99 Days
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4.2 • 309 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
From the acclaimed author of How to Love comes another stunning contemporary novel, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen.
Molly Barlow is facing one long, hot summer—99 days—with the boy whose heart she broke and the boy she broke it for . . . his brother.
Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that's how I know everyone still remembers everything. She has every right to hate me, of course: I broke Patrick Donnelly's heart the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. Now I'm serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college and be done.
Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn't finished. I'm expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it's just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. "For what it's worth, Molly Barlow," he says, "I'm really glad you're back."
Day 12: Gabe wouldn't quit till he got me to come to this party, and I'm surprised to find I'm actually having fun. I think he's about to kiss me—and that's when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who's supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who's never going to forgive me.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Molly Barlow has a complicated history with the Donnelly siblings: Patrick was her first love, but then she hooked up with his brother, Gabe, enraging sister Julia, Molly's onetime friend. Making matters worse, her mother wrote a thinly veiled bestselling novel about Molly's love triangle with the brothers, which resulted in Molly skipping town to attend boarding school. Now she's back in Star Lake and taking abuse from all sides except from Gabe and Tess, Patrick's current girlfriend. Soon, Molly and Gabe's romance has reignited, even as she's getting dirty looks from his family, hanging out with Tess, and going running with Patrick. Setting her novel over the "99 days" of summer before Molly starts college, Cotugno (How to Love) explores the powerful bonds that arise between childhood friends who grow up to discover romance, as well as the intense rivalry between brothers. Societal double standards that label girls as promiscuous while boys get off scot-free are front and center in a thought-provoking story that will leave readers thinking about the guilt and shame that are often unfairly attached to sex. Ages 13 up.
Customer Reviews
Rich, Layered, and Compelling
Received a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
99 DAYS pleasantly surprised me! The synopsis made me think this book was going to be another cliche story of a teen love triangle. But it was a rich, layered, and compelling story of mistakes, love, friendship, family, and growing up. I loved watching Molly struggle with very real issues. The way the summer plays out was totally unexpected.
This one seems to be very polarizing. Try to keep an open mind and realize these are the kinds of stories worth reading. The characters are flawed, as is their behavior and it makes for fantastic storytelling. Definitely want to read more from this author!
My Review
The anticipation throughout the entire book was insane. I never knew what the ending was going to be like, but now that I do it satisfies. Situations got messy, and you sit thinking how Molly will ever get herself out of it all. It was a good roller coaster of emotions, and a couple of out loud laughs as well.
Whoa
Well in order to enjoy the book you have to be okay with some questionable decisions made by the main protagonist. As in cheating. However the writing is nice and it’s en enjoyable quick read.