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| Check out the tour schedule here. |
That One Summer book tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours stops today here on The Escapist! I'm really excited with this tour because I loved the first two companions of Summer series. That One Summer is the third companion and let me say that it's been an amazing read! I'm so excited to show you my book review and one of you will have a chance to read the first and second book through winning the giveaway. Check it all out below!
That One Summer
by C.J Duggan
Series: Summer #3
Genre: YA/NA, contemporary, romance
Blurb (Goodreads):
Loving Chris Henderson would be wrong. Diabolically disastrous. I mean, what is there about him to love? He’s moody, bossy, brooding, a control freak, and that’s on a good day … but there was one achingly obvious fact that haunted my every thought, every minute of every day …
He sure could kiss.
As the countdown to the new millennium begins, there is one thing everyone agrees on: no one wants to be in Onslow for New Year’s Eve.
So that can only mean one thing: road trip!
No longer the mousey, invisible, shy girl from years ago, Tammy Maskala is finally making up for all those lost summers. A new year with new friends, which astoundingly includes the bossy boy behind the bar, Chris Henderson.
She likes her new friends (at least most of them), so why does she secretly feel so out of place?
After chickening out on the trip, a last-minute change of heart sees Tammy racing to the Onslow Hotel, fearing she’s missed her chance for a ride. The last thing she expected to meet was a less-than-happy Onslow Boy leaning against his black panel van.
Now the countdown begins to reach the others at Point Shank before the party is over and the new year has begun. Alone in a car with only the infuriating Chris Henderson, Tammy can’t help but feel this is a disastrous start to what could have been a great adventure. But when the awkward road trip takes an unexpected turn, Tammy soon discovers that the way her traitorous heart feels about Chris is the biggest disaster of all.
Fogged up windows, moonlight swimming, bad karaoke and unearthed secrets; after this one summer nothing will ever be the same again.
My Thoughts:
Now where do I start? Tammy Maskala?
I hated Tammy on her re-appearance (grown up edition) on An Endless Summer, thinking she'll steal the boy she's obsessing during high school, Sean Murphy, from her best friend Amy. She turned out to be the ever supportive best friend and even pushed Amy to talk to Sean. After that, I'm okay with her. Now in That One Summer, I saw the real Tammy. She's really genuine, health conscious, and hilarious--not that she's trying to be. I think it comes from within her, that makes it more fun to read this book with her voice.
Chris Henderson is...Chris Henderson. He still got his signature frown and seriousness, except (this exception is not always, take note) when Tammy's around. Sweet. These two young individuals are totally different from each other and have their own world despite being in the circle of Onslow boys/gang. Then our dear author C.J Duggan seemed to use her magic to make these two one. It's one of the best decisions in her life.
The story is about Tammy riding with the serious guy, Chris, on their way to a camp for new year and trying to not to get under each other's skin. This book is hilarious, more humorous than the first two companion novels. It started with Tammy and her parents, and now with Chris. They are the most funny couple I've ever read from this series and it made my reading easier and I felt comfortable with the characters and story even more. I loved their chemistry and when they're together, I can feel the sparks fly even from the real life. I love their moments together and how sweet, caring, and playful Chris can be. I also loved Tammy in her simple, witty, and every way. I might sound a little biased, but Tammy is now my favorite Onslow girl. *winks* Also, I have to quote Sab The Book Eater on her review on this book, "I think her being older in the series as compared to the other girls when their stories happened is a big factor." Yes, that too.
Apart from the love story of Chris and Tammy, I also love the way C.J made a way to still give spotlight to the former couples Tess and Toby, and Amy and Sean. I like how they were still part of the present story. Seriously, I don't know if I'd hug C.J Duggan or mad at her after all the emotions and wrong accusations I've been trough this novel. But the ending won me over. I loved it. I love how all the story went out and I can't wait to read the story of Ellie and Adam on Forever Summer.
Through That One Summer, I learned to appreciate and love all the characters even more. I have fallen in love with them on The Boys of Summer (book one) and I'm falling even more in love and know them and the Onslow paradise. (I gave that term since I don't think 'Onslow' alone is enough.) I've read this book a day before the new year's eve, and it's just the perfect book for the event. The perfect year-end/new year read. It can also be a perfect summer read. Or Valentines read. Any time, any occasion, as long as you want a very romantic, fun, and hilarious, and if you're ready to be smitten, this book is for you.
