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withlovenour's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the perfect start of summer read. I am so glad I read it just as summer was begging, setting myself up for the perfect holiday mindset. Another aspect I loved about this story was the extent of the character development. I have never been more satisfied with a character's development and growth in character before. Emily grows from a highly self-conscious and socially anxious person into a strong, independent person capable of forming personal friendships but also of existing as an individual. It was inspiring to see her take her life into her own hand and go about finishing different parts of the list with different people in her life. It was also quite refreshing to read a summer story that centers on the love between two best friends and the struggles and ups and downs that come with friendship, and while there is romance in this story (like any proper teen summer story) it does not take over the plot and rob the story of other aspects, rather enhances them.
jaxness's review against another edition
4.0
This was really nice! I love Everything about friendship. I found myself excited to see where this was going. 4 deserving stars!
cassroberts89's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A cute and sweet and mostly-wholesome summer read about friendship with a side of first love. I enjoyed this so much! The list that Sloane leaves behind for Emily provides the perfect backdrop to structure the story. Without it, we’d just be watching a bunch of teenagers do their teenager thing.
As a parent I’m not really a fan of all the sneaking around, curfew breaking, etc. But seventeen year old Emily is a good kid, hangs out with friends who are good kids, and is fairly responsible overall. There’s a minimal amount of responsible drinking, albeit underage, a scene where she uses a fake ID to get into a bar to listen to a band sober, a long road trip without parents knowledge or consent, and a few make out sessions. No sex or even talk of sex that I recall. A few instances of a boyfriend/girlfriend cheating on their partner (kissing).
All in all, it reminds me of the mom in the Sandlot: “Get into trouble, for crying out loud! Not too much, but some.” I’d be more than happy to hand this to my older teen.
P.S. The title is perfect and fits the story well. I may have belted out Kelly Clarkson more than once after walking by and seeing the cover…
As a parent I’m not really a fan of all the sneaking around, curfew breaking, etc. But seventeen year old Emily is a good kid, hangs out with friends who are good kids, and is fairly responsible overall. There’s a minimal amount of responsible drinking, albeit underage, a scene where she uses a fake ID to get into a bar to listen to a band sober, a long road trip without parents knowledge or consent, and a few make out sessions. No sex or even talk of sex that I recall. A few instances of a boyfriend/girlfriend cheating on their partner (kissing).
All in all, it reminds me of the mom in the Sandlot: “Get into trouble, for crying out loud! Not too much, but some.” I’d be more than happy to hand this to my older teen.
P.S. The title is perfect and fits the story well. I may have belted out Kelly Clarkson more than once after walking by and seeing the cover…
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol
harleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun summer read. I liked the concept of the list of items to complete, it made the book and fun read. That being said I had some issues with the book. Emily was a very annoying character, I get that she is shy but she was almost to shy to function. I understand being a shy a person, but at least at can talk to the person at the check out counter without having an anxiety attack. I also wasn't a fun of Sloane, if my best friend did that to me I don't think I could have forgiven her.
I liked Frank, him and Collins were probably my favorite characters and part of the book. I did feel though that we didn't get to know all sides of Frank, we saw the laid back summer version of him, not the school version that is stated many times is their. I also felt he worked well as a friend and not much more than that.
All in all I had issues but I flew the story and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to picking up more by Morgan Matson.
I liked Frank, him and Collins were probably my favorite characters and part of the book. I did feel though that we didn't get to know all sides of Frank, we saw the laid back summer version of him, not the school version that is stated many times is their. I also felt he worked well as a friend and not much more than that.
All in all I had issues but I flew the story and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to picking up more by Morgan Matson.
emilyhat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
thrscldrn's review against another edition
4.0
The length of the chapters made it a little dificult to get in the groove. But I really enjoyed how the characters grew up, changed, and overcame the fallout through that whirlwind of a summer.
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
[4.5 stars]
Since You've Been Gone is one of the best YA Lit books I've read in a while. Morgan Matson totally outdone herself once again. This book kept me awake until 10:30 a.m. because I just HAD to finish it. It even had me cracking up in the morning while everyone was asleep. Yep, it was that good.
