Reviews

15 ans by Michelle Dalton

kkoerth613's review against another edition

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This is basically a typical summer romance.

I decided to pick up this book bc when you are reading those dystopian novels and everyone you love dies, you just need a break.

This is what you need.

chelslifeandlit's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Such a bittersweet coming of age story of love and loss. It was exactly what I needed right now to get out of a small reading slump and to get into the summer mood. The story and characters were so cute, and I enjoyed the setting of the lake town. 

emkreads's review against another edition

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3.0

3.75 stars
I did not think I would like this book; I bought it when I was 15 thinking I would read it at that time but ended up putting it away until my mom told me that I gotta read it next, and I do not regret it. It was a nice funny read but I would have enjoyed to know what happens with Josh and Chelsea after she leaves..

sksrenninger's review against another edition

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3.0

Cute, easy YA beach romance.

trink's review against another edition

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5.0

I really enjoyed this book! I reminded my a lot of when I lost my grandmother. I had some of the same thoughts and feelings that the main character had. To bad I didn't have a cute boy to get me through it :)

kaylareadsbooks's review against another edition

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5.0

This was really cute! I read it a long time ago but I remember really liking it

nagam's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

I enjoyed the story and reading about a young 15 year old fall in love for the first time. It was so innocent and sweet, with lovely family moments thrown in the mix as Chelsea's family mourned the loss of her grandmother.

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Review originally published on Rather Be Reading:

Allow me to set the stage: Fifteen-year-old Chelsea’s grandmother has just passed away. Her family is road-tripping from California to Michigan to spend the summer in her grandmother’s house, as they normally do each year. Except this year, everything’s different. Chelsea can’t look around without being overwhelmed by memories; it doesn’t seem right to be at the lake when her grandmother isn’t around to enjoy it with them. How will Chelsea make it through the summer and what will they decide to do with her grandmother’s house?

To pass the time and allow themselves to put their grieving on pause, Chelsea’s family does a ton of family activities together when they first arrive at the lake. That’s all well and good, but when you have three boy crazy teenage girls, they’re going to want to explore on their own so they can find their summer flings. (Am I right?) As Chelsea’s two older sisters are chasing down the boys they’ve got their eyes on, she meanders into a new bookstore that’s opened since she was at the lake last year. (It’s called Dog Ear. How cute is that?!) Her e-reader very inconveniently broke so she’s in need of a few physical books. As she rounds the corner of the YA section, she sees a young (cute) boy ripping the covers off of books. Chelsea’s first interaction with Josh, the owner’s son, is awkward to say the least.

Much of Chelsea’s coming weeks are spent trying to figure out Josh. Does he like her? He seems to be interested, but after he does something somewhat forward, he backs away almost entirely. This being her first foray into a relationship, Chelsea is completely boggled. My gosh, how this brought me back to those days when I read too much into every interaction, when I replayed a kiss over and over and over again in my head, or when I would forget what I was doing because I was simply too wrapped up in being in love. This, friends, is where Dalton really shined; she captured the essence of first love so perfectly. It’s not easy to navigate the choppy waters of falling in love. Who knows what to do instinctually? (I certainly didn’t.)

Fifteenth Summer is such a lovely portrayal of what it’s like to grow up and lose someone important to you. It’s about the whirlwind of falling in love for the first time and all the sweet firsts that accompany it. There’s a great depiction of what it is to have strong family ties, but to learn to bend the rules a little bit as you become independent of your family and pave your own road.

In case you need further prodding, be sure to check out the excerpt from Fifteenth Summer that I shared for the Fourth of July.

joyousreads132's review against another edition

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3.0

There's no lovelier way to read this book than having the rays of the sun warm your skin and a light breeze to cool it off almost simultaneously. Sometimes, the outside elements can help improve your level of enjoyment with certain books. Such is the case for Michelle Dalton's Fifteenth Summer.

If I could describe this book in one word, I'd chose uncomplicated. The writing, the characters, the relationships, the story line - all added up to this fun and sweet novel set along the shores of Lake Michigan. I think that Michelle Dalton has written a novel especially made for summer reads: light, fluffy and sweet. After all, who wants to be crying their eyes out while enjoying the nice weather outside? I most certainly do not.

I'm helplessly in love with well-read, book nerd characters. They speak my language and I get them easily. Chelsey and Josh are those characters. Josh scored brownie points for working at a quirky bookstore; while Chelsey scored big by simply mentioning Peeta Mellark. They can also make fun of books as only bookworms could do.

There wasn't much drama going on here even if the author tried to add a sprinkle of it. Basically, set yourself up with a nice beach lounger out in your yard and be prepared to get curious looks from the neighbours because of that stupid grin that you will be sporting for the next hour or two that you would be reading this book. And yes, unfortunately, summer romances doesn't end with the characters continuing on their romance when school starts. But pay no mind, Dalton ended this book in a lovely way. Over all, Fifteenth Summer is a wonderful addition to your summer reading list.

emilygrafton8's review against another edition

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3.0

not sure why I wasn’t vibing with this book. it could be because I was in a reading slump when I started it or because the main characters were 15 and I’m turning 18 next week. they were super immature. and the book was sooo slow in the beginning and I couldn’t get into it. and I was pretty much only reading for josh (he was my favorite character). luckily it started to pick up so that was good. I did like the relationship the 3 sisters had though. I think I read this book at the wrong time and I would have loved it more if I was younger

karmen12's review against another edition

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4.0

This is one of those books that once you pick it up, you will never want to put it down. Chelsea and her family go on a Summer vacation to Bluepointe, Michigan for the first time since her grandmother passed away. She wants to be anywhere but there until she meets a boy who works at the best bookstore she has ever seen. The days go by quickly with the boat rides, her days at work, and spending every second she can with Josh. She knows that her days with him are limited. She knows she will be heading home at the end of the Summer and he will be staying in Bluepointe. But she doesn't want to think of that, she wants to live in the present not worrying about the future.