A teenage boy, raised by a single yoga teaching mom, finds out his dad is a big Hollywood star. He decides to spend the summer getting to know his Dad. The question is whether the relationship will "take", how will these two very different people with very different lifestyles mesh. Throughout the novel Luke, the son, is writing and rewriting college admission essays, which help him make sense of what is happening to him and those around him. Well written, beautifully and realistically told. Amazing how a female writer gets inside a teen-boys head so realistically! Great read!! ( )

I couldn't quite finish this one. I really disliked the point of view changing from 1st to 3rd person within the same chapter and it made me feel disconnected from the characters. I also HATED the major plot twist at the end. I really liked the plot otherwise. ( )

I really enjoyed this coming of age story of Luke Prescott who spends the summer with his newly found father, Mark Franco, a huge TV star in LA.

Recently, Luke's new age yoga-teaching mom Sara told Luke who his father is -- and his summer's goals are to run 70 miles/week to prepare for his senior cross country team championship and to get to know his dad.

Really excellent character development, realistic storylines and relationships abound in Luke's life. He was raised by women (his mother, 2 sisters and grandmother) and so brings a unique voice in his inner monologues. ( )

Other than the slightly annoying switching narration, this book is a very good read. Very belivable and enjoyable. ( )

In his family, Luke Prescott is one of a kind--literally! For two hundred years, each generation has had three girls, one of whom gave birth to three girls. But instead of being his mother's (Sara) third girl, he was a boy! What an unexpected surprise! Growing up in a family of women (his two older sisters are ardent feminist, and his grandmother is a Bible-thumper) wasn't the easiest thing for Luke, especially since Sara was the Bohemian type who teaches yoga, goes on spiritual retreats, and believes in using meditation to solve all problems.
Luke is 17 when his father first appears--Sara's one-night-stand was with a now-famous TV star! With Sara's permission, he flies to California to spend the summer with his new-found father, Mark. Told in the form of essays for college applications, Luke's story is riveting--he and Mark hit it off famously, and Luke has an opportunity to experience the California life of the rich and famous to its fullest extent. His dad, though, is very down-to-earth and hates the more glamorous aspects of his life.
The characters in this book are so well-drawn--from Luke's mom, sisters, and extended family to Mark's personal assistant, Kati--they are all so real, each with their own idiosyncrasies Sometimes, though, it feels a bit disjointed, because although most of Luke's tale is told by him in first person, there occasionally is a third-person section that can feel a bit jarring.
All in all, though, this is a fascinating look at what it means to have family--a very accessible quick read! ( )