What do you think?
Rate this book
Ocean City/Making Waves #1
Making Waves
Recent high school grad Kate Quinn had the perfect summer planned--a prestigious internship at the Safe Seas Marine Conservation complete with prime beachside accommodations. It seemed the perfect setting to clear her head and prepare for the future while letting go of her past. But when her best friend Chelsea joins her at the last minute, Kate's plans for a quiet summer go right out the window. First she loses her prized dorm room and she and Chelsea are forced to sink their life savings into a five-bedroom rental. As if finding three roommates in the middle of the season wasn't hard enough, it turns out the tenant in the adjoining boat house just happens to be Justin Garret, the sexy lifeguard from last summer--the very person Kate's been trying so hard to forget. And to top it all off, her newest roommate, "Racy" Grace Caywood, also shares a past with Justin. Now Kate must is she strong enough to stay and deal with Justin, or should she play it safe and leave, but miss out on all the fun?
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1993
About the author
Katherine Applegate
281 books5,736 followersKatherine Applegate is the author of The One and Only Ivan, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal. Her novel Crenshaw spent over twenty weeks on the New York Times children's bestseller list, and her first middle-grade stand-alone novel, the award-winning Home of the Brave, continues to be included on state reading lists, summer reading lists, and class reading lists.
Katherine has written three picture books: The Buffalo Storm; The Remarkable True Story of Ivan, the Shopping Mall Gorilla (often used as a companion book to The One and Only Ivan for younger readers); and Sometimes You Fly (publishing in spring, 2018). For beginning readers, Katherine wrote Roscoe Riley Rules, a seven-book series.
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote Animorphs, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide.
Katherine lives in Marin County, California, with her family and assorted pets.
Katherine has written three picture books: The Buffalo Storm; The Remarkable True Story of Ivan, the Shopping Mall Gorilla (often used as a companion book to The One and Only Ivan for younger readers); and Sometimes You Fly (publishing in spring, 2018). For beginning readers, Katherine wrote Roscoe Riley Rules, a seven-book series.
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote Animorphs, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide.
Katherine lives in Marin County, California, with her family and assorted pets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 19, 2008
Katherine Applegate, Making Waves (17th Street Press, 1993)
I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I read this-- fifteen-year-old girly teen fiction? It's like picking up old Sweet Valley High books and reviewing them. Worse, this is (as of this moment) an eleven-book series (I had thought it four), which means I've probably locked myself in for at least a year and a half, because yes, I'm going to see this bad boy through all the way to the end. Why? Because as silly and stupid as it is, I certainly can't fault Applegate for having created the ultimate guilty pleasure book; it's series romance for teens, with a healthy dose of 90210/Melrose Place-style intrigue (but the explicitness sometimes makes me think Applegate was presaging The O.C., instead).
The premise: two girls come to Ocean City for the summer before they head off to college. Kate has an internship lined up at an ocean conservation kind of place and a bad relationship the previous summer she wants to forget. Kate's best friend Chelsea, on the other hand, came along on impulse, and on their first night there, after their reserved room was rented because they're a day late, blows their entire collective savings renting a house. Well, at least it's big, and they can sublet, but the owner lets slip there's already someone-- a male someone-- living in the boathouse. And where are they going to find enough roommates to make the place affordable for the summer? And where is Chelsea going to find a job at a packed resort? And... well, you get the idea.
Awash with the heady aroma of sex, family conflict, burgeoning alcohol problems, interpersonal relationships, possible eating disorders, best body contests, and all the other things that make stupid teen TV dramas so compulsively watchable (even if you feel guilty about it afterwards), Making Waves is just the book form. It's just as compulsively readable as this sort of thing is watchable. Beware: once you're hooked, you won't be able to stop. ***
I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I read this-- fifteen-year-old girly teen fiction? It's like picking up old Sweet Valley High books and reviewing them. Worse, this is (as of this moment) an eleven-book series (I had thought it four), which means I've probably locked myself in for at least a year and a half, because yes, I'm going to see this bad boy through all the way to the end. Why? Because as silly and stupid as it is, I certainly can't fault Applegate for having created the ultimate guilty pleasure book; it's series romance for teens, with a healthy dose of 90210/Melrose Place-style intrigue (but the explicitness sometimes makes me think Applegate was presaging The O.C., instead).
