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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
this book was fine. it was ok, nothing special. not like other sarah dessen books have the potential to be. i liked mclean for the most part. but she is so naive. first of all—how can you make one additional account using the same email on a social media platform, let alone like 5? why does she run away from everything? it's incredibly frustrating and not at all satisfying. i almost didnt want her to get closure. her parents are weird for letting her stay with her dads new gf of like a week. the fact that they were spending all their time together but she never once thought to talk about her previous schools and her friends never asked either? I've never seen anyone shut down as quickly as mclean and run away too. she overreacts for everything and it was just meh
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
I love Sarah Dessen's writing style. She has a gift...there's not doubt about that.
I lvoe the way she can blend words together and create memorable characters and plots.
I loved this novel. Everybody has felt the need for a fresh start in their life, that moment where you can just start over and live a new life...for Mclean that's reality. Each town she has a new idenity.
I really really love Dessen's style. She's a great writer. Definitely recommended.
I lvoe the way she can blend words together and create memorable characters and plots.
I loved this novel. Everybody has felt the need for a fresh start in their life, that moment where you can just start over and live a new life...for Mclean that's reality. Each town she has a new idenity.
I really really love Dessen's style. She's a great writer. Definitely recommended.
What Happened to Goodbye was all about how Maclean was dealing with the divorce of her parents.
The characters in this novel were described in such vivid detail that they felt like real people. I couldn't help but to be drawn into Maclean's struggle with the mother. As a reader, I understood how Maclean felt and truly sympathized with her.
I'm not sure if this book was supposed to be a young adult romance with the ineraction with Dave and Maclean. If so, it fell short on that aspect. The connection between the two of them was secondary and more of an afterthought thrown in at the very end of the book.
Every other aspect of this novel was great, and the overall story could have done without the lackluster romance of Dave and Maclean.
The characters in this novel were described in such vivid detail that they felt like real people. I couldn't help but to be drawn into Maclean's struggle with the mother. As a reader, I understood how Maclean felt and truly sympathized with her.
I'm not sure if this book was supposed to be a young adult romance with the ineraction with Dave and Maclean. If so, it fell short on that aspect. The connection between the two of them was secondary and more of an afterthought thrown in at the very end of the book.
Every other aspect of this novel was great, and the overall story could have done without the lackluster romance of Dave and Maclean.
Oh Sarah Dessen-- always sucks me in. Started this one and didn't put it down until it was over. I really liked the cast of characters in this one-- and I enjoyed reading a story that featured a strong relationship between a teen girl and her father.
One thing I've noticed is that Sarah Dessen likes to refer to things, ideas, and people used in her previous books. This becomes more noticeable in her newer books. These are the things I've found refer back to What Happened to Goodbye.
That Summer:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean goes on beach trips with her mom, much like Haven's family used to do.
McLean's mom cheats on her dad, and gets remarried. She gets pregnant too soon. Haven's dad cheats on her mom and he remarries. His new wife gets pregnant too soon too.
Someone Like You:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean goes to Jackson High like Haley and Scarlett do.
Dave counted the exact amount of distance between the shed and McLean's house. Scarlett and Haley used to do stuff like this.
Keeping the Moon:
McLean's dad walks in a slow gait like Norman.
Like Colie, McLean becomes a waitress.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Colie spends the summer with her Aunt Mira.
Heather's dad loves moon pies. Norman loves moon pies too.
Dreamland:
Caitlan's dad is a huge fan of college sports. McLean's stepdad is a college basketball coach.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Caitlan.
Guy next door to McLean goes to U; McLean herself attends U. Boo and Stewart teach at U. Caitlin's dad is also the Dean of students
Also set in Lakeview
This Lullaby:
Also set in Lakeview
Dave takes classes at the U. Lissa attends U.
McLean like Lissa goes to U.
McLean gets a coupon for Jump Java. Jump Java is right across from Remy's work and where Scarlett and John Miller worked.
McLean's mom reads romance novels. Remy's mom writes them.
The Truth About Forever:
Also set in Lakeview
Guy next door to McLean goes to U; McLean herself attends U. Macy's sister Caroline went to U.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Macy does.
McLean's dad walks in a slow gait like Wes.
Dave takes classes at the U. Macy's sister Caroline went to U.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Macy and her family have a beach house.
