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The Summer I Learned to Dive
Since the time she was a little girl, eighteen-year-old Finley “Finn� Hemmings has always lived her life according to a plan, focused and driven with no time for the average young adult’s carefree experiences. On the night of her high school graduation, things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that her mother has been keeping a secret from her—a secret that causes Finn to do something she had never done before—veer off her plan. In the middle of the night, Finn packs her bags and travels by bus to Graceville, SC seeking the truth. In Graceville, Finn has experiences that change her life forever; a summer of love, forgiveness and revelations. She learns to take chances, to take the plunge and to dive right in to what life has to offer.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2012
65 people are currently reading
1,355 people want to read
About the author
Shannon McCrimmon
12books151followersShannon McCrimmon is the author of several novels, including The Summer I Learned To Dive and Kiss Me Hard Before You Go. She currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband and toy poodle. She'd love to hear from you. Connect with her at shannonmccrimmon.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
August 18, 2014
Well friends, I finally won an ARC from ŷ after years of putting my name in! I was so excited! I took it on vacation with me and I was all psyched up to read it. Then I turned on my Kindle. I saw THIS COVER (Doesn't Shannon McCrimmon have the best covers?). And hey, I was at the lake! So I just couldn't resist! I started reading it and I was instantly swept up in Finn's world (I'm so sorry, my ARC. I will read you soon, I promise). And The Summer I Learned to Dive was amaaaaazing!!!!!
I know I've said it before, but Shannon McCrimmon is a fantastic writer. Her style is so fresh. It has a classic feeling, but at the same time, it feels like something completely new. It's like no one has messed with her words and style. It's all her own raw talent. I love it! Nothing about her writing or her story-lines feels forced or fake. It's just simple, interesting stories with likable characters that attach themselves to you instantly.
This story grabbed me right away. I loved Finn and was routing for her from the first page. I felt like I knew her. By the end of the book, I was really sad to say goodbye to my new friend. But then I found THIS out: is a sequel to this book! I don't have to say goodbye just yet :) So I'll be visiting my friend Finn very soon. I highly recommend making her acquaintance! 5 stars!!!!
I know I've said it before, but Shannon McCrimmon is a fantastic writer. Her style is so fresh. It has a classic feeling, but at the same time, it feels like something completely new. It's like no one has messed with her words and style. It's all her own raw talent. I love it! Nothing about her writing or her story-lines feels forced or fake. It's just simple, interesting stories with likable characters that attach themselves to you instantly.
This story grabbed me right away. I loved Finn and was routing for her from the first page. I felt like I knew her. By the end of the book, I was really sad to say goodbye to my new friend. But then I found THIS out: is a sequel to this book! I don't have to say goodbye just yet :) So I'll be visiting my friend Finn very soon. I highly recommend making her acquaintance! 5 stars!!!!
July 8, 2012
(5 HUGE STARS!!)
This was a great summer read! I devoured it in a day; I could not put it down! Finley, aka Finn, is 18 and fresh out of high school with plans to go to medical school. She learns a secret about her family which prompts her to head off to South Carolina in search of some answers. What she finds there changes everything she ever believed.
Beautifully written story about love, family, and learning who you really are and what you're capable of!
This was a great summer read! I devoured it in a day; I could not put it down! Finley, aka Finn, is 18 and fresh out of high school with plans to go to medical school. She learns a secret about her family which prompts her to head off to South Carolina in search of some answers. What she finds there changes everything she ever believed.
Beautifully written story about love, family, and learning who you really are and what you're capable of!
August 31, 2012
I really enjoyed this book.
The only way I can think to describe it is by saying that it is a very 'pleasing' book - which says nothing at all really, only that pleasing is how the book felt to me from beginning to end. I'll try to do a little better if I can...
Finley (GREAT NAME) is an intelligent, socially awkward 17 year old girl with a life plan. She is a good girl who has always followed the advice of her single widowed mother. She has worked hard to ensure a successful life path for herself. Then, she comes upon a secret her mother has been keeping from her for almost her entire life. Finley freaks and does what she has never done before - takes off on her own to figure things out herself, leaving behind the great life plan.
The Summer I Learned To Dive is a great beach-read kind of book. It is a wholesome drama revolving around family secrets, but it is also a lovely coming of age story with a sweet budding romance, too. I easily connected with the characters. The relationships Finley forms are extremely interesting and very believable - really the most satisfying part of the book are these interactions & watching Finley develop into her own person as a result. As Finley is new to forming relationships, you really feel for her & can somehow relate to her difficulties as she meets new people. She is very naive, but she is forced to learn quickly that she must not give her trust away to just anyone.
You have to read the book to find out the rest!
Gorgeous cover that really kept me coming back to this one before I committed to reading it! I like the sub-meanings of the title, too. Very well-thought & intelligent writing!
