He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past--or the island--Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice.
Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true--about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself--with what really is.
Huntley Fitzpatrick delivers another enticing summer read full of expectation and regret, humor and hard questions, and a romance that will make every reader swoon. Skip to content Close Menu Contact. Overall a nice read but the book kind of lost me at the last three chapters. I would've added a few Cass's POV chapters because, clearly, Gwen offers us a skewed and prejudiced version of herself.
View all 14 comments. Apr 26, Jacob Proffitt rated it did not like it Shelves: unfinished. Holy crap, just tell me already what the freak happened with Gwen and Cass! At halfway through, not telling the readers what literally everybody in the novel not only knows but that affects all their actions and reactions is just being coy for the sake of coyness. Even worse, you've bracketed the core event with flashbacks that make Gwen look stupid and irrational in the present.
So essentially, the author is counting on keeping my interest despite a bitter protagonist who we can see has badly m Holy crap, just tell me already what the freak happened with Gwen and Cass! So essentially, the author is counting on keeping my interest despite a bitter protagonist who we can see has badly misjudged someone who is genuinely good and interested and she holds that grudge despite every evidence to the contrary.
Because I like spending time with stupid, bitter people holding irrational grudges? And here's a clue for authors: if your protagonist is continually acting based on an event in the past, and dwells on it endlessly, then tell the readers what the crap happened already!
View all 7 comments. Sep 22, Angela marked it as to-read Shelves: contemporary , books-library-owns , owned-physical , april. Very, very slowly, I lift my own hand, slide it up to rest on top of his and squeeze. His breath catches, but he still doesn't move. There's another flash of lightning. One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. The way to count out a storm. Another beat of silence, then I turn my face to the side and catch his mouth with mine.
Someone pinch me. View 2 comments. Sep 29, Keertana rated it it was amazing Shelves: arc-galley-and-first-reads , favorites , wishlist , swoooon. Rating: 4. While Fitzpatrick managed to hit the nail on the head concerning quite a few issues with her debut novel, My Life Next Door fell seriously flat for me. Thus, to find myself quite besotted with her sophomore piece is a surprise, to say the least. But What I Thought Was True battles the crashing waves of adolescence with an honesty that is forthcoming, a romance that is flawed, and relationships that really do withstand the test of time.
What I Thought Was True is a tale with multiple plot threads, but Fitzpatrick manages to make these complex story lines converge in a cohesive manner. Gwen Castle, the protagonist of our tale, hails from a long line of Portuguese fishermen and lives on the wrong side of the bridge. Fitzpatrick instills the very mentality of this town slowly, but deeply, into your very bones itself. First and foremost, it is an interracial setting with Gwen herself being only half-Portuguese but her cultural heritage is keenly felt, as are the personas of all her family members.
While Vivian and Nic share the type of relationship that Gwen — and everyone, really — only dreams of, the summer brings forth unexpected cracks. For one, there is the wild rumor that Vivan and Nic have been looking at engagement rings — a fact kept wholly secret from Gwen. Add to that the fact that Nic dreams of joining the Coast Guard while Viv simply wants to stay in their small island town and Gwen is officially caught between the two people who mean the most to her.
Fitzpatrick does such a skillful job of navigating the multiple relationships that Gwen possesses in her life, taking the time to develop these integral friendships through meaningful conversation. Suddenly, you edge your way to the end of your second ten years and BOOM.
Your choices matter. Not chocolate or vanilla, bridge or pier, Sandy Claw or Abenaki. Or the right one. It matters now. In fact, there are no love stories I love better than those which feature protected sex, a feminist heroine, and a respectful hero. What I Thought Was True starts off with Gwen trying her level best to avoid Cassidy and failing quite spectacularly as he seems to pop up wherever she goes.
Cassidy lives in Stony Bay, the rich side of the bridge, and Gwen, for all her helpful tendencies, has a bit of a reputation. Yet, Gwen is a good girl.
Not only is she honest, but she is respectful and kind. Not a slut, not a bitch, and not a whore. Fitzpatrick makes it seem so effortlessly easy to include friendships, close family ties, culture, heritage, and a meaningful romance that stresses a respect for boundaries. I only wish more authors would write contemporary novels like this one because, frankly, this is what the industry needs, not more Twilight Fifty Shades of Grey rip-offs.
And speaking of alpha males, can we all applaud the fact that Cassidy might just be the total opposite of one? Admittedly, his relationship with Gwen has a bit of a rocky past but at the core he's an absolute sweetheart. Gwen and Cassidy's romance is slow, tortuous, and an enticing sizzle to read unfold. Full of open discussion, unsaid secrets, and an undercurrent of sexual tension, I loved every one of their interactions particularly when Cassidy turns on his charm!
