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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
What Happened to Goodbye is a story about friendships, choices and consequences, and family. McLean has moved a lot and created different lives for herself each time, but this last move might have given her something worth sticking around for. Sarah Dessen is so good at creating characters that you can't help but empathize with and cheer for, and she did it perfectly in this story.
I haven't been as in love with Dessen's books lately as I have in the past, but this one gripped me with its innocence and range of relatable characters. The story unfolded at a natural pace and there were no huge reveals to complicate things and make them unrealistic. It was a nice, fun, and relaxing read.
Another lovely Dessen book. I’m really enjoying all of the Colby references I missed before.
Sarah Dessen is an amazing author. I have never been disappointed in any book she has read. I am almost finished with all of her books and I am not sure what I will do after that! Her books deal with real teenage problems and I know that there are teens out here that would benefit from reading her books.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the great Sarah dessen reread continues. not my favorite but I thinks that's bc I don't connect with the sports angle, Dave is kinda forgettable and I hate a Jason redemption. fuck Jason. fuck mcleans mom too she sucks her dad sucks too but mostly her mom. that whole fake "you can talk to us we love you" shit at the motel pissed me off. McLean said. loudly. clearly. SERVERAL TIMES. how she felt about her parents divorce and her life splitting in two and she refused to listen fuck her she deserves her creepy loveless cheatery marriage. also kinda weird that thisbe and Auden's relationship was such a for front in a long for the ride and the importance of half siblings and new families but Madison and Connor never really develop a relationship w McLean.
A NEW FAVORITE.
Full Review: link coming soon.
Much like in many of her other novels, Sarah Dessen delivers a plot so original and characters that fit perfectly into the story line. With raw emotion and amazing writing, this has to be one of her best novels yet!
McLean Elizabeth Sweet is making an attempt at a new life, every time her father moves for his job as a restaurant manager. She adapts a new life with each move, but this time around she's forced to be McLean. Living with her barely home father, McLean blames her mother for her parents divorce and rarely speaks to her. Soon she meets David, a misfit at school that yet manages to fit in.
Just like with all of Sarah Dessen's other novels, I get so involved with the characters, and I noticed that this one had even more supporting characters than her other novels. It's typical to see two or three extra characters in which you get to learn their story, but now there is so much more. We get to fully understand McLean's mother and step-father's history; the other restaurant manager, Opal, who's quirky and always stressed out; the living and family situation of David's best friend and McLean's new friend, Riley and much more. The characters were well developed and thought out and I noticed there's a lot of prejudice breaking in this novel, which I enjoyed. Riley seems like the 'bad-girl' but she gets hurt just like everyone else and has a loving family and group of friends. Then there's Deb- the smart organized girl that has plenty of interesting tricks up her sleeves, and ones you definitely wouldn't picture her knowing. Deb is definitely one of the more interesting characters in the novel, and I really enjoyed her scenes with McLean.
Dave, ah Dave. I loved him, there was no doubt about that, but I love all of Dessen's boys. McLean and his relationship starts out friendly, and slowly turns into something more. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship grow over time, and watching them flirt. It was all too cute.
Usually Dessen's novels are all based around that one romance, but I think that this novel was so much more than that. McLean was finally accepting that the person she is now, is the one she's supposed to be. She's learning to respect her mother and her father's choices, and becoming an even better person as the days go on. Friendships played a big factor into this novel, and it definitely balanced out the romance.
Full Review: link coming soon.
Much like in many of her other novels, Sarah Dessen delivers a plot so original and characters that fit perfectly into the story line. With raw emotion and amazing writing, this has to be one of her best novels yet!
McLean Elizabeth Sweet is making an attempt at a new life, every time her father moves for his job as a restaurant manager. She adapts a new life with each move, but this time around she's forced to be McLean. Living with her barely home father, McLean blames her mother for her parents divorce and rarely speaks to her. Soon she meets David, a misfit at school that yet manages to fit in.
Just like with all of Sarah Dessen's other novels, I get so involved with the characters, and I noticed that this one had even more supporting characters than her other novels. It's typical to see two or three extra characters in which you get to learn their story, but now there is so much more. We get to fully understand McLean's mother and step-father's history; the other restaurant manager, Opal, who's quirky and always stressed out; the living and family situation of David's best friend and McLean's new friend, Riley and much more. The characters were well developed and thought out and I noticed there's a lot of prejudice breaking in this novel, which I enjoyed. Riley seems like the 'bad-girl' but she gets hurt just like everyone else and has a loving family and group of friends. Then there's Deb- the smart organized girl that has plenty of interesting tricks up her sleeves, and ones you definitely wouldn't picture her knowing. Deb is definitely one of the more interesting characters in the novel, and I really enjoyed her scenes with McLean.
Dave, ah Dave. I loved him, there was no doubt about that, but I love all of Dessen's boys. McLean and his relationship starts out friendly, and slowly turns into something more. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship grow over time, and watching them flirt. It was all too cute.
Usually Dessen's novels are all based around that one romance, but I think that this novel was so much more than that. McLean was finally accepting that the person she is now, is the one she's supposed to be. She's learning to respect her mother and her father's choices, and becoming an even better person as the days go on. Friendships played a big factor into this novel, and it definitely balanced out the romance.
Sometimes you just need a sappy, everything works out in the end book. Sarah Dressen is becoming a favorite of mine. All her books are quick, fast and cute reads.
4 stars
Full review HERE!
Not my favorite Dessen book. In the end, I'm not sure what the central conflict was and (once again) the ending fell flat and rushed. Lots of build up and then...what? Didn't love the main characters or their relationship. It wasn't swoon-worthy, more like slow and sweet...which is ok. I could relate to a lot of the parent-child relationship stuff, which made it more interesting. Overall, it was good-ish. I read it quickly and enjoyed the cameos of other Dessen characters and places.
Full review HERE!
Not my favorite Dessen book. In the end, I'm not sure what the central conflict was and (once again) the ending fell flat and rushed. Lots of build up and then...what? Didn't love the main characters or their relationship. It wasn't swoon-worthy, more like slow and sweet...which is ok. I could relate to a lot of the parent-child relationship stuff, which made it more interesting. Overall, it was good-ish. I read it quickly and enjoyed the cameos of other Dessen characters and places.
I wasn't really a fan of this one. It seemed unrealistic and utterly predictable. I mean, they all are to an extent, but this one just didn't ring true for me. I was kind of annoyed with the story and characters throughout most of the book. I didn't really connect with the main character and though I liked some of the minor characters that wasn't enough. Overall, I thought it was a kind of boring book and I'm glad I'm finished with it.
My second Dessen and so far my favorite!
I liked McLean and her need to change herself in each town because she feels so anchorless. I like Dave and his sweetness. But I think Heather stole the show – an annoyingly peppy outsider with a surprisingly tragic/punk past. She had the most depth (the inner punk surprisingly hidden under the cheerful shell) and we never got her full story. I want to hear it! It was kind of heartbreaking that her insane liveliness made her kind of a freak and that she was friendless before McLean.
I liked McLean and her need to change herself in each town because she feels so anchorless. I like Dave and his sweetness. But I think Heather stole the show – an annoyingly peppy outsider with a surprisingly tragic/punk past. She had the most depth (the inner punk surprisingly hidden under the cheerful shell) and we never got her full story. I want to hear it! It was kind of heartbreaking that her insane liveliness made her kind of a freak and that she was friendless before McLean.