Challenge Corner discussion

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

Ooh, I might jump on this one too. I just got the book last night.

Yay!

11% (view spoiler)[This is starting off interesting, and I haven't read a pure YA that's not totally depressing in a long time. Looking forward to this. (hide spoiler)]

I'm so behind wah!

☮️❤️Celia❤️☮️ wrote: "Ooh, I might jump on this one too. I just got the book last night."

Oh my gosh where did you get the book??? I wanna read it so bad!

I got mine from NetGalley

Aly wrote: "I got mine from NetGalley"

Ughh I'm jealous!!

I'm going to start when I'm done with Perfect on paper :)

Technically I started already but I'm kinda putting it on hold for other challenges.

I finished 3 books over the weekend so I may actually start this soon!

28% - (view spoiler)[ I'm loving this book so far but I just want them to communicate! I ship them so much but they need to talk.. Also Connie lied to her and maybe to him as well and that's just not ok. Is it in a platonic jealousy because she didn't want their friendship to change or is it romantic jealousy? (hide spoiler)]

50% - (view spoiler)[I'm starting to like Savvy and they slowly try to get along. Also, Connie finally admitted she lied... months after it happened. Hopefully Abby will finally be brave and talk to him honestly. (hide spoiler)]

77% - (view spoiler)[This is very slow burn. They finally talked but they got interrupted -again! (hide spoiler)]

I hope this is good!

Aly wrote: "I hope this is good!"

It is :)

Finished - (view spoiler)[Seeing the family drama being resolved was pretty cute. They both have good parents so that helps. As for the romance, the resolution felt a little underwhelming after all of that slow burn but it was still pretty good. It's either 4 or 5 stars for me (hide spoiler)]

15% (view spoiler)[How crazy that her parents had a daughter, adopted her to a friend, then had another daughter less than 2 years later? Like they weren't ready but then suddenly were? Or was it because their friend couldn't have kids? I need answers!
Also what is the embarrassing incident with Leo?? (hide spoiler)]

53% (view spoiler)[ I wish she would have told Leo how she felt, even if he is leaving. But I understand too. (hide spoiler)]
77% (view spoiler)[ Oh Abby. She's feeling like she's just a replacement and I get that. Her parents shouldn't have hid all this from her. I hope they can talk things out. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I'm so glad it all worked out, everyone talked and Abby and Leo are together. Such a cute ending. (hide spoiler)]

Kelly wrote: "77% - [spoilers removed]"

I know! Frustrating

Kelly wrote: "Finished - [spoilers removed]"

I agree, I was hoping for more too

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RESTARTING DECEMBER 12TH, 2020

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Through 5 chapters / roughly 17%

(view spoiler)[ I'm sad that Connie is deciding whether they made anything of the almost kiss

I also don't understand why she isn't talking to her parents. I would think she would talk to them and maybe try to invite this girl into their lives - at least find out what's going on.... (hide spoiler)]

53%

I agree(view spoiler)[ I wish she would have told him too
but I wonder if it's worth starting something that might only hurt them when he leaves
knowing he's maybe leaving...plus she has this whole sister thing

but I love the idea of them sitting on that rock making bear sounds lol
and I'm curious about this charm thing. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "77% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ that was super sad. I can't even imagine feeling that way (hide spoiler)]

Finished - this one was pretty cute

(view spoiler)[ I love all the HEA
I also love the story behind the magpie, love the twist of the names put together
glad they finally talked and got the whole thing out there and that Savvy got some little brothers too (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING FEBRUARY 4TH, 2021

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Starting this now!

27%: (view spoiler)[..wait, why is having gum a bad thing? Did I miss something? Also I don't get why she's like.. you are supposed to be my sister. Like calm down.. ya'll just found out about each other. (hide spoiler)]

54%: (view spoiler)[Yikes, she lied and Abby still didn't mention anything. Which I get it because I would be confused in that situation as well and then when you might get the courage to do it.. the crush tells you they are leaving? Well, all things are awkward right now. (hide spoiler)]

81%: (view spoiler)[Okay so a lot has happened and I feel really bad for Abby but I am glad that everything is out in the open. I'm just hoping that Abby doesn't really think she is a replacement.. because she isn't. (hide spoiler)]

100%: (view spoiler)[Okay that was a cute book. Definitely happy I dove into that today - needed something cute while doing errands. (hide spoiler)]

I really hope I can get to this one this month

********** RESTARTING AUGUST 6TH 2021 **********

25% (view spoiler)[This is starting off interesting so far. It'll be interesting how Savvy and Abby work into each other's camp lives. And Leo, of course. I knew he'd show up from the blurb, but that was an interesting twist that the camp changed because they renamed it.

Also, what's up with Savvy ignoring Abby? (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[Okay, so this is getting really interesting. One thing, why had Leo thought she was there for him, without trying to find out more? She had said Camp Reynolds from the beginning, so that implies she never knew it was Camp Evergreen.

Then you have all the crazy coincidences. What's up with the heart issues and the stress on Abby? Could Abby's parents have thought Savvy wouldn't survive for some reason, and that's why they gave her up? Is it possible they don't even know she's alive? So many questions.

Also, just tell him! (But also, extremely glad the romance is a subplot so far and not the main plot. I'd much rather read about Abby and Savvy's forming friendship.) (hide spoiler)]

70% (view spoiler)[Okay, I didn't expect that this stemmed from that! There are a lot of things that seem way overblown in this novel, but the magical healing and insistence on taking Savvy back after that, and the fact that neither sister knew anything, that takes the cake. And yet, Emma Lord still makes it believable enough. (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED (view spoiler)[Okay, I teared up way more than once. I love how all this came together to form a community and family. I always feel like I'd have trouble bringing together my camp friends and life with my college friends and life, and obviously this is a little hyperrealistic but it's a very ideal situation. (hide spoiler)]