The only way I can think to describe it is by saying that it is a very 'pleasing' book - which says nothing at all really, only that pleasing is how the book felt to me from beginning to end. I'll try to do a little better if I can...
Finley (GREAT NAME) is an intelligent, socially awkward 17 year old girl with a life plan. She is a good girl who has always followed the advice of her single widowed mother. She has worked hard to ensure a successful life path for herself. Then, she comes upon a secret her mother has been keeping from her for almost her entire life. Finley freaks and does what she has never done before - takes off on her own to figure things out herself, leaving behind the great life plan.
The Summer I Learned To Dive is a great beach-read kind of book. It is a wholesome drama revolving around family secrets, but it is also a lovely coming of age story with a sweet budding romance, too. I easily connected with the characters. The relationships Finley forms are extremely interesting and very believable - really the most satisfying part of the book are these interactions & watching Finley develop into her own person as a result. As Finley is new to forming relationships, you really feel for her & can somehow relate to her difficulties as she meets new people. She is very naive, but she is forced to learn quickly that she must not give her trust away to just anyone.
You have to read the book to find out the rest!
Gorgeous cover that really kept me coming back to this one before I committed to reading it! I like the sub-meanings of the title, too. Very well-thought & intelligent writing!
June 2, 2012
What a sweet book. I loved it and so would anyone else who has experienced a first love. It is so well written, without explicit sex and vulgar language. The Summer I Learned to Dive shows young adults making good choices about love and life. It is a book you can give to your teenager or your grandmother and they will love it. I love each and every character, I hope Shannon writes a sequel soon to let us know what Finn and Jesse are doing with their lives. Take this book with you to the beach, pool or lake and just enjoy!!!!!
May 25, 2014
I bought this book on my kindle because it was free and was expecting it to be good since it had great reviews. This book was badly edited, and many of the scenes just seemed unrealistic. It was like reading a lifetime movie, and that's not a compliment. Good storyline, bad writing.
May 10, 2012
Loved it! Highly recommend for a great, feel-good read.
July 30, 2012
Shannon McCrimmon's The Summer I Learned to Dive totally caught me off guard. I really didn't know what to expect with this book, so I went in with an open mind. I decided I would read a couple of chapters just to get a feel for it, and then save the rest for a road trip we were going to take on Saturday. Ummmmm, yeah. Once I picked this book up it was nearly impossible to put down. I even brought it to read at my hair salon, which is saying a lot. When I go to get my hair done, it's a gossip fest. Always a fun time to dish with the other girls. However, during this appointment I was in my own little, The Summer I Learned to Dive world. I didn't care what the other women were discussing, I was totally enthralled.
Being 30 years old (uggg, that hurts to type out,) I've read a lot of YA literature. In fact, I took several YA literature classes while studying for my Masters in college. I have found that after a while most books start blending together. I'm not saying that as a bad thing, I really enjoy the YA genre. However, The Summer I Learned to Dive is totally unlike any other Young Adult novel I have read. The characters are believable, the setting vivid, and the plot touching and surprising.
McCrimmon's The Summer I Learned to Dive follows 18 year old Finn as she embarks on quite the journey. Finn always had a plan. She would study hard, get into a prestigious Women's College, and then become a Doctor. In order for her plan to work, she had to sacrifice many things, including, friends, dating, parties, and teenage life in general. I found that I could really relate to Finn. While I had a few friends in high school, my focus was purely academic. It wasn't until college that I started 'living' life and came out of my shell.
After Finn's graduation ceremony (where of course she was Valedictorian,) Finn stumbles upon a secret her mother had been keeping. All of her well kept plans flew out the window when Finn decided to follow her heart. Finn travels to South Carolina in the middle of the night in order to discover who she really is. Embracing her new philosophy, Finn begins a new life with a family she never knew.
The Summer I Learned to Dive is a fast read that made me laugh one minute and then wipe my eyes the next. McCrimmon also did a great job in creating a realistic romance between Finn and Jesse. After I finished The Summer I Learned to Dive, I wasn't ready to give it up. I wanted to read more about Finn, Jesse, and her grandparents. I went online and started searching for information about the novel and found that McCrimmon is currently working on the sequel to The Summer I Learned to Dive. YES YES YES!!! This was exactly the information I wanted to find, I absolutely can't wait!
Shannon McCrimmon's The Summer I Learned to Dive is a great read! I challenge everyone to place it on your TBR lists!
Shannon McCrimmon has provided me with a complimentary copy of her book, The Summer I Learned to Dive, for the purpose of review.
September 17, 2014
Finley is what you could call a 'safe' person. Well in my opinion at least. She is safe because she keeps people at a distance and doesn't make room for friends. She has a plan in life and that is to make good grades...get into medical school and become a heart surgeon...marry by a certain time...have kids by a certain time. But that plan just got blown out of the water when on the day of her high school graduation she learns her grandparents have been trying to see her for years. Something her mother has been keeping from her.
