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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
:( definitely not Sarah Dessen's best work, I'd give this book 2.5/5 rounded down. The characters didn't feel real, the romance/spark was forced, Louna and Ambrose barely have that much "page time" together. I hated how Ethan's loss was only a factor when it was convenient, that she judged her best friend Jilly for falling for someone after one night when she did the same thing with Ethan. Ugh, I wanted a lighthearted good old Sarah dessen classic and the reviews let me down this time.
it's been a while since i've read a sarah dessen book, and i joke all the time about how they're all the same formula (and they really, really are, the plug and chug kind), but i also forgot about how comforting it can be. sure, this particular book's Big Dramatic Backstory was a little more dramatic than i usually care for, but i did really have a good time reading it!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not my favorite Dessen book (I think the Truth About Forever will forever be my favorite) but still an enjoyable read. I read an ARC of this book.
Having read several of Sarah Dessen’s novels, I was eager to dive into the latest. Similar to her past novels, this one did not disappoint in its in-depth development of characters. While the main character Louna was at times too wise/cynical for a teenager, her mother and William along with their wedding business helped the reader to understand how her character had developed in this way. Ambrose and Jilly were musts in terms of balance and levity. 3 things I will remember:
1. How meaningless and random acts of violence can have a lasting impact of even those who are acquaintances with the dead. In this novel, while you learn much later that her boyfriend died in a school shooting, Sarah Dessen does a good job showing you how heavy that weighs on Louna.
2. How crazy people can be about weddings and how crazy weddings can make them. This could be overplayed a bit but it was interesting to see how Ambrose helped the wedding planning company have an appreciation for the love and magic of the moment.
3. At a higher level, appreciating living in the moment versus dwelling on the past or worries about the future. Louna was able to come into herself more as she learned to have fun through Jilly and Ambrose.
1. How meaningless and random acts of violence can have a lasting impact of even those who are acquaintances with the dead. In this novel, while you learn much later that her boyfriend died in a school shooting, Sarah Dessen does a good job showing you how heavy that weighs on Louna.
2. How crazy people can be about weddings and how crazy weddings can make them. This could be overplayed a bit but it was interesting to see how Ambrose helped the wedding planning company have an appreciation for the love and magic of the moment.
3. At a higher level, appreciating living in the moment versus dwelling on the past or worries about the future. Louna was able to come into herself more as she learned to have fun through Jilly and Ambrose.
I've read reviews that this novel has no plot. F A L S E. The plot comes in the form of Louna's own self-journey with opening up to love again. I understand how it would be possible for that to fly over one's head because it's not a typical plot formula, but it's definitely there. It's subtle, but it's there.
“It was rare for things to be perfect and organized anyway, even with your best efforts. Embrace the messy and when things do come together just right, you’ll always be pleasantly surprised.”
I loved falling back into the world of Sarah Dessen, and ONCE AND FOR ALL definitely did not disappoint. It had all the things that make her novels so wonderful and bright and beautiful. There were laugh-out-loud moments, and cute moments, and of course, the typical stay-up-all-night-talking scenario that makes all fans of her squeal into their pillows and exhale with joy.
It also wrenched my heart right out of my chest. I cried a total of four times, because I could feel Louna's anguish and hurt so viscerally.
There was this certain line in the chapter where Louna recounts the events following the school shooting where I just about completely lost it:
“When Lexi Navigator, in a plain black dress and minimal glitter, was introduced to sing her song about loss, a favorite of one of the victims, I held my pillow to my mouth and screamed.”
MY FALSE EYELASH NEARLY CAME OFF I WAS CRYING SO BAD.
The sheer emotion behind those words floored me. I doubt I'll be forgetting them any time soon.
In short, don't listen to the bad reviews, because this may be one of my favorite novels by Sarah Dessen, second to ALONG FOR THE RIDE –– if not my new favorite.
“It was rare for things to be perfect and organized anyway, even with your best efforts. Embrace the messy and when things do come together just right, you’ll always be pleasantly surprised.”
I loved falling back into the world of Sarah Dessen, and ONCE AND FOR ALL definitely did not disappoint. It had all the things that make her novels so wonderful and bright and beautiful. There were laugh-out-loud moments, and cute moments, and of course, the typical stay-up-all-night-talking scenario that makes all fans of her squeal into their pillows and exhale with joy.
Spoiler
It also wrenched my heart right out of my chest. I cried a total of four times, because I could feel Louna's anguish and hurt so viscerally.
There was this certain line in the chapter where Louna recounts the events following the school shooting where I just about completely lost it:
“When Lexi Navigator, in a plain black dress and minimal glitter, was introduced to sing her song about loss, a favorite of one of the victims, I held my pillow to my mouth and screamed.”
MY FALSE EYELASH NEARLY CAME OFF I WAS CRYING SO BAD.
The sheer emotion behind those words floored me. I doubt I'll be forgetting them any time soon.
In short, don't listen to the bad reviews, because this may be one of my favorite novels by Sarah Dessen, second to ALONG FOR THE RIDE –– if not my new favorite.
I’m not sure why I didn’t like this book more. It’s cute but I lost interest for awhile. I eventually got it back but I just didn’t care about the characters or something.
4.5! Another lovely, classic Dessen, and the perfect way to kick off my vacation.
I've read and enjoyed all of Sarah Dessen's books and even though all of the plots are similar, each book has a unique magic to it.
That being said, the "love of her life after one day who she tragically lost" plot line was irritating and Ambrose, the novel's heartthrob was pretty annoying.
That being said, the "love of her life after one day who she tragically lost" plot line was irritating and Ambrose, the novel's heartthrob was pretty annoying.
Louna is preparing for her senior year of high school and is looking forward to getting a real job. She helps her mother with her wedding planning business and has experienced every type of wedding. Since she has grown up around weddings and knows that many people have more than one, she is very cynical about love and everything that goes with it. It doesn't help that her one experience with love ended in a tragic way. In walks Ambrose and he is not willing to take no for an answer. Will Louna find love again?
Once and for All is the newest stand-alone novel by Sarah Dessen. The story is slow to take off, but if readers hang on for a few pages, the overall story is worth it. Louna has a secret that isn't completely explained until the end and readers will try and pull it out alongside Ambrose. The flashback storyline took some getting used to, but overall it wasn't a complete distraction. Once and for All is a good escape into a romance.
Once and for All is the newest stand-alone novel by Sarah Dessen. The story is slow to take off, but if readers hang on for a few pages, the overall story is worth it. Louna has a secret that isn't completely explained until the end and readers will try and pull it out alongside Ambrose. The flashback storyline took some getting used to, but overall it wasn't a complete distraction. Once and for All is a good escape into a romance.