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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
What Happened to Goodbye is very much a Sarah Dessen novel – which is a wonderful thing! ...Each book is like…going for a bike ride on your favorite bike (to borrow from one of her novels). Getting on the bike is comfortable and familiar, but each time you ride, you experience something new and original...
..I loved the way Mclean has “re-made” herself every time she had to move. I imagine it is a universal desire to face a new school year and decide that this is the year to change X, Y, or Z. Yet almost every time, the effort fails within the first week of school. I loved seeing someone who manages to accomplish this goal – several times!
...One of the frequent themes in Dessen’s novels, and seen here, is the question of “what exactly is a family?” You can be born into a family. You can marry in to one. You can be adopted (in both a literal and figurative sense) in to a family. But families can often be created in other ways, around other relationships...
Further thoughts at http://dogearedandwellread.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/what-happened-to-goodbye-by-sarah-dessen/
..I loved the way Mclean has “re-made” herself every time she had to move. I imagine it is a universal desire to face a new school year and decide that this is the year to change X, Y, or Z. Yet almost every time, the effort fails within the first week of school. I loved seeing someone who manages to accomplish this goal – several times!
...One of the frequent themes in Dessen’s novels, and seen here, is the question of “what exactly is a family?” You can be born into a family. You can marry in to one. You can be adopted (in both a literal and figurative sense) in to a family. But families can often be created in other ways, around other relationships...
Further thoughts at http://dogearedandwellread.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/what-happened-to-goodbye-by-sarah-dessen/
For returning readers another adventure in Lakeview was much anticipated, but initially I felt like this book was going to fall flat, I wasn’t sure that Mclean’s story was going to impact me the same way as some of my other favorites like Lock and Key and The Truth About Forever. But my doubts were quickly put to rest, as they often are! What Happened to Goodbye was just as endearing, and heartfelt as the rest of her books, I honestly don’t know how Dessn was able to do it for the tenth time!
It’s not often that I’m able to really “loose” myself in contemporary fiction, but I’ve always been able to count on a good story when I hit it off with the main character. Mclean was so likeable, although her past was messy and unclear early on in the story you knew exactly what she was going through, and I was rooting for her true identity to come through the whole story. The supporting characters were also charming and well developed... Mclean’s friend base in Lakeview is what every girl dreams to have at some point in their lives, especially someone like her geeky, but level headed, next door neighbor, Dave. Dessen does such a wonderful job pulling you into the story, and makes her characters jump off the page. You are able to connect with each person in the story -even the parents, who seem to be paper thin in most modern entertainment, have problems of their own to solve and share with the reader. Though Dessen is known for romantic story lines, Mclean and Dave’s relationship builds slowly and the romantic touches are few and far between. The importance is taken off romance and is only a small aspect of What Happened to Goodbye which was refreshing to encounter in a young adult novel.
Divorce, self discovery, and learning to let go are all big topics to take on and Dessen does a beautiful job bringing so much into a teen novel. I appreciate her witty dialogue and strong sincerity that she brings to such serious topics. While her stories may be considered “chick lit” at times, her writing style and realistic observations of teenagers speaks to so many young readers, and adults. So whether you are returning to get lost in another one of Dessen’s enchanting coming-of-age stories or a first time reader don’t be shy, pick up a copy and enjoy Mclean’s story, it deserves being read!
It’s not often that I’m able to really “loose” myself in contemporary fiction, but I’ve always been able to count on a good story when I hit it off with the main character. Mclean was so likeable, although her past was messy and unclear early on in the story you knew exactly what she was going through, and I was rooting for her true identity to come through the whole story. The supporting characters were also charming and well developed... Mclean’s friend base in Lakeview is what every girl dreams to have at some point in their lives, especially someone like her geeky, but level headed, next door neighbor, Dave. Dessen does such a wonderful job pulling you into the story, and makes her characters jump off the page. You are able to connect with each person in the story -even the parents, who seem to be paper thin in most modern entertainment, have problems of their own to solve and share with the reader. Though Dessen is known for romantic story lines, Mclean and Dave’s relationship builds slowly and the romantic touches are few and far between. The importance is taken off romance and is only a small aspect of What Happened to Goodbye which was refreshing to encounter in a young adult novel.
Divorce, self discovery, and learning to let go are all big topics to take on and Dessen does a beautiful job bringing so much into a teen novel. I appreciate her witty dialogue and strong sincerity that she brings to such serious topics. While her stories may be considered “chick lit” at times, her writing style and realistic observations of teenagers speaks to so many young readers, and adults. So whether you are returning to get lost in another one of Dessen’s enchanting coming-of-age stories or a first time reader don’t be shy, pick up a copy and enjoy Mclean’s story, it deserves being read!
Dessen's got such a way with complex interiority and charming peers and loving parents!
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Dave is basically me in male form. Mclean is amazing. Riley is sooo real. Heather and Ellis are awesome. And as always...the cameos.
I LOVED it.
Dave is basically me in male form. Mclean is amazing. Riley is sooo real. Heather and Ellis are awesome. And as always...the cameos.
I LOVED it.
I just couldn't get into this one no matter how hard I tried.
She's done it again. Sarah Dessen (rarely) disappoints.
As with all of Dessen's books, a wonderful read. True to life and a book to identify with, What Happened to Goodbye if full of the difficulties face when moving again and again. The loss of friends, even best friends, is unavoidable as the new life takes over and the old seems to fade away.
I read this book on audiobook at work. This is now the 4th Sarah Dessen novel I've read in completion, so...let's just dive right in.
Things I liked
Mmm...the fact that I'm struggling with this is not a good sign (but it could just be that I don't remember this book very well). I did like Dave's character. I felt Mclean's sense of community she finds in Lakeview. I do know that this book did not annoy me while I was working (why I gave it 3 stars instead of 2).
Things I didn't like
Sometimes Dessen's heavy handed metaphors make it a little difficult to enjoy her novels, but I get that it's kind of her thing and a heavy handed metaphor is better than no metaphor. It was a pretty standard cookie cutter Dessen novel, and I don't have many problems with it. It just wasn't very memorable.
Overall, I mildly enjoyed this book. I can see people picking it up and liking it (especially those who can relate to having divorced parents or having to move frequently when they were growing up). I think what often determines whether I like a Dessen novel is how much I can relate to it. Anyway, it was alright.
Things I liked
Mmm...the fact that I'm struggling with this is not a good sign (but it could just be that I don't remember this book very well). I did like Dave's character. I felt Mclean's sense of community she finds in Lakeview. I do know that this book did not annoy me while I was working (why I gave it 3 stars instead of 2).
Things I didn't like
Sometimes Dessen's heavy handed metaphors make it a little difficult to enjoy her novels, but I get that it's kind of her thing and a heavy handed metaphor is better than no metaphor. It was a pretty standard cookie cutter Dessen novel, and I don't have many problems with it. It just wasn't very memorable.
Overall, I mildly enjoyed this book. I can see people picking it up and liking it (especially those who can relate to having divorced parents or having to move frequently when they were growing up). I think what often determines whether I like a Dessen novel is how much I can relate to it. Anyway, it was alright.
Gets a little sappy at the end, but left me happy and fulfilled as a reader.