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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I wanted more romance ugh why else would I read Sarah Dessen
Mclean Sweet used to have the perfect life. But that was years ago and miles away. Before her parents' bitter divorce. Before she and her father started moving from town to town like it was going out of style.
It was long before Mclean started reinventing herself in each new town. Eliza, Lizbet, Beth. All of her personas have a different story: cheerleader, drama nerd, student government junkie. It's easy to live the part once you choose the role, once you let the moments choose you. Especially when none of them are the real Mclean. Especially when Mclean doesn't even know who the real her is anymore.
Things are different in Lakeview. Instead of adopting a new persona for this newest town, Mclean starts being herself--or as close to it as she can be anymore. Seemingly random moments come together leading Mclean to friends and maybe even a home all while forcing her to do the unthinkable: just be real in What Happened to Goodbye (2011) by Sarah Dessen.
What Happened to Goodbye is Dessen's tenth novel and, as it turns out, this one proves that her writing really does live up to all of the hype.
Dessen's writing is literary and immediately appealing as she evokes not only a town and a lifestyle but also Mclean's emotions as she struggles with what it means to make a place for herself in yet another new community as Dessen brings up a lot of interesting threads about what family, and home, really mean.
The story here meanders towards the end in a way that makes perfect sense and ultimately fits perfectly for the story and the characters. And happily so since What Happened to Goodbye is all about the characters--Mclean, of course, but also her friends and her family as well. Every bit of this story is character driven and all of it comes together to great effect in a book that is really quite lovely.
Possible Pairings: Drawing the Ocean by Carolyn MacCullough, The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti, Moonglass by Jessi Kirby, After the Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy, The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson, How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
It was long before Mclean started reinventing herself in each new town. Eliza, Lizbet, Beth. All of her personas have a different story: cheerleader, drama nerd, student government junkie. It's easy to live the part once you choose the role, once you let the moments choose you. Especially when none of them are the real Mclean. Especially when Mclean doesn't even know who the real her is anymore.
Things are different in Lakeview. Instead of adopting a new persona for this newest town, Mclean starts being herself--or as close to it as she can be anymore. Seemingly random moments come together leading Mclean to friends and maybe even a home all while forcing her to do the unthinkable: just be real in What Happened to Goodbye (2011) by Sarah Dessen.
What Happened to Goodbye is Dessen's tenth novel and, as it turns out, this one proves that her writing really does live up to all of the hype.
Dessen's writing is literary and immediately appealing as she evokes not only a town and a lifestyle but also Mclean's emotions as she struggles with what it means to make a place for herself in yet another new community as Dessen brings up a lot of interesting threads about what family, and home, really mean.
The story here meanders towards the end in a way that makes perfect sense and ultimately fits perfectly for the story and the characters. And happily so since What Happened to Goodbye is all about the characters--Mclean, of course, but also her friends and her family as well. Every bit of this story is character driven and all of it comes together to great effect in a book that is really quite lovely.
Possible Pairings: Drawing the Ocean by Carolyn MacCullough, The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti, Moonglass by Jessi Kirby, After the Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy, The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson, How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
This was a fun book. It was fairly standard for Sarah Dessen, angsty girl meets angsty boy and they fall awkwardly in love...and it was adorable. I have always loved Sarah Dessen and this book is no exception. The characters were entertaining and it was an easy, lighthearted read that was exactly what I needed.
Originally posted here: http://rebecca-books.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/mini-review-what-happened-to-goodbye.html
First thing first.
Sarah Dessen rocks my socks. Quite literally. She is just...something special and she has produced some of the best and most enjoyable books I have ever been fortunate to read.
Simply, I'm a massive fan. I would be the person at every home country game who decides that they're love for the team is a good enough excuse to dress head to toe in said country's flag. Even the face paint is not a problem. I think we all know the type of people I mean, if not - have a look at an England game, there are normally quite a few.
Anyway. Because of my love for Sarah Dessen, as I admitted in my review for John Green's The Fault in Our Stars (review), when you love an author or book so much, no words, despite how long you ponder upon them, no words will ever be enough to express your thoughts and feelings. Which is why I don't review Sarah Dessen's book normally. I will never do a review decent enough for Along For The Ride, Just Listen or The Truth About Forever - especially the latter.
