Author: Coleen Murtagh Paratore
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Book Description (from Amazon.com): It's a surprising, sparkling summer for Willa!
It's August on Cape Cod and Willa has a lot to look forward to. Soon, JFK will return home from baseball camp, and Willa has an idea for an exciting new project that will challenge her to dream big! But life throws Willa some unexpected twists and turns: Ruby has bad news, a beloved friend leaves, a dear friend returns, her brother Will has something he does't want to talk about, and of course, there's a wedding to plan! There's also a cute boy who likes Willa . . . a lot, and Willa thinks she might like him too. It's a summer full of romance and surprises!
First Impressions: I actually didn’t realize that From Willa, With Love is the 5th installment in Paratore’s Wedding Planner’s Daughter series. Regardless, I had requested it from the publisher for review because I thought the story plot sounded cute.
First 50 Pages: Even though I had not read the previous 4 books in the series, I didn’t have a hard time following the storyline. Of course, I was expected to know some of the characters, but I don’t think that had any huge effect on me.
Willa: The book revolves around her. This character is adorable and lovable, dynamic and completely relatable. She is a really sweet girl who has this tremendous passion for reading and a great love for books. She also has an interest in planning weddings and being involved in her community. What I loved the most about Willa is that I think she will inspire young adults to read. Any book that can inspire a love for reading is a must-have in my opinion. She is a true role model I wouldn’t mind having my children look up to.
Plot: There seems like there is a lot going on in this book, maybe a bit too much for such a short book. There are so many side-plots happening, that I think the author could have spent more time developing each one. This isn’t a bad thing, for what I am saying is, is that I would have enjoyed a longer book. It just felt a bit rushed to me. There is this love triangle that is introduced, but I won’t give away which boy Willa chooses in the end! Both boys are likable, but I liked Willa’s choice. This book is very PG rated. There is romance, but no heavy stuff. Nothing that would make a parent concerned for their younger child to read. It is all very innocent.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, even though I am much, much older than the intended audience. It was sweet, a fast and easy read, and I think it can inspire children to read. Young girls could always use another great role model in their lives, and I think Willa makes an exceptional one.
*Thank you to Scholastic Press for providing me with an ARC for this review. All opinions are my own, including this review. I was not paid to provide a review*
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Sounds like a good book, always on the look out for summer reads :) May invest in this book as these are the sort I do enjoy reading :) x
ReplyDeleteI like the summer-y look of the cover. :) I usually like to read short teen romances. This one looks good.
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