The Summer of Broken Rules out now from Sourcebooks Fire; 359 pages
Content Warning: Language, alcohol, death of sibling, drunk driving, underage drinking
About the Author: “K.L. Walther was born and raised in the rolling hills of Bucks County, Pennsylvania surrounded by family, dogs, and books. Her childhood was spent traveling the northeastern seaboard to play ice hockey. She attended a boarding school in New Jersey and went on to earn a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. She is happiest on the beach with a book, cheering for the New York Rangers, or enjoying a rom-com while digging into a big bowl of popcorn and M&Ms. And listening to Taylor Swift on repeat, of course” (Bio from author’s website).
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For the first time since her sister died, Meredith Fox is returning to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer, a place where they used to spend every summer together. Meredith is returning for her cousin’s wedding, but her boyfriend unexpectedly dumped her after graduation and left her dateless. Fortunately for her, she can focus on honoring her sister in their annual game of Assassin. The game will take place during the week of wedding festivities, and Meredith’s target is a cute groomsman. Determined to win for her sister, she doesn’t want to let herself get distracted by him or anyone else. However, she can’t help but fall for him during the week—and learn more about herself in the process.
The Summer of Broken Rules was the kind of book that reminded me why I love contemporary young adult novels. It had all of the heart, humour, and romance I was hoping for. As I’ve entered my twenties and left my high school years behind me, some young adult rom-coms have felt trivial and almost juvenile to me. However, that wasn’t the case with The Summer of Broken Rules, because the two main characters are at major turning points in their lives. Meredith has just graduated high school and is preparing to go to college, while Wit has just finished his first year at a college he isn’t happy at. After the death of her sister, Meredith has been going through the motions without really living her life, and Wit is about to set off on a year abroad to adventure through Australia and New Zealand. Wit, along with the game of Assassin, was exactly what Meredith needed to help her rediscover her spark. I love when young adult romance isn’t just a romance but also a coming-of-age. It adds so much depth to the story because the characters are more than just their budding relationship. Meredith and Wit also had the best banter, and the dynamic of all of the families at the Vineyard was so fun and humorous, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would have liked to see a few more scenes with just Meredith and her friends, but you can only fit so much in a 350-page rom-com. Overall, The Summer of Broken Rules truly was the perfect summer read.
Sam Yanis, Pine Reads Review Lead Writer