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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
It was a good book, unique among Sarah Dessen’s other books, but, as always, I wanted to see more of their relationship and the ending was unsatisfying. Also, I wish she described the characters more, because I couldn’t really picture them in my head.
This is the first Sarah Dessen book I've loved! This may be be the 2nd book I've read from the author but I have to say I liked a lot of things about this book.
I really liked the character of Macy, who is strong in her own way and very relate-able. I think I could relate to her more than the main character, Auden, in her other book that I've read, [b:Along for the Ride|5664985|Along for the Ride|Sarah Dessen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347644125s/5664985.jpg|5836517]. While at the end, I wanted to bang my head at her stupidity, it happens when you're a teenager.
The romance was good too. Though I was hoping for something where I didn't have to wait until the end for the characters to be together. (I'm beginning if that ever happens in Dessen's books!) I really liked Wes, who was cute, funny and adorably tortured. I liked how the author got the characters to bond over telling the truth. I thought it was cute and creative (because our generation should get better at telling the truth.)
Everything about this book is good: pacing, secondary characters(they have their own stories and personalities and are a big part of the story!), and plot. But I think my only problem is the ending!!! Firstly, I felt REALLY unsatisfied! It didn't answer very many questions and I wanted a cute Wes and Macy moment. It told me nothing about Wish catering, or the other characters. That is my problem with Sarah Dessen books, they leave a lot for the imagination! That's not what I want!!!!
Also, why does the author like to repeat certain details? Like, Dessen likes to have Colby as part of her setting. As much as it was a smaller part in the short than the last one I read, it is still there. I just want another setting, giving me more to love, not the same stuff over and over again. And she brings up small traces of insomnia in the characters life like in the last book I read by her. Plus I'm beginning to wonder if all of Dessen's characters are introverted girls who don't like people's company. While Macy was better at being friends with people, she still didn't go with Kristy to parties for a long time.
Okay, with all that said, I liked the book but I'm hoping for more varied details. For readers, know that Dessen novels are budding romances. They don't go into the deep, mushy, cute stuff. There is not much comedy either. But if you're looking for a story about a girl who is struggling with stuff and finds great friends and romance at the end, read Dessen.
I really liked the character of Macy, who is strong in her own way and very relate-able. I think I could relate to her more than the main character, Auden, in her other book that I've read, [b:Along for the Ride|5664985|Along for the Ride|Sarah Dessen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347644125s/5664985.jpg|5836517]. While at the end, I wanted to bang my head at her stupidity, it happens when you're a teenager.
The romance was good too. Though I was hoping for something where I didn't have to wait until the end for the characters to be together. (I'm beginning if that ever happens in Dessen's books!) I really liked Wes, who was cute, funny and adorably tortured. I liked how the author got the characters to bond over telling the truth. I thought it was cute and creative (because our generation should get better at telling the truth.)
Everything about this book is good: pacing, secondary characters(they have their own stories and personalities and are a big part of the story!), and plot. But I think my only problem is the ending!!! Firstly, I felt REALLY unsatisfied! It didn't answer very many questions and I wanted a cute Wes and Macy moment. It told me nothing about Wish catering, or the other characters. That is my problem with Sarah Dessen books, they leave a lot for the imagination! That's not what I want!!!!
Also, why does the author like to repeat certain details? Like, Dessen likes to have Colby as part of her setting. As much as it was a smaller part in the short than the last one I read, it is still there. I just want another setting, giving me more to love, not the same stuff over and over again. And she brings up small traces of insomnia in the characters life like in the last book I read by her. Plus I'm beginning to wonder if all of Dessen's characters are introverted girls who don't like people's company. While Macy was better at being friends with people, she still didn't go with Kristy to parties for a long time.
Okay, with all that said, I liked the book but I'm hoping for more varied details. For readers, know that Dessen novels are budding romances. They don't go into the deep, mushy, cute stuff. There is not much comedy either. But if you're looking for a story about a girl who is struggling with stuff and finds great friends and romance at the end, read Dessen.
In 2021, I decided to start an archive project that covers just about every book I can remember having read since ~2010 because I wanted to see the most complete history of my reading habits from the time I was a young adult reader. If you're seeing this note, it's because what follows is not a proper review, but rather a (most likely very incomplete) brief reflection on what I can remember very far after the fact.
2019 Review
I remembered why you don't read more than one Sarah Dessen book in any 6 month period.
They all sound the same.
