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Kirsty Eagar
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Summer Skin Paperback – 27 January 2016

by Kirsty Eagar (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 103
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A searingly honest and achingly funny story about love and sex amid the hotbed of university colleges by the award-winning author of Raw Blue.

Jess Gordon is out for revenge. Last year the jocks from Knights College tried to shame her best friend. This year she and a hand-picked college girl gang are going to get even.

The lesson: don't mess with Unity girls.

The target: Blondie, a typical Knights stud, arrogant, cold . . . and smart enough to keep up with Jess.

A neo-riot grrl with a penchant for fanning the flames meets a rugby-playing sexist pig - sworn enemies or two people who happen to find each other when they're at their most vulnerable?

It's all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy's stuff. Just your typical love story.

'Taking a keen look at modern day intimacy in a hook-up culture, Summer Skin expertly shatters notions of slut shaming and the pull of sexual desire. Realistic, modern and moving, the story of Jess and Mitch is as smart as it is hot. Kirsty Eagar has written the feminist love story that girls have been waiting for.' Clementine Ford
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    A & U Children
  4. Publication date
    27 January 2016
  5. Reading age
    17 years and up
  6. ISBN-10
    1925266923
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1925266924
  8. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Kirsty Eagar was raised on her mum's central Queensland cattle property, and spent most holidays at the beach with her dad. After completing a Master's degree in Economics, she worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of England before changing careers, wanting a life where she could surf every day. She travelled around Australia for a couple of years, living out of a car, worked a variety of jobs and began writing fiction. Her debut novel, Raw Blue, won the 2010 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Young Adult fiction. Her second novel, Saltwater Vampires, was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. Her third novel, Night Beach, was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards, the Western Australia Premier's Awards and a Gold Inky.

Kirsty lives with her husband and two daughters on Sydney's northern beaches.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ A & U Children (27 January 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1925266923
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925266924
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 17 years and up
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 103

About the author

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Kirsty Eagar

Kirsty Eagar

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Kirsty Eagar is an Australian author and surfer. Her Young Adult novels have won and been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, and she is currently writing the screenplay for the feature film adaptation of her novel, Raw Blue. Kirsty was raised by her mother and grandmother on a farm under the big skies of Central Queensland. She now lives on Sydney's northern beaches with her husband, two daughters, and a very salty dog. She surfs most days, and competes in her local boardriders’ club. She loves northerlies, the emerald glass of Autumn swells, purple sea snails, and her beach community. She is fascinated by learning through creativity, and is the founder of Story Smart for students and schools.

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Top reviews from Australia

Sarah Fairbairn - Absidity Art
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer Skin’s story was believable and the characters felt real.
Reviewed in Australia on 16 February 2016
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When Jess and Mitch first meet it is a truly awkward cringe worthy moment - a real moment.

Summer Skin’s story was believable and the characters felt real. While Jess and Mitch’s burning then blooming romance pushes the story along, a lot of issues that face young adults these days are touched on in a realistic and un-preachy manner. Well Done Kirsty Eagar.

It was hideously beautiful! It made me thank the stars above that I’m not 19 anymore, while at the same time making me wish I still was.
I’d say it’s more suited to a 15-25 age range. I’m not saying that if your older you won’t enjoy it, you still will, I still did. I’m just saying that age bracket because If I had read this when I was the main character’s age, it would have blown me away.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Jess is an awesome character, she is funny
Reviewed in Australia on 21 February 2016
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Jess is an awesome character, she is funny, kind and tough and able to pass micro - all the things I want to be.
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Grateful
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesomeness!!!
Reviewed in Australia on 13 March 2016
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This book was amazing. I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between jess and Mitch was so real and tense. I loved the way the author worded everything it wasn't gross or vulgar it was just the right touch. I didnt want to finish it because i didnt want it to end. The way each chapter went on and how it felt like u were there for there whole relationship. Each girl i loved and Jess's realness and her power was amazing. How she could be vulnerable and strong at the same time. She really did put through a lot with the boys and girls but she was a powerhouse. The book was just amazing!!!
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Jade Timms
5.0 out of 5 stars Goddam, this was good!
Reviewed in Australia on 25 August 2018
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RAW BLUE is one of my most favourite books, so I went in with high expectations, and I was no disappointed. It was fun and clever and HOT (SO HOT), and I couldn't put it down. I wish more books were set during university/college.
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Shelleyrae
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer Skin is smart, funny, sexy and thought-provoking
Reviewed in Australia on 5 February 2016
Summer Skin offers a 'girl meets boy' story, a typical trope in YA/NA fiction, but author Kirsty Eagar has stripped back the common artifice of the construct to present a love story that honest, unique and relevant.

I found Jess to be a particular refreshing character for the YA/NA genre, though a mess of contradictions, she reflects a realistic young woman still figuring out that life and its challenges are rarely black and white.

Mitch challenges Jess in interesting ways, at first glance he is everything Jess despises - an arrogant rugby playing sexist pig, and she holds tightly to that initial assessment, which she often uses as an excuse and justification throughout their relationship for her own behaviour, even as she learns that Mitch is a much more than that. They both struggle to define their relationship in terms of both their own identities, and each other.

