome that I would love to know every little detail that they went through.
I really enjoyed Quinn in this book. I wish that I could go away and have a summer like she did. She discovers herself in this book and I think that is what makes the book so much better. I love seeing a character in a book transform from the beginning of the book to the end.
One thing I did not like about the book was the ending. I feel that the ending could have been different. I am hoping that it ended the way it did because Melissa plans on writing another book to go with this one. If not, then that will be a bummer.
But you should really read this book!!

Lovestruck Summer is one of my all time favorite books. Walker is a genius! This is the way romantic comedy is supposed to be written. Breezy, charming, fun, kicky & memorable.

I feel butterflies flitting in my stomach just thinking about this darling treasure.
Priscilla Quinn Parker ~ Quinn ~ is a fiery, saucy, indie music lovin' chick.

" I live my life in headphones. That way, I can control what I let in."

I just loved this book so much, I didn't want it to end. I was inhaling it until I was closing in on the end. I slowed my reading pace just to savor Walker's delicious nugget.

Walker captured the essence of Quinn & created an impressive spitfire. She is just fun!

I laughed, cried, fell in love & had a blast!

With an industry over saturated w/ paranormal this & paranormal that, Walker's Lovestruck Summer is a refreshing sparkling romantic getaway.

Walker is one gifted writer, she's able to create appealing, invigorating, whimsical three- dimensional characters who rocket off the page.

Quinn is simply remarkable, utterly misguided & thoroughly magnetizing. Quinn's progression from a snotty show-off into a more unbiased young woman was skillfully devised.

"But really, it's the big picture that overwhelms me: Penny has gone Texas."

Penny aka "Party Penny" is more than Quinn's cousin or your typical sorority babe. She has her own depth, appeal & spunk! I am eager to read more about Penny & hope Walker considers revisiting this character again. *Hint* ; ).

Penny's dog, Miss Tiara is a riot!

" Oh, Miss. Tiara's a boy" whispers Penny, lowering the dog's ears. "He just likes to be in drag, and he prefers to be referred to as 'she'. There's a really cool cross-dresser named Leslie who walks around town, and Miss. Tiara has just taken to him as a role model."

Penny's irritating frat-boy/wannabe-cowboy friend & next door neighbor, Russ (sigh) is the guy that no matter how hard Quinn tries she just can't seem to shake. Russ is the one who stimulates her senses, makes her question her beliefs & makes her feel. Russ is always calling Quinn "Priscilla" which steams her to no end. When he starts calling her "Cilla", I am in love ; 9! Let me just say, I so wanted to be Quinn ; )!

Here are a few quotes that made me feel those butterflies in my stomach go bananas:

" You know, when you smile I just want to kiss you," he says.

"I'm sorry I said that," he says, "about the kiss."

"Okay," I say, not sure how to respond.

"I meant it," he says softly. his face hovering just inches above mine. He pauses for a moment there and I stare at his big blue eyes.

Two beats later, he pulls back, sits up, and says, "But I'm sorry I said it."

Chrissy, Penny's friend & neighbor ~ Russ's roommate ~ is more than a buxom, dippy blonde. She definitely is the definition of "never judge a book by its cover".

Walker delivered a striking punch in this feel good read. Walker filled this 272 page light read w/ more substance than a 500 page tome. Brava, Walker!

There has been a bit of buzz on the cover. Some love the bubble gum cover others roll their eyes @ the cutesy presentation; the cover depicts summer romance in the HarperTeen "Beach Reads" category. I love it! I love the "beachy" look & the colors are darling! Afterall, it captures the essence of Austin's Barton Springs perfectly.

You really should grab a copy of Lovestruck Summer. Whenever you need a pick me up, escape or to just feel good inside, Walker's Lovestruck Summer is the perfect prescription.

Psst! If you usually rebuff romance, please give this book a chance to illustrate it is Walker's characters that make Lovestruck Summer radiate.

After graduating high school, Quinn is planning on the perfect summer. Staying with her cousin in Austin, interning at a hot recording studio; everything is set for Quinn to have an awesome time. However, things aren't turning out as planned. Her cousin turns out to be a prep, the recording studio doesn't need her, and she has a really obnoxious neighbor. Will anything happen to turn Quinn's summer around?

Lovestruck Summer was a perfect, quick summer read. The romance plot isn't very original, but the characters make up for it. Quinn is a pretty cool character and very realistic. At the beginning of the story, she's so judgemental often basing her view on people on how they look and act then sticking to that assumption and not going out of her way to really get to know people. She's fine with knowing people on the surface and not digging any deeper.

I loved the use of music in this book! I admit that I used to be a snob about the music I listen to. At times, I've resisted listening to music other than that which I already knew, just because it was different. Quinn's the exact same way. Only she's the opposite of me. Where I love country, she hates it and sticks to the bands she's loved for years. It was fun to watch her fight against being exposed to other musical influences.

If you're looking for a cute book that will leave you smiling, Lovestruck Summer could definitely be the book.

Lovestruck Summer is my first foray into Melissa Walker land, and I'm happy to say that I'll be returning very, very soon. This book is a perfect summer read, and is one that left me grinning like a goon after (sadly) turning the final page.

Music plays a huge part in Quinn's life, and she makes sense of things through songs and lyrics. Her intensity and zest spurns the interest of two all-American music-loving hotties, and she then faces the hard decision of figuring out just which one it is she wants, and needs, to be with. Quinn is a breath of fresh air, and is a character I would love to see more of. She's a no-nonsense kind of girl, with an insane love for music and that feeling you get when you hear a CD you know will change your life. Her will-they won't-they relationship with cowboy jock Russ literally made me swoon, and her whole story was a realistic portrayal of a summer away from home.

A brilliant main character, music, yummy boys and a charming Texas backdrop make Walker's latest offering a book that should have a place on every YA reader's shelf. If it doesn't succeed in making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, it'll at least cheer you up on a rainy winter day.

4.5/5

Quinn makes it clear early on in LOVESTRUCK SUMMER that she's a hipster who likes her music indie and her boys even more so. Which means she also doesn't like country, doesn't like sororities and definitely, absolultey, no-way-possible likes Russ, the big-belt-wearing Texas boy who lives next door and might just about be the hottest teenage cowboy anyone's seen. Of course, Quinn has a hard time admitting he's the one for her since she's fixated on the waiter-hating, too-cool-for-school indie DJ Sebastian. Can this girl see what's in front of her and which boy is actually delivering on everything she want? That is, someone who shares new music, makes her mixes and thinks she's pretty fabulous. It'll come as no surprise the boy who's best for Quinn is Russ, but Quinn's going to need to ditch her indie-er-than-thou attitude and make some room in her heart for both the cowboy and a better, sweeter version of herself. Melissa Walker's LOVESTRUCK SUMMER is a heartfelt summer read you'll gobble up in a night or two.