Review: Changes in Latitudes

Changes in Latitudes

By Jen Malone

Published: July 25, 2017

A "road" trip romance that takes place at sea!

All Cassie wants is to get some solid ground under her feet following the shock of her parents' divorce. So when she learns of her mom's plans to take Cassie and her brother, Drew, on a four-month sailing trip from Oregon to Mexico, she's stunned. There is absolutely nothing solid about the Pacific Ocean. 

Cassie is furious. And nervous. It's been hard enough keeping Drew sheltered from what Cassie knows about her mother's role in breaking their family apart, but living in such close quarters threatens to push her anger past its tipping point. Enter Jonah, a whip-smart deckhand who's as gorgeous as he is flirtatious. Cassie tries to keep him at a distance, but the more time they spend together--wandering San Francisco, riding beachside roller coasters, and exploring the California coastline--the harder it is to fight the attraction. 

​Cassie wants to let herself go, but her parents' split has left her feeling adrift in a sea of questions she can't even begin to answer. Can she forgive her mom? Will home ever feel the same? Should she take a chance on Jonah? With life's unpredictable tides working against her, Cassie must decide whether to swim against them... or dive right in.

My review:

I felt bad for Cassie because of the divorce and she is in some deep pain over it and the secret she overheard regarding her mom. Now she has to be stuck on a boat with her mom for four months. While I could understand her hurt, her bratty behavior got old after awhile. To be fair, I know I acted like that at times when I was younger. Cassie's brother Drew is much more sunny even though he is also affected by the divorce. He is eager to learn everything he can about sailing and embraces the trip with good humor. Drew is pretty sweet and I kept thinking he was younger and not a teen yet since he isn't moody like his sister!

Thankfully Cassie's attitude does improve as the book goes on and she is changed by the experience of the trip. The divorce is a really sad thing that happened but it didn't just happen to her. She realizes that her anger and petty behavior was keeping her from making the most of a really cool experience. I think bonding with her brother helped and it doesn't hurt that she meets Jonah who becomes a friend and love interest. I think Cassie grows up a lot during the trip and she learns more about her mom too. 

Overall I liked this book. I appreciated the focus on family relationships and I liked the character development as well. The romance was sweet and I liked how Jonah also befriended Drew and seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. I enjoyed the setting and learning a little bit about sailing though I would never in a million years want to do that. I seriously suffer from motion sickness so I could feel Cassie's pain at the beginning of the trip! I think fans of Morgan Matson, Sarah Dessen and Jessi Kirby would like this.