There is real depth to this novel beneath the humor, mischief, drunken revelry, dress up balls, and instagram poses that exemplifies campus life. The author explores modern day feminism and how its meaning varies between individuals, illustrated by the differing attitudes and opinions of Jess and each of her close friends, Farren, Leanne and Allie. She captures the conflict many young women face when negotiating issues of lust, sex and intimacy in the age of the hook-up culture. Eagar also touches on several relevant issues affecting today's young adults including the use, and abuse of social media, the way in which porn distorts attitudes to sex, the risks of speeding and drink driving, but she never preaches.

Aimed squarely at a mature young adult/new adult audience, Summer Skin is smart, funny, sexy and thought-provoking. There is nothing typical about it.
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Jade Rechner
5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic and believable!!
Reviewed in Australia on 11 January 2018
This book is my absolute favourite book to read over and over again, and I never get sick of it. Last time I read this book, I really didn't want it to end, so when I finished it I threw the book at the wall.

Summer Skin is filled wiith witty intelligence, modern day intimacy and sexual tension. It expores the expectations and confusions of love, sex and relationships. It shatters slut shaming notions and is a realistic, modern and moving take on a feminist love story. Jess and Mitch's story shows the messy, confronting and highly relatable aspects in a modern day, casual hook-up, which eventualy leads to love.
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NicoleHasRead...
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly honest romance
Reviewed in Australia on 20 February 2016
A fabulous, feminist, sex positive story which is a must read.

This book managed to make me wistful for my own uni days, while at the same time being incredibly grateful for the lack of mobile phones and social media at the time.

Jess is a fabulous character who I would love to have in my corner. Principled and loyal, she agonizes over her growing feelings for rugby player Mitch, who belongs to a rival college. Both Mitch and Jess have reasons to keep the other at arms length, but they are drawn to each other regardless. Jess knows that sex and intimacy aren't the same thing, and doesn't confuse the two. The slow build of trust and intimacy between the two characters is both beautiful and frustrating.

There are other reviewers who've expressed their thoughts far more eloquently than I could, so I will just say buy it and read it. You won't regret it.
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Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer Skin is smart, funny
Reviewed in Australia on 17 March 2016
Wowza. Summer Skin is smart, funny, sexy and feminist. The characters are amazing, and I'm quite in love with Jess myself. Mitch's character arc is beautiful and the last few lines of this book are possibly my favourite last few lines of any book ever. I wish I read this book when I was 19, but I still loved it at 32.
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Top reviews from other countries

Alberto M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Feminist, steamy and clever
Reviewed in Spain on 10 December 2019
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I cannot begin to explain how much I love this book. Most new adult romances bore me at the end or annoy me at some point. They are usually sexist, with a lead female that has no personality.
This book has great main characters. Both Jess and Mitch are clever and interesting so you do believe they are falling for each other and you feel it along them.
The wirting is magical and it makes you feel you are right there feleling the moment with them. It is feminist and clever.
I read it 4 times already and I can say for sure it is my favourite New Adult ever.
Very happy Spanish reader!
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Diva Booknerd
5.0 out of 5 stars Kirsty Eagar completes me...
Reviewed in the United States on 16 February 2016
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Oh Kirsty Eagar, how I love thee.

As a reader, don't you tire of the same protagonists? The sleek, blonde and usually perfect young women who seem to have it all on a platter? Yeah, me too kids. Me too. You clearly haven't met Jess. Jess Gordon is a strong, no nonsense girl that could be the voice of the young feminism movement. Jess attends a not so prestigious collage with campus boarding, where females band together against the onslaught against the Knights, an all male boarding house who teach sexism as an extra curricular activity. Jess's story begins with her mission into the Knights lair, looking for a prize in their new annual ritual to repay their previous deeds only a year prior. Blondie doesn't look like a typical Knight but he sure shares their arrogance and catches Jess in her tangled lie of guernsey thievery and playing a doting yet imaginary girlfriend.

Now suddenly Mitch is everywhere and that makes him easy prey.

Mitch is very much the alpha male type character. He's undeniably sexy but does nothing to dispel the sexist label that is placed upon what he represents, even if Mitch isn't part of the typical Knight culture and Jess is the last girl he should be playing games with. The sexual tension between the two was delicious, the banter and sarcasm was hilarious. But under the surface, both Jess and Mitch have their issues. As lovely as Jess is, she's also incredibly cynical about others intentions, especially a Knight and they aren't exactly boyfriend material. She's also just escaped from a toxic relationship, in which she was not only oppressed but the relationship portrayed as being emotionally abusive. Mitch on the other hand is haunted by a ghost from his past. Physically, he's well aware of how attractive he is but emotionally he won't allow anyone to break past the barrier he uses to ensure women don't become attached. Jess included. Jess isn't the shy and subdued lamb you typically find in new adult novels, she's feisty and not afraid to call others out on their bulls***. Including Mitch. She's awesomely fierce and refuses to sugar coat her words.

