Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Simple coming-of-age romance focuses on family and grief.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE SUMMER OF SECOND CHANCES, Olivia Lupo postponed college to spend time with her beloved grandmother, Annie, who has dementia. When Olivia's stepmother makes plans for the family to spend a few weeks in Martha's Vineyard for a family reunion, Olivia balks. No way will she leave Annie alone for so long just to spend time with her step-cousins. But when she discovers old photos of Annie in Martha's Vineyard as a young woman, Olivia relents. Perhaps visiting the same sites her grandmother did as a girl will help Olivia deal with her grief. But then she meets Connor, a boy she met at a long-ago summer camp who seems determined to rekindle something more than a friendship. But as Olivia and Connor grow closer, Olivia finds herself wondering if she has enough space in her heart for one more person.
Is It Any Good?
Slow-paced with fairly low stakes, the book covers a lot of ground. From dementia to step-families, to secret loves, The Summer of Second Chances is a bit of a slice of life set on the idyllic backdrop of Martha's Vineyard. The story focuses on Olivia, but Connor, as well as a number of the side characters, originally premiered in the author's previous books. While this might charm some readers, it may confuse and distract those who haven't read the other stories.
The story spends a lot of time detailing the locations on the island. For those who've been there, it's a charming homage; for those who haven't, it reads a bit like a travel brochure. And while the romance feels a bit anti-climactic, Olivia's fears over losing her grandmother and troubles with her step-mom are realistic and the real heart of the story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Olivia's compassion for her grandmother in The Summer of Second Chances. Why do you think she's able to show so much love and compassion for her grandma but so much less for others in her family?
This novel includes many references to the author's past works, including many scenes with former characters. Do you prefer to read books that have the same groups of people, or do you wish they were more distinct? Does this make you want to read the author's other books?
This book includes pop culture references such as Instagram and Taylor Swift, plus descriptions of many real-life locations. What do you think this adds to the story?
Many young adult romances have people pairing up in college and getting married shortly thereafter. Do you think this is a realistic expectation or an idealized version of romance? Explain your thinking.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Dads , Grandparents ) , Travel
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Sourcebooks Fire
- Publication date : May 5, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : May 5, 2026
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