Jason is the chef at Luna Blue. Jason is Macy's ex.
Dave, like Wes, also has a tattoo that is in remembrance of someone he loved that died.
Just Listen:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean was on the soccer team at one point. Annabelle's friend Clarke played soccer.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Annabelle does.
McLean is told to transfer to the Fountain School. Rolly attends the Fountain School.
McLean sees Annabelle and Owen arguing about music during her first lunch at Jackson High.
Male model who gives Annabelle his number goes to U. McLean is going to attend U too.
McLean, her dad, and mom love Led Zepplin. Owen does too.
Lock and Key:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean is named after a Defriese University coach, she used to live in Tyler, the town Defriese University is located, and her stepdad is the Defriese University basketball coach. Auden and Maggie go to Defriese University. Ruby applies to Defriese University
Mclean has multiple UME.com pages
Guy next door to McLean goes to U like Ruby and Nate do. McLean herself attends U.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Ruby did before she transferred.
Dave takes classes at the U. Ruby, Gervais and Nate attend U.
McLean gets a Jackson High Spirit Sticker from Deb. Ruby has one on her notebook.
Heather Wainwright has a Jump Java coffee. McLean gets a coupon to Jump Java from Deb.
Dave makes Smoothies. In Lock and Key, Harriet tries to quit drinking coffee by switching to Smoothies.
McLean, her dad, and mom love Led Zepplin. Ruby does too.
Dave is friends with Gervais
Along for the Ride:
McLean is named after a Defriese University coach, she used to live in Tyler, the town Defriese University is located, and her stepdad is the Defriese University basketball coach. Auden and Maggie go to Defriese University. Auden and Maggie go to Defriese University.
Auden and Eli shop at Park Mart. So does Mclean
Guy next door to McLean goes to U; McLean herself attends U. Auden's mother is a professor at U.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Auden did before she transferred.
Dave used to go to Kiffeny-Brown before transferring to Jackson High
Dave takes classes at the U. Auden's mother is a professor at U.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Auden spends the summer with her dad and stepmom.
Jason is the chef at Luna Blue. Jason is the guy who stood Auden up twice.
Heidi is friends with McLean's mom. She comes by with Thisbe and a bathing suit from Clementine's.
The Moon and More:
Knows Rachel Gertman who makes the Gert bracelets. McClean and her mom have a ton, they were a tradition when they went to Colby beach. Dave bought one too.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Emmaline lives.
McLean's dad walks in a slow gait like Morris.
Guy next door to McLean goes to U, McLean and Dave also attend U. Emmaline will be attending U in the fall.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Caitlan.
McLean gets a coupon to Jump Java from Deb, Emmaline goes to Jump Jave to clear her head about Theo.
McLean and Emmaline shop at Park Mart.
Heidi is friends with McLean's mom. Heidi and Emmaline's mom are friends.
That Summer:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean goes on beach trips with her mom, much like Haven's family used to do.
McLean's mom cheats on her dad, and gets remarried. She gets pregnant too soon. Haven's dad cheats on her mom and he remarries. His new wife gets pregnant too soon too.
Someone Like You:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean goes to Jackson High like Haley and Scarlett do.
Dave counted the exact amount of distance between the shed and McLean's house. Scarlett and Haley used to do stuff like this.
Keeping the Moon:
McLean's dad walks in a slow gait like Norman.
Like Colie, McLean becomes a waitress.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Colie spends the summer with her Aunt Mira.
Heather's dad loves moon pies. Norman loves moon pies too.
Dreamland:
Caitlan's dad is a huge fan of college sports. McLean's stepdad is a college basketball coach.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Caitlan.
Guy next door to McLean goes to U; McLean herself attends U. Boo and Stewart teach at U. Caitlin's dad is also the Dean of students
Also set in Lakeview
This Lullaby:
Also set in Lakeview
Dave takes classes at the U. Lissa attends U.
McLean like Lissa goes to U.
McLean gets a coupon for Jump Java. Jump Java is right across from Remy's work and where Scarlett and John Miller worked.
McLean's mom reads romance novels. Remy's mom writes them.
The Truth About Forever:
Also set in Lakeview
Guy next door to McLean goes to U; McLean herself attends U. Macy's sister Caroline went to U.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Macy does.
McLean's dad walks in a slow gait like Wes.
