ARC Review: Second Star by Alyssa B. Shinmel

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Published: May 13, 2014
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this book to review. In no way did that sway my opinion.
Goodreads

Summary

A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

I’m not sure I’ve ever been this confused in my entire life. This book’s premise sounded so perfect, I didn’t think there was any way I could not love this book. Yet, that is what happened. I’m not really sure how it happened, but the entire time this book was occurring I was completely confuzzled. I didn’t know what to believe and I was. . . well . . . confused. Really, really confused. Especially with that ending. I mean don’t get me wrong, I liked the book better when I read the ending but it did make me even more confused than I was before. I don’t really know what to think.

 It looks like madness. (ARC)

The book begins with Wendy broken-hearted with the loss of her brothers to the waves. She refuses to believe that they are gone and embarks on a journey where she falls into the arms of Pete and Jas: two boys who are complete opposites. Me being me, I liked Jas better. *psh* I mean, when y’all read this book (even if it is just because of a morbid curiosity) you’ll like him better too. To me, at least, it seemed like Pete had just too much baggage and was a little bit of a liar and for most of the book I wanted to rob him of the chance of making more of him. As for Jas, he really seemed like he wanted to redeem himself. Also, he was tall and sweet and just completely and utterly sigh worthy. Oh, and he’s also a drug dealer. But let’s not let that sink in and go back to the sweet and tall and sigh worthy.

When she runs into these boys, one lies and the other sort of stalks. Stalks with the intention of keeping her safe because she can’t surf and is yet attempting to. The ones that lies, lies to keep her safe and keep her to himself. Greedy, greedy. Along with the ways of the waves and taking care of what I will call Lost Boys. We also have a modern Tinker Bell.

 It looks like lunacy. (ARC)

With the loss of her two brother and her lack of acceptance in recognizing that they are indeed gone, she embarks of a hunt for them with the help of scavenger hunt clues like the ones she devised for them when she was younger.

In this book, there is a road to self-discovery, acceptance and a battle with yourself so deep it will get to you. I was confused. So. Freaking. Confused. But I think it was supposed to be that way, just like Wendy felt. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

In the end, Jas was my favorite part of the book. The emotions were real but the story line was just all-too confusing for me to keep up with. 

But it also looks like grace. (ARC)

I usually LOVE retellings and I'd never read a Peter Pan one before, and I've got to tell y'all, I was disappointed. Have any of y'all had a chance to read this one? Do y'all like retellings as much as I do?