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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
When I first read the synopsis for What Happened to Goodbye ( after buying the book, mind you), I didn't think much of it. But since I already bought 5 Sarah Dessen books at a bargain price on impulse, I figured, why not just read it? Turns out, it's a great idea because this is something that I really enjoyed!
Mclean may seem like a complicated character at first glance, what with her multiple names and personalities that come with each move, but really, she's just like all of us - desperate for a fresh start, and a teenager just wanting to find who she is, or maybe who she's supposed to become, after the divorce and all the court meetings. I really connected with the story and characters, and I just loved how everything was tinged with just a bit of chaos. I think it just made the story more realistic.
What Happened to Goodbye showed friendship, family, compromise, opening up, learning, love, and so many more themes that I really enjoyed. I really loved the new group of friends that Mclean found, and I'm really glad to have seen Deb do something in her own element. One of my favorite scenes from the book is when they all went to Riley's. It was when I saw how they functioned as a group, banter and all. I also really loved how Riley's parents treated them.
This book took me by surprise, and I loved it! I really got immersed in the story, and it was amazing seeing mentions of characters from Dessen's other books. I can't believe I only started reading Dessen this year! I definitely missed out. As can be seen, I definitely recommend this book! So far I've read 4 Dessen novels, and this is one of my favorites.
****Side note: What the heck happened to Jason though? How did he end up working for Luna Blu. It's just so out of his personality!
Mclean may seem like a complicated character at first glance, what with her multiple names and personalities that come with each move, but really, she's just like all of us - desperate for a fresh start, and a teenager just wanting to find who she is, or maybe who she's supposed to become, after the divorce and all the court meetings. I really connected with the story and characters, and I just loved how everything was tinged with just a bit of chaos. I think it just made the story more realistic.
What Happened to Goodbye showed friendship, family, compromise, opening up, learning, love, and so many more themes that I really enjoyed. I really loved the new group of friends that Mclean found, and I'm really glad to have seen Deb do something in her own element. One of my favorite scenes from the book is when they all went to Riley's. It was when I saw how they functioned as a group, banter and all. I also really loved how Riley's parents treated them.
This book took me by surprise, and I loved it! I really got immersed in the story, and it was amazing seeing mentions of characters from Dessen's other books. I can't believe I only started reading Dessen this year! I definitely missed out. As can be seen, I definitely recommend this book! So far I've read 4 Dessen novels, and this is one of my favorites.
****Side note: What the heck happened to Jason though? How did he end up working for Luna Blu. It's just so out of his personality!
Any time there is a new Sarah Dessen book coming out, I am always thrilled. I first fell in love with her writing when I read Just Listen. It and The Truth About Forever remain to be my favorites, but there's always something so comforting about picking up a Sarah Dessen book. I just know that it's going to be an enjoyable, fun read, and What Happened To Goodbye is no exception.
One of the things I really enjoy about Sarah Dessen books is that I can always find something to relate to, and I felt that a lot with What Happened To Goodbye. Divorce is such a difficult situation no matter how the relationship dissolves. For Mclean, not only does she lose her home with her mother and father, but her whole world is changed by her mother's actions. Her anger is understandable, as is the confusion about her identity.
With her father's new career, which has them moving often, as he goes from one place to another to try to whip restaurants into shape, Mclean has begun creating new personas for herself in each new place. However, upon arriving in Lakeview, her plans for a her identity are thwarted, and so she has no choice but to be herself.
Typically, I find myself somewhat more focused on seeing the swoon-worthy guys of Sarah Dessen's books, but despite how much I loved Dave, I was really drawn to Mclean herself. Even though Just Listen and The Truth About Forever are my favorite Dessen books, I often found myself quite frustrated with Annabel and Macy because it always seemed to take them a while to really find the strength and voice to speak up for themselves.
Mclean, however, does not have this same problem, at least as far as her frustrations go. She isn't necessarily an open book and keeps parts of her pain from her parents divorce stored away, namely through being someone else, but I found it satisfying, though sometimes cringe-worthy, that she was not shy about letting her parents know how she felt and where she wanted to be.
As always, there is a terrific cast of colorful people to fill out Mclean's life. Opal's resistance to change in Luna Blu, and Heather's lack of tact filter as well as Deb's loneliness and Riley's guy troubles were interesting extras along with Dave's strict parents and his struggle just to be a regular guy.
Whenever I'm looking for a book that focuses more on real life problems and relationships, Sarah Dessen is always my go-to author. There's something so comforting about snuggling up with a book, knowing I'll find something to relate to and that I'll feel frustrated, angry, sad and amused throughout the course of her books but will ultimately walk away feeling satisfied.
Also, I'm always thrilled to see cameos of characters from her other books. It's like a treasure hunt every time.
One of the things I really enjoy about Sarah Dessen books is that I can always find something to relate to, and I felt that a lot with What Happened To Goodbye. Divorce is such a difficult situation no matter how the relationship dissolves. For Mclean, not only does she lose her home with her mother and father, but her whole world is changed by her mother's actions. Her anger is understandable, as is the confusion about her identity.