Ever since her father died when she was 2 she thought they were the ones never wanting to see her. But her mother had been hiding the cards and screening their calls. Why did her mother think she was protecting her by keeping them away from her?
So in a rash decision, Finn takes off in the middle of the night, all alone, to find her father's parents and get to know them. It's the beginning of summer and no better time to seek them out. But what she finds that summer just might change her forever. Will she be able to rekindle a relationship with her hardheaded grandfather? Will she be able to keep to her plan? And who Finn finds inside herself that summer may surprise even her!
In the wee hours of night I started reading The Summer I Learned to Dive just to get a feel of the book. Not really expecting to read much of it until the next day. Before I knew it I was half way done. I was seriously hooked just pages in and was seeking the same answers Finn was. Why did her mom think she was protecting her by keeping her in the dark when it came to her grandparents? Was there a huge scandal? Were they abusive? What's the big deal? So I kept reading in search of answers.
Thankfully when I started reading the book, Shannon had given me a Dream Cast (which will be posted on the blog 7/11/12 as well as an interview with Finn). I was able to picture these kids in my mind and it made the story more real while reading. Now lets talk about these characters. Jesse is a cutie that I knew I was going to just love. And of course I loved those silly sisters, Meg and Hannah, always funny and there for Finn. Finally Finn had some real friends. Shannon gave us a great ensemble of characters that were fun and ones you really enjoy reading about.
In The Summer I Learned to Dive you will find a wonderful, clean storyline that is perfect for any reader. The only thing I seemed to have a slight problem with was the ending. It didn’t give me that closure I was seeking. But none the less, I still loved it. I look forward to more works by Shannon and hope you will give The Summer I Learned to Dive a chance.
Ever since her father died when she was 2 she thought they were the ones never wanting to see her. But her mother had been hiding the cards and screening their calls. Why did her mother think she was protecting her by keeping them away from her?
So in a rash decision, Finn takes off in the middle of the night, all alone, to find her father's parents and get to know them. It's the beginning of summer and no better time to seek them out. But what she finds that summer just might change her forever. Will she be able to rekindle a relationship with her hardheaded grandfather? Will she be able to keep to her plan? And who Finn finds inside herself that summer may surprise even her!
In the wee hours of night I started reading The Summer I Learned to Dive just to get a feel of the book. Not really expecting to read much of it until the next day. Before I knew it I was half way done. I was seriously hooked just pages in and was seeking the same answers Finn was. Why did her mom think she was protecting her by keeping her in the dark when it came to her grandparents? Was there a huge scandal? Were they abusive? What's the big deal? So I kept reading in search of answers.
Thankfully when I started reading the book, Shannon had given me a Dream Cast (which will be posted on the blog 7/11/12 as well as an interview with Finn). I was able to picture these kids in my mind and it made the story more real while reading. Now lets talk about these characters. Jesse is a cutie that I knew I was going to just love. And of course I loved those silly sisters, Meg and Hannah, always funny and there for Finn. Finally Finn had some real friends. Shannon gave us a great ensemble of characters that were fun and ones you really enjoy reading about.
In The Summer I Learned to Dive you will find a wonderful, clean storyline that is perfect for any reader. The only thing I seemed to have a slight problem with was the ending. It didn’t give me that closure I was seeking. But none the less, I still loved it. I look forward to more works by Shannon and hope you will give The Summer I Learned to Dive a chance.
October 5, 2012
When I first got this request, I saw the cover and fell in love. Then I looked at my crazy review schedule and wasn't sure when I could get it in, but I took in on with hope that I could get to it by the end of the summer. Well, I'm a little past my deadline and am so sad that it took me so long to read this book. I really enjoyed it!
We meet Finn as she's just graduated from high school. She was a quiet teen who focused on school rather than friendships. As a result, she looked at her high school experience with a bit of regret. Then, she learns a huge family secret that leads her to South Carolina to get reacquainted with some long lost family members.
Finn arrives in SC, she's scared, confused, and anxious to find answers. Her grandmother is thrilled that she's finally come, but her grandfather is a bit skeptical. As Finn begins to learn more about her family, she also starts to make some friends. On the first day, she meets Jesse. Not only does he work at the family restaurant, but he helps her grandparents around the house. I absolutely adored Jesse! He understands Finn and her need to learn more about her life. Jesse is there for her as a friend and slowly becomes something more.
I wasn't expecting the romantic element to the story, but I sure did love it. Jesse and Finn are so sweet with each other. While I enjoyed seeing Finn go through her self-discovery process, I loved watching her and Finn the most.
This is a great coming of age story. While it was a bit predictable for me, I enjoyed it very much. In fact, I wasn't quite ready for it to end and think I would really like to have a sequel. If you're looking for a solidly good read, check this out.
We meet Finn as she's just graduated from high school. She was a quiet teen who focused on school rather than friendships. As a result, she looked at her high school experience with a bit of regret. Then, she learns a huge family secret that leads her to South Carolina to get reacquainted with some long lost family members.
