Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

Title/Author: Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt
Publisher/Date published: Simon Pulse, July 12th 2011
How I got this book: received it from the publisher as an egalley

Goodreads summary: "On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side... until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction - and one night, into a passionate kiss.
The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think..."

The main character in this book, Hannah, does a Very. Bad. Thing. So bad it needs capitals. But, the title of the book is right: sometimes it happens. And then you have to deal with it. And I think Hannah dealt with what she did in the best possible way in the end.

I really liked Hannah. I know she did a bad thing, because it opens with the day after it happened and then you get flasbacks throughout the summer. But she's a really likeable girl. I mean, I could so remember myself at that age, obsessing about boys and what every little thing means, going as far as even analysing everything he said and the way it was said. I WAS that girl. I mean, she drives past her ex-boyfriend's house to check if the girl he cheated with is there. I remember biking around town to catch a glimpse of the guy I liked or going by the place he worked. Fortunately, my crushes rarely lived in the same town I did, else I probably would have gone mad.

And Noah. Gosh, I loved Noah. He sounded absolutely wonderful and I liked how they grew from being friends to more. They had great chemistry and I really liked the scenes. they had together.
I also really loved Lacey, I mean, come on, that girl is hilarious! And then there's Ava, Hannah's best friend. I didn't really feel sorry for her, because throughout the whole book I thought there was something wrong with their friendship. Hannah did the Very Bad Thing, but Ava wasn't a great friend either. Though of course that doesn't excuse it. But still.

This was such a fun read, it was perfect to de-stress with after my huge exam last Friday. There were some things that didn't flow perfectly, but overall I really enjoyed the book, it's a perfect summer read.
My rating: 4.5 stars