The summer of broken rules

Gr 9 Up--It's the summer after senior year, and Meredith is traveling to Martha's Vineyard for her cousin's wedding. She's just been dumped and is nervous about her first trip to the family farm since the death of her sister, Claire, 18 months ago. Meredith can't go anywhere on the island without being reminded of her sister, but she is determined to use her grief to propel her to victory in the annual game of Assassin in Claire's honor. However, an alliance-turned-budding romance with a charming groomsman threatens to complicate things. While most teens won't be able to relate to the wealth and lifestyle of the close-knit and quirky Fox family, this book is nonetheless an engaging read. The high-stakes and often humorous drama of Assassin helps frame the story and move the plot along, and the moments of grief, while numerous, don't feel too heavy. The Fox family presents as white (Meredith has light hair and green eyes) and there are some passing mentions of secondary characters of color, such as Michael, the groom with Creole roots, and Luli, a friend adopted from Central America. VERDICT Recommended for larger collections with dedicated romance readers.--Katie Patterson, Aloha Comm. Lib., OR

A summer trip helps break 18-year-old Meredith Fox out of a haze of mourning. Her cousin's wedding means a return to Martha's Vineyard, a well-loved destination but one filled with bittersweet memories. It's been a year and a half since the sudden loss of Meredith's sister, Claire, and the grief remains strong. Meredith, though, resolves to take this time to celebrate family and bridge the rifts resulting from ghosting friends. She didn't plan on a meet-cute/embarrassing encounter with the groom's stepbrother, Wit. Nor did she expect a wedding-week game of Assassin, a water-gun--fueled family tradition. What starts off as a pact of sharing strategic information with Wit grows into something more as the flirting and feelings develop. Only one person can win, though, and any alliance has an expiration date. To win and honor Claire, who was a master of the game, Meredith must keep her eye on the prize. Taking place over the course of a week, the narrative is tight with well-paced reveals that disrupt predictability and keep the plot moving. Early details are picked back up, and many elements come satisfyingly full circle. The short time frame also heightens the tension of this summer romance: What will happen when they leave the bubble of the Vineyard? The mix of budding romance, competitive hijinks, a close-knit circle, as well as dealing with loss make for a satisfying read. The main cast is White. Summery fun and games with feeling. (family tree) (Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.