About the Book:
Title: SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS
Author: Alisha Sevigny
Pub. Date: May 1, 2018
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Pages: 264
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Synopsis: Julia Ducharme is ready for a fresh start. Her little brother has finally recovered from a serious illness, and now she just wants to enjoy peak season at the campground her family owns. Maybe this will be the year her annual summer fling with Dan Schaeffer becomes something more?
But her summer dreams are quickly shattered. First, Dan arrives for vacation with a new girlfriend in tow, and then Julia discovers this may be her last summer in the only home she's ever known.
Crushing medical bills have brought her single mom to the brink of bankruptcy, and a wealthy developer is sniffing around the campground. He sees what Julia sees: lush woods, a pristine lake, miles of trails for adventure. Unlike Julia, he thinks this is the perfect spot for a casino resort.
Heartbroken and afraid, Julia looks to the stars for some perspective. Taking her telescope down to the dock one night, she has a chance encounter with a guitar-playing boy who offers some helpful advice. Too bad this handsome stranger is the developer's son, Nick Constantine.
As plans for a resort move forward, Julia is desperate to find a solution that doesn't mean leaving the lake. Nick, in turn, is desperate to separate himself from his father's aggressive business tactics. He promises that, together, they can thwart the sale. But can Julia trust him to conspire against his own father? And could she ever she trust him with her heart?
SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is a story of lost summers, hidden treasure and love written in the stars. It is also a thoughtful reflection on what it means to love -- - and leave -- - one's childhood home.
About Alisha:
Alisha Sevigny holds a degree in Professional Writing and Sociology from the University
of Victoria, is a film school graduate, former literary agent and hot yoga lover.
A shameless romantic, Alisha and her husband have traveled the world together. On a trip to Panama she fell in love with the country, culture, and their national emblem, the Golden Frog and was inspired to write her first Young Adult novel, KISSING FROGS.
Her second book, SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is about a young woman fighting to save her family campground while trying not to fall in love, comes out May 1, 2018 with KCP Loft.
Born and raised in Kitimat, British Columbia, Alisha has always had a strong connection
to the environment and conservationist spirit. She now lives in Toronto with her family.
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Excerpt from the Novel:
“Do you want to get smacked?”
“What’d I say?” His laugh is throaty as he puts his hands lightly on my waist. My heart jumps, like a fish at dusk.
“Not by me.” I nod at the center of the lake. “Watch.” After a few seconds of silence, a large brown head appears, breaking the glassy tranquility of the water.
“What is that?” His breath is soft on my neck. “Some kind of hairy fish?”
A breathy laugh escapes. I turn to look up at him. “It’s a beaver.”
“You brought me all the way out here to check out a beaver? How incredibly romantic.” He grins down at me.
“That’s their lodge over there.” Suddenly shy, I turn back around and point to the middle of the lake. “The whole colony lives in it together.” One big happy beaver family.
“Cozy,” he murmurs, wrapping his arms around me.
“You want romantic? They are one of the few monogamous animals on Earth.” Another thing I’ve always admired about them.
Nick laughs. “Tell me some more sexy facts about beavers, Julia. I love it when you get all ranger girl on me. It’s hot.”
And I love it when he says my name. “I bet,” I croak. “So.” Clearing my throat, I attempt to calm my heart rate. “More sexy facts, hey? All right. Besides being busy bundles of energy who take exceptional care of their home, which I happen to find very sexy” — I glance sidelong at him — “they also secrete a chemical from their glands that smells like vanilla.”
“Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more risqué,” Nick says. “How and why do you know that?”
“It’s used in natural flavoring. Generally, Mom doesn’t like Caleb and me to have any artificial flavors or colors,” I confide. “Red dye number seven, especially, makes him a little crazy.”
“I’ve never met someone with such a passion for beavers before.” The way he looks at me makes me nervous. But in a good way. Like a chaos-throughout- my-body way.
My throat is dry, my voice a whisper. “Did I mention they have transparent eyelids that act as goggles while they swim underwater?”
His voice lowers even more. “I don’t believe you did,” he says, mouth coming down to mine. I forget about the beavers.
Blog Tour Schedule: click
HERE for full schedule
Week One:
4/23/2018- BookHounds YA
4/24/2018- Books and Ladders
4/25/2018- Confessions of a YA Reader
4/26/2018- Mama Reads Blog
4/27/2018- Here's to Happy Endings
Week Two (this week):
4/30/2018- Wonder Struck
5/1/2018- Novel Novice
5/2/2018- laura's bookish corner
5/3/2018- Simply Daniel Radcliffe
5/4/2018- Pretty Little Library (that's me!)
Giveaway: click
HERE to enter!
My Review: 4.75/5 ⭐
This story followed Julia and her adventures on the family's campground home. But after finding out the overwhelming medical bills may lead to selling the property, and that her new found crush is the interested developer's son, Julia's heart, and her trust in others, are at risk.
I absolutely adored this novel. The characters were enjoyable to read about, and the setting was picturesque, perfect for a summer read. As Julia struggles to balance protecting her brother, her home, and her heart, she also learns to accept change, and discovers sometimes trusting a new relationship can have extraordinary outcomes. The supporting characters in this novel were so enjoyable. From the old summer fling to the new flamboyant girlfriend, I was amused throughout the novel. Her family struggles were relatable, and explained the hardships of families after illness in a realistic way. Not to mention Nick, who was the perfect guy for Julia from the beginning.
I appreciated the cute cabin setting, and I thought the lake grounds were described in great detail. Overall, I would definitely recommend this to any of my contemporary or romance fan friends. Alisha should be very proud of this novel.