There are recycled plots and then there are recycled plots. And her books fall in the latter. Take, for instance, the seemingly innocent role of the caterer. Is it just the ones I read recently or do caterers or catering play a weirdly specific and relevant role in her books?
But who am I kidding? Recycled plots or no, I will keep coming back because Teenagers Making Poor Life Decisions™ make me cackle. (Glutton for punishment?)
Also, does anyone else feel the oddity of her characters growing up in these middle size towns where high schoolers go to raging parties and drink beer every night? Even the "good girls"? It feels like this Hollywood standard that gets incorporated into YA novels and is about...the opposite of my high school experience. Heck, forget beer, as a freshman, I drank Coca Cola (my family avoided sodas generally) and felt like a major rebel. These kids are way too calm about their alcoholism.
And FURTHERMORE, in every book, the previously good-two-shoes heroine goes to one of these raging parties where the alcohol doth floweth and at some point gets herself in a situation with a guy from which the hero must rescue her. Maybe cute once upon a time, but I'm getting sick of it. Carry some mace, girl. Don't drink with horny strangers. Go study your SAT words! (I might have missed the entire point of this book, not going to lie.)
2013 Review
There are certain books that conspire with your mood and the circumstances around you to create something perfect.
I really couldn't tell you if it was as good as I think it was, maybe I'll re-read it in a few years to find out, but for now I will say that it was adorable, enjoyable, and sweet <3
Some (brief) language and at least one f-bomb, so tread with care.
I remembered why you don't read more than one Sarah Dessen book in any 6 month period.
They all sound the same.
There are recycled plots and then there are recycled plots. And her books fall in the latter. Take, for instance, the seemingly innocent role of the caterer. Is it just the ones I read recently or do caterers or catering play a weirdly specific and relevant role in her books?
But who am I kidding? Recycled plots or no, I will keep coming back because Teenagers Making Poor Life Decisions™ make me cackle. (Glutton for punishment?)
Also, does anyone else feel the oddity of her characters growing up in these middle size towns where high schoolers go to raging parties and drink beer every night? Even the "good girls"? It feels like this Hollywood standard that gets incorporated into YA novels and is about...the opposite of my high school experience. Heck, forget beer, as a freshman, I drank Coca Cola (my family avoided sodas generally) and felt like a major rebel. These kids are way too calm about their alcoholism.
And FURTHERMORE, in every book, the previously good-two-shoes heroine goes to one of these raging parties where the alcohol doth floweth and at some point gets herself in a situation with a guy from which the hero must rescue her. Maybe cute once upon a time, but I'm getting sick of it. Carry some mace, girl. Don't drink with horny strangers. Go study your SAT words! (I might have missed the entire point of this book, not going to lie.)
2013 Review
There are certain books that conspire with your mood and the circumstances around you to create something perfect.
I really couldn't tell you if it was as good as I think it was, maybe I'll re-read it in a few years to find out, but for now I will say that it was adorable, enjoyable, and sweet <3
Some (brief) language and at least one f-bomb, so tread with care.
I can’t believe I waited this long to read a Sarah Dessen novel!!!!
The thing about this book is that it wasn’t just a romance. It also focused on recovery from loss and it showed how stress can affect a person. I usually can’t read a book without more romance, but for once, this was enough. I enjoyed Macy’s story immensely and it makes me wish I’d read books from this author before. Luckily, I have another book on my shelf right now!
For those of you who don’t like romance novels, I’d say this is the place for you to start. It had the perfect romance, but it also had other things going on. I just can’t get over the fact that I enjoyed this book so much and it had a lot to do with the parts that weren’t romance!
Sarah Dessen took cliched ideas and turned them into one amazing and unique novel.
The thing about this book is that it wasn’t just a romance. It also focused on recovery from loss and it showed how stress can affect a person. I usually can’t read a book without more romance, but for once, this was enough. I enjoyed Macy’s story immensely and it makes me wish I’d read books from this author before. Luckily, I have another book on my shelf right now!
For those of you who don’t like romance novels, I’d say this is the place for you to start. It had the perfect romance, but it also had other things going on. I just can’t get over the fact that I enjoyed this book so much and it had a lot to do with the parts that weren’t romance!
Sarah Dessen took cliched ideas and turned them into one amazing and unique novel.
I love how the story is structure, It just needs a little something to get my full 5 stars, its almost there
The Truth About Forever is hands down one of my favorite books. The way Dessen addresses her topics through the view of a single character is delightful and wonderfully done.