I saw so much of myself reflected in the main character, Emily, and her friends reminded me of my friends. The writing was fantastic and just flowed so smoothly.
Maybe the ending was supposed to be left open, but I couldn't help but wish that the author had wrapped things up with Dawn and Collins. I just really loved their little group and I didn't want it break apart - I've gotten very attached to the characters.
Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite books now. If you haven't read this yet, then you're missing out!
Since You've Been Gone is one of the best YA Lit books I've read in a while. Morgan Matson totally outdone herself once again. This book kept me awake until 10:30 a.m. because I just HAD to finish it. It even had me cracking up in the morning while everyone was asleep. Yep, it was that good.
I saw so much of myself reflected in the main character, Emily, and her friends reminded me of my friends. The writing was fantastic and just flowed so smoothly.
Maybe the ending was supposed to be left open, but I couldn't help but wish that the author had wrapped things up with Dawn and Collins. I just really loved their little group and I didn't want it break apart - I've gotten very attached to the characters.
Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite books now. If you haven't read this yet, then you're missing out!
suyagotz's review against another edition
5.0
A book you can finish in a day... Check!
I'm so glad I chose this to be my first read of 2015,because I couldn't have loved it more. Everything about this book is amazing, from the cover to the plot.
I connected so much to the characters, especially to Em in her awkwardness and the difficulty of a long-distance friendship. The characters were so believable and felt like actual teenagers. The friendship between Sloane and Emily was not only stated, it was shown and proven and I could feel it. And the romance... so well constructed.
Overall, amazing contemporary and coming of age story!
I'm so glad I chose this to be my first read of 2015,because I couldn't have loved it more. Everything about this book is amazing, from the cover to the plot.
I connected so much to the characters, especially to Em in her awkwardness and the difficulty of a long-distance friendship. The characters were so believable and felt like actual teenagers. The friendship between Sloane and Emily was not only stated, it was shown and proven and I could feel it. And the romance... so well constructed.
Overall, amazing contemporary and coming of age story!
megancperry's review against another edition
2.0
*2.5 stars
To start off with, I wasn't a fan of this book because Frank just annoyed me. I liked the main idea of the story, with the development of the main character and the whole lesson of 'trying new things' and 'going outside your comfort zone', that was all good.
However, at the beginning we meet Frank someplace (I can't even remember) and it's all great. But then he keeps appearing. He won't go away!! It seemed like everywhere Emily went, Frank was there! Don't get me wrong, he was a great character and I had no problem with that, but I just wanted some scenes without him, especially since I didn't really like the friendship/romance they had because it was so predictable that they'd get together, even though he already had a girlfriend, which I know isn't a great reason but something about their relationship just didn't click with me. I didn't ship them at all.
Stuff about the Emily/Sloane relationship also annoyed me. For example, when they had the argument about the underage bar:
Overall, I wasn't that impressed by this, I didn't particularly like the main relationships, and it took me quite a while to get through.
To start off with, I wasn't a fan of this book because Frank just annoyed me. I liked the main idea of the story, with the development of the main character and the whole lesson of 'trying new things' and 'going outside your comfort zone', that was all good.
However, at the beginning we meet Frank someplace (I can't even remember) and it's all great. But then he keeps appearing. He won't go away!! It seemed like everywhere Emily went, Frank was there! Don't get me wrong, he was a great character and I had no problem with that, but I just wanted some scenes without him, especially since I didn't really like the friendship/romance they had because it was so predictable that they'd get together, even though he already had a girlfriend, which I know isn't a great reason but something about their relationship just didn't click with me. I didn't ship them at all.
Stuff about the Emily/Sloane relationship also annoyed me. For example, when they had the argument about the underage bar:
"I could see that [Sloane] didn't understand why I wasn't just agreeing with her."This basically sums it all up.
Overall, I wasn't that impressed by this, I didn't particularly like the main relationships, and it took me quite a while to get through.