The premise: two girls come to Ocean City for the summer before they head off to college. Kate has an internship lined up at an ocean conservation kind of place and a bad relationship the previous summer she wants to forget. Kate's best friend Chelsea, on the other hand, came along on impulse, and on their first night there, after their reserved room was rented because they're a day late, blows their entire collective savings renting a house. Well, at least it's big, and they can sublet, but the owner lets slip there's already someone-- a male someone-- living in the boathouse. And where are they going to find enough roommates to make the place affordable for the summer? And where is Chelsea going to find a job at a packed resort? And... well, you get the idea.
Awash with the heady aroma of sex, family conflict, burgeoning alcohol problems, interpersonal relationships, possible eating disorders, best body contests, and all the other things that make stupid teen TV dramas so compulsively watchable (even if you feel guilty about it afterwards), Making Waves is just the book form. It's just as compulsively readable as this sort of thing is watchable. Beware: once you're hooked, you won't be able to stop. ***
July 13, 2024
This was a fun one to revisit. I re-read this about 10 years ago and don't remember enjoying it as much but this time it just clicked for me and made me want to commit to finishing the series.
I love stories about fresh out of high school teens, living independently for the first time, and experiencing all the excitement and heartache of becoming an adult. Katherine Applegate is great at this (see her other summer series: Summer.) It definitely felt like the summer episodes of BH90210 or SVTB, which is a win in my book.
I love stories about fresh out of high school teens, living independently for the first time, and experiencing all the excitement and heartache of becoming an adult. Katherine Applegate is great at this (see her other summer series: Summer.) It definitely felt like the summer episodes of BH90210 or SVTB, which is a win in my book.
September 19, 2019
When I was a teenager, one of my favorite authors was Katherine Applegate. Her books were almost always a teen romance or a teen drama that was similar to that of the television show Beverly Hills, 90210. I was always left with wanting more, which just goes to show you that Katherine Applegate is a talented writer. With that being said, I wanted to see if one of my favorite book series by her stood the test of time, so I picked up my copy of Ocean City (Ocean City, #1), and I was not disappointed.
Kate Quinn and best friend Chelsea Lennox head to Ocean City, Maryland without their parents for the summer for a chance to be on their own before they head off to college in the fall. Things go horribly wrong when their housing falls through. They are forced to rent an expensive five bedroom house with a boathouse on the bay and scramble to find roommates to help with the rent.
What I remember thinking when I first read Ocean City (Ocean City, #1) was that all the characters seemed so grown up because they were already living on their own and had jobs right out of high school. As an adult, the situation seems like it is something that would take place during the latter years of college or just after they graduated college, not before. Furthermore, my parents would not have let me go off to live in a city with a friend for the summer, and I can't say that I'd let my recent high school graduate (if I had one) go off for the entire summer either . . . I don't care how responsible they are!
Something that I loved about this book is that the themes it deals with are serious topics that should make tweens and teens really think. Themes involved are romantic relationships, unwanted sexual advances, suicide, alcoholism, dysfunctional families, and immigration. None of the themes went too deep, but as a teen, it definitely made me think, and all of these topics are still very relevant in this day and age. It's always great to see a book hold up over the years and stay relevant. I definitely think this is a book that tweens and teens would enjoy.
Even with the seriousness of the topics in Ocean City (Ocean City, #1), this was a super fun read, even as an adult, and it definitely made me nostalgic. I gave this book five out of five stars.
Follow Us On Social Media
Kate Quinn and best friend Chelsea Lennox head to Ocean City, Maryland without their parents for the summer for a chance to be on their own before they head off to college in the fall. Things go horribly wrong when their housing falls through. They are forced to rent an expensive five bedroom house with a boathouse on the bay and scramble to find roommates to help with the rent.
What I remember thinking when I first read Ocean City (Ocean City, #1) was that all the characters seemed so grown up because they were already living on their own and had jobs right out of high school. As an adult, the situation seems like it is something that would take place during the latter years of college or just after they graduated college, not before. Furthermore, my parents would not have let me go off to live in a city with a friend for the summer, and I can't say that I'd let my recent high school graduate (if I had one) go off for the entire summer either . . . I don't care how responsible they are!
