The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry

The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Release Date: March 1st 2014
Publisher Albert Whitman & Company

All they have in common is that they're less than perfect. And all they're looking for is the perfect distraction.

Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Aidan planned on being a lifer in the army and went to Afghanistan straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life. When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all?


I know, it's kind of funny reading a book with summer in the title in the middle of autumn/almost winter, but I was really anticipating Jolene Perry's The Summer I Found You so I jumped at the opportunity when offered it by the publisher via Netgalley. I've always been a big supporter of those serving our country, and on both my mother and father's side of the family are many veterans that have proudly served our country since long before I was even thought of. So, I on a personal level understand the hardships that are faced with coming back home to us, whether physically injured or not. My family also has a history of diabetes(both type one and two), including my own father. So, because of all this, I felt I was in for a really great read. However, though I did enjoy the novel overall, I found myself to be a bit disappointed in places.

To start, I found Kate to be pretty childish. I know this may sound harsh consider what she was going through, but, personally, this is the impression I got. I mean, after a year of taking shots she still has to lie on the floor to do it? Not to mention, she should have definitely had the hang of keeping her blood sugar under control by then and not have those major highs and lows. Quite frankly, if it had been me(and I'm seventeen, as well) my parents would have forced me to have the insulin pump a long time ago. The thing is though, they wouldn't have to, because if I was that irresponsible I would want what is best for my health. Throughout the book, though, you see her change a bit and I feel that she sort of redeems herself, but not totally. She still has some growing up to do, but I think it will come(hypothetically, of course, there's no sequel that I know of).

Then there's Aidan/Aiden(spelling changed throughout, a bit bothersome but it's an ARC so acceptable). He was really the saving grace from this being a one or two star book for me. Whereas I wasn't a fan of the way Kate was written, Aidan was truly likable and I found myself rooting for him to find out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life post-Army and to see if he'd finally begin to heal by visiting Pilot's(the man killed in the same accident he lost his arm in)wife-or if he even would. You could also really see the inner turmoil as he fought himself on whether or not pursuing a relationship with Kate was the right idea. I applaud him on wanting to semi-get his own life in order first, at least at the start. The only thing I saw in Aidan that was annoying was his constantly not wanting to be with Kate or hang out with her because he thought all high school girls are overly dramatic and that they are clingy. This seemed rather stereotypical to me as I know this is not true, and also know that these traits can occur in people of all ages and in both men and women.

Like I said, though, overall I did like reading this book, it just wasn't the new favorite it had the potential to be. I did enjoy the little bits of suspense throughout, but I just didn't feel that any of the side characters were developed too well, with the exception of maybe Kate's sister, but just one little moment when Kate was on house arrest. Other than that it was basically the Kate and Aidan show. I do feel, however, that some people might really enjoy this, especially teens that can overlook the teenage girl bias within.
Looking at the moments of The Summer I Found You that I found particularly enjoyable, I feel that I'd be willing to give Jolene Perry another chance before writing her off as she at times has a way of writing that really pulled me in.

**I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via Netgalley, but this in no way affected my opinion.**