Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Dessen's latest novel, it remains within her formulaic plotline, but still really excellent. I'm fairly certain I read it in just a couple sittings, even though it was a fairly hefty book, so it's a quick read, but there is good character development. I'd say it's my favorite of all her novels, and I have read them all.
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I like to call Sarah Dessen’s books “Kraft Mac n cheese literature” because they’re comforting and delicious even though they’re not high quality.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was excellent, it's just that there was no full circle feeling that I usually get with Dessen. Maybe I just wanted the mom to explain herself. I still I want to know why. You can kind of get hints at why but I really wanted to hear it from McLean’s mom instead of just assume.
As always the secondary characters where good but I didn’t get as attached to them as usual. I could get a feel for the atmosphere of Luna Blue and McLean’s home but not so much with the weather and school. I know its summer but I’ve read books that are set in winter during the summer and I’ve felt the cold from the book. With What Happened to Goodbye I didn’t feel that. Like when snow was mentioned I thought, Snow? It’s winter? and then I remember, Oh yeah it is, I forgot.
I love McLean though, she is what really carries the book in this one (so if you don’t like her there will be a problem). She is someone I could really understand. Most of the time with Dessen's characters I understand the way the characters are feeling but in this one I could understand her. When kids move I’m sure that most think I could just start over. Be something new, someone different. And when you are young you can do that because you aren't set in your ways. McClean has to figure herself out in this move though.
But being different after every move is not all McLean’s about. She has a love/hate relationship with her mother and I could feel the same way McLean did about her. In any other book I would’ve felt that girl was being spoiled and difficult just to spite her mom but not with her. Dessen did a pretty good job with that.
I know some people have complaints with Dave but I really liked him. He’s corky without meaning to be. He’s smart-really smart- but not arrogant and sweet but not cheesy.
Okay so this is not exactly a spoiler but it’s about one of the cameos.
All in all Dessen has still got it.
As always the secondary characters where good but I didn’t get as attached to them as usual. I could get a feel for the atmosphere of Luna Blue and McLean’s home but not so much with the weather and school. I know its summer but I’ve read books that are set in winter during the summer and I’ve felt the cold from the book. With What Happened to Goodbye I didn’t feel that. Like when snow was mentioned I thought, Snow? It’s winter? and then I remember, Oh yeah it is, I forgot.
I love McLean though, she is what really carries the book in this one (so if you don’t like her there will be a problem). She is someone I could really understand. Most of the time with Dessen's characters I understand the way the characters are feeling but in this one I could understand her. When kids move I’m sure that most think I could just start over. Be something new, someone different. And when you are young you can do that because you aren't set in your ways. McClean has to figure herself out in this move though.
But being different after every move is not all McLean’s about. She has a love/hate relationship with her mother and I could feel the same way McLean did about her. In any other book I would’ve felt that girl was being spoiled and difficult just to spite her mom but not with her. Dessen did a pretty good job with that.
I know some people have complaints with Dave but I really liked him. He’s corky without meaning to be. He’s smart-really smart- but not arrogant and sweet but not cheesy.
Okay so this is not exactly a spoiler but it’s about one of the cameos.
Spoiler
Jason would be a perfect guy for Dessen’s next book! Come on, he’s changed so much and we already know his history and seen him grow. He seems lonely. It would be great!All in all Dessen has still got it.
Does Sarah Dessen still have the awesome stuff? Oh yeah. No doubt or question about it.
This time around we're gonna get to follow the story of a girl named Mclean. She comes from parents that go through a tabloid worthy divorce. Going against the norm Mclean decides to stay with her dad, and up to this point has been through four moves with him. Four different girls for each move. But this fourth move is going to be distinctly different because for the first time in long while she is going to be herself, if she can even figure out who that is exactly.
The premise intrigued me a lot. I grew up as a military kid that moved around and I always did contemplate starting with a new slate. Be a different person; maybe present myself differently because the impression of who I am isn't set. I never did because it's hard to be someone you're not, just as Mclean figures out.