Something that I loved about this book is that the themes it deals with are serious topics that should make tweens and teens really think. Themes involved are romantic relationships, unwanted sexual advances, suicide, alcoholism, dysfunctional families, and immigration. None of the themes went too deep, but as a teen, it definitely made me think, and all of these topics are still very relevant in this day and age. It's always great to see a book hold up over the years and stay relevant. I definitely think this is a book that tweens and teens would enjoy.
Even with the seriousness of the topics in Ocean City (Ocean City, #1), this was a super fun read, even as an adult, and it definitely made me nostalgic. I gave this book five out of five stars.
Follow Us On Social Media
August 5, 2024
For me, pure nostalgia
I first read this series, in my teens and it was a favorite. Still fun drama. I don't know if it's everyone's cup of tea, but I love a good dose of nostalgia. The first several books in this series are great and then it started to lag but it's definitely fun while it lasts.
I first read this series, in my teens and it was a favorite. Still fun drama. I don't know if it's everyone's cup of tea, but I love a good dose of nostalgia. The first several books in this series are great and then it started to lag but it's definitely fun while it lasts.
August 16, 2023
Good fun series
August 5, 2024
I loved this series growing up
July 3, 2024
This is the second series I’ve read by Applegate and I will say it feels very similar. (I recently read the Summer series)
We start by following Kate and Chelsea as they are traveling to Ocean Cjty for the summer. (It doesn’t say if it is or isn’t but I’m pretending this is the one in Maryland, the one I went to multiple times a year, they did mention Annapolis so possibly?) anyways Kate is heading there for a summer internship and Chelsea is down for the adventure. Kate went last summer and had a love affair with Justin that ended badly. On the way there right before they get to OC they meet Alec when the bridge is up and they are stuck in traffic. Arriving to OC one day late the place Kate was supposed to stay was rented out so Kate and Chelsea are desperate to find a place to stay for the summer. Luckily they find a huge house that has five bedrooms and Chelsea tells the man they will take it and give them all their money. So they must find roommates. Only downside is someone lives in boathouse and has access to the kitchen and bathroom. During this time we also meet Grace who works at a fancy restaurant on the boardwalk the Claw, who is planning on moving out of her moms penthouse apartment now that she’s eighteen. Kate and Chelsea scour the boardwalk putting up roommate wanted posters. When they get back first person there is Connor and Irish guy who pretty much makes himself at home. Kate and Chelsea had been looking for female roommates and dismiss him after many bad interviews Grace comes in and has the money and they give her a room. We also find out the person who is in the boat house is Justin because of course it is. This throws Kates plan to stay in the house out of the window she’s determined to move now. Connor basically moved himself in the house and since he has the money and Kate doesn’t plan on staying they let him stay. The last roommate is none other than Alec because obviously it’s gonna be him, the only other person we’ve met and it perfectly makes sense, three girls, three boys very Melrose Place (hey don’t judge me this is a 90’s book it fits the time lol). It’s one big happy family. Of course not we find out that Kate and Justin broke up because they have different ideas for the future she is very planned out he is very free thinking. Also she found a letter and a gasp condom wrapper from a Racie to him saying he was the best lover. (Okay Kate is dumb af Racie/Grace is so obvious). The first book sets up so many plots for the series Chelsea’s bf comes to visit is a huge douche so she breaks up with him. Kate and Justin rekindle their relationship. Although she is also seeing a guy from work. Graces mother reminds me a lot of Diana’s mother from the summer books. Although it’s said she’s an alcoholic, something that is shows Grace might be as well. We learn Connor is an illegal immigrant and there is a budding relationship between him and Chelsea. And Alec is just kinda there but he’s a lifeguard along with Justin. It was a pretty chunky book but set the story for the summer up pretty good. I will say Applegate has a writing style and it’s pretty easy to see she loves coincidence. Excited to get the series going.
