The summer before her senior year, 17-year-old Avery unexpectedly finds romance on a family vacation. Avery's family spends their summers away from Los Angeles, enjoying the outdoors; this year it will be two months at a remote resort in the California woods. Her 15-year-old sister, Lauren, an outgoing video blogger, is distraught by the camp's lack of internet access while go-with-the-flow Avery is just hoping for no drama, upset after having found out her best friend kissed her ex-boyfriend. An initial miscommunication makes things tense with handsome camp staff member Brooks--until Avery agrees to help him write songs for a band competition in exchange for his helping her step out of her comfort zone. Of course, staff aren't supposed to fraternize with campers, which leads to much sneaking around, though Avery and her sister attend several staff parties thanks to befriending lifeguard Maricela and drummer Kai. Avery learns to find her voice, both metaphorically--she feels her parents don't take her seriously--and literally, as she must overcome her stage fright when asked to step in for the vocalist in Brooks' band when they compete in the festival. Avery's complicated relationship with her family feels underdeveloped, though the love story with Brooks hits all the right notes. Fans of West will enjoy this watered-down Dirty Dancing tale, with its swoony romance and uncomplicated plot. Most characters are White; Maricela is implied Latinx, and Kai is Polynesian. A sweet, undemanding summer read. (Romance. 12-16) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 7 Up--Avery is in an early summer funk. She broke up with her boyfriend, then wanted to see if they could start over, but her best friend swooped in and took him before she could act. Then her parents took her and her younger, more popular sister, Lauren, to a remote (read: no internet or cell service) resort. Angry and unsettled, both by the locale and her parents' perception of her as pliable and always meeting everyone's expectations, Avery vows to try different and challenging things this summer. There are a few problems, however. She's resentful and feels intimidated by Lauren's breezy popularity and penchant for filming everything on her phone for her online video channel. Then she meets Brooks, a resort employee and member of the band that plays during the dinner meal. Their initial friction quickly turns to attraction, even though staff-guest socialization is prohibited. When they start writing a song and Brooks wants to use it for a festival competition, it's a terrifying moment for Avery. How she pushes through her fear and social anxiety makes for an absorbing tale. VERDICT Listeners who can get beyond Avery's balancing act on the annoying/sympathetic tightrope will be well rewarded and most likely be cheering at the end.--John R. Clark, formerly with Hartland P.L., ME