MF - The Art of Falling in Love by Haleigh Wenger

  

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Seventeen-year-old Claire Haynes always spends summer vacation at her family's beach house in Florida, sketching and dreaming of art school with her biggest fan--her Opa. But when Opa dies right before summer break, all Claire has left besides her memories is a sand-sculpting contest application with her name on it and the lingering question of why Opa filled it out in the first place. Claire has never even made a decent sandcastle, but she reluctantly turns in the entry forms, hoping the contest will help her navigate the grieving process by honoring one of Opa's last wishes.

When she meets Foster, a teenage boy with a talent for turning recyclables into abstract sculptures, the two join forces to win the contest and salvage the Summer of Art. They spend the humid summer days shoveling sand, devouring ice cream, and exploring Florida's art scene. Just like Opa, Foster understands Claire and her overwhelming need to create, but he has a secret that threatens to ruin everything: he's homeless and hiding from an abusive brother who would have him believe family trumps all.

When Claire's parents find out about Foster's homelessness, they offer him a home along with their hearts. But even picture-perfect families like Claire's can harbor an ugly side, especially in the aftermath of Opa's death. When someone close to Claire spills Foster's secret, they're both forced to choose between love and familial obligation. If Claire can't break through long-held beliefs and prove family is more than shared DNA, she could permanently lose Foster and a chance at the sand contest to honor Opa.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

The Art of Falling in Love is a nice young adult romance. This Haleigh Wenger is a beautiful coming of age tale.

Claire and Foster's story is a great one, as these two are dealing with a lot of issues. These two are total opposites, who bond over their connection and their love of art. 

Claire feels the pressure of her newly deceased grandfather's expectations, but is struggling to find her muse. 

I enjoy all the talk about art. Foster is definitely a fabulous character, who's a true artist with an artist's soul. 

There are some serious situations involved. Foster's revelation didn't surprise me, but it definitely affected me. 

The Art of Falling in Love is one of those easy to fall into books. Everything about this Haleigh Wenger book kept me turning the pages. This is a great choice the next time you're in the mood for an emotional and poignant young adult romance.