I felt the chaos and love that goes into restaurants. I caught the excitement of watching a basketball game (I live in place where college basketball is followed like a religion, and she got the feel of it just right). I got mad at Mclean’s mom but then understood her. I got to see how to start something big even if it seems impossible. I learned even a small change, one moment can make the difference. But most importantly I know why it’s important to find a place to call home. To find the people who will be home for you.
I wasn't sure why some people were expressing that they didn't fall in love with Dave. Dave is so... unique and sweet in his own way. I think because the relationship arc is different for Mclean and Dave that people couldn't connect with him the same way they did with the other leading guys. But he is a great guy, no disputing that. My top character choice for this book is Deb. Deb is fantastic. She is more than meets the eye and she isn't ashamed to be herself. Gotta love a character like that.
Dessen fans will read the book but I urge people who haven't to try one of her books. She really is (in my opinion) the best young adult realistic author out today. She captures the female teenage voice and presents it in a way that is relatable to people. Though not my favorite book I still stayed up late at night to finish and rooted for Mclean to find her normal and fully embrace the people who get who the real her is.
Side note:While I was reading this, this song popped into my head. I was learning how to play it on the guitar and it feels like it fits the story. It's kind of the flip of what could have happen if Mclean had decided to keep running away from herself.
This time around we're gonna get to follow the story of a girl named Mclean. She comes from parents that go through a tabloid worthy divorce. Going against the norm Mclean decides to stay with her dad, and up to this point has been through four moves with him. Four different girls for each move. But this fourth move is going to be distinctly different because for the first time in long while she is going to be herself, if she can even figure out who that is exactly.
The premise intrigued me a lot. I grew up as a military kid that moved around and I always did contemplate starting with a new slate. Be a different person; maybe present myself differently because the impression of who I am isn't set. I never did because it's hard to be someone you're not, just as Mclean figures out.
I felt the chaos and love that goes into restaurants. I caught the excitement of watching a basketball game (I live in place where college basketball is followed like a religion, and she got the feel of it just right). I got mad at Mclean’s mom but then understood her. I got to see how to start something big even if it seems impossible. I learned even a small change, one moment can make the difference. But most importantly I know why it’s important to find a place to call home. To find the people who will be home for you.
I wasn't sure why some people were expressing that they didn't fall in love with Dave. Dave is so... unique and sweet in his own way. I think because the relationship arc is different for Mclean and Dave that people couldn't connect with him the same way they did with the other leading guys. But he is a great guy, no disputing that. My top character choice for this book is Deb. Deb is fantastic. She is more than meets the eye and she isn't ashamed to be herself. Gotta love a character like that.
Dessen fans will read the book but I urge people who haven't to try one of her books. She really is (in my opinion) the best young adult realistic author out today. She captures the female teenage voice and presents it in a way that is relatable to people. Though not my favorite book I still stayed up late at night to finish and rooted for Mclean to find her normal and fully embrace the people who get who the real her is.
Side note:While I was reading this, this song popped into my head. I was learning how to play it on the guitar and it feels like it fits the story. It's kind of the flip of what could have happen if Mclean had decided to keep running away from herself.
Great, now I have to wait another billions years (okay, probably more like 2) for another Sarah Dessen book. Get cracking Dessen! Really though, the reason why so many people love her books are because she just gets it. She deals with problems that not only teenagers but anyone can relate to in some way.
Quick Overview: Another move for Mclean just means another persona. After her parents’ divorce Mclean and her father move around as he works as a restaurant consultant. Two years and four schools later Mclean and her father are in Lakeview. Mclean thinks this is just another move, another school, and another girl. This time is different though because despite her plans Mclean finds that she’s making real friends and being…herself. Whoever that is.
Was there really any doubt that Dessen would deliver? Rhetorical question. I was kind of surprised by how much I liked Mclean. She was openly angry with her mother (rightly so I might add),no matter how much her mother pushes to be a part of her life again. I had a real understanding of Mclean. I understood why she was angry and why she did things. It almost felt I was the one who had been betrayed, and later as she comes to realizations and understandings I did too. More than anything though, I liked that Mclean was a good person. I loved how this book was as much about Mclean as it was about her family.
