From cutting her hair because Jasmine says it’s nice, to going to parties and events she doesn’t seem to enjoy with Chase.

She also shapes herself repeatedly to whoever she is romantically involved with. That speaks volumes to the attraction Lara feels towards Chase. In fact, Lara’s reasoning for first falling in love with Chase was specifically because she was a lonely only child, and he was kind to his sister.

Lara and Chase seem like brother and sister, which was awkward at best. Their romance felt shallow and physical, but it had more of a connection. I find this trope endlessly frustrating to read about. Jasmine serves as a manic pixie dream girl cliché, but queer.

I wait for the feeling of a weight lifting from my shoulders, but it never comes.” The only girls on my bedroom walls are my friends, and I’m certainly not into any of them that way. “If being bi means always knowing, well, that isn’t me. While this is “Grease” inspired, the comparisons to “But I’m a Cheerleader!” feel more on par as a descriptor. I felt indifferent about the entire plotline and detached from the romance interests. It wasn’t bad, per se, it just wasn’t amazing. I wanted to enjoy this, especially because of the bisexual representation, but there was just something missing. There wasn’t particularly much character development, as our reasonings for just about everything remained shallow. “Has the love interest ever turned out to be someone other than who you originally planned?” And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. But if she’s finally got the guy, why can’t she stop thinking about the girl?Ĭool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love. Lara has everything she ever wanted: a tight-knit group of friends, a job that borders on cool, and Chase, the boy of her literal dreams. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers. Except she’s haunted by a memory.Ī memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. Maybe…flirting, even? No, wait, he’s definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara’s wanted out of life. He’s tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Lara’s had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. All quotes are from an advanced audiobook copy and may or may not reflect the published edition.

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler