Say Yes Summer

March 1, 2020
What if you said "yes" to absolutely everything? Rachel Walls spent her entire high school career completely focused on academics and "purposely cultivating total anonymity." Her hard work has made her valedictorian, but she's also missed out on lots of typical teenage experiences. When Rachel finds a book about the power of saying "yes," she takes it as a sign, and in the months before she starts college, she embarks on a "summer of yes." Can Rachel figure out how to say "yes" to her longtime crush as well as an old family friend and verbal sparring partner? Or are there consequences to saying "yes" blindly? The breezy plot starts with a graduation and finishes with a predictably happy ending. In between there are days filled with a lakeside picnic, couch cuddling, and endless pizza and ice cream. Rachel's season of exploration is dramatic only in comparison to the rest of her life. The serviceable plot is held together by a compelling cast of supporting characters, most notably Rachel's spirited Nonna and her loving blended family. Unfortunately, the protagonist herself lacks dimension, with Rachel's main characteristics being her work ethic and a deep-seated fear of making a mistake that will follow her forever. Most characters are white; there is passing mention of diversity in secondary characters. A fluffy summer read with G-rated heterosexual romances. (Fiction. 14-18)

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Starred review from May 1, 2020

Gr 7-10-Recent valedictorian Rachel has been laser-focused on her goals of obtaining high grades and getting into Northwestern University. Now that summer has arrived, she can finally relax. Reflecting that she had refused to participate in many high school rites of passage, and after finding a self-help book that encourages saying "yes" to new life experiences, Rachel decides to try this approach. She's quickly out of her comfort zone as she inadvertently becomes involved in a love triangle, reconnects with an old friend, and learns new truths about her classmates. While the John Hughes-esque narrative is rom-com in nature, Culli has crafted a more substantial book than readers might initially guess. She captures teen life and thoughts authentically, and shows that the way people present their lives to the public is not always what is truly happening behind the scenes. A strong supporting cast of characters also adds depth. VERDICT A definite purchase for YA collections, this winning book will have readers considering how a few key decisions could alter their entire lives. Lessons in taking risks, being true to yourself, and not buying into stereotypes create a truly compelling read.-Nancy McKay, Byron Public Library, IL

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