And of course you can’t NOT mention the secondary characters! Both of Mclean’s parents play a big role in the book and you get a genuine sense of what kind of people they are. What I found strange was that I actually didn’t like some of the secondary characters, like Riley and Heather. Although they are both typical Dessen characters they just didn’t do it for me. I found myself liking much less important characters like the endearingly stupid Leo. And holy guacamole (and I do like me some guacamole)!!! She put Jason in again! Like some other fans I wanted to see a happy ending for Jason or at least a progression of sorts. It’s not an ending, but it’s really interesting to see what happens with him and I’m immensely happy she put him in again. Weird and sensitive Deb though, by far, was my absolute favorite. Right from the first moment she’s introduced I wanted her to be a significant part of the book. And of course the guy, Dave. He’s different from Dessen’s other guys because he’s not an obvious dreamboat, or “cool”. In fact he’s kind of a dork. He’s quirky, weird, and a lot more vulnerable. Completely hilarious and a genius he’s already one of my favorites. They both teach Mclean that sometimes the hardest thing to do is have the courage to be yourself.
I felt I could particularly relate to Mclean because through high school I moved around and just like her I wasn’t sure if I really belonged anywhere because I didn’t have a place to call home. Just like her I learned that home isn’t a place but a feeling you have with people who care about you. Mostly though this book is about finding what it means to have a true sense of self. So to finally wrap this up, a 4.5 because I loved reading this, warts and all :D.
Quick Overview: Another move for Mclean just means another persona. After her parents’ divorce Mclean and her father move around as he works as a restaurant consultant. Two years and four schools later Mclean and her father are in Lakeview. Mclean thinks this is just another move, another school, and another girl. This time is different though because despite her plans Mclean finds that she’s making real friends and being…herself. Whoever that is.
Was there really any doubt that Dessen would deliver? Rhetorical question. I was kind of surprised by how much I liked Mclean. She was openly angry with her mother (rightly so I might add),no matter how much her mother pushes to be a part of her life again. I had a real understanding of Mclean. I understood why she was angry and why she did things. It almost felt I was the one who had been betrayed, and later as she comes to realizations and understandings I did too. More than anything though, I liked that Mclean was a good person. I loved how this book was as much about Mclean as it was about her family.
And of course you can’t NOT mention the secondary characters! Both of Mclean’s parents play a big role in the book and you get a genuine sense of what kind of people they are. What I found strange was that I actually didn’t like some of the secondary characters, like Riley and Heather. Although they are both typical Dessen characters they just didn’t do it for me. I found myself liking much less important characters like the endearingly stupid Leo. And holy guacamole (and I do like me some guacamole)!!! She put Jason in again! Like some other fans I wanted to see a happy ending for Jason or at least a progression of sorts. It’s not an ending, but it’s really interesting to see what happens with him and I’m immensely happy she put him in again. Weird and sensitive Deb though, by far, was my absolute favorite. Right from the first moment she’s introduced I wanted her to be a significant part of the book. And of course the guy, Dave. He’s different from Dessen’s other guys because he’s not an obvious dreamboat, or “cool”. In fact he’s kind of a dork. He’s quirky, weird, and a lot more vulnerable. Completely hilarious and a genius he’s already one of my favorites. They both teach Mclean that sometimes the hardest thing to do is have the courage to be yourself.
I felt I could particularly relate to Mclean because through high school I moved around and just like her I wasn’t sure if I really belonged anywhere because I didn’t have a place to call home. Just like her I learned that home isn’t a place but a feeling you have with people who care about you. Mostly though this book is about finding what it means to have a true sense of self. So to finally wrap this up, a 4.5 because I loved reading this, warts and all :D.
Actual rating 4.5
Another super cute, sweet read with real characters; on par with my previous favourite, The Truth About Forever. I'm just loving being on the Sarah Dessen train right now!
Another super cute, sweet read with real characters; on par with my previous favourite, The Truth About Forever. I'm just loving being on the Sarah Dessen train right now!