Finn arrives in SC, she's scared, confused, and anxious to find answers. Her grandmother is thrilled that she's finally come, but her grandfather is a bit skeptical. As Finn begins to learn more about her family, she also starts to make some friends. On the first day, she meets Jesse. Not only does he work at the family restaurant, but he helps her grandparents around the house. I absolutely adored Jesse! He understands Finn and her need to learn more about her life. Jesse is there for her as a friend and slowly becomes something more.
I wasn't expecting the romantic element to the story, but I sure did love it. Jesse and Finn are so sweet with each other. While I enjoyed seeing Finn go through her self-discovery process, I loved watching her and Finn the most.
This is a great coming of age story. While it was a bit predictable for me, I enjoyed it very much. In fact, I wasn't quite ready for it to end and think I would really like to have a sequel. If you're looking for a solidly good read, check this out.
June 22, 2013
4.5 stars
The Summer I Learned to Dive is a very heart-warming book. It's a pretty quick read but you'll learn a lot. I didn't expect the book to be the way it was before I read it. I was surprised. I love it.
It's sweet, sad and happy all at the same time. Nothing is over the top. Emotions all in-tacked. You will appreciate the importance of friendship, family, love and life with this book. From simple things to not so simple ones. It will make you realize that sometimes, planning is not needed. Just take the plunge and stop being afraid.
Finn will teach all that with her Mom, Dad, Nan and Grandpa. As well as with Jesse, his Dad, Meg and Han. You will learn how to dive not only into the water, but also towards all what life has to offer.
The Summer I Learned to Dive is a very heart-warming book. It's a pretty quick read but you'll learn a lot. I didn't expect the book to be the way it was before I read it. I was surprised. I love it.
It's sweet, sad and happy all at the same time. Nothing is over the top. Emotions all in-tacked. You will appreciate the importance of friendship, family, love and life with this book. From simple things to not so simple ones. It will make you realize that sometimes, planning is not needed. Just take the plunge and stop being afraid.
Finn will teach all that with her Mom, Dad, Nan and Grandpa. As well as with Jesse, his Dad, Meg and Han. You will learn how to dive not only into the water, but also towards all what life has to offer.
May 30, 2012
Received this free on the kindle, and it was quite an enjoyable read. I'd recommend this to all young adults - and it's a really good contemporary and realistic story. It's about rediscovering family and finding romance. It's a quick read as well, I finished it in about an hour or so without putting it down.
July 15, 2012
I really enjoyed the story in this book, but the writing was pretty poor. There were grammatical errors, missing punctuation, and even some misused words. I was shocked that this all got by an editor.
The 2 stars are for the ideas and the characters.
The 2 stars are for the ideas and the characters.
October 14, 2014
This book was a beautiful coming of age story. It was about betrayal,new beginnings, and a young girl learning to spread her wings. Shannon's books always bring warmth to my heart and soul. The Summer I Learned to Dive is like home made apple pie...or in my case, chocolate pie.
February 22, 2015
A good story but the writing wasn't the best. Also, the Kindle version was littered with spelling errors.
November 3, 2015
McCrimmom knows how to write a really good coming-of-age story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
February 4, 2018
Absolutely wonderful!
I loved this book. The characters were so real and alive I felt like I was there. I could really feel Finn’s pain and heartbreak about discovering she’d been lied to all her life. Her grandparents were such special, caring people who took her in and gave her the space to learn more about who she was, who and what she could be, instead of locked into “The Plan� her mother had created for her. It was inspiring to watch as she fell in love the first time, worked at something besides school, took risks and tried things even when they frightened her. Jesse was an amazing person as well. I look forward to the next book and seeing how they all progress, once I get over the tears from reading this one.
I loved this book. The characters were so real and alive I felt like I was there. I could really feel Finn’s pain and heartbreak about discovering she’d been lied to all her life. Her grandparents were such special, caring people who took her in and gave her the space to learn more about who she was, who and what she could be, instead of locked into “The Plan� her mother had created for her. It was inspiring to watch as she fell in love the first time, worked at something besides school, took risks and tried things even when they frightened her. Jesse was an amazing person as well. I look forward to the next book and seeing how they all progress, once I get over the tears from reading this one.
December 6, 2018
This was a good book. Heart strings attached I would recommend this book and will be checking out more of this authors works.
July 13, 2020
I normally stick to non-fiction but really fell in love with this great coming of age story. I was very wrapped up in the character and can’t wait to read the sequel.
