What I Thought Was True

It’s such a great feeling when you pick up a new book and it immediately clicks, and that’s the feeling I had within the first few pages of What I Thought Was True. I knew right away that this was going to be another Huntley Fitzpatrick masterpiece. I am so in love with this woman’s writing; whether it’s the way she describes the smell of low tide on a hazy summer night or the angst of a young woman who never felt as though she was worth very much to anyone. Fitzpatrick has a talent of getting you to the heart of the matter by allowing you to become intimately familiar with the story and the characters. I absolutely adore how she takes the time to immerse you in their stories but at the same time moving the plot forward with impeccable pacing. I’m also a huge fan of how beautiful her descriptions of even the smallest of details can be. There were so many passages in this novel that I had to stop and re-read again because they were just so perfect. “I shift my gaze to the limitless blue of the sky, acutely aware of every sound–the sighing ocean, the hum of the bees in the beach plum bushes, the distant heartbeat throb of a speedboat.” I’m a New England girl through and through, and this novel reminded me of everything I love about the summers here; salty skin, sunsets from the pier and warm nights by the sea. The beach-side community was the perfect setting for the novel and it became a character all on its own. You can tell that Fitzpatrick is New England born and bred as well, she gets all of the details perfectly right. Even down to the crushed seashell driveways and Hoodsie cups. What really touched me about this novel though was how often Gwen’s situation reminded of the feelings I had as young woman, learning to love myself despite the mistakes I made. Her family life is complicated and she has to deal with so many influences at home that force her to be wise beyond her years. Living under the same roof as your mom, a little brother with special needs, your cousin AND your grandfather is bound to create some drama. Luckily she loves and is loved by her family so completely that it makes the strain a little easier and they all know they can rely on one another. even though it was filled with its’ fair share of drama, I really enjoyed the dynamics between Gwen and her family, and how it just added to the dynamic layers of her character. One relationship that she isn’t so sure of is the one with Cassidy (Cass) Somers, the rich boy from the mainland who takes a job as a yard boy with the rest of “the help” on the island she lives on. Gwen doesn’t know why he decided to take the job and she certainly doesn’t know how to interact with him considering their history. Throughout the book, both Gwen and Cass work on finding a way to define a new friendship without letting the mistakes of their past get in the way. She definitely wants to keep the relationship strictly platonic, but Cass’ good looks and charm end up making that a pretty difficult task. Slowly but surely he finds a way to insert himself into nearly every aspect of Gwen’s life and she’s forced to find a way to accept that. At the same time, Cass is forced to deal with the repercussions of “that night” and find a way to get Gwen to trust him again. It’s such an honest portrayal of former friends navigating their way back to each other, with both of them not having any clue of how to get there or what will happen once they do. Speaking of Cass, he earns his spot in my book boyfriend hall of farm for his sincerity, kindness and persistence. He’s so honest with Gwen and you can tell that despite everything he truly cares for Gwen and only wants the best for her. His messy blonde hair, tan skin, strong arms and habit of being shirtless also paint a pretty swoon-worthy picture. I think it’s pretty safe to say that I am obsessed! One of the things I really appreciated about this book was how honestly the topic of sex was handled. It’s not always sunshine and roses, mistakes are made and you start wishing things had been done differently. I’ll get real for a sec and admit that I’ve been there and to see myself in Gwen’s situation was so refreshing. It was great to read a YA book in which the main character faces the dilemma head on and fights her way through to the other side. More so for herself than anything else and no matter how scary it may be. The trick is not to let those mistakes own you and find a way to move beyond the past with out it dragging you down. I adored Gwen for her humility and ultimately her strength, and found myself wishing that this book had been around when I was younger. Huntley Fitzpatrick masterfully weaves three love stories into one with this novel; the complicated love between a boy and girl, the story of a girl learning to love herself and Huntley’s love letter to summer in New England. The common thread throughout this book was the journey we all take in life to discover what it is we truly love. What you thought you wanted isn’t always what you get..it may turn out to be something even better.

I absolutely LOVED Huntley Fitzpatrick's debut novel, My Life Next Door. It was definitely one of my favorite books of 2013. So when I saw that she had a new book coming out in 2014 I rushed to pre-order it. I was so excited ... and then I started reading some of the advanced reviews of some reviewers that I trusted, and the reviewers were mixed. Several were very disappointed in this book. I got nervous. I held off on buying it, and then I held off even more on reading it. I didn't want to lose any of the love of Huntley Fitzpatrick's writing that I had. But after six months of dragging my feet I finally picked up What I Thought Was True and ... I really, really liked this book a lot. I am sorry that I didn't just jump in and read, trusting those writing skills of Fitzpatrick that I had come to love with her first book. Yes, this book is a slow burner with lots of smaller, seemingly insignificant events that come together to tell a story. But if you can be patient and trust the characters of this novel, I think that you can find an emotionally satisfying story that truly touches on the reality of life and love for so many teens. Gwen is the first person narrator for this story, a girl who is part of the lower to middle class segment of an island community consisting of mini mansions and seasonal upper class residents. Gwen has had some sort of experience that has created a rift between her and Cass, an upper class young man who has taken a summer job as a yard worker on the island. The mystery of exactly what happened on that night is perhaps the most frustrating part of this story, and the reason that this one doesn't get a full five stars from me. The actual event is not revealed until the half-way point in the novel. I don't think that there was any need for this mystery since EVERYONE knew what happened that night ... or I should clarify and say that everyone THOUGHT they knew what happened that night. There was no need to wait forever to say what happened. The more fascinating part of the story was coming to see how Gwen, in particular, had completely misread the situation, leading to months and months of unnecessary heartache and anger. Communication, people. Communication is always the answer. Lack of it is always the problem, no matter how difficult the talking may be. At first it might seem as if this is going to be a Romeo and Juliet sort of story with two people from different sides of the track trying to make a relationship work. But that is not really what this story is about, even though the class differences do come into play in this story. It is obvious from the beginning that Cass and Gwen had some sort of short term relationship. It was nothing that ever got far enough to be really labeled a relationship, but it seemed to be something that might head in that direction. But it didn't. Instead, as the story begins it seems as if Gwen hates Cass and wants to avoid him at all costs. It is not so clear that Cass feels the same way. He seems to desperately want to be Gwen's friend, if she would only let him in. Seeing the transition of Gwen's feelings was super sweet, but quite smasmodic for much of the book. Gwen was convinced that she understood everyone's motivations and history, but it turns out that the world didn't really fit into the box she had created for it. Some thoughts: I thought that this book really did an excellent job of illustrating and then dissecting the tangled web of teenage romance and "love" that exists in the world. It can be exhilarating and fulfilling, but it can be messy and devastating and somewhat harmful as well. There can be moments when two people feel as if they have discovered their soul mates, only to find that feelings and emotions change as life happens. Things that seem so solid can end up being just as temporary as anything. And sadly, these relationships can be thrown into the public domain, used as fodder for community gossip and speculation. It's a roller coaster. I really appreciated the realistic way that Huntley Fitzpatrick portrayed the sexuality of these characters. Too often writers of YA novels throw their characters into intimate relationships right and left, not giving any real attention to the emotional affect of those actions. In this story I thought that it showed that there is no such thing as "just sex." There is emotional damage that is done when these actions are not given the thought and care that they deserve. Gwen liked to believe that she was above that emotional toll, but she was affected by her actions as well as the actions of her peers. The speed in which these characters attached labels to each other regarding their sexual experience was sad ... and sadly, not uncommon in any high school you would enter today. Their sexuality was sometimes used as a weapon to hurt each other, and only when the characters began to recognize the emotional consequences for their behaviors did they begin to actually mature and grow as characters. I LOVED Cass. Even though he was introduced to us through Gwen's often unflattering thoughts, and his actions were seen through her angry lens, it was apparent that this boy had cared about Gwen for a long time ... and still cared for her. I especially loved his interaction with Gwen's special needs brother, Emory. Cass was a charmer, for sure, but while Gwen first viewed this as a negative quality, it soon became evident that he was a truly sincere person. He wasn't perfect. He made a few whoppers of mistakes in this story. But he truly was sincere and tried to do the best that his seventeen year old self could do. I loved his complete confusion at Gwen's motivation for her reactions as she freaks out sometimes when he is trying to do a good thing for her. The best thing about the character of Gwen was the transformation of her understanding about the people around her. She ended up the novel realizing that almost everything she believed about everyone on the island was wrong or skewed in some way. She learned that things weren't quite as bad as she initially believed about this event that supposedly transformed her life. But she also believed that some of the things that she believed were solid and secure were not quite so solid. Here's where the communication among people comes in handy. The more people actually talked to each other, the more they actually learned about each other. The events of this book made me think about my own life and the growth in understanding I gained as I grew older and saw my friends (and enemies) in a clearer light. Things weren't always "what I thought was true." Gwen's family relationships were interesting. I appreciated the friendship she shared with Vivien, and how even that friendship wasn't exactly as clear as Gwen believed it to be. And as a bonus, there was also a great relationship between Gwen and Mrs. Ellington, an octogenarian Gwen was hired to watch over the summer. I loved Mrs. E and her group of fellow elderly ladies who would gather for tea each day as Gwen would read trashy romance novels to them. Although it was secondary to the main story, this was a sweet side story that enriched the overall story and the theme of seeing things as they really are. Overall I found a deep and mature story that caused me to think deeper and reflect on the events of the novel long after putting it aside. I enjoyed it a lot. Huntley Fitzpatrick is still one of my favorite YA authors. Four stars!

What I Thought Was True is my second Huntley book. I am still kinda new in the genre and while it wasn't my all time love of my life book, there was still a lot that I enjoyed. This is classic other side of the track tale of a girl named Gwen who is learning quickly and sometimes a bit harshly that things aren't always what she believed them to be. I can totally see the appeal of Mrs. Fitzpatrick is that she is the queen of capturing that certain personification whether it be the tough sarcastic girl from the working class family or the spoiled rich kid who can never quite fill his older siblings shoes. She seems to be greatly attuned to people and is able to really give them all a ton of depth. it shines through in her writing as clear as day. I really like Gwen's dry, kind of self depreciating, sense of humor. She is just so funny to me. Very unlike most Contemporary books I have read (which is like 3 so I know my experience is limited here folks). I was to thrilled with the layout by that i mean the flashbacks interspersed through out the first 60% of the book. I see what the author was trying to do by slowly building the history/ back story but I wasn't feeling it. Maybe if they had a nice segue or something but no, they're just kinda inserted when Gwen's mind wanders. I have had to re-read a few of those scenes to actually make sure they we the flash backs. I thought they were a different scene al together. Did anyone else have this issue? Anyway I know it's on purpose so I'll overlook it. I didn't particularly fall for the romance either. Gwen and Cass's cat and mouse game was tedious at best. It took far to long or me to become invested in the dilemma. Let me just say that I did like the enlightenment aspect that both characters faced though, another nod to her awesome characterizations. This plot seemed very gritty and real, almost seemed more to life as in there was no grand gesture after a huge fight were all kiss and make up. It payed out like life would. Huntley was able to capture that perfectly. She also does a great job or portraying the inner working of family life. It isn't always peaches and cream. Parents and kids alike can make mistakes but everyone has their own story. That was the redeeming quality of this book. That and Gwen's sense of humor. Nic and Viv, that whole thing felt unnecessary. I was not really a fan of this story but I simply cannot overlook the sheer brilliance of Huntley's writing so I will absolutely read her next book. As a matter of fact I will be doing that next week! I am thrilled to get back to the Garretts.

What I Thought Was True had big shoes to fill. I feel for Huntley Fitzpatrick because I imagine it was pretty stressful working on a second book after the success of her first. However, she did an amazing job of following it up. What I Thought Was True was set in the same book-universe as My Life Next Door but it didn't really overlap characters (outside of a trip to Garrett's Hardware store and "the cute redheaded guy behind the counter" --Tim-- who "gets totally distracted when some chick walks in wearing cut-off shorts"--maybe Alice?--). I'll admit that I went in hoping for a peak at Jase and Sam's continued happiness but instead there was nothing. And, strangely enough, I'm glad. This book stood on it's own two feet (figuratively of course since books don't have feet) and having Sam and Jace in it would have distracted from the real stars, Gwen and Cass. Gwen was one of those imperfect characters that can be so frustrating yet I just can't help but love her. And Cass was the perfect compliment to Gwen. He was sweet and polite but not too much so. He showed he cared about her but wasn't overly sappy. He could handle Gwen's hang-ups but he wasn't a pushover. He wasn't perfect. He was real. I loved reading about them and how they interacted, even when it was frustrating. They weren't the only characters I loved either. The book is rich in great characters and rich in secondary stories. Nic and Viv, Spence, Mrs. E and Henry, Grandpa, Emory, Dad, Mom, and more. Even the very minor characters had a life of their own and very clearly had their own story going on in the background even if we weren't privy to it. I loved it. I loved it all. I'm sad that the book is over and I will mostly definitely be reading it again in the future, probably several time. I can't wait for Huntley Fitzpatrick' s next book. She's definitely a talented author.

I knew I would love this book; so I guess what I thought was true. Probably the first chapter in, "My Life Next Door" I knew that this author was one I had to watch out for. I've been waiting ages for this book to come out! I'm a teenage girl and Huntley Fitzpatricks' stories make me feel hopeful in finding my story, taking and embracing the risks of life. This was an amazing, amazing, amazing book. To tell you the absolute truth amazing doesn't even come close to describing this book. I love how she adds family to stories, most books I read, are books that focus on just the couple. Huntley makes me want to write stories differently, just like her. Not like her, but to have my own trademark. I love her, I love her writing and I love her characters. She made me fall in love with both Cass and Jase and hopefully many more!

What I thought was true I waited for more than year for another book of Huntley Fiztpatrick. My Life Next Door is one of my very favorite book, which I could re read everytime. I have a lots of expectations on this book. I finished it and I liked it, but I think I over expect this to be more than My Life Next Door . Anyway, I love how Huntley writes, I like her characters, on how she’s into family, showing the loving inter-actions on family members. But there’s way too much many characters here. They can be funny, but for me who is eager for the love story, these characters became annoying. The book club girls, Henry , Mrs Ellington dramas, I think they took many chapters in this book. Irrelevant. The story is about Cass and Gwen. I was impatient while reading coz I wanted the story to jump and focus on these two characters at once, and I was worried that I’m already 50% of what I’m reading and I haven’t read any significant moments with these characters. We saw Gwen having heart to heart talks to her father, cousin, best-friend, brother, Spence and his bath tub, the lady that she worked with but little with her and Cass. I understand these characters are important but on those pages we have the detailed description on Viv and Nic’s relationship and how they kissed and nothing happened yet with Gwen and Cass. It picked up thankfully, but it kept me looking for more Cass and Gwen moments and I feel that It was not enough . Even their epilogues moments were stolen by the other characters. But it’s sweet, I really like Cass. I want to know him more, I don’t think its well explained, we never get to know his family. We never know what on his mind. And I want to know the story on how/why they became playmates when they were 8 years old. Gwen is complicated, she has her own problems with she would still taking and stressing out some other people’s problems. I like Emory and I certainly love Nic. I was hearbroken for him. I wish he will have his own story that he will have a happy ending. I don’t like cheating girlfriends, so I dislike Viv.

I loved Ms. Fitzpatrick's first book My lIfe next Door. Reading the reviews I realized this book was a little different so I was unsure if I wanted to read it. I am so glad I did. Even if the story is different her characters are similar as far as the innocence and likeability. I actually cared about them. I live the way her males characters are genually sweet and caring but yet very believable. The book was well written ion which I laughed and felt like crying. This book is so well worth the time and money. I just wish it wasn't so long between books. Please write faster🙏

I love Fitzpatrick's books, but I found this one to be the weakest out of the three. Although I think she did a great job at creating a vivid backdrop for this opposite-side-of-the-tracks romance, I felt the romance was flat and dragged on unnecessarily. The lead male comes across as pretty bland and uninteresting, and unfortunately, his personal struggle wasn't very compelling either. The heroine, on the other hand, was a very pleasant surprise. Not because she's down to Earth and relatable-most of Fitzpatrick's heroines are- but because she faces slut-shaming and yet doesn't let it define how she sees herself. I found it refreshing, since a lot of YA still has virginity as a prerequisite for the heroine to be a role model (pretty out of sync with the times). Unfortunately, not even this great heroine can pull the deadweight of a boring male lead and an overall meh subplot. If you have never read anything by this author before, I recommend you start with The Boy Most Likely To. It's everything this one isn't.