Title: After Summer
Author: Hailey Abbott
First published September 1, 2006
163 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780439863674
Rating: 3.8
Overview
Welcome to Fairyland, the home of the magical Weather Fairies! These seven enchanting fairies are responsible for bringing all the weather to Fairyland with the help of their magical feathers. But one day, disaster strikes when the precious feathers go missing, causing the weather to go haywire.
The Weather Fairies must act quickly to restore order and bring back the sunshine, rain, and snow. In this exciting adventure, Rachel and Kirsty team up with Crystal the Snow Fairy to find her lost feather.
With snow falling in the middle of summer, they must find the feather before Fairyland becomes a winter wonderland all year round! Join them on their quest and collect all seven feathers to restore the weather in Fairyland!
About the Author
Hailey Abbott spent her childhood in Southern California, dividing her time between writing and enjoying the beach. She has authored several books, including Summer Boys, Next Summer: A Summer Boys Novel, The Bridesmaid, Getting Lost with Boys, and The Secrets of Boys.
Hailey currently resides in New York City.
In 2004, Hailey published her first book, Summer Boys, which marked the beginning of a series. Critics described the novel as a perfect beach read for those seeking an escape.
Editoral Review
After Summer by Hailey Abbott is a young adult romance novel first published on September 1, 2006. Abbott, a prolific writer of teen romance novels, has written over 30 books in the genre.
After Summer is set in a picturesque coastal town in California, and follows a group of friends as they navigate the ups and downs of summer love, shifting friendships, and family drama. The novel centers around the character of Taylor, a high school senior who is spending one last summer in her idyllic beach town before heading off to college.
With her long-time boyfriend, Max, away at a summer program, Taylor starts to question their relationship and develops feelings for a new boy in town, Sam. As Taylor tries to navigate her conflicting emotions, she also has to deal with her best friend Lucy’s changing behavior and her parents’ unexpected news.
The book touches on themes such as friendship, loyalty, family dynamics, love, and self-discovery. Abbott’s prose is easy to read, and her descriptions of the setting effortlessly transport readers to the California coast.
The characters are relatable and well-drawn, with vivid personalities that jump off the page. The pacing is steady, with just the right mix of romantic tension and light-hearted summer fun.
One of the strengths of the book is the way Abbott portrays the complexities of first love, and the way it can challenge long-standing relationships and friendships. Taylor’s struggles with her feelings for both Max and Sam are realistically portrayed, and the reader can’t help but empathize with her as she tries to make sense of her emotions.
The novel also touches on more mature themes such as infidelity and trust, without shying away from the emotional turmoil they can cause. However, the book does have some weaknesses.
The dialogue can be a bit clichd at times, and some of the plot twists feel predictable. Additionally, the secondary characters are not as well-developed as the main characters, which can lead to a sense of detachment from their stories.
Overall, After Summer is an enjoyable and entertaining read for anyone who loves young adult romance novels. While it may not be groundbreaking or particularly thought-provoking, it is a well-crafted summer read that is perfect for lounging on the beach or by the pool.
For fans of Hailey Abbott’s other novels or readers who are new to the genre, After Summer is a great addition to any YA romance collection. The book is suitable for readers ages 14 and up and would make a great gift for teenagers with a love for all things summer romance.
I rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars for its entertaining plot, relatable characters, and evocative setting.