Dave takes classes at the U. Macy's sister Caroline went to U.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Macy and her family have a beach house.
Jason is the chef at Luna Blue. Jason is Macy's ex.
Dave, like Wes, also has a tattoo that is in remembrance of someone he loved that died.
Just Listen:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean was on the soccer team at one point. Annabelle's friend Clarke played soccer.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Annabelle does.
McLean is told to transfer to the Fountain School. Rolly attends the Fountain School.
McLean sees Annabelle and Owen arguing about music during her first lunch at Jackson High.
Male model who gives Annabelle his number goes to U. McLean is going to attend U too.
McLean, her dad, and mom love Led Zepplin. Owen does too.
Lock and Key:
Also set in Lakeview
McLean is named after a Defriese University coach, she used to live in Tyler, the town Defriese University is located, and her stepdad is the Defriese University basketball coach. Auden and Maggie go to Defriese University. Ruby applies to Defriese University
Mclean has multiple UME.com pages
Guy next door to McLean goes to U like Ruby and Nate do. McLean herself attends U.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Ruby did before she transferred.
Dave takes classes at the U. Ruby, Gervais and Nate attend U.
McLean gets a Jackson High Spirit Sticker from Deb. Ruby has one on her notebook.
Heather Wainwright has a Jump Java coffee. McLean gets a coupon to Jump Java from Deb.
Dave makes Smoothies. In Lock and Key, Harriet tries to quit drinking coffee by switching to Smoothies.
McLean, her dad, and mom love Led Zepplin. Ruby does too.
Dave is friends with Gervais
Along for the Ride:
McLean is named after a Defriese University coach, she used to live in Tyler, the town Defriese University is located, and her stepdad is the Defriese University basketball coach. Auden and Maggie go to Defriese University. Auden and Maggie go to Defriese University.
Auden and Eli shop at Park Mart. So does Mclean
Guy next door to McLean goes to U; McLean herself attends U. Auden's mother is a professor at U.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Auden did before she transferred.
Dave used to go to Kiffeny-Brown before transferring to Jackson High
Dave takes classes at the U. Auden's mother is a professor at U.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Auden spends the summer with her dad and stepmom.
Jason is the chef at Luna Blue. Jason is the guy who stood Auden up twice.
Heidi is friends with McLean's mom. She comes by with Thisbe and a bathing suit from Clementine's.
The Moon and More:
Knows Rachel Gertman who makes the Gert bracelets. McClean and her mom have a ton, they were a tradition when they went to Colby beach. Dave bought one too.
Peter bought McLean's mom a house in Colby. Colby is where Emmaline lives.
McLean's dad walks in a slow gait like Morris.
Guy next door to McLean goes to U, McLean and Dave also attend U. Emmaline will be attending U in the fall.
McLean goes to Jackson High like Caitlan.
McLean gets a coupon to Jump Java from Deb, Emmaline goes to Jump Jave to clear her head about Theo.
McLean and Emmaline shop at Park Mart.
Heidi is friends with McLean's mom. Heidi and Emmaline's mom are friends.
emotional
lighthearted
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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mclean is used to starting afresh. Since her mum split up the family, she and her dad have got used to moving every time he’s allocated a new job. Though she doesn’t realise it, Mclean has got used to becoming someone new and never settling into a place.
When sent to their latest venture, there’s nothing to suggest it’ll be any different.
Pretty soon, though, it’s clear she is starting to care about the people she’s met. She’s putting down roots and starting to settle.
This was not an action-packed book by any means. We follow Mclean as she learns a little more about herself and comes to realise what’s important to her. We see her developing relationships and watch as she starts to forge a new more adult relationship with her parents.
When sent to their latest venture, there’s nothing to suggest it’ll be any different.
Pretty soon, though, it’s clear she is starting to care about the people she’s met. She’s putting down roots and starting to settle.
This was not an action-packed book by any means. We follow Mclean as she learns a little more about herself and comes to realise what’s important to her. We see her developing relationships and watch as she starts to forge a new more adult relationship with her parents.
It's been a long time since McLean has been herself, instead each time she has moved with her father she has chosen a new identity as Lisbet, Beth, or Eliza. But this time it's different. After introducing herself as McLean accidentally, she can't seem to escape herself--even if she doesn't know who that is.