That is also why this is a short review. Because a full length one would have a huge picture of this book and me looking WAY too attractive (I'm thinking eyes scrunched up, mouth wide open, teeth and all with a look of a mixture of happiness/excitement/pleasure/pure insanity - nah, not on the internet) and a gushy crappy few paragraphs. I cannot do that for my love for Sarah Dessen. Dessen, - you rock, don't stop.
Synopsis: Since her parents messy divorce and mother's affair public scandal, Mclean has constantly been moving from town to town, from house to apartment to house, from school to school due to her father's job who renovates restaurants. And from person to person. In fact, in the past places she has lived, she has left behind 4 completely different girls - Eliza, Lisbet, Beth and the original Mclean - pre-divorce. However, when Mclean moves to the next town, Lakeview, she discovers she just wants to find her true self. She finds some great friends, especially from her neighbour, Dave. With new friends, new experiences and a new person, Mclean starts to enjoy her life, as if it's not temporary. Soon something happens that blows this up, leaving Mclean with a decision - turn her back on this life she loves or stay.
Review: As I said at above, I could basically fan-girl about this women for a few paragraphs and call it a review so this is literally going to be short but sweet.
Lovers of Sarah Dessen: listen up.
People who have never read A Sarah Dessen Novel: Seriously?! You're missing out. Find Just Listen or The Truth About Forever STRAIGHT AWAY.
Ah. There is just something extraordinary about Sarah Dessen's writing. Something absolutely magical and compelling that creates something that you devour. It is always a pleasure to read one of her books with its beautiful mix of realistic and original characters, the familiar settings and the clever and imaginative links to her other books.
For LoSD (Lover's of Sarah Dessen), this book is full of cameos from her previous books that make this a joy to spot them. These include the appearances of Isabel (Last Chance, Along for the Ride), Heidi and Thisbe as a toddler (Along For the Ride) as well as a visit to the Last Chance cafe. There's also a subtle sneaky cameo of Owen and Annabel (Just Listen) fighting over some music on an iPod.
The most surprising cameo for me was Jason, appearing originally in The Truth About Forever and Along for the Ride, who works at Luna Blu in the kitchen with a completely different personality - one Macy would approve of more methinks. LoSD, I tell you, I didn't think it was him - I thought it was ANOTHER Jason. But no...
The characters are as good as ever, the heroine as realistic and loveable as ever set with beautiful writing from someone who just does this so well.
This is a book that I can't say much about really. Just, read it. Perhaps not was good as some of Dessen's past novels, but she's definitely still got her writing groove.
Have a look at some other reviews for this book:
- The Beaucoup Review
- The overflowing library
- Cicely Loves Books
First thing first.
Sarah Dessen rocks my socks. Quite literally. She is just...something special and she has produced some of the best and most enjoyable books I have ever been fortunate to read.
Simply, I'm a massive fan. I would be the person at every home country game who decides that they're love for the team is a good enough excuse to dress head to toe in said country's flag. Even the face paint is not a problem. I think we all know the type of people I mean, if not - have a look at an England game, there are normally quite a few.
Anyway. Because of my love for Sarah Dessen, as I admitted in my review for John Green's The Fault in Our Stars (review), when you love an author or book so much, no words, despite how long you ponder upon them, no words will ever be enough to express your thoughts and feelings. Which is why I don't review Sarah Dessen's book normally. I will never do a review decent enough for Along For The Ride, Just Listen or The Truth About Forever - especially the latter.
That is also why this is a short review. Because a full length one would have a huge picture of this book and me looking WAY too attractive (I'm thinking eyes scrunched up, mouth wide open, teeth and all with a look of a mixture of happiness/excitement/pleasure/pure insanity - nah, not on the internet) and a gushy crappy few paragraphs. I cannot do that for my love for Sarah Dessen. Dessen, - you rock, don't stop.
Synopsis: Since her parents messy divorce and mother's affair public scandal, Mclean has constantly been moving from town to town, from house to apartment to house, from school to school due to her father's job who renovates restaurants. And from person to person. In fact, in the past places she has lived, she has left behind 4 completely different girls - Eliza, Lisbet, Beth and the original Mclean - pre-divorce. However, when Mclean moves to the next town, Lakeview, she discovers she just wants to find her true self. She finds some great friends, especially from her neighbour, Dave. With new friends, new experiences and a new person, Mclean starts to enjoy her life, as if it's not temporary. Soon something happens that blows this up, leaving Mclean with a decision - turn her back on this life she loves or stay.
