Title: Rules of Summer
Author: Joanna Philbin (Twitter)
Publisher: Poppy
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

Meet two 17 year-old girls living in the same beachfront mansion in East Hampton for the summer, one “upstairs” (the daughter of a very blue-blooded family) and one “downstairs” (the niece of the family’s housekeeper.)

Isabel is the privileged daughter who’s used to having guys fall at her feet. Rory is the no-nonsense girl from a small New Jersey town who’s always been the friend, never the girlfriend. Besides becoming each other’s unlikely allies, both Rory and Isabel have a summer romance that will change their lives.

Isabel and Rory couldn't be more different. If you think about it, their lives are polar opposites. Rory has had to grow up too fast and care for her mother, who is far more concerned with her own dating life than she is for the well-being of her daughter. Isabel is a pampered princess, and she wants for nothing. When Rory accepts a position in the Hamptons for the summer as "the help," she's prepared for the work, and she relishes the chance to get away from her home life. But Isabel and Rory's lives are meant to connect for a reason, and these two girls might just happen right when they need it most.

I'm not a stranger to Joanna Philbin's writing. Her Daughters series was fun, light and intoxicating, and while it's fairly unheard of, I really enjoyed it, which is big for someone with a general aversion to contemporary. Rules of Summer happened upon my reading pile at exactly the right moment. Offering a sweet, summery escape that whisks the reader away to a beach-side town where excitement, first loves and finding oneself is all just a part of vacation, this book is the quintessential summer read. Lighthearted and decidedly fun, Rules of Summer is a breath of fresh air.

After a string of so-so books, I really needed a break from what I consider to be a tired and slightly off paranormal and dystopian market right now. Rules of Summer seemed like the perfect fit...and I was right. There's a beautiful simplicity to this book that honestly speaks to me. When a contemporary novel doesn't push itself to be some awe-inspiring tale, but rather promises you sweet, fun and real-life romance, I think that's when a novel can truly succeed. Rory and Isabel were actually both likable characters, which I was quite surprised about. Rory was a very self-sufficient character, in large part because of her upbringing, or lack thereof. There was a gentle sincerity to her character, and an undeniable toughness that we gradually see slip away as the novel progresses. Isabel was the one I expected to be the trickier of the two, and in some ways she was, but not in the way I thought. She is a carefully-crafted facade, and her passive-aggressive demeanor masked a sort of fragility and vulnerability that was refreshing. The romances both girls experience are tender and progress naturally, though I will say I'd hoped there would be more of a balance, but we got a bit more from Isabel's storyline than we did from Rory's. The writing switches deftly between the characters' viewpoints, and the transitions are seamless, which was a highlight for me, as well. And, well, we get a great, nicely wrapped-up ending, which is perfect for a read like this.

All in all, Rules of Summer was a fun, beachy read for me and, once again, the author has me sold on her writing style. Yes, it's a bit melodramatic and predictable at times, but it's done well, and it's done in a manner that's not at all presumptuous. I give this a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it fans of YA, especially those who enjoy light, summery contemporary books. 

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Top Ten Summer Beach Reads:

1. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I've said it once, and I'll say it a million more times. This book is phenomenal. It has everything from strong characters, to a beautiful and tragic plot to dealing with powerful issues. Plus, it's beachy and sweet. Sold yet? You should be. It's fantastic. 

2. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman - There's something about the sweet simplicity about this one that makes it just brilliant. It's the first mermaid book I read, and I like that it is a standalone, despite the fact that I totally would have loved a second book. Mermaids + beach + summer = a great beachy read! 

3. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen - Summer feels like the right time to read contemporary for some reason. When I go to the beach, I want to bask in familiarity and real life. This is all that and more. It's sweet, perhaps a touch predictable, but totally believable and lovely. This is definitely a beach read.

4. Siren by Tricia Rayburn - Sirens live in the water. Water is at the beach. Beach is like summer. I think that pretty much sums it up, but this first installment in the series is lovely, heartbreaking and just summery enough to whet my appetite. Plus, who doesn't love a sweet summer romance that might just be something more?!  

5. The Espressologist by Kristina Springer - I never reviewed this one on my blog, but it always seems to find its way into my beach bag. There's something about the sweet story, the coffee on the cover and the fact that it's just contemporary enough to feel totally real and believable that makes me want to keep reading it. It's light and fun - just like a day at the beach!  

6. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han - Frankly, the title says it all. It's a summertime book! I have never been a huge advocate of contemps, but there's something about this series that just soars. I love it, I love the characters and I love the sweet romance and summer feel. This is always on my summer reading list.  

7. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Despite my initial aversion to the book because of the somewhat "loose" title, this one has me in its throes to this day. I love the fact that it's deeper than the title or cover implies and actually shows the grief and healing process with the backdrop of a beautiful transitional summer.  

8. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - For some reason, I avoided this one for a long time. Once I read it though, I was hooked. What screams summer more than roadtrips with great music and fabulous friends? I love the playlists interjected throughout the story and the fact that I always feel like summer - no matter when I read it.

9. A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle - Dolphins, my friends. Dolphins. A quick aside - NEVER see the made-for-tv movie because it's horrible. Regardless though, this book is powerful, sweet, a touch sad and just happy enough to make you want to visit the ocean, step in the water and experience what the characters felt.  

10. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - No list is complete without this book for me, kids. I know, it's on every list pretty much. Think - Noah's Ark with a twist. We've got little mammoths, light and dark angels, a coming of age story and two brothers who love one girl enough to want to save her and transport her to their time. Gahhhh still love it.