Jess and Mitch's chemistry sizzles. She's feministic, he's sexist and although they tend to clash, there's an incredibly tentative and gentle romance forming between the two. Slowly, Mitch's attitude towards not only his own demons, but also women, begins to change. Jess doesn't want to make him a better version of himself but through compassion and being such a pivotal person in his life, he wants to change. For her but more importantly, for himself.

The sex is wonderful, Kristy Eagar you saucy minx. It's so well written, sexy without being the focal point of the storyline which is what seems to occur with similar books within the genre. It's mature, sensual and incredibly sex positive. Jess isn't ashamed to give into her urges, nor should she be and I loved that characters were able to talk openly about sex without being shamed. It was incredibly empowering and a refreshing change.

Other aspects that Summer Skin also explores is the need for young women to feel validated, quite often by social media. Allie is a beautiful and kind hearted girl who only feels validated by photos she posts of herself on Instagram which creates such fluctuations in her emotional state, often effecting her friendships.

One of the funniest scenes is between Jess and her strong female group of friends at a local building site. Where women are often on the end of cat calls and crass comments, it was brilliant seeing the girls taking control of the situation and be the ones objectifying male workers for once. It was written in such a positive light, with both parties engaging in heavy innuendo banter. It's all about the innuendo.

Summer Skin is a book to empower young women. The snark, the strong female characters, the compassion and tenderness. The message of being your own person and fighting against the stereotypes of both sexes, all wrapped up in a realistic, relatable and hilarious storyline.

Buy it. Idolise it. Refer to it as the thinking young womans bible. You need this book in your life. Kirsty Eagar, you complete me.
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Linda Parvin Hutchinson
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United States on 11 October 2018
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Reviews at IG: @bookbimbo - I read “Summer Skin” because it was mentioned in the book “Words In Deep Blue” which I really loved. It’s books like this that make me want to read more YA fiction. It’s not a deep philosophical book, but it was fun. It has a little Romeo and Juliet vibe with a twist but it’s not Shakespeare, just an entertaining one-day read. Plus, I loved the strong female lead. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. #book #books #college #yafiction #ya #romeoandjuliet #love #woundedpeople #findinglove #life #NotShakespeare #somesex @kirstyeagar #summerskinbook #kirstyeager #kirstyeagar @macmillanusa #prettyinpink
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Linda Parvin Hutchinson
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United States on 11 October 2018
Reviews at IG: @bookbimbo - I read “Summer Skin” because it was mentioned in the book “Words In Deep Blue” which I really loved. It’s books like this that make me want to read more YA fiction. It’s not a deep philosophical book, but it was fun. It has a little Romeo and Juliet vibe with a twist but it’s not Shakespeare, just an entertaining one-day read. Plus, I loved the strong female lead. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. #book #books #college #yafiction #ya #romeoandjuliet #love #woundedpeople #findinglove #life #NotShakespeare #somesex @kirstyeagar #summerskinbook #kirstyeager #kirstyeagar @macmillanusa #prettyinpink
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subwayreads
5.0 out of 5 stars feminist romance
Reviewed in the United States on 8 January 2019
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SUMMER SKIN is a college romance set in Australia. The premise is that Jess, a university student in Australia, meets Mitch, and a very realistic example of a college relationship occurs. There's growth & pain & love & sometimes there's talking to your friends on the roof of your dorm at 3am about whether you need a vibrator.

Jess is AWESOME. She's fierce and insecure, badass and ambitious, sensitive and flawed. Jess is so many people I know. I loved her friends, and I loved how Kirsty Eagar wrote their friendships as non-toxic and loving, but at turns complicated. Mitch is kind of an as.. (I’m being nice.) I'm not excusing any a-hole behavior, but I really appreciated reading Mitch because he's like a lot of college-aged guys I know. Somehow Eagar manages to not make him a stereotypical dbag jock, and adds dimensions to his a-holeness that make you root for him, and for Jess.

The whole book is written with a subtlety that I enjoyed. It's not slow at all and the plot moves along (things happen) but nothing is OMG ANGST END OF THE WORLD, like many romance books. And I found it to be very realistic, especially in terms of characters, friendships, and relationships. The pacing is a tad bit off; it didn't bother me, but if you start it and you're like "what is happening" stick with it. I honestly read SUMMER SKIN about 17 times in 6 months, so I'm 100% biased, but I think it's great. Read SUMMER SKIN for Jess, for her great friends, for their developing feminism, and for the difficulty in knowing who you are, who want to be, and how you'll get there at the age of 21. (or, you know, 28.)

Lastly, trigger warning for mention of sexual assault in the book. Unfortunately, sexual assault on campus is a reality, and I think Eagar treated the subject respectfully. But do be aware it is discussed!
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princessapple
5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed the slow burn of it all
Reviewed in the United States on 8 June 2018
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I fell for this book the moment Jess meets "Blondie" the banter between the two, the forbidden romance aspect, then the will they won't they. Their romance sizzled from the beginning to end. Both characters are flawed with a lot on their plates and come very different backgrounds, but they work despite the obstacles in the way. I enjoyed the slow burn of it all, you know that its coming, just not exactly when, and the anticipation was perfect. Perfect beach read.
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