Review: As I said at above, I could basically fan-girl about this women for a few paragraphs and call it a review so this is literally going to be short but sweet.
Lovers of Sarah Dessen: listen up.
People who have never read A Sarah Dessen Novel: Seriously?! You're missing out. Find Just Listen or The Truth About Forever STRAIGHT AWAY.
Ah. There is just something extraordinary about Sarah Dessen's writing. Something absolutely magical and compelling that creates something that you devour. It is always a pleasure to read one of her books with its beautiful mix of realistic and original characters, the familiar settings and the clever and imaginative links to her other books.
For LoSD (Lover's of Sarah Dessen), this book is full of cameos from her previous books that make this a joy to spot them. These include the appearances of Isabel (Last Chance, Along for the Ride), Heidi and Thisbe as a toddler (Along For the Ride) as well as a visit to the Last Chance cafe. There's also a subtle sneaky cameo of Owen and Annabel (Just Listen) fighting over some music on an iPod.
The most surprising cameo for me was Jason, appearing originally in The Truth About Forever and Along for the Ride, who works at Luna Blu in the kitchen with a completely different personality - one Macy would approve of more methinks. LoSD, I tell you, I didn't think it was him - I thought it was ANOTHER Jason. But no...
The characters are as good as ever, the heroine as realistic and loveable as ever set with beautiful writing from someone who just does this so well.
This is a book that I can't say much about really. Just, read it. Perhaps not was good as some of Dessen's past novels, but she's definitely still got her writing groove.
Have a look at some other reviews for this book:
- The Beaucoup Review
- The overflowing library
- Cicely Loves Books
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*3.8 stars.
I really love Sarah Dessen. I do. However, this book didn't do as much justice as her other books had, for me. For one thing the protagonist, McLean, had a bit too many conflicts for me. She was indecisive and sometimes a bit predictable. Overall, this book was what it was--a YA novel. Still a cute read.
I really love Sarah Dessen. I do. However, this book didn't do as much justice as her other books had, for me. For one thing the protagonist, McLean, had a bit too many conflicts for me. She was indecisive and sometimes a bit predictable. Overall, this book was what it was--a YA novel. Still a cute read.
I don’t know if I’m outgrowing this author, or if it was just the book, but I really didn’t like What Happened to Goodbye. The heroine was extremely annoying, and the hero had absolutely no substance or nuance. This story really felt like bare bones Sarah Dessen. None of her usual magic was in this book at all, especially in the romance.
Middle school me adored Sarah Dessen, but I wonder if I’m just getting too old to connect to or enjoy her works. Her stories are very formulaic, down to her plots always being a “hard-hitting lesson for the FMC”, a romance with a hero that “just gets” the heroine, complicated family relationships, and most-likely a healthy dose of family bonding at the end. This one hit the nail all times over, and the story wasn’t really that interesting anyways.
I’m afraid I just might be outgrowing this author because of how formulaic her works are (of the more likely reason: I’m getting old
Middle school me adored Sarah Dessen, but I wonder if I’m just getting too old to connect to or enjoy her works. Her stories are very formulaic, down to her plots always being a “hard-hitting lesson for the FMC”, a romance with a hero that “just gets” the heroine, complicated family relationships, and most-likely a healthy dose of family bonding at the end. This one hit the nail all times over, and the story wasn’t really that interesting anyways.
I’m afraid I just might be outgrowing this author because of how formulaic her works are (of the more likely reason: I’m getting old
I know when I read a Dessen book, I'm going to love it (with the exception of Lock & Key and even then I still enjoyed parts). I really liked the character of McLean. She recognized her faults and tried opening herself up to speak her mind and try new things. I think McLean and Dave were perfect counterparts for each other. I will agree with everyone else, I loved Deb! I did feel like McLean's mom should've explained what happened more. I also felt like Riley's character could've been delved into a little deeper. She was there but not really.
Yes, Dessen writes to a formula but it works. She's been one of my favorites since I picked up Someone Like You in 8th grade. I will continue to read each new one.
Yes, Dessen writes to a formula but it works. She's been one of my favorites since I picked up Someone Like You in 8th grade. I will continue to read each new one.