We start by following Kate and Chelsea as they are traveling to Ocean Cjty for the summer. (It doesn’t say if it is or isn’t but I’m pretending this is the one in Maryland, the one I went to multiple times a year, they did mention Annapolis so possibly?) anyways Kate is heading there for a summer internship and Chelsea is down for the adventure. Kate went last summer and had a love affair with Justin that ended badly. On the way there right before they get to OC they meet Alec when the bridge is up and they are stuck in traffic. Arriving to OC one day late the place Kate was supposed to stay was rented out so Kate and Chelsea are desperate to find a place to stay for the summer. Luckily they find a huge house that has five bedrooms and Chelsea tells the man they will take it and give them all their money. So they must find roommates. Only downside is someone lives in boathouse and has access to the kitchen and bathroom. During this time we also meet Grace who works at a fancy restaurant on the boardwalk the Claw, who is planning on moving out of her moms penthouse apartment now that she’s eighteen. Kate and Chelsea scour the boardwalk putting up roommate wanted posters. When they get back first person there is Connor and Irish guy who pretty much makes himself at home. Kate and Chelsea had been looking for female roommates and dismiss him after many bad interviews Grace comes in and has the money and they give her a room. We also find out the person who is in the boat house is Justin because of course it is. This throws Kates plan to stay in the house out of the window she’s determined to move now. Connor basically moved himself in the house and since he has the money and Kate doesn’t plan on staying they let him stay. The last roommate is none other than Alec because obviously it’s gonna be him, the only other person we’ve met and it perfectly makes sense, three girls, three boys very Melrose Place (hey don’t judge me this is a 90’s book it fits the time lol). It’s one big happy family. Of course not we find out that Kate and Justin broke up because they have different ideas for the future she is very planned out he is very free thinking. Also she found a letter and a gasp condom wrapper from a Racie to him saying he was the best lover. (Okay Kate is dumb af Racie/Grace is so obvious). The first book sets up so many plots for the series Chelsea’s bf comes to visit is a huge douche so she breaks up with him. Kate and Justin rekindle their relationship. Although she is also seeing a guy from work. Graces mother reminds me a lot of Diana’s mother from the summer books. Although it’s said she’s an alcoholic, something that is shows Grace might be as well. We learn Connor is an illegal immigrant and there is a budding relationship between him and Chelsea. And Alec is just kinda there but he’s a lifeguard along with Justin. It was a pretty chunky book but set the story for the summer up pretty good. I will say Applegate has a writing style and it’s pretty easy to see she loves coincidence. Excited to get the series going.
May 31, 2023
I liked this, although it was so hard to find a copy! I'm interested to find out what happens in the next book.
October 6, 2023
Was heading to Ocean City, MD and grabbed this off the shelf for a quick read that was somewhat relevant and a lot nostalgic. Have not read since I was a teen and I was always under the impression the book was about Ocean City, NJ, not MD, but have never got confirmation… Thats neither here nor there. This book is definitely a fun and easy read as an adult. Kind of heavy topics for a teen now that I’m looking back on it - underage drinking, suicide, unwanted advances, racial prejudice and privilege… The characters come off way older than they actually are. But I also read the Gossip Girl books and can’t say this is worse! I’ve never read the other books in the series (stole just this one off my older sister’s shelf way back when to be discreet) but I’ve been looking into buying them on eBay. Love a chunky paperback with large font for the beach.
January 17, 2018
A nice blast from the past I found through Kindle Unlimited. I was glad this series was not updated and remains set in the 90s. This series is soapy but also had “after school Special” storylines that just as relevant today such as alcoholism and Connor’s fears that INS will find deport him.
July 10, 2021
This totally reminded me of when i was a young teen
Reading these types of books
I enjoyed everything about it
(Except the part when mooch hits his head )
But yes
The summer vibes
Living with roomates
The beach
It was just awesome
Reading these types of books
I enjoyed everything about it
(Except the part when mooch hits his head )
But yes
The summer vibes
Living with roomates
The beach
It was just awesome
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2021
5 out of 5 for nostalgia
July 18, 2021
Much better than I expected…love the 90s vibes and the Ocean City atmosphere.
August 13, 2015
Okay, yes, this series has aged quite a bit since I was a teen, but I'm honestly surprised by how the characters and dialogue have held up. For 1990s YA, the Ocean City series (which I think has been renamed Making Waves?) dealt with some pretty heavy issues.
Kate is a golden girl (and totally the reason I switched from Katie to Kate when I started college), smart and motivated. But she's steal dealing with her sister's suicide, which is explored more in other books.
Justin is a high school dropout. Not because he isn't smart, school just wasn't his thing. When was the last time you read a book where the YA main characters weren't all planning on not only graduating high school, but college is a must too? Here Justin is a self made person, he's lifeguarding and rebuilding his boat.