Yet, what I love most about their relationship is that it affirms the boundaries these two desire in their relationship and reaffirms them all over again when they change. It's such a healthy relationship, one in which both parties are happy and the pace is moving according to their own desires, not their past experiences.
Of course, getting to the relationship in question is one of the best arcs in the story, but the sustaining romance is a favorite of mine as well. Ultimately, I cannot recommend this book enough. What I Thought Was True is an incredible story about growing up and facing the hard truths that life throws at you.
View all 6 comments. Sep 28, Rashika is tired rated it it was ok Shelves: why-did-i-read-it , read , offensive , buddy-read , would-have-blown-my-mind-but , touchy-issues , ya , realistic-contemporary , pretty-covers-lie , brainless-characters. Buddy read with Jasprit It would have been a good four except that I don't care whether you're confused teenagers I don't care about anything else.
If you're confused and not sure I am sure there are ways to portray cheating that work but I haven't come across one yet. Yes it may have been between Nic and Vee but yeah.
I just don't think Vee deserved her own little HEA. And really? Also Cass? I don't like him anymore. I had a huge crush on him for most of the book until he thinks it's a good idea to hide that from Gwen. Gwen deserved to know. NIC deserved to know. Stupid teenagers. The book did wrap up well enough but I just don't fucking care. You will never be able to erase what she did in my mind. I will not be able to overlook it. I will not forget it.
And I will certainly be a hella more vary about picking up YA Contemporary okay that's a lie.. I probably will in the near future but I'll avoid picking up those silly summer reads. I give up. View all 33 comments.
Dec 22, Liza Wiemer rated it it was amazing Shelves: arc. It's been over a year since I read this novel, and I am still thinking about it! If you missed this novel, I highly recommend checking it out!
I read this novel almost straight through - I only had a break for dinner with my husband - and I have so many things that I am thinking about. This novel: is layered, beautifully written, has an incredible setting, contains rich prose, has emotionally charged characters, explores deep rela It's been over a year since I read this novel, and I am still thinking about it! The complexities and flaws of real relationships are what make this novel so phenomenal.
Cass is definitely swoon-worthy and a great match for the strong, generous-of-spirit, kind, best-sister-of-the-year, and vulnerable Gwen. If any couple can make it forever, these two will. But there will be challenges. Welcome to real life. I really commend Huntley for creating characters that have such depth.
I'm not sure too many writers could pull this off. By far, this will be a novel I'll be thinking about for a long time. It's revealing and eye-opening and painful and heartbreaking and swoony! Thank you, Huntley, for sending me the ARC. View all 20 comments.
Jul 07, emma rated it it was ok Shelves: owned , contemporary , ya , reviewed , nope , project-review-everything , unpopular-opinion , eh , 2-stars. Feb 28, Maureen rated it liked it. This was cuuuuuute. Overall though, a cute fluffy contemporary where the characters learn quite a bit.
It was good! Jun 05, kate rated it liked it Shelves: contemporary , young-adult. I just want all the cute, summer contemporaries from Huntley Fitzpatrick please!
Sep 12, Jaime Arkin rated it it was amazing Shelves: stand-alone-books , read-in , recommend-forever , , ya , on-my-real-shelves. I mean, you all know my love and adoration for My Life Next Door right? Let me just get this out of the way… You need to go into this book as you should each and every book… not letting previous books by the author influence your expectations of the characters and events that are about to happen. Which of course means this is going to be a hard review for me to write.
Gwen Castle spends her days working hard and imagining the day that she will be able to escape the island she lives on. Her blue collar family spends their days toiling in the family restaurant and cleaning houses for those a bit more fortunate than her and the summers are their busiest times.
But you also find out pretty quick that Gwen has a few secrets of her own… and they involve rich boy Cassidy Somers. But Ms. Fitzpatrick creates some amazing characters in this story. These two are young, and they struggle with miscommunication and shitty friends and rumors and parents and feelings of low self-worth. But we also get a second story about first love… not just with our main characters but this one is about our secondary characters of Nic and Vivien. She also gives us a story filled with the complex dynamics of family and the expectations that they have on you and how that can affect decisions.
It makes for an interesting story and some unique interactions. Add in the fact that her brother has special needs and this also impacts everyone and everything adding just one more layer to an already complex story. There is also something to be said for a boy with dimples. As I said above, Cass is charming and charismatic and he knows how to throw Gwen off with just a smile. Throw in swimming lessons with her little brother and I was swooning right along with her. What do you think, Gwen?
Want to come check out my form? Oh dear Lord. I wrinkle my nose, toss my hair back. About me. A story that encompasses so much more than just falling in love… one that touches on heavy topics and family issues, feelings of shame and the divide between those who have more than enough and those that are barely scraping by.
