Sadie Bell is a young upcoming photographer who is sure about her goals in life. She’s determined to be as successful as her famous absentee father and to bond with him over a mutual love of art. She’s determined to forget about Noah (the guy she gave her virginity to) and hoping to become good friends with the rich girls who live in prestigious neighborhoods. Unfortunately, nothing turns out the way Sadie thought it would and, throughout the summer and the novel, she loses friendships, gains a new crush and realizes that her father isn’t the man she thought he was.
I read this book in a day, but I don’t feel like it had a lasting impact on me at all. Sure, I loved the fact that it is one of the few books that I can stand reading that talk in-depth about scenery and a character’s surroundings, but it’s also easily forgettable. The storyline is basic, and the characters aren’t really memorable. What I loved about “Summer in the Invisible City” is how well written it was. The way Sadie describes her love of art, photography and the people in her life (especially Sam) is stupendous even though it borders a bit on being cynical. It was easy to emphasize with Sadie as she went through what might have been the toughest summer of her life. I really felt it for her when her father criticized her for planning to become an artist and said that she’d be better off in a more practical profession. He was so brutally insensitive towards Sadie’s hopes and dreams, and she took all of it to heart.
However, unlike most YA romances, the novel did an amazing job at crafting relationships among its characters. Sadie and Willa’s friendship seemed like a very realistic and probable relationship between adolescent girls. Even Sadie’s relationship with her photography teacher seemed to be relatable, and I loved reading about the things he taught them in her class. What was kind of disappointing was her relationship with Sam. I was tricked! Before I started reading the book, the description stated that Sadie developed a crush on someone who only saw her as a friend. What happens over the course of 268 pages is not what I expected. Still, it ended up adding the right vibe to an already charming story.
The hardships that Sadie finds herself pushing past makes for a good read, and I loved watching her character slowly develop. “Summer in the Invisible City” by Juliana Romano is one of those novels that you can take with you to the beach or read while sitting on the steps of your house. It’s a light read that you can curl up to on your couch and sink your teeth into.
Rating: 7.5/10
Summer in the Invisible City by Juliana Romano is now available in stores.
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