Author: grumpysunshine
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Book Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Every Summer After is a mature YA romance that is sad, funny, intense, and maybe just a little dramatic… but in the best way.
The story follows Persephone “Percy” Fraser and Sam Florek over six summers in Barry’s Bay. We watch their friendship grow from age 13 into something deeper, while the present timeline focuses on one very messy weekend when Percy returns for Sam’s mom’s funeral. Being back in Barry’s Bay — and back around Sam — kind of forces her to face the past she’s been avoiding.
This book is honestly an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed. I cried. I dramatically vented to my friends (who had zero context but listened anyway). Watching Percy grow from a 13-year-old girl into an adult dealing with consequences was fascinating. Things change… but they also don’t? If that makes sense.
And without spoiling anything: I will always be Team Sam. Always.
Carley Fortune does such an amazing job describing the lake, the cottages, the small-town summer vibe — you can literally picture everything. The flashbacks every few chapters make it super engaging because you’re constantly piecing the past and present together.
This is genuinely one of my favorite books ever. I’ve reread it four times (including the bonus chapters), and in my heart it’s not just a 5/5 — it’s a 100/5.
🔞 Age rating thoughts: Common Sense Media says 17+, and they’re not totally wrong. There is spice. But a lot of the book takes place when they’re teens. I read it at 15 and personally think it’s best for 16+, or mature 15-year-olds who know what they’re getting into.
📚 If you like: Second-chance romance, summer nostalgia, emotional growth, small-town lake vibes. Similar authors: Elle Kennedy (Avalon Bay series), K.L. Walther (The Summer of Broken Rules), Emily Henry (People We Meet on Vacation). Carley Fortune is a Candian author (:
⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars. No notes. Just feelings.
Also by Carley Fortune:
Meet me at the Lake
Fern and Will
This Summer Will Be Different
Lucy and Felix
One Golden Summer
Alice and Charlie
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A creative writing piece from school
So in this past week in English/Language Arts, I had to write a story (fictional, personal, or historic) from an inanimate object that observed an event happening.
I struggle with writing. Like completly. But this was the first piece (EVER!) that I wrote something 1. that made sense and 2. that was meaningful.
Once I knew what I wanted to write about, it was like my brain couldn’t stop typing. My parents are very very proud of this because I (subconsciously) explained a feeling that I have always had a difficult time communicating what it is like. This gave them (my parents) a little taster.
I wrote about a personal experiece during a math exam, from the perspective of one of my fidgets. Enjoy! 🍿
pls dont copy! xx grumpysunshine 💋
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New Year, New Intentions ✨💫
New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be strict or perfect. This year is about setting intentions that actually fit you—your energy, your goals, and your real life. Whether you’re focusing on mental health, creativity, balance, or just surviving with a little more kindness toward yourself, these resolutions are here to help you grow without pressure. 💛
below is a PDF for you to download and make your resolutions!
And…if you want to start a challenge for yourself next year. This can be a way to channel gratitude and remember all the fun, happy, and meaningful moments you might’ve forgotten along the way ✨💛
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Book Review: Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
Loveboat, Taipei is a teen romance with an outgoing vibe, a touch of seriousness, and lots of pressure from parents about school and the future.
Eighteen-year-old Ever Wong’s parents ship her off from Ohio to Taiwan for the summer to study Mandarin. They think she’ll be focused on calligraphy and culture—but the program is actually nicknamed Loveboat, a place where strict rules get tossed out the window, and teens spend more time clubbing and drinking snake-blood sake than studying. For the first time, Ever is free to break her parents’ rules and figure out who she really is, all while navigating family expectations, friendships, and maybe even love.
I really enjoyed this book because it shows so much of Taiwan’s culture, language, and places. Honestly, after reading it I kinda want to visit Taipei myself. It felt refreshing compared to so many YA romances that always take place in North America. There was a little “dry spell” toward the middle/end, but overall, it kept me interested. My only wish? That the rest of the trilogy lived up to how good this first book was (reviews on those coming soon 😉).
🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ (or mature 13), since it includes light intimacy, partying, drinking, and mild language.
⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars. Some slower parts, but still such a fun and unique read! Plus—the movie adaptation (Paramount+, maybe Netflix) was sooo good and definitely worth watching.
📚 If you like: strong FMCs figuring out who they are, dreamy MMCs, stories about self-discovery and independence. Similar authors: Lynn Painter (Betting On You) and Gloria Chao (American Panda)
Also by Abigail Hing Wen:
Book 2 of the Loveboat series
Sophie and Xavier
Book 3 of Loveboat series
Pearl Wong (Ever’s younger sister. This book takes place a few years later)
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Book Review: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter
If you’re into flirty texting, chaotic girls, and brother’s hot best friends who maybe catch feelings, then Mr. Wrong Number needs to be your next read.
Olivia Marshall is clumsy, messy, dramatic (in the best way), and totally lovable. After accidentally setting her apartment on fire—yes, literally—she ends up crashing with her older brother and his ridiculously attractive (but annoyingly perfect) best friend, Colin. Awkward, right?
Things get really interesting when Olivia starts texting with a mystery guy—her “Wrong Number”—and the texts turn into a full-blown flirt-fest. What she doesn’t know? Her secret texter might be someone way closer than she thinks.
Colin Beck is Mr. Responsible. He’s neat, serious, and 100% not ready for Olivia to explode into his calm little world. But the more time they spend together, the more he realizes her chaos might actually be kind of… adorable? And just when he thinks he’s falling for the girl he’s been texting, he finds out she might be under his roof.
This book made me actually laugh out loud. The banter is fast and fun, the chemistry is “chef’s kiss”, and the dual POV makes it so fun to watch them both fall for each other without even knowing it. I loved how over-the-top and ridiculous it was at times (in the best rom-com way possible), but it still felt real enough to get totally hooked.
🔞 Recommended for 14–15+ readers because of a little mature language, swoony scenes, and steamy vibes—but nothing super graphic.
⭐ My rating: 5/5. I’ve reread it three times already and I’m still obsessed. The characters? Adorable. The texting? Flirty perfection. The ending? So satisfying.
📚 If you love dual POVs, slow-burn romance, and chaotic-good main characters, this one’s for you. Similar authors: Carley Fortune (Every Summer After), Sarah Adams (The Rule Book, C.W. Farnsworth (Kiss Now, Lie Later)
Here is a playlist I made for Olivia and Colin on my YT channel. Feel free to subscribe if you want to!
Also by Lynn Painter:
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Book Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
AGGGTM is a sharp, clever YA murder mystery with a serious, dramatic tone… and just a tiny sprinkle of flirting.
Pip is a smart, determined teen who’s never afraid to ask questions. For her senior project, she decides to investigate a local murder everyone else has already moved on from. The police say it’s solved. Pip says, not even close. With nothing but her notebook, her gut instincts, and later, help from Ravi, she starts uncovering secrets the town desperately wanted to keep buried.
This book nailed the mystery aspect for me. The clues are well thought out, the characters feel real, and the pacing keeps you hooked. Each chapter is around 10 pages, so it’s fast-moving without feeling rushed. I did have to flip back a few times to double-check clues, but honestly, that’s part of the fun—and even Pip and Ravi circle back to earlier leads, so it works perfectly.
🔞Recommended for ages 13+ – there is talk of Murder details, drug use, kidnapping, and dark themes.
⭐ Rating: 5/5. This was everything I want in a murder mystery: a plot that makes sense (seriously, why is that so rare?!), layered characters with interesting backstories, and a writing style that keeps you invested the whole way through.
📚 If you like: Smart, independent FMC and small-town mysteries you’ll love this. Similar authors: Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), Kathleen Glasgow (How to Make Friends with the Dark), and Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Inheritance Games)
Also by Holly Jackson:
Book 2 of AGGTM
Book 3 of AGGTM