With her father's new career, which has them moving often, as he goes from one place to another to try to whip restaurants into shape, Mclean has begun creating new personas for herself in each new place. However, upon arriving in Lakeview, her plans for a her identity are thwarted, and so she has no choice but to be herself.
Typically, I find myself somewhat more focused on seeing the swoon-worthy guys of Sarah Dessen's books, but despite how much I loved Dave, I was really drawn to Mclean herself. Even though Just Listen and The Truth About Forever are my favorite Dessen books, I often found myself quite frustrated with Annabel and Macy because it always seemed to take them a while to really find the strength and voice to speak up for themselves.
Mclean, however, does not have this same problem, at least as far as her frustrations go. She isn't necessarily an open book and keeps parts of her pain from her parents divorce stored away, namely through being someone else, but I found it satisfying, though sometimes cringe-worthy, that she was not shy about letting her parents know how she felt and where she wanted to be.
As always, there is a terrific cast of colorful people to fill out Mclean's life. Opal's resistance to change in Luna Blu, and Heather's lack of tact filter as well as Deb's loneliness and Riley's guy troubles were interesting extras along with Dave's strict parents and his struggle just to be a regular guy.
Whenever I'm looking for a book that focuses more on real life problems and relationships, Sarah Dessen is always my go-to author. There's something so comforting about snuggling up with a book, knowing I'll find something to relate to and that I'll feel frustrated, angry, sad and amused throughout the course of her books but will ultimately walk away feeling satisfied.
Also, I'm always thrilled to see cameos of characters from her other books. It's like a treasure hunt every time.
http://sessastories.tumblr.com/post/6590507583/what-happened-to-goodbye-by-sarah-dessen
I enjoyed this book. I have enjoyed all of her books really! This one touches on divorce of parents and finding your way at a new school. Great read!
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was pretty average for me. I’m not huge into contemporary fiction, and I found this one a little bit boring. The characters all seemed a bit one dimensional, and the way that everyone was obsessed with basketball was a little off putting. I did enjoy some of the characters. There was a lot of miscommunication, especially at the end, which I have a personal distaste for. I also was very frustrated with every adult in this book, and the way that all the really fucked up stuff they did was brushed under the rug. I also was pretty unsatisfied with the ending.
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yes, it's the same flavor -- but it's a good flavor! Secondary characters were stronger than Mclean herself, with some nice surprises thrown in. Not the best, but satisfying.
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT: http://escapetowonderland.org/2011/08/what-happened-to-goodbye-by-sarah-dessen/
A few years ago I picked up This Lullaby and instantly fell in love. After I read it, I order all her other ones and read them all in about a week or two. You can't imagine how excited I was when I saw What Happened to Goodbye was coming out. It had been so long since I read one of Sarah Dessen's books that I missed the feel and the realism of her stories.
Mclean was so caught up in her routine of starting a new life every where she went that she didn't even realize how hard she was struggling. You don't even realize it either, but despite that, you can't help but to connect with her characters. When you're in high school, you're still trying to figure out who you are, and that is something everyone can relate to. She finally figured out a lot of things about herself as well as her relationships and just with life.
I loved every single character in this book because they were all so real. Dave I fell completely in love with because it seemed to be also struggling with figure out who he was and where he wanted his life to go. He was a super genius, but yet, he decided to graduate with all the other kids his age. And he got into some trouble, which was apparently unlike him. Really, all the characters play a part in who Mclean was and in helper her find out.
I absolutely love What Happened to Goodbye, but I have to say that Along For the Ride has to be my favorite. I can't wait for another Sarah Dessen books and meet another character dealing with a real life situation teens face and finding out the true meaning of happiness and love.
A few years ago I picked up This Lullaby and instantly fell in love. After I read it, I order all her other ones and read them all in about a week or two. You can't imagine how excited I was when I saw What Happened to Goodbye was coming out. It had been so long since I read one of Sarah Dessen's books that I missed the feel and the realism of her stories.
Mclean was so caught up in her routine of starting a new life every where she went that she didn't even realize how hard she was struggling. You don't even realize it either, but despite that, you can't help but to connect with her characters. When you're in high school, you're still trying to figure out who you are, and that is something everyone can relate to. She finally figured out a lot of things about herself as well as her relationships and just with life.
I loved every single character in this book because they were all so real. Dave I fell completely in love with because it seemed to be also struggling with figure out who he was and where he wanted his life to go. He was a super genius, but yet, he decided to graduate with all the other kids his age. And he got into some trouble, which was apparently unlike him. Really, all the characters play a part in who Mclean was and in helper her find out.
I absolutely love What Happened to Goodbye, but I have to say that Along For the Ride has to be my favorite. I can't wait for another Sarah Dessen books and meet another character dealing with a real life situation teens face and finding out the true meaning of happiness and love.