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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I absolutely loved this book. I like Sarah Dessen, but normally don't go in expecting too much because I associate her with my middle school reading days. Anyway, I liked this book because it explored a lot more than the relationship between Dave and McLean. Both Dave and McLean are deeper than they seem, and it's interesting to see how that comes out. The one thing that was annoying was McLean's relationship with her mother. She continued to shut her mom out. I'm a kid from a broken home and to me she was just wasting time pushing her away. Whether McLean likes it or not she's her mom and one day she's going to be wishing she could talk to her, but I digress. McLean is really struggling with her sense of self and opening up to people. It's great to see her growth over the development of the book. The ending was great and I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a nice, easy, realistic fiction read.
Sarah Dessen is my favorite author right now. The way she writes just keeps you interested through the whole book. It’s hard to put her books down.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I'll be the first to admit, I love Dessen's older books (Just Listen, This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Dreamland, etc...) better than her new ones; most authors grow, but I think she should have just continued with that. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE ALL her books, but...
That being said, Mclean is probably the character I've been able to relate to the most in all the books I've ever read. And this book was still emotional and fantastic and probably "cuter" than any of Dessen's others.
That being said, Mclean is probably the character I've been able to relate to the most in all the books I've ever read. And this book was still emotional and fantastic and probably "cuter" than any of Dessen's others.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was so cute. If you want a sweet, slightly cheesy, slow-burn romance with a good moral, this is a great book for you. I had a lot of fun. And the main love interest was adorable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Finally, well I think it's my fault that it took too much time to finish this .. !
The story here is about a girl that used to move a lot and that made her a person she doesn't even know .. and with that she learnt not to get too attached to ppl until she met Dave a guy with his own problems and the way he was dealing with every problem of them is really impressive .. so she get attached to him and the story begins with them and how Dave will affect her in so many ways ,and how he will make her learn how to stay and not to be afraid of commitments
For me the most touching part was when Dave put her in everywhere in the model he was working on that was really sweet :D
I'll quote what Mclean told Dave when she saw the model..
"... but this, it’s like the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Seriously.”
Seriously this is the sweetest thing i have ever read :D
and for Sarah Dessen may be that wasn't the best novel I've read better ones, but i needed to read any of her work anyway :)
The story here is about a girl that used to move a lot and that made her a person she doesn't even know .. and with that she learnt not to get too attached to ppl until she met Dave a guy with his own problems and the way he was dealing with every problem of them is really impressive .. so she get attached to him and the story begins with them and how Dave will affect her in so many ways ,and how he will make her learn how to stay and not to be afraid of commitments
For me the most touching part was when Dave put her in everywhere in the model he was working on that was really sweet :D
I'll quote what Mclean told Dave when she saw the model..
"... but this, it’s like the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Seriously.”
Seriously this is the sweetest thing i have ever read :D
and for Sarah Dessen may be that wasn't the best novel I've read better ones, but i needed to read any of her work anyway :)
much as dessen lifts her formulas from book to book, i will lift this paragraph from my review of her last book "along for the ride":
"much as i loved it, i would love to see dessen use her considerable talents in a new way. another reviewer sums up her formula kinda like this-- (girl + some sort of strain with parent/s + new experience/city/job + new group of slightly oddball yet wise friends + that one enigmatic special boy = happy ending!!) and i have to agree that even though each of her books is special and fun to read...it's time for a new one."
i'm left feeling the same way now except maybe a little more so. i didn't really find mclean that realistic of a character. i don't know any teenage girls who would behave like that- take the risk of changing their personalities twice a year but not the risk of enjoying a romance? speaking of which, i found the romance just a teeny bit flat. could have used more heat. in my humble opinion.
still, there were some highlights:
-the building of the model of the town. that was pretty fun. i liked
-an accurate and flattering portrayal of a librarian! (maybe dessen saw my complaint from 'the truth about forever.' heehee.)
-the restaurant setting was fun. i liked opal. she was a solid character.
-i also liked deb and how she was full of surprises.
again, i enjoyed the book and i know i'll still be first in line for her new releases in years to come. but i'd love to be surprised by a break in the formula.
"much as i loved it, i would love to see dessen use her considerable talents in a new way. another reviewer sums up her formula kinda like this-- (girl + some sort of strain with parent/s + new experience/city/job + new group of slightly oddball yet wise friends + that one enigmatic special boy = happy ending!!) and i have to agree that even though each of her books is special and fun to read...it's time for a new one."
i'm left feeling the same way now except maybe a little more so. i didn't really find mclean that realistic of a character. i don't know any teenage girls who would behave like that- take the risk of changing their personalities twice a year but not the risk of enjoying a romance? speaking of which, i found the romance just a teeny bit flat. could have used more heat. in my humble opinion.
still, there were some highlights:
-the building of the model of the town. that was pretty fun. i liked
-an accurate and flattering portrayal of a librarian! (maybe dessen saw my complaint from 'the truth about forever.' heehee.)
-the restaurant setting was fun. i liked opal. she was a solid character.
-i also liked deb and how she was full of surprises.
again, i enjoyed the book and i know i'll still be first in line for her new releases in years to come. but i'd love to be surprised by a break in the formula.
Moving, compelling and realistic. I seriously believe we are all 'Mcleans' deep inside. Trying to find that missing piece, trying to fit in, trying to run away and stay at the same time. One of the best books I've read in my lifetime. AND the fact that I could very well relate to Mclean's situation made it even more amazing. Such a wonderfully written story of life, love, family, friendship, basketball and food. :D
I forgot how much I love Sarah Dessen’s books. The narrator for the audio version of this felt a perfect fit. Something I truly appreciate about this book is how much it centered on family, lasting friends, and what home actually means. As teens and into adulthood we often lose track of the importance of these, and Mclean learns from her parents and her new friends how to make sense of these huge parts of her life as well as her own identity.
God, this one was so hard to read. I actually think this book deserves more than two stars because the writing and how the plot unfolds is fantastic and of course this book has a great depth as well, but it was just boring for me and if I hadn't skipped a few pages, I could never have finished it yet.
I was right before DNFing this story...
I definitely recommend reading other books by Sarah Dessen than this one.
I was right before DNFing this story...
I definitely recommend reading other books by Sarah Dessen than this one.