June 29, 2012
Finn Hemmings is graduating from high school, she is the valedictorian of her class, and she has her life all planned out, college, med school. Finn has even spent all four years of high school devoted to this plan. She has studied all the time, neglected friends and a social life, but for a greater purpose, or so she thought. On graduation night, Finn happens upon some cards that her mother has been keeping from her. All her life, Finn has believed that her grandparents didn't want anything to do with her, and her discovery proves that that has all been a lie. She has always wanted to know more about her dad. Her mom had told her that he died when she was small. Needless to say Finn feels hurt and betrayed by her mother. Finn takes off in the middle of the night to Graceville South Carolina to find her grandparents with nothing but a return address on an envelope to guide her. When she arrives her grandmother welcomes her with open arms, and her grandfather, though glad she is there, is a little bit harder to warm up to. Nevertheless, Lillian and Charlie Hemmings impact Finn's life in a way she never imagined. Finn goes to work for her grandfather at his diner, she makes friends, which she has never had before, and she meets Jesse, the boy she falls in love with, who is quite the hottie by the way. Finn learns to love, she faces heartbreaking situations, and she learns that life isn't always about a plan; sometimes it is about not being afraid to follow your heart.
The Summer I Learned to Dive is a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is sweet, heartwarming, and inspiring. I loved all the characters in the book, especially Finn. I enjoyed watching her transform from caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. Jesse was definitely swoon worthy, and he had some really difficulty things to deal with to. This coming of age story was well written and entertaining. The characters not only faced some tough decisions, but made some really good choices when faced with them. I loved the focus on family, and the romance was really sweet. There is no foul language or sexually explicit situations, and this is something that both young, old, and those of us in between can enjoy. I am looking forward to the sequel to this story.
The Summer I Learned to Dive is a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is sweet, heartwarming, and inspiring. I loved all the characters in the book, especially Finn. I enjoyed watching her transform from caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. Jesse was definitely swoon worthy, and he had some really difficulty things to deal with to. This coming of age story was well written and entertaining. The characters not only faced some tough decisions, but made some really good choices when faced with them. I loved the focus on family, and the romance was really sweet. There is no foul language or sexually explicit situations, and this is something that both young, old, and those of us in between can enjoy. I am looking forward to the sequel to this story.
May 6, 2016
I'm not sure why I don't read more realistic YA novels. I tend to flock toward sci-fi, dystopian, survival, apocalyptic stories. When I do read these types of books, I really enjoy them. This was great to read while sitting outside in hot summer weather. It wasn't perfect by all means, but I looked past the flaws because it was a sweet story of one girls discovery of who she is.
Finn is just graduating from high school, and she's beginning to realize that she has let life pass her by. She focused on her academics rather than experiencing life to its fullest. She finds out her mother has been lying to her about her Grandparents on her Dad's side. Her father died when she was 2 years old and her mother told her in not so many words that her grandparents wanted nothing to with her. She finds out this is untrue by finding a box full of letters from her Grandparents addressed to her. She makes the decision to go find them, and gets to know that side of herself where she finally embraces life.
I love stories where the main character does a lot of growing, and this is one of those. Finn starts of by being someone who is content to let her life pass her by and never experience anything, or so she thinks. She grows into a woman who is starting to finally see who she is and what she wants out of her life and how important it is to have friends and family surrounding you. It's a really sweet story.
The one thing that irked me was the mom. I thought in the end she'd have a really good reason for lying to Finn about everything, but she didn't. It was the worse reasoning I could ever think off and really didn't make sense . The writing wasn't the best I've read, and some things were a little unrealistic, but overall I did enjoy it. It's a sweet coming of age story that has heart.
Finn is just graduating from high school, and she's beginning to realize that she has let life pass her by. She focused on her academics rather than experiencing life to its fullest. She finds out her mother has been lying to her about her Grandparents on her Dad's side. Her father died when she was 2 years old and her mother told her in not so many words that her grandparents wanted nothing to with her. She finds out this is untrue by finding a box full of letters from her Grandparents addressed to her. She makes the decision to go find them, and gets to know that side of herself where she finally embraces life.
I love stories where the main character does a lot of growing, and this is one of those. Finn starts of by being someone who is content to let her life pass her by and never experience anything, or so she thinks. She grows into a woman who is starting to finally see who she is and what she wants out of her life and how important it is to have friends and family surrounding you. It's a really sweet story.
The one thing that irked me was the mom. I thought in the end she'd have a really good reason for lying to Finn about everything, but she didn't. It was the worse reasoning I could ever think off and really didn't make sense . The writing wasn't the best I've read, and some things were a little unrealistic, but overall I did enjoy it. It's a sweet coming of age story that has heart.
April 9, 2013
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. I read it every free chance I had.
Finn was a quiet, studious girl looking to go to medical school to fulfill her, and her mother's, dream. She knew her life. She knew that her father was dead, that her mother was the only family she had. Finn knew she didn't have many friends but that her end goal was the most important thing for her to focus on. Oh my, how things changed for Finn! The Summer I Learned to Dive was a wonderful coming-of-age young adult book.
Finn learned a lot of things about her life, her desires, her dreams, her family immediately after she graduated from high school. I could not imagine what she went through emotionally but Ms. McCrimmon did a fabulous job portraying Finn to the reader. I was with her and I felt with her and I wanted her to change for the better.
I enjoyed Finn's transformation. I think a lot of it came from her new surroundings and the new people she met. Jessie is a sweet kid. He has had a tough life that could have broken him but he has risen above it and is a great character. I really enjoyed Jessie. He was a good guy all around. The grandparents were wonderful, just as grandparents in South Carolina can be pictured. They were two loving people who I could picture in my head. They were well-written characters that I want to know more about.
All-in-all, this was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. This was a good coming-of-age story for YA readers.
Will I read it again: I will not.
Finn was a quiet, studious girl looking to go to medical school to fulfill her, and her mother's, dream. She knew her life. She knew that her father was dead, that her mother was the only family she had. Finn knew she didn't have many friends but that her end goal was the most important thing for her to focus on. Oh my, how things changed for Finn! The Summer I Learned to Dive was a wonderful coming-of-age young adult book.
Finn learned a lot of things about her life, her desires, her dreams, her family immediately after she graduated from high school. I could not imagine what she went through emotionally but Ms. McCrimmon did a fabulous job portraying Finn to the reader. I was with her and I felt with her and I wanted her to change for the better.
I enjoyed Finn's transformation. I think a lot of it came from her new surroundings and the new people she met. Jessie is a sweet kid. He has had a tough life that could have broken him but he has risen above it and is a great character. I really enjoyed Jessie. He was a good guy all around. The grandparents were wonderful, just as grandparents in South Carolina can be pictured. They were two loving people who I could picture in my head. They were well-written characters that I want to know more about.
All-in-all, this was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. This was a good coming-of-age story for YA readers.
Will I read it again: I will not.
September 26, 2016
This fails so spectacularly at being fake deep its a miracle I finished. Finn was lied to by her mother for seventeen years about her grandparents and how they never wanted to be a part of her life. After she finds out the truth by accidentally knocking over a box of letters her mother left so precariously laying around, she decides to leave her mother in the middle of the night in search of her estranged grandparents. There are so many problems with this. 1. She has a very close relationship with her mother, so much so that she's literally her only friend. She spent her entire high school career being an uber nerd and now she finds out about other relatives which are realized through weird flashbacks and then she;s like screw you mom, I'm going to find my grandparents. No. 2. She decides to leave in the middle of the night and not even leave a freaking note until its way past morning and her mother has probably already had two heart attacks searching for her missing daughter. Why in the world would you leave your house at such a weird time when you're not even street smart and certainly have never been outside of your town alone....makes so much sense. 3.She just pops up at her grandparents house and then as if the story already didn't go from 0-60, it speeds up from 60-1000 in the matter of a few chapters. All of a sudden she's able to be a part of this new world, get her first kiss, love, and get drunk in about ten days? Yeah? No.
I didn't like any of the characters and it felt like such a cop out Sarah Dessen read. I feel like
I'm the only person that really thought this was crap. To much full of potential moments that were all tell and no show.
I didn't like any of the characters and it felt like such a cop out Sarah Dessen read. I feel like
I'm the only person that really thought this was crap. To much full of potential moments that were all tell and no show.
January 28, 2013
Originally posted on my blog...
Finn was girl who did everything she was supposed to do. She was great in school, a great daughter and never got in trouble. But she always felt something was missing. She never experienced how it was to be a real teenager. She had questions about her past and wondered if there was more to what her mother has always told her.
When she realizes that her mother lied to her about her father and grandparents she goes off in search of the truth. In doing so she reconnects with her grandparents and finds the true meaning of family. She also makes friends, which she never really had before. Not to mention experiences her first love Jesse.
I loved this coming of age story. It was honest and sweet and showed the real meaning of family and eventually forgiveness. It shows that the truth wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. That the lies hurt way more than the truth every could.
This is the first installment of a series. The second book The Year I Almost Drowned is continuing the journey of Finn finding herself. What happens with her family and her relationship with Jesse. I can’t wait to read it and see how it all plays out. Shannon McCrimmon is a wonderful storyteller and just by this story alone I cannot wait for her future novels.
Finn was girl who did everything she was supposed to do. She was great in school, a great daughter and never got in trouble. But she always felt something was missing. She never experienced how it was to be a real teenager. She had questions about her past and wondered if there was more to what her mother has always told her.
When she realizes that her mother lied to her about her father and grandparents she goes off in search of the truth. In doing so she reconnects with her grandparents and finds the true meaning of family. She also makes friends, which she never really had before. Not to mention experiences her first love Jesse.
I loved this coming of age story. It was honest and sweet and showed the real meaning of family and eventually forgiveness. It shows that the truth wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. That the lies hurt way more than the truth every could.
