Barbie's family heads to Hawaii for the Christmas break. Her father had been stationed there during the war and became friends with a British solider who moved there permanently after his service. He has invited the Roberts to stay with his family which consist of Clara, his uptight British wife and Gerald, his teenage son. Barbie is excited to spend the vacation with the boy until she meets him and sees he is only 13.
While Barbie and Gerald are at the beach Barbie meets Apaki, a handsome Hawaiian college student and avid surfer. Taken with Barbie he offers to teach her how to surf which Barbie is ecstatic over.
However when she reveals this plan to her hostess, Clara is appalled. She finds surfing improper and disapproves of Barbie partaking in the sport.
After the first day of her lessons Barbie sees Gerald out on the waves and is very upset. She disapproves of him surfing behind his mothers back and insists he tell her about it which he refuses to do.
Apaki will be partaking in an upcoming surfing competition and after Barbie introduces him to both families, and they like him, they all decide to go to the competition. When Clara enjoys watching the surfers Barbie pulls Gerald aside and insists he tell his mother he surfs but he again refuses. Instead he takes off into the waves with a surf board, getting in Apaki's way, and unintentionally making him lose the competition. Apaki is not mad but he informs Gerald's parent of his secret hobby and they approve.
- This book would have been really nice except for Barbie being a busy body. I really couldn't stand that. It pushed the narrative that you should always tell your parents everything because they will always understand. Was the writer unaware that not all parents are saints? If I was Gerald I would have gotten my ass beat.
- I love that Barbie's romance is with a Hawaiian boy. I think it makes her experience is Hawaii more authentic and romantic than if she met another tourist.
- I found it a little amusing how Ken was worried Barbie was going to meet a "beach boy" and then she does just that. Poor Ken.
Overall this was a pretty good book, you've just got to overlook Barbie acting like the arbiter of morality. Also worth noting how lovely the cover art is. Its simple but really gives the Barbie aesthetic.
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