Check out my reviews for The Boys of Summer and An Endless Summer!
I hated Tammy on her re-appearance (grown up edition) on An Endless Summer, thinking she'll steal the boy she's obsessing during high school, Sean Murphy, from her best friend Amy. She turned out to be the ever supportive best friend and even pushed Amy to talk to Sean. After that, I'm okay with her. Now in That One Summer, I saw the real Tammy. She's really genuine, health conscious, and hilarious--not that she's trying to be. I think it comes from within her, that makes it more fun to read this book with her voice.
Chris Henderson is...Chris Henderson. He still got his signature frown and seriousness, except (this exception is not always, take note) when Tammy's around. Sweet. These two young individuals are totally different from each other and have their own world despite being in the circle of Onslow boys/gang. Then our dear author C.J Duggan seemed to use her magic to make these two one. It's one of the best decisions in her life.
The story is about Tammy riding with the serious guy, Chris, on their way to a camp for new year and trying to not to get under each other's skin. This book is hilarious, more humorous than the first two companion novels. It started with Tammy and her parents, and now with Chris. They are the most funny couple I've ever read from this series and it made my reading easier and I felt comfortable with the characters and story even more. I loved their chemistry and when they're together, I can feel the sparks fly even from the real life. I love their moments together and how sweet, caring, and playful Chris can be. I also loved Tammy in her simple, witty, and every way. I might sound a little biased, but Tammy is now my favorite Onslow girl. *winks* Also, I have to quote Sab The Book Eater on her review on this book, "I think her being older in the series as compared to the other girls when their stories happened is a big factor." Yes, that too.
Apart from the love story of Chris and Tammy, I also love the way C.J made a way to still give spotlight to the former couples Tess and Toby, and Amy and Sean. I like how they were still part of the present story. Seriously, I don't know if I'd hug C.J Duggan or mad at her after all the emotions and wrong accusations I've been trough this novel. But the ending won me over. I loved it. I love how all the story went out and I can't wait to read the story of Ellie and Adam on Forever Summer.
Through That One Summer, I learned to appreciate and love all the characters even more. I have fallen in love with them on The Boys of Summer (book one) and I'm falling even more in love and know them and the Onslow paradise. (I gave that term since I don't think 'Onslow' alone is enough.) I've read this book a day before the new year's eve, and it's just the perfect book for the event. The perfect year-end/new year read. It can also be a perfect summer read. Or Valentines read. Any time, any occasion, as long as you want a very romantic, fun, and hilarious, and if you're ready to be smitten, this book is for you.
Check out my reviews for The Boys of Summer and An Endless Summer!
* Thanks to Giselle of Xpresso Book Tours for organizing this exciting tour and a way to receive a copy of An Endless Summer and That One Summer. Thanks also to C.J Duggan!
Rating:
About the Author
C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series. For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com
Find her: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads
The Boys of Summer
(Summer #1)
by C.J Duggan
Published December 17th 2012
Blurb (Goodreads):
It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.
Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.
To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.
How did she let her friends talk her into working?
After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.
All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.
It will be a summer she will always remember.
Warning: sexual references, and occasional coarse language.
“Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”
I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”
A wicked grin formed slowly. “Don’t you?”
After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:
Boarding School.
Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.
How had her dad let it come to this?
With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.
In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.
Rating:
***
C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series. For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com
Check out the first two books from Summer series!
(Summer #1)
by C.J Duggan
Published December 17th 2012
Blurb (Goodreads):
It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.
Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.
To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.
How did she let her friends talk her into working?
After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.
All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.
It will be a summer she will always remember.
Warning: sexual references, and occasional coarse language.
An Endless Summer
(Summer #2)
by C.J Duggan
Published July 11th 2013
Blurb (Goodreads):
Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in a silent study.“Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”
I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”
A wicked grin formed slowly. “Don’t you?”
After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:
Boarding School.
Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.
How had her dad let it come to this?
With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.
In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.
***
GIVEAWAY!
- one winner of ebook copy of The Boys of Summer (Summer #1)
and An Endless Summer (Summer #2)
- open internationally
Awesome review, Michelle! This sounds like a very character driven series and one that sounds right up my alley, too! I also lone companion series like these where you see glances of the other couples like in the Miranda Kenneally series! Glad you liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Miranda Keneally's. I've read her first two books but I haven't got a chance to read the others since then. I hope you'd organize tours of her books too, and maybe an opt to review her other books. That would be fun. Hehe :D
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