Rock This! Thursday - Review of Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 5, 2009
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 272

This is the story of Quinn, an indie rock girl who came out to Austin, Texas for a music internship. She also plans to spend long, lazy days in the sun at outdoor concerts--and to meet a hot musician or two.

Instead, she's stuck rooming with her sorority brainwashed cousin, who now willingly goes by the name 'Party Penny.' Their personalities clash, big time. But Sebastian, a gorgeous DJ, definitely makes up for it. Sebastian has it all: looks, charm, and great taste in music.

So why can't Quinn keep her mind off Penny's friend cute, All-American Russ and his Texas twang? One thing's certain: Quinn's in for a summer she'll never forget!





From reading Melissa Walker's blog, I had a feeling I was going to love her work. I had been on a reading stump for about a week or so, flipping through many books, waiting for something to grab me when I cracked this one open and read:

I live my life in headphones. That way, I can control what I let in. If kids at school are being idiotic and perky, I put on my mellow track and tune out their spirit rally. If my parents are nagging me, I play a fast song and rock out in my mind while smiling and nodding at them.

My reading stump was over because what my brain was telling me was that I was in the mood for a very fun light read and this one did the trick. Quinn's voice was so easily to slip into by her love of music and her semi fangirl ways. I loved all the people she meets while staying in Austin. Her bubbly cousin, Penny, and her cross dressing dog (yes, you read right - a cross dressing dog) along with her friends who I would normally find annoying, but they were too fun to not love. My favorite person Quinn meets (besides the boys of course) would have had to been Jade. She was very upfront about so many things, I loved her attitude.

The two love interests of her summer Sebastian (who I kept picturing the lead singer of Framing Hanley as) and Russ were also great characters. And I love love love Russ. He annoys the crap out of Quinn, but in a very cute way. I thought his little twang and sometimes corny jokes were flat out adorable. Plus I had to love his take on music, like this: (page 137)

"Music is music, Priscilla," says Russ. "If you love music, you give it all a listen. You see what there is to learn in every song you hear. You take chances on shows. That's part of it."

Though a little predictable, Melissa Walker knows how to write a very fun and upbeat novel with a few surprises that you will completely enjoy. If you are looking for a summer read then I highly suggest picking this one up! And hey - it's only 5.99 you cannot beat that!

♥amber