Changes in Latitudes by Jen Malone

This book was such a heartwarming read to me. The main character, Cassie, just wants some solid ground under her feet after the shock of her parents' divorce. So naturally, she becomes enraged upon learning that her mother has planned to take her and her brother, Drew. on a four-month sailing trip from Oregon to Mexico. "There is absolutely nothing solid about the Pacific Ocean", the blurb of the book says. But we soon find out that the waves were just what she needed.

I've read many reviews of this book that said that the main character was really annoying. And yes, I get why they say that but all in all, Cassie is just a teenager who is struggling in her own way with her own problems that might not seem that big in a broad sense. No matter how small to others, they're still her problems and she is navigating through it in the ways she is comfortable with or rather avoiding the path she is scared of. And that's just what teenagers often tend to do. We do not think rationally most of the time or weigh our actions out in our minds for too long- it's almost always impulsive and emotional, and we always prefer escapism to confrontation. And Cassie being a person whose "normal" has been flipped upside down seemed fitting to act out like she did. Sure, there were better ways to handle it all but in the end, she was just a kid who did not know what to make of her new life and all the misconceptions she had. She was very angry at the world. She was very angry at her mom. But when she learns the truth, we can see how she changes for the better. And the best part of this story is how Cassie's irritable personality doesn't go unchallenged. When she understands the situation better, she realizes how unfair and awful she has been and mends her ways. This growth of hers was the highlight of this book.

And the romance in the book was just purely swoon-worthy. It seemed natural and fluffy, and the love interest Jonah just perfectly matched Cassie's character. Cassie's bond with her brother was also such a delight to read. The sailing trip in it was also enjoyable and I learned a few things about sailing too.

In conclusion, it is a lovely story about accepting the hand the universe dealt you and learning how to sail in it.

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