I should stop now right? And then go read My Life Next Door! Thank you to my lovely sister Erin for allowing me to read the copy that she won from Huntley Fitzpatrick. And Ms. This review will post to Fiction Fare closer to release. View all 4 comments. May 18, kari rated it did not like it Shelves: It is the rare book that only earns one star from me.
I don't like giving only one star as I know that someone worked hard to write whatever I've read. Only this doesn't feel like it was worked at much at all. Sorry to say that, but it is my honest opinion.
First, let us discuss continuity. I've said this before in other reviews, but an author has to proof-read, not just for spelling and grammar, but It is the rare book that only earns one star from me. I've said this before in other reviews, but an author has to proof-read, not just for spelling and grammar, but so that what they write flows without major mistakes. Page "Today's Nic's and my four-month anniversary," Vivien said absently, still staring at the water.
Try twelve years. I was the one who married the two of you when you were five. Five months since they've been doing it. Four months and in the next sentence five months. I kept reading over thinking I missed something or looking for the reaction when she says four months and is answered with five months.
But, nope, it is just an author's mistake. Page "If he talked, I'd think, and stop those fingers, which were edging my bra straps down and off, smoothing a slow caress back up my forearms, trailing goose bumps in their wake. So she was wearing a bra over her shirt? How hard is it to simply make sure what you write makes sense? This is irritating and I might have given this book a begrudging two, except for this nonsense.
Second, if any author is going to have a disabled character, they had best make sure they get every detail of that correct. Or again, it is sloppy writing. Do the research. Page "Bills, bills, bills. Insurance covers some, but the damn bills just keep on coming. His parents have no money. I mean, really no money. The dad lives in a beach shack and the mom, who is a cleaning woman, lives in a two bedroom shabby house sharing one of the bedrooms with her daughter while the other is shared by the little brother, cousin and grandfather.
They have old second-hand furniture, rattling, barely running automobile which, btw, a Bronco is not a truck. So, disabled child would most likely qualify for Social Security Disability benefits and Medicaid to help with therapy and medical costs. If they also have insurance, they should not be swimming in bills for this kiddo.
Again, sloppy. So, getting to the actual story-telling, I have no idea why the author chose to tell the story in this way. There are party scenes within party scenes while Gwen thinks over what she has done. Why do this? Make constant reference to this or that, but not actually share the this or that until most of the way through the book. Look at that butt! Wow, is she built! Is this a relationship?
She lusts after him and wants him to have sex with her. He tricks her into doing so, but still she would rather have her and his clothes off. Okay then. The one person in this whole story who I was interested in was Nic. And wow, is that story a convoluted mess which makes no sense.
When she finds out that is not his plan, although he does hope to marry her someday, she sneaks off with the nasty rich boy because, yeah, this guy is surely going to stay and become a caterer.
NO, we are NOT. Or, better yet: Your heart has just been broken. Get drunk, underage young person. Yeah, great advice dad. So, the Islandies really are kind of low-lifes? And even if I put all of that aside, it is boring. Nothing really happens until the last 40 pages or so.
It just shuffles along. Skip it. One last thing, her first book, My Life Next Door, is actually very good. It is hard to believe that this is actually the same author. I would recommend that one. Jun 15, Alyssa rated it really liked it Shelves: releases. Review books get maximum priority over books I buy or borrow from the library, so a lot of times, I'll buy a book I've not read before, and it just sits there.
Like this one. The book was published in multiple languages including English, consists of and is available in ebook format.
The main characters of this young adult, contemporary story are Gwen Castle, Cassidy Sommers. The book has been awarded with , and many others. Please note that the tricks or techniques listed in this pdf are either fictional or claimed to work by its creator. A slow history of past hurts are revealed with flashbacks from the Polar Bear Plunge and through characters such as the womanising Spence.
Was not pleased by the so-called fatherly advice but glad to see Gwen making a stand for herself and doing the right thing, even though it was difficult.
A surprise that came out of nowhere which was well done, Fitzpatrick! Was not a huge fan of the classic teenage-fiction premise where an incident is not further delved into at the time, snowballing until it is confronted later by the main teens- which is the crux of this story. A lot of mistakes that needed to be clarified and discussed weren't or dealt with an abundance of immaturity. However, great ideas present about moving on from these and making a meaningful restart.
A fair bit of teenage angst but hilarious teenage-typical thoughts italicised to balance this out. Amusing conversations provided by these cast of young characters. A chunky book about growing up as a teenager while managing life with work, school, friends and family. Enjoyed seeing the range of Seashell teenagers and their own unique dreams and working towards those goals- both with successes and setbacks while maintaining responsibilities for their jobs, looking after their family members and maintaining friendships while life takes place around them.
Great overall theme of taking second chances for a better re-do.
0コメント