YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Gwen Castle has never so badly wanted to say good-bye to her island home till now: the summer her Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, takes a job there as the local yard boy. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick will be our 4th GBR for August 2019.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

***If you are participating in our Mega Month Challenge this August, joining this group buddy read could earn you 10 points ☺***

I haven’t got any thoughts before I start, but like the cover and am hoping it’s a light fluffy contemporary.

Haven’t read anything by this author but have seen lots of books around so hoping it’s great :)

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ I can’t believe Gwen slept with Spence and doesn’t seem to remember it. Then how awkward getting a lift home with Cass and him knowing :P (hide spoiler)]

chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ so Gwen and Cass sleep together. I am happier about that then Spence thats for sure (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29 (view spoiler)[ well I’m glad that Gwen admits to sleeping with Spence to make Cass angry. I like how she isn’t your typical innocent “one love” type of girl. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31 (view spoiler)[ how awkward that Henry walked in on them!! Glad they didn’t lose their jobs! (hide spoiler)]

I can't wait to start this one! I just bought it on my Kindle, so I'll read it soon.

I've read a book by this other. I read My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I really liked that one. It was a light and easy read. I'm hoping to like this one, too!

Carolyn wrote: "I can't wait to start this one! I just bought it on my Kindle, so I'll read it soon.

I've read a book by this other. I read My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I really liked that one. It w..."

I'll have to check that one out!

finished (view spoiler)[ Wow I was shocked about Viv and Nick. Like i could see something happening when Viv was talking to Gwen about relationships etc but didn't see the whole spence thing coming about.

I like how Gwen and Cass ended up fully together and happy. (hide spoiler)]

Decided to give this a whirl. It looks like something different to the other books I'm reading - need something a little lighter in tone.

Opening chapter seems encouraging. Wonder why Gwen is so keen to leave.

Just started this! I read but other then that I don't know much about this author or book..

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ Sounds like Gwen's brother has Autism.. Wonder what the drama is with this group of guys... (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 6 and pretty dang bored.. Hope it picks up soon!

Up to ch6. It seems a little ‘samey’, but I’m thinking Mrs E will be important.

Up to ch16. The attitude of some of the adult characters is galling. The whole town seems happy to perpetuate the them/us mentality. Her history with Cass is more complex than it seemed.

Up to ch26. This feels slow. Nothing really seeming to happen, though everyone seems to be heading in the same direction.

Up to ch35. Not sure what to make of some of these conversations. Still seems to be a lot to resolve.

Finished. Review on home page. Thought I’d feel more, but it was a bit disappointing.

Through chapter 15 and literally nothing is happening.. So many references back to "that night" but no clue what happened that night and starting to not care.

Through chapter 28 - ughhhh (view spoiler)[ so they finally had the long overdue talk... “talked it out”. It was anti climactic, not swoon worthy, boring, and annoying. Now they’re all happily ever after and I don’t think the talk was worthy of this sudden “I’m in love” feel you’re supposed to have (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34 (view spoiler)[ Henry is a real D bag... I'm glad Gwen stood up to him a little bit (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 36 (view spoiler)[ Womp womp Viv & Nick (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ I am liking the story. I wonder why he wants Gwen to be his tutor when there are other people available to tutor him. Does he like her? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[ I like Vive. She is a cool character. It is nice to see Gwen interact with her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29: (view spoiler)[ Is Nic going to break up with Vivien? I hope he can have the girl and the other things he wants to do in his life. (hide spoiler)]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ The ending was nice. Interesting last few chapters from finding out about Viv and Spence, and Cass knowing about to Nic disappearing for a bit. I enjoyed the last half of the book, hence I gave this read a 3.5/5. (hide spoiler)]

8%- (view spoiler)[ Gwen doesn't like Cass because of something that happened during the Spring. What happened between them? Obviously, something Gwen regrets. (hide spoiler)]

28%- (view spoiler)[ There's obviously history-sexual history-between Alex and Gwen, Spence and Gwen, and Cass and Gwen. I wonder what it is. (hide spoiler)]

43%- (view spoiler)[ Ooh, that was tense. Why is Spence even in Cass's apartment? I feel so bad for Gwen for being in this situation. But why did she have to say that at the end? (hide spoiler)]

53%-(view spoiler)[ Going on a sailboat together? *waggles eyebrows* Okay. I see how it is. (hide spoiler)]

Rachael wrote: "Through chapter 6 and pretty dang bored.. Hope it picks up soon!"

Agreed, bored
(view spoiler)[And not liking the pace and goings of their relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 12 (view spoiler)[How embarrassing to be caught reading that aloud. (hide spoiler)]

Shae wrote: "chapter 22 [spoilers removed]"


(view spoiler)[Not a fan of either TBH. But then I am struggling to like any of the characters so my opinion here in minimal anyways. (hide spoiler)]

Done. (view spoiler)[Not even the 'twist' ending effected me (hide spoiler)]

68%-(view spoiler)[ Ooh, it's getting heated up in here! Both sexually and angrily. (hide spoiler)]

74%-(view spoiler)[ Aw. They're going to wait to have sex again. So cute. I mean, it's not totally weird that they did it at a party Cass made up, so he could be near Gwen. Totally not weird. (hide spoiler)]

86%- (view spoiler)[ Okay. Wait. What?!? So Cass and Spence are co-captains? And Vivie has been basically sleeping with Spence behind Nic's back? What?!? Major shocker. Like, literally. I wonder where Nic is. Oh, and let's address the fact that Gwen's mom is on a date with a mysterious man. Oh man. (hide spoiler)]

92%- (view spoiler)[ Wow. Flowers and everything. I think it's sweet that Gwen went through all this trouble for Cass. She was a lot to handle. (hide spoiler)]

100%- (view spoiler)[ Wow. I finished another great book. So Vivie is still dating Spence? Weird. I mean, variety, right? It's cute and funny that Gwen and Cass will go to the same college. (hide spoiler)]

Rachael wrote: "Through chapter 6 and pretty dang bored.. Hope it picks up soon!"

(view spoiler)[I felt the same way in the beginning. (hide spoiler)]

Jamie wrote: "Ch 12 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know, right. I don't think she should've been forced to read it aloud. (hide spoiler)]

Rachael wrote: "Through chapter 28 - ughhhh [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[Yep, it was so ridiculous and anticlimactic. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[Didn't like how Viv was cheating on Nic. If she wasn't happy with him she should have broken up with him first. (hide spoiler)]