Review: The Summer I Learned to Dive by Shannon McCrimmon

The Summer I Learned to Dive
written by Shannon McCrimmon         
published by Shannon McCrimmon

find it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book:  I was asked by the author to review her book. I happily accepted her request. (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. I read it every free chance I had. 

Finn was a quiet, studious girl looking to go to medical school to fulfill her, and her mother’s, dream. She knew her life. She knew that her father was dead, that her mother was the only family she had. Finn knew she didn’t have many friends but that her end goal was the most important thing for her to focus on. Oh my, how things changed for Finn! The Summer I Learned to Dive was a wonderful coming-of-age young adult book. 

Finn learned a lot of things about her life, her desires, her dreams, her family immediately after she graduated from high school. I could not imagine what she went through emotionally but Ms. McCrimmon did a fabulous job portraying Finn to the reader. I was with her and I felt with her and I wanted her to change for the better. 

I enjoyed Finn’s transformation. I think a lot of it came from her new surroundings and the new people she met. Jesse is a sweet kid. He has had a tough life that could have broken him but he has risen above it and is a great character. I really enjoyed Jesse. He was a good guy all around. The grandparents were wonderful, just as grandparents in South Carolina can be pictured. They were two loving people who I could picture in my head. They were well-written characters that I want to know more about. 

All-in-all, this was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. This was a good coming-of-age story for YA readers.

Will I read it again: I will not.

About the book – from Goodreads: Since the time she was a little girl, eighteen-year-old Finley “Finn” Hemmings has always lived her life according to a plan, focused and driven with no time for the average young adult’s carefree experiences. On the night of her high school graduation, things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that her mother has been keeping a secret from her—a secret that causes Finn to do something she had never done before—veer off her plan. In the middle of the night, Finn packs her bags and travels by bus to Graceville, SC seeking the truth. In Graceville, Finn has experiences that change her life forever; a summer of love, forgiveness and revelations. She learns to take chances, to take the plunge and to dive right in to what life has to offer.

About the author: Shannon McCrimmon was born and raised in Central Florida. She earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Rollins College. In 2008, she moved to the upstate of South Carolina. It was the move to South Carolina that inspired her to write The Summer I Learned to Dive. When she is not writing, Shannon enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and watching movies. Shannon is a tea enthusiast and pop culture expert. She is inspired by music, art and the natural beauty of South Carolina. She lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her awesome husband and very cool toy poodle. 

Find Ms. McCrimmon here: web, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads