For the Summer by camoozle

Official Description: Every year Bella waits for the ‘Pay Checks’ to roll into her sleepy river town and every year Edward’s hers, just for the summer. AH, AU, OOC, B/E

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I’m so thrilled to be able to recommend ‘For the Summer’ by camoozle because it owns my heart right now. A delightful story of friendship, first love and all the emotions that come along with it. Each chapter brings us to a new summer, exactly a year later than the chapter before, and takes us along on a delightful ride.

Starting in the summer of 1983, we follow eleven year old Bella, whose family owns the marina at a popular vacation spot in Arizona, and her new friend Edward, who is visiting for the summer. They spend their time doing things most adolescents do: swim, goof around and antagonize each other. At the end of the summer, Edward gives Bella a birthday present, which is still a month away, and a gesture of “so you can remember me.”

Every year, Edward returns, a little taller, a little smarter, and ultimately, a lot more handsome in Bella’s eyes. Then, as summer comes to an end, they say their sad goodbyes to each other once again, and Edward leaves her with another birthday present. As they age, the inevitable feeling of attraction grows between them and an innocent love begins to bloom.

“You know, I’ve never done that before,” I say and Edward grins.

“It was okay for your first time,” Edward reassures and I laugh because I know he’s lying. He’s touched boobs, for crying out loud.

“Yeah right, it was awful,” I say, frowning a little as Edward steps away from me.

“It wasn’t awful,” Edward says as he starts back down the hill. “You’re supposed to move your mouth a little, kind of relax your lips.”

“Can we try again?” I ask as that damn blush creeps into my cheeks. I don’t want Edward thinking I’m a terrible kisser because of a technicality.
“We can practice all week, if you want.” Edward flashes me a sly grin and I’m filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness and dread. Because even though the thought of kissing Edward again makes my stomach tighten in new, foreign ways, his words leave me with an aching in my heart. One week, that’s all we have left. One week.

Camoozle takes us through the heat of the summer, the feeling of melting ice cream on fingertips, teenage hormones and climbing through windows to forbidden bedrooms, and while the prologue is assuring us of a HEA, there are whispers of angst coming. Seriously though, how could there not be? Summerward and Marinabella are only together for a handful of weeks out of the year before they have to return to their other lives. Those lives are found hundreds of miles away from each other, where the confusing emotions of the teenage psyche mix with outside influences, and off-balances everything they believe to be true.

Quite simply, I adore this story. I think you will to. Don’t believe me? I leave you with one of the Birthday gifts Edward left for Bella at the end of the summer. Dare you not to swoon.

The sun burns with magnificent heat.

The water ripples in soft waves.

The hills bend and curve, holding the river in a tight embrace.

She is my summer. My heat, my waves, my tight embrace.

Happy Birthday, Bella. I’ll see you next summer.

Love,

Edward

Told you so. Read it.

Adorable. Heartbreaking. Funny. Sweet. <- All descriptions of this story.

Melissa228 recommended this to me a few weeks ago and once I started, it was almost impossible to stop (just like vampires and blood). Camoozle has created a Bella that I absolutely love, her inner thoughts and attitude make me giggle. I’m also a big fan of the ‘slow burn’ and the fact that the love (and lust) she develops for Edward isn’t instantaneous. These kids go through quite a bit before they make the jump into something a little more than friendship. And since they only see each other for a few months out of the year, it gets harder and harder to say goodbye each time the summer ends. Which means that as the chapters go on, it gets harder and harder to finish them, because you know what’s coming.

But it’s so very worth it, because the story is just that good. You’re definitely missing out if you’re not already reading this!

I love stories that can make me giggle, and For The Summer does not disappoint. A giant goobery smile was plastered on my face the entire time I was reading.

All of the characters have been perfectly written. Those little moments that I remember feeling during adolescence are all there. The nervousness, the awkwardness, and the absolute newness of everything.

“What? You…you kissed somebody?” I ask, forcing the feelings of anger and betrayal from my voice. I have no reason to be jealous, no reason to think Edward wouldn’t have girlfriends. He’s very nice and cute and of course girls would like him. But this makes us uneven again, and I foolishly hoped, maybe someday, Edward would like me like that, that maybe he’d kiss me.

But not now, not ever. Not after he kissed some other stupid girl and touched her boobs. No, I will have nothing to do with loving Edward.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was going through the same things as Edward and Bella, but I sure don’t remember it being as yummy as camoozle writes it. If my awkward moments had been laced with the sexual tension that builds between Edward and Bella, it would have been a lot easier to get through.

And then I feel it, a crackling hum, an electrical impulse, a spark. Whatever it is that Alice was talking about, I feel it and I know. And I’m scared and nervous and excited that his hand is touching my cheek but I want to be closer still so I crane my neck, tilting my head towards his. He leans down slowly, he’s so close now I can feel his breath on my face, his hand falls from my cheek and slides around my back instead and he pulls me even closer. Our bodies touch, my wet tank top against his bare chest and I relax against his lanky frame.

*sigh* Dreamy, right? if you haven’t already, make sure you check this one out. In the meantime, I will be sitting here waiting not-so-patiently for the next update.

Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin without fangirling this story. It’s always fun to read the variety of stories and styles that exist in this widespread fandom, but I am an absolute sucker for an author who creates strong, clear characterizations and a plot-driven tale that is exciting and heartwrenching to watch unfold.

The premise is simple: Bella is a young girl (eleven when the story begins) who lives a small town, working class life with her father and older brother. Every summer, they work in Charlie’s marina, tending to the Pay Checks who come each year for vacation. Bella is a product of her upbringing – of the sheltered life, of growing up surrounded by men, and of Charlie’s philosophy on business. Her constant repetition of this is the evidence of her limited world view and the way she is affected by what (and who) surrounds her.

“I just hate the beginning of the summer. All these people think they’re so special with their big boats and their fancy clothes,” I say, thinking about the boy’s new leather shoes and the way he winked at me, like he was thinking of a joke and I was the punch line.

“Those big boats and fancy clothes put a roof over your head, missy. And an ice cream in your hand.” Dad winks and holds out a couple of shiny round coins, and I know he’s right. It’s no use arguing with him, I know we’re luckier than most folks in this little town. Besides, it’s the start of the season and Dad’s busy. I shouldn’t bring him down with my sour mood.

“I know, Daddy,” I say, slightly ashamed I even bothered him at all. He gets up and places the coins in my hand before kissing me on the head. That’s my cue to leave, and I pocket the money before walking back out into the smothering heat.

So we meet Edward – just turned twelve years old, and he’s on vacation with his father (who is too busy working to do much with him) and his step-mother (who he and Bella nickname “the vampire witch monster”). Despite the differences of Bella’s life in Arizona and Edward’s in Seattle, they find that they’re not so different, and a bond is forged.

“I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I’m a lonely child,” Edward mumbles as he fiddles with the knobs on the washing machine, and I quickly pick up my underwear from the floor and shove them into one of the canvas bags along with the rest of the clothes from the dryer. Emmett’s going to be pissed at me for not folding, but I’ll just have to do it back at the house.

“You mean, an only child,” I say as I toss the clothes from the washer into the dryer. I turn the dial and push the start button and the machine begins to tumble.

“No I don’t,” Edward says quietly, and again my stomach feels all strange and mushy. I know how he feels. Sure, I have Emmett, but he spends a lot of his time with Jacob’s brothers. I’m alone a lot, and if I’m not alone, I’m usually wishing I were.

And so it begins. Bella and Edward become summer friends, and all too soon, it’s time for him to return to Seattle. Bella fears that this is the end of their friendship, like so many other one-time summer visitors have been before, but Dr. Cullen enjoys their summer enough to return year after year, and with those summers, the relationship between Edward and Bella blooms.

Each chapter, they are another year older and have more experience that comes with life and time. Their feelings for one another stretch beyond friendship, moving into places that are frustrating, exciting, confusing, and full of unnameable longing.

Each year, Bella reminds herself that what they share is only for the summer.

Yet, as the prologue reveals, there have been seventeen summers together, and with that bit of information, there are a world of possibilities, both loving and potentially heartbreaking, that these two characters may face. I’m anxious to see where this story goes, clinging to every word Camoozle writes and waiting (im)patiently for another update.

Beyond Edward and Bella, readers will find strong, interesting, fun supporting characters. The relationships reflect canon, but they each have a unique, unpredictable edge. Every person in this story serves a purpose, and as the years pass, you’ll see them grow and react age-appropriately to the circumstances of their lives. That, I feel, is one of the most outstanding accomplishments of this story. Camoozle’s progression is carefully paced, and it will leave you craving more and more, despite her substantial chapters.

For the Summer is an absolute must read, so go now, and be sure to leave Camoozle some love. And if you want to fangirl about it, come find me!

What can I say about this fic that you don’t already get from the other lovely reviewers? camoozle is an awesome writer, and shows such depth in every character. We feel everything they feel, from their love-drunk highs to their pits-of-despair heartbreaks. She’s an amazing author and storyteller.

It’s hot:

“Alright, alright,” Edward scoots over until his leg is touching mine. He sticks his thumb between his lips and holds out his pinky. “Bella, I promise you, I will never, ever tell anyone about your ticklish feet.”

I hold Edward’s gaze for what seems like an eternity, his face very close to mine, before I do the same and hook my finger to his.

“Seal it,” I murmur.

Edward leans forward and my heart begins to race. He presses his lips to mine and I sigh against his soft, full mouth. I try to remember what Edward showed me last summer and what I’ve heard Leah and Emily talking about at the store. It’s all forgotten though as soon as Edward licks at my bottom lip with his tongue.

A hundred little explosions go off under my skin and I freeze. Oh crap, he wants to French kiss me. My brain scrambles but before I have time to panic, I feel it again, a soft pull of wet and warm across my lip. Something in my body forces my brain to shut up and my lips to open and then, Edward’s tongue is in my mouth. And he tastes like heaven, like rainbow sherbet, sweet and smooth and melting on my tongue.

and it’s also fucking hilarious:

Holy Days of our Lives! Emily’s pregnant? With Sam’s baby? I thought she was dating Jared. She’s going to be a senior in high school and here she is knocked up by her cousin’s boyfriend. So much for being a free spirit. She’ll be tied to another person now for the rest of her life.

“Be a man? A real man doesn’t stick his dick in his girlfriend’s cousin,” Leah says bitterly.

“I’m so sorry, we never meant for any of this to happen,” Emily sobs and Leah just laughs, a maniacal tremor from her lips.
“Bullshit! What, you tripped and fell on his dick, over and over and over again until he got you fucking pregnant? If you didn’t mean for it to happen, then it wouldn’t have.”

*sigh* I love it so much! This story is so much more than just summer fun. The anticipation of the impending angst is practically killing me, but I am definitely in. Check out For the Summer–you’ll be glad you did.