This is the first installment of a series. The second book The Year I Almost Drowned is continuing the journey of Finn finding herself. What happens with her family and her relationship with Jesse. I can’t wait to read it and see how it all plays out. Shannon McCrimmon is a wonderful storyteller and just by this story alone I cannot wait for her future novels.
June 19, 2012
The Summer I Learned to Dive is one of those great summer reads. The kind you want to have when your sitting by the pool, soaking up the sun, and in need of a cute romance.
Finn was the type of girl that had one goal in mind, and she didn't let anything deviate her from the plan. She graduated as the valedictorian and got into the college of her dreams, but it wasn't until after she graduated that she realized how much she gave up for the plan. That's when you get to see Finn finally dive into life by making the first spontaneous decision of her life!
Then she finds Jesse...*sigh.... Jesse and Finn are super cute! When they first met, they didn't exactly hit it off. Most of their comments toward each other were full of sarcasm. I just got to say I love when relationships start out like that! As they became more transparent towards each other their love grew! Once I finished the book I instantly missed Finn and Jesse but I'm excited to hear that there is a book 2!!!
The character growth in this book is about "firsts"...first kiss, first dance, and first time diving in!... and how Finn is able to find herself through all her new discoveries.
This was an amazing debut from Shannon McCrimmon and I recommend for anyone who enjoys YA contemporaries!
Finn was the type of girl that had one goal in mind, and she didn't let anything deviate her from the plan. She graduated as the valedictorian and got into the college of her dreams, but it wasn't until after she graduated that she realized how much she gave up for the plan. That's when you get to see Finn finally dive into life by making the first spontaneous decision of her life!
Then she finds Jesse...*sigh.... Jesse and Finn are super cute! When they first met, they didn't exactly hit it off. Most of their comments toward each other were full of sarcasm. I just got to say I love when relationships start out like that! As they became more transparent towards each other their love grew! Once I finished the book I instantly missed Finn and Jesse but I'm excited to hear that there is a book 2!!!
The character growth in this book is about "firsts"...first kiss, first dance, and first time diving in!... and how Finn is able to find herself through all her new discoveries.
This was an amazing debut from Shannon McCrimmon and I recommend for anyone who enjoys YA contemporaries!
November 21, 2013
I really loved this book. Yes some, no many of the characters were over the top but not to the point of distraction.
This is a coming of age story about a girl named Finley. She spends the summer discovering who she is not who others want her to be. But it's more than that. Finley has lived her life according to her mother's plan for her and her mother making decisions about her life she thought was best for her. No her mother is not evil or overly strict she just made a lot of decision out of fear and not knowing the truth about certain situations.
Finley's world becomes shattered when she finds out things in her life are not quite what they have been made out to be. Finley has a maturity level you don't usually see in teenage characters but she also has the uncertainty of the typical teen. She's shy around boys, has no fashion since and doesn't feel she is very pretty.
Yes she does develope a love interest and I'm glad the author didn't lose focus on the fact that there are still some teenagers out there who are not ready for having sex.
Bottom line is Finley grew up over the summer and started to live her life on her own terms.
There is a book two "The Year I Almost Drown" that I am about to begin reading to see what happens to Finley and the rest of the characters.
This is a coming of age story about a girl named Finley. She spends the summer discovering who she is not who others want her to be. But it's more than that. Finley has lived her life according to her mother's plan for her and her mother making decisions about her life she thought was best for her. No her mother is not evil or overly strict she just made a lot of decision out of fear and not knowing the truth about certain situations.
Finley's world becomes shattered when she finds out things in her life are not quite what they have been made out to be. Finley has a maturity level you don't usually see in teenage characters but she also has the uncertainty of the typical teen. She's shy around boys, has no fashion since and doesn't feel she is very pretty.
Yes she does develope a love interest and I'm glad the author didn't lose focus on the fact that there are still some teenagers out there who are not ready for having sex.
Bottom line is Finley grew up over the summer and started to live her life on her own terms.
There is a book two "The Year I Almost Drown" that I am about to begin reading to see what happens to Finley and the rest of the characters.
May 26, 2016
At first I thought I was going to give this book 3 starts - it was nice but a bit too lethargic in the beginning. However then the pace picked up and after that I had finished the book.
The book is abour Finn - a girl that has to discover herself while finding out about her broken up family. The proceed is described very well and it flows naturally. I wouldn't say that I loved the main character, however considering how different we are and the fact that I did like her speaks volumes about how well the character was developed.
Also a small thing I *loved* about the book is that the main character didn't spend all the time telling us how she looked like - she only mentioned about parts about herself through the book - some else's comment, comparing herself to someone else (only a few times), and when telling us about her insecurities. This is one of the few books that let me imagine how the main character looked like without telling me "I looked like X and Y" or (even worse) describing how they looked through someone else's eyes.
I really loved the book by the end. It wasn't forced at all, nor it was centred only on a love story, as I feared when I picked up the book.