Chelsea is an artist struggling under the expectations of her family, ancestors that went from slavery to business owners to professionals.
Connor is an illegal alien from Ireland, and is busy dodging Immigration and writing the next great novel. He's also funny and annoying and into Chelsea.
Grace is definitely dealing big issues, the daughter of an alcoholic and responsible for a younger brother. Grace is also very comfortable with her sexuality, has a history with Justin, and is hitting the bottle more and more...
Alec is the weakest character of the series (and eventually he does get written out of the books), but even though he doesn't have a lot of material in this first book, he does eventually start a relationship with a paraplegic and has to overcome his sheltered naivety.
Looking back on this series, it was pretty diverse for it's time (although not so much in the LGBT issues, at least not that I can remember). Plus, Ocean City is one of my favorite places on earth, and I read the first few books while on vacation there in 1993, and I'm heading there next week!
Kate is a golden girl (and totally the reason I switched from Katie to Kate when I started college), smart and motivated. But she's steal dealing with her sister's suicide, which is explored more in other books.
Justin is a high school dropout. Not because he isn't smart, school just wasn't his thing. When was the last time you read a book where the YA main characters weren't all planning on not only graduating high school, but college is a must too? Here Justin is a self made person, he's lifeguarding and rebuilding his boat.
Chelsea is an artist struggling under the expectations of her family, ancestors that went from slavery to business owners to professionals.
Connor is an illegal alien from Ireland, and is busy dodging Immigration and writing the next great novel. He's also funny and annoying and into Chelsea.
Grace is definitely dealing big issues, the daughter of an alcoholic and responsible for a younger brother. Grace is also very comfortable with her sexuality, has a history with Justin, and is hitting the bottle more and more...
Alec is the weakest character of the series (and eventually he does get written out of the books), but even though he doesn't have a lot of material in this first book, he does eventually start a relationship with a paraplegic and has to overcome his sheltered naivety.
Looking back on this series, it was pretty diverse for it's time (although not so much in the LGBT issues, at least not that I can remember). Plus, Ocean City is one of my favorite places on earth, and I read the first few books while on vacation there in 1993, and I'm heading there next week!
March 29, 2014
I bought this series book by book with this first one being one of my favorites as you get to meet the characters. After I finished the fifth one I went back to buy the next book because #5 ended with SUCH A CLIFFHANGER and then found out this publisher wasn't printing anymore of the books. It wasn't until many years later that I found the original series printed under a different name (Ocean City) that I was able to purchase the rest and finish them. I had a lot of fun reading these when I was high school and didn't do much else but read these once I found the rest of the series I had searched so long for. They are all fun summer reads. Some more eventful than others but overall I give the series a 4. I've recently reread them all and they are still fun.
February 9, 2013
This review is for the whoe series. The series has eleven books and was also published as "Ocean City". The re-publishing as 'Making Waves' is a bit confusing because I think this is what the 'Summer' series used to be called.
Anyway....I am far too old for these books but I love them. This seems to be one of the less well-known series by Katherine Applegate but I think it's much better than 'Making Out'.
I just wanted to go reading the series forever, although really enough had happened to the characters so I think it did end in the right place.
Anyway....I am far too old for these books but I love them. This seems to be one of the less well-known series by Katherine Applegate but I think it's much better than 'Making Out'.
I just wanted to go reading the series forever, although really enough had happened to the characters so I think it did end in the right place.
July 2, 2020
Childhood throw back!!!
This series is awesome!! I remember reading these as a teen.. since then I lost the books.. remembered them and decided why not.. still as good as the first time I read them!!
This series is awesome!! I remember reading these as a teen.. since then I lost the books.. remembered them and decided why not.. still as good as the first time I read them!!
Want to read
June 28, 2007recommended by Amanda & Annie for summer beach reading
December 5, 2009
Not as good as the Making Out series, but still enjoyable.
June 4, 2012
Yet another good Katherine Applegate series!
January 12, 2021
Good read!
This story is great! Little slow to start but it got better! Ready to read the next book in the series!!
This story is great! Little slow to start but it got better! Ready to read the next book in the series!!
July 27, 2021
A good beach read where friendships take a different direction and not all is always what it seems to be. Characters seem realistic. I will read more by Ms. Applegate.
Read
July 2, 2011This book was started off a little boring, but got better the more that I read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews