The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan McVoy

I really wasn't feeling this book.

While the setting was fine, I believe that it was the characters that really dragged this book down for me. It's difficult for me to choose between giving it two or three stars. The whole book just left me feeling nothing at all, especially towards the characters. They were whiny, and I honestly had no care in the world what happened to them, when I could actually tell them apart.

"Three sisters. One life-changing summer."
Camp for these three sisters is no small thing. For years they've been going to Camp Callanwolde, and while activities-wise they know what to expect, it's the people that throw them off. These three distinct sisters all share in three different experiences, as they struggle to hold onto their bond as sisters. Calla has been in love with Duncan for as many summers as she can remember, and feels that this summer is her last to tell him her true feelings. Violet has her eye on James, a boy whom she's known for a few summers as well, and has now become a camp counselor. However, seeing him in a way that she'd like to is more difficult then it seems, and requires a few camp rules to be broken. Finally, Daisy has eyes for Joel, but doesn't know how exactly to act on her feelings. Is this going to be a summer of heartbreak?

Hm. So, if it weren't obvious by the rating I really didn't care for this book. The characters annoyed me and there just seemed to be no pizzazz at all. I felt more like I was reading the diaries of three very dramatic girls, only with a swell narrative. Therefore being, I have no issues or complaints with Terra Elan McVoy's writing. The story just fell flat with me, and I kind of struggled to keep reading. 

Annoyances, take one.
The characters. Calla, the oldest of the sisters, was the easiest one to recognize. From her seemingly never-ending whining about Duncan and not getting to spend near enough time with him and her sisters, I'm only left shaking my head at her. You wanted to work behind the scenes at camp, you deal with the consequences, please. This was really the only reason that I could tell her apart from her sisters because I saw the name Duncan printed in nearly every other sentence of her chapters.
Though, despite, she is responsible and does take care of her sisters in the best way that she knows how to. So, I applaud her for that.

Next, the other two sisters were the ones that I kept getting confused. I knew that Daisy was the runner and Violet was the writer, but as far as which boy each other wanted, I was lost throughout the entire thing. Well, maybe just up until the end. I think that Daisy was the youngest sister, but I'm not willing to place money on that. 
As far as Violet goes, she just seemed very bi-polar and hasty and just kind of irritating. She's a smart-alec, who manages to befriend the camp basketcase, and sets off on a sort of rule breaking mission. Whatever, you can pick your friends, that's no big deal. However, I felt that Brynn was a bit right there in the end when she talked about friendship. Even though Brynn did kind of push Violet and James together, I agree that friendship is supposed to be more important.
Then, with Daisy, I almost pitied her when those girls in her cabin and running class did those mean things to her. But, she didn't do anything about it, and I just ended up shaking my head more for no resolution of this in the end. -sigh-

While their individual characters didn't strike me as extraordinary, I do feel that their bond as sisters was pretty cool. Myself being pretty close to my family can really appreciate when I see or read about it. This was one of the aspects that I did like about the book, and I only wish that we'd seen more of this. 

Also, I really wish that we'd seen more of the camp aspect. Sure, we read about certain activities, and a few actually get fleshed out, but there were just other parts that I'd have liked to read about. Like smores or something. I dunno. 

As far as the life-changing summer bit, what exactly occurred that was so life-altering? Major spoilers ahead! ->(view spoiler)
Nothing that occurred seemed to be very life-changing to me. When I think of that I think of something huge and monumental occurring, like a death or some epic self discovery, none of which I thought really happened in this book. But hey, maybe that's just me?

Overall, this book was decent. I found the characters to be overly whiny for my taste, which ended up deterring me from any other good quality that existed in this book. I really hate when that happens. However, maybe you'll end up enjoying it more than I did.

Other thoughts:
* The cover, I liked it. Three different scoops of ice cream to represent three very different girls. I can dig it.

☆☆/5
Recommend?: If you want a summer read for when it's snowing and cold outside.
Or, if you just want another summer read for any time of year.