How to Ruin a Summer Vacation

Part of me worried that this would be ridiculously shallow and silly and I'd hate it, but not even close. Not. Even. Close. Instead I found myself craving the next books but unable to order them and now that I can, I worry I'll drop everything to read them.

Amy isn't quite as shallow as she seems, but she's pretty close. The growth she experiences in How to Ruin a Summer Vacation is incredible and she still has so much more potential. I grew to love Amy and I want to adopt her as my honorary best friend because if she was my actual best friend, my real best friends would probably hurt me.

It took a while for me to come to love Amy's new friends and her love interest, but it was meant to be that way. I learned a lot about the cultural differences and how that effects the way we view each other. It was this huge source of tension between Amy and those her age in Israel and it was a hurdle they all had to go over together. By the end, I loved all of them, though.

But this story?

I loved the setting, so different from most YA, and the fact it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows and happiness and there were a lot of dark spots to what seems so shallow. It was real and honest and well researched and just lskfgnhshngjwngsa And the romance? Oy. To. The. Vey. So much adorable.

But really, what else would you expect from Simone Elkeles? She tells stories so, so well. I wasn't crazy in love with her Perfect Chemistry series (I have no intention of picking up book 3 since book 2 was a let down for me), but she knows how to write a damn good story.

Basically, I think this is Simone's under appreciated series and it deserves SO MUCH MORE ATTENTION. All three books are out, you might even be able to score the bind up, and if not they're all in paperback and pretty easy to find on the internet. GO NOW AND BUYZ. These are the perfect reads to go with the warm weather! Or...any weather really! JUST BUY AND READ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

Reader reviewed by Isa

A story dripping with sarcasm and laughs. Amy takes a trip to Israel to meet her estranged father's family. Israel is nothing she imagined. For one, there's dirt everywhere and animals and no AC. Imagery is very strong and detailed! Then the cousin she has to share a room with seems to strongly dislike her and then there is Avi (a guy). I like stories with romance and comedy rolled into one, plus Simon Elkeles is a good writer! The book isn't too long, but it definately is worth reading!!

Reader reviewed by Danni

Amy Nelson Barak is possibly the most hilarious and witty protagonist I have read about. Her relationship with Avi is super hot and the book deals with potent problems surrounding the world like war and divorce. Very fun read, you will finish it in a day. ( so get the sequel, even though its not as good.)

Reader reviewed by Mani Love

" How to Ruin a Summer Vacation" is the funniest book I have ever read. Like every single chapter I was in tears from laughing so hard. I love how it sounds like it's been written from a true teenager, not sugar-coated. Her personality is soooooo ah-mazingly teenager, and real. Once you read this book you will have a good laugh and have yOu craving for more Simone Elkeles!!!
- Mani Love

Reader reviewed by Amanda

You have got to read this book! Amy Nelson is ready to hang out with her friends and smack some tennis balls at tennis camp, until her dad or as she likes to call him "the sperm donor" insists on taking her to meet his side of the family in Israel. Although she is positive she doesnt want to go... her mother wants her to go. After the twelve hour flight there... she meets her family and she knows that will be the end of her whole idea to have fun.

Finally she meets the reason she was to come. Her grandmother who is sick with cancer. Her grandma turns out to be a wonderful person and that is what keeps her here. At the end of her three months in Israel, Amy realizes that her summer vacation wasnt ruined after all. Her snotty cousin turns out to be a great friend, the boy who calls her an "American Bitch" ends up being the boy of her dreams, and her father Ron turns out being a really great guy. So the ruined vacation turned out to be the best vacation a 16 year-old could ever have!