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Sarah Ockler
Simon Pulse
Blog Tour: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler (Review and Giveaway!)
5/30/2015
Welcome to The Summer of Chasing Mermaids blog tour! I hope you enjoy this post and be sure to enter the awesome giveaway at the bottom of this post! Click the banner above for the tour schedule and this tour was hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club.
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The Summer of Chasing Mermaids
Pages: 368
Publisher: Simon Pulse
The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak. Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one. Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .
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I got this book from Edielweiss in exchange for an honest review. None of my thoughts are affected by that.
Before this book, I had never read anything from Sarah; therefore, I had no idea what to expect from her. When I picked up The Summer of Chasing Mermaids I expected a light, happy, fun, contemporary novel that was a finding yourself book. Haha, I was so wrong. This book was deep, emotional, and beautifully written. The plot was so interesting to read, I loved the characters, and enjoyed it so much.
The main character, Elyse is left at the Cove after an accident that leaves her scarred and voiceless. I really enjoyed reading about Elyse because she is such a poetic person and that really enhanced Sarah's words to tell this story. The fact that Elyse couldn't speak as well made this book a huge challenge to write and it could have gone horribly wrong but the author did a great job making it seem like Elyse could speak when she really couldn't. The development Elyse goes through as well is so great and I love it. In the beginning of the book is in a state of denial and anger about her loss. By the end of this book, she has accepted that she is now mute will never sing again. This change was caused by the experiences she goes through in Oregon. She finally accepts the fact that she will never sing and speak again and is able to discover happiness in new things, new people. I think Elyse knowing that she has lost her biggest passion really helped her move on. She is no longer upset that her sister who she was supposed to share her singing career with, has started to go solo. She is no longer scared of the ocean, the one thing that originally caused the accident that took her ability to speak away. By the end of the book, she opens up to new people, friends she has made on the island in Oregon.
Aside from Elyse, I loved the other characters in this book because some of the other characters were so realistic. Kirby, Elyse's cousin, is so supportive, kind, and accepted Elyse with open arms. Christian is a Stanford student who has got some issues himself. His brother, Sebastian, is every kid: curious. (And cute! :D) The mayor of the town is freaking sexist and plans to do things to the town that not everyone agrees with and is always looking to up one Christian's dad. Talk about mature...
I loved the plot Sarah as set up for us. The main character is mute, her sailing mate is a player, who is on a very high-tension bet, and his little brother like hunting for mermaids! Love it! Love it so far! As we get more into the story, I fall in love with it more: Atargatis Cove, Christian, Elyse's personality, her cousin's constant battle to trying to just be Elyse's friend, and Sebastian-Christian's little brother-who is on the constant look out for mermaids. Another thing that really kept me attached to this book was how there was always something going on. Not only are Elyse and Christian both competing to win a bet, but Elyse is still recovering from her loss. She is still coping with the fact that she needs to find another way to express herself and that adventure she takes is emotional, inspirational, and life changing.
I gave this book 5 stars because I loved the plot and characters and just everything about this story.
Ahh, where to begin with this glorious book? I really loved how it took awhile for Sarah to finally show us what had happened to Elyse and why she can't speak. We always knew it had something to do with the sea but it was the timing of when it had happened. Elyse and Natalie were just about to have their dreams come true then bam! Just like that Elyse's future is being shot down. I find how it's so sad because she had such a great future ahead of her. It's also moments like these where you find out who your truest friends are. Like, her boyfriend freaking broke up with her because "he couldn't handle it."
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I don't know about him but if I would have know better he liked Elyse for her looks, her voice, or her very promising career.
Just a thought: Christian...omg I just love him together with Elyse!
Even if I very much dislike Elyse's ex, there is a guy I do very indeed love. And it's Christian!......'s brother. Like, this kid is my spirit animal. I love how curious he is and how determined he is to find mermaids. Then there is the very heartwarming part where he wants to enter the Mermaid Contest Parade. It just killed me how these stupid rules prevented a kid from something he really wanted to do. Then the mayor! The damn mayor was just such an ass about the situation. To Sebastian and Elyse both! This guy was so sexist. Telling Sebastian he couldn't be in the parade because it wasn't "manly" and saying Elyse couldn't sail. Hmph, just watch when she kicks your butt in sailing, you sexist mayor.
Sarah Ockler
Sarah Ockler is the bestselling author of young adult novels, including #scandal, The Book of Broken Hearts, Bittersweet, Fixing Delilah, and the critically acclaimed Twenty Boy Summer, a YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominee and IndieNext List pick. Her latest, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids, hits the shelves in June 2015. Sarah is a champion cupcake eater, coffee drinker, night person, and bookworm. When she's not writing or reading at home in Washington, she enjoys taking pictures, hugging trees, and road-tripping through the country with her husband, Alex. Visit her website at sarahockler.com or find her on Twitter, Tumblr, or Facebook.
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