I think this book is just what I needed for this time in my life which pushed me to give it an extra quarter of a star which brought up my rating to a 3.5 or 3.75 star.

This summertime contemporary had just the right blend of 'serious issue to deal with' balanced with 'cutesy love/coming of age story'. And yes, says the girl who typically doesn't like to read anything romance related. I think this was because even though, yes there was a love story, the love story played such a minor part in this story that it didn't bother me so much. The romance was definitely a little corny with some weird one liners and a sudden make-out fest while the girl is supposed to be babysitting, but it was definitely what she needed in that moment. And yes, the little 4 year old boy, Frankie Sky, had some horribly structured sentences throughout the book which did not feel at all representative of how 4 year-olds speak, but I still found his character endearing. There were a few loose ends that were not wrapped up sufficiently like I would have liked in a novel whose main target group is 13-15 year-olds, but I thought this was a great representation of how broken families can become after horrific events and how things are not always as they seem.

Overall, this was a cute read which was definitely what I needed at this hectic and stressful time of my life. I will probably not keep the physical copy I have since it didn't quite his that 4 star range, but it was nonetheless cute. ( )

Now I want to visit Christmas Island and also tidal pools to explore. ( )

Summary: Francesca Schnell is a teenage girl who is starting summer but....she is overcome many challenges she has to face. Four years ago her little brother devistatingly drowned in the ocean and nothing has been the same since that day. Thinking her father may be having an affair with her own neighbor, being in love with her best friends boyfriend, and possibly considering if a little boy named Frankie Sky may be her brothers reincarnation, Francesca is overwhelmed this summer. Will she ever solve the mystery with these three problems or will she stay in misery not knowing ever about anything anymore?
Opinion: I think the book can be relatable for a lot of teenagers who have similar problems like this. If you love reading these kind of books like I do, you will get so easily, emotionally attached to these charecters. This book may be sad but it's also funny in a kind of a way because it's so relatable that anyone can relate at least a little bit. I would definitely reccomend to anyone to read this book. ( )

Francesca was 12 years old and was supposed to watch her four-year-old brother Simon, at the beach but she got distracted and he drowned. Now 16, she has not been able to forgive herself for letting him drown. In addition she is sure her mom hates her, since she has not been civil to her since he died. Read the rest of the review on my blog: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/the-summer-of-letting-go-gae-... ( )

This is a really great, character-driven YA story that deals with forgiveness, healing and the question, what happens to the soul after our bodies no longer exist?

15-year old Francesca (Frankie) Schnell’s 4 year-old little brother, Simon drowned. Frankie has lived the last four years of her life in the shadows of his death, in grief and with remorse. With summer here once more, she avoids the beach where he was last seen alive. Her mother has withdrawn, forgotten that Frankie exists. Her dad is secretive, and Frankie suspects he is having an affair with the neighbor.

Frankie is crushing on her best friend’s boyfriend, Bradley. She has never kissed a boy, and thinks she never will. Plagued by the oppressive weight of her brother’s death, she feels undeserving of any good things.

Enter exuberant and sweet, 4-year old Frankie Sky who forces Frankie to take notice of him with his daredevil stunts. To keep young Frankie safe, she accepts the position of mother’s helper for the little guy and quickly finds herself taken with him. The more time she spends with him, though, the more Frankie Sky reminds her of her deceased brother, Simon. Not only do her brother and Frankie Sky look alike, but also they are the same age, and the particulars about the boys’ birth and death are inexplicable. Believing these facts cannot be mere coincidences and that there is an unearthly, spiritual connection between the two boys, Frankie sets out to understand the intangible message she is sure Simon is sending her.

But Simon died while on her watch. Taking care of busy Frankie Sky will make her face her greatest fears — can she keep him safe? Can she get it right this time?

I loved the essence of this book. It was an easy read and hit all the marks of a solid story. Highly recommend! ( )