"A richly embroidered cast of characters, a thoughtful exploration of how real friends treat one another, and the true meaning of family all combine to make this a thoroughly satisfying coming-of-age tale. Cape Cod is nicely depicted--not the Cape of tourists but the one of year-round residents--as is the sometimes-sharp contrast between residents and summer people. Hunt has crafted another gentle, moving tale of love and loss: the value of the one and the importance of getting over the other."--
Kirkus Reviews
"Limned in northeastern sea salt and Adirondack chairs, Hunt's latest offering explores those frustrating preteen years when friends become enemies and family is at once embarrassing and desired. . . . Hunt creates a realistic sketch of small-town life and the agonies of growing up in an imperfect family. . . . The thematic elements of tweenage angst are timeless and relatable."--
School Library Journal "In addition to telling Delsie's story in an involving way, Hunt vividly portrays the underlying us-and-them mentality shared by locals in a seaside community that relies on outside visitors. As sweet and summery as lemonade."--
Booklist "Endearingly blunt, stubborn Delsie lives year-round on Cape Cod. . . . In kid-friendly prose, Hunt balances Delsie's unfettered sense of adventure with her tweenlike insecurities. . . . Her sweet desire for a family and her unexpected realization that she's had one all along make this story well worth reading."
--Publishers Weekly
"[Delsie and Ronan's] slow-build friendship is realistic and enjoyable. . . . Delsie is an engaging protagonist, simultaneously stubborn and uncertain, independent-minded without forced quirkiness. Hunt's depiction of class conflict in a vacation destination is matter of fact, with money woes serving not as plot points but as part of the setting. The writing is vivid and child-friendly . . . with a satisfyingly imperfect resolution to the many conflicts."--
Horn Book