The book is abour Finn - a girl that has to discover herself while finding out about her broken up family. The proceed is described very well and it flows naturally. I wouldn't say that I loved the main character, however considering how different we are and the fact that I did like her speaks volumes about how well the character was developed.
Also a small thing I *loved* about the book is that the main character didn't spend all the time telling us how she looked like - she only mentioned about parts about herself through the book - some else's comment, comparing herself to someone else (only a few times), and when telling us about her insecurities. This is one of the few books that let me imagine how the main character looked like without telling me "I looked like X and Y" or (even worse) describing how they looked through someone else's eyes.
I really loved the book by the end. It wasn't forced at all, nor it was centred only on a love story, as I feared when I picked up the book.
September 12, 2012
One thing I've noticed, since I started "writing" is that I don't enjoy books nearly as much as I used to. Grammar and poor writing stick out like sore thumbs, and I often can't see the beauty of a book because I get too distracted by little crap items that shouldn't really matter.
That being said....
This is a sweet story, and was a light-hearted, enjoyable read. I definitely would consider it YA, which wasn't something I expected, and isn't something I ever read. A friend of a friend of someone's cousin knows this author, and they passed the book on to me.
The author did a good job of painting the scenery and images in my mind, and there was good character development, though I couldn't personally identify with the h. The only complaint I had was that, at times, there was too much "telling" and not enough "showing".
All in all, if you want a light-hearted read, or a book to get your high-school daughter, this is a safe bet.
P.S. Love the cover!
That being said....
This is a sweet story, and was a light-hearted, enjoyable read. I definitely would consider it YA, which wasn't something I expected, and isn't something I ever read. A friend of a friend of someone's cousin knows this author, and they passed the book on to me.
The author did a good job of painting the scenery and images in my mind, and there was good character development, though I couldn't personally identify with the h. The only complaint I had was that, at times, there was too much "telling" and not enough "showing".
All in all, if you want a light-hearted read, or a book to get your high-school daughter, this is a safe bet.
P.S. Love the cover!
Read
December 21, 2015Full thoughts in my .
I loved the setting of the book. It's set in South Carolina in the summer and there was just a cozy feeling to it. Kind of odd because I didn't know books could feel cozy, but this one does.
I enjoyed reading about Finn, seeing some similarities between us, and watching her break out of the shell she was in. This book makes you settle in, get comfortable, and enjoy the journey. I swear, it's cozy.
All the characters were great and I have to say, it was Grandpa who made it click for me. I was enjoying the story, still learning the characters, but wondering how I would feel about it in the end. Grandpa gets introduced and he made me smile. I loved his interactions with Finn. That was when I started settling in and getting lost in the book.
I can't wait to read the next book!
I loved the setting of the book. It's set in South Carolina in the summer and there was just a cozy feeling to it. Kind of odd because I didn't know books could feel cozy, but this one does.
I enjoyed reading about Finn, seeing some similarities between us, and watching her break out of the shell she was in. This book makes you settle in, get comfortable, and enjoy the journey. I swear, it's cozy.
All the characters were great and I have to say, it was Grandpa who made it click for me. I was enjoying the story, still learning the characters, but wondering how I would feel about it in the end. Grandpa gets introduced and he made me smile. I loved his interactions with Finn. That was when I started settling in and getting lost in the book.
I can't wait to read the next book!
February 26, 2013
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book, wonderful characters, a compelling story. Watching people grow and change in realistic ways. A self-contained story but obviously ripe for a sequel, which I just bought. LOL
A different spin on coming of age than I have read. It only missed 5 stars in my eyes because it didn't have quite the pop of a or or some others. As a first book though I am very impressed and as I said, as soon as I tweeted I had finished it I bought the next book from my Kindle. That pretty much says it all.
A different spin on coming of age than I have read. It only missed 5 stars in my eyes because it didn't have quite the pop of a or or some others. As a first book though I am very impressed and as I said, as soon as I tweeted I had finished it I bought the next book from my Kindle. That pretty much says it all.
July 11, 2012
This was a sweet book. It looked at a girl who thought she had everything figured out, and in one summer her life completely shattered through a long kept lie and how she rebuilt it and altered her "life plan".
I enjoyed watching Finn grow and start to break out of the shell she had placed around herself. It was interesting to watch her make friends for the first time, go out, learn to dive, and become interested in a boy.
I also loved the sweetness of the relationship between Jesse and Finn (oh and Finn is the girl...that kept throwing me for awhile). I liked how they grew together and how each one helped the other grow and change. I can't wait to read more from this author.
I enjoyed watching Finn grow and start to break out of the shell she had placed around herself. It was interesting to watch her make friends for the first time, go out, learn to dive, and become interested in a boy.
I also loved the sweetness of the relationship between Jesse and Finn (oh and Finn is the girl...that kept throwing me for awhile). I liked how they grew together and how each one helped the other grow and change. I can't wait to read more from this author.
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