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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Another great read by Sarah Dessen. This book hurt my heart and was the perfect summer contemporary read. I loved both main characters and found myself relating to a lot of the big ideas represented throughout the novel.
There is only one statement that perfectly describes how I feel about this book:
Ethan deserved better. This character, which we got minimal details about, was not only compassionate, charming and witty, but he was a true hero therefore he deserved much more than what he got. (I'm trying to keep this spoiler free, but I'm struggling). Ambroise was your typical YA boy, and honestly I'm getting tired of the types of characters that seem like they don't care about anyone and are bluntly rude... just to discover they have always cared. But either he was a bit lovable, when he wasn't being an airhead. I will be lying if I were to say that this book didn't make me cry and hurt all over, I eventually had to tell myself that this didn't happen to me and to snap out of it. I did feel bad for Louna but I would find myself getting angry at her for only caring about eEthan when it related to the plot.
Ethan deserved better. This character, which we got minimal details about, was not only compassionate, charming and witty, but he was a true hero therefore he deserved much more than what he got. (I'm trying to keep this spoiler free, but I'm struggling). Ambroise was your typical YA boy, and honestly I'm getting tired of the types of characters that seem like they don't care about anyone and are bluntly rude... just to discover they have always cared. But either he was a bit lovable, when he wasn't being an airhead. I will be lying if I were to say that this book didn't make me cry and hurt all over, I eventually had to tell myself that this didn't happen to me and to snap out of it. I did feel bad for Louna but I would find myself getting angry at her for only caring about eEthan when it related to the plot.
2.5/5 Stars
I have been a fan of Sarah Dessen ever since I picked up This Lullaby, back when I was a cynical teenager who mainly chose books based off their covers (*gasp* i know, i know...). However, I have noticed in Dessen's last few books that I have grown tired of her apparent recycling of the same plots/outcomes/writing style over and over. It almost seems as if she follows a checklist for many of her books, so they end of being extremely predictable and in the instance of this book in particular, mostly boring. Typically I can find at least one character that I genuinely love, but this one just left me feeling like eh...that is it, just eh. None of the characters were developed in a way that I really felt a connection to them. Just a few pages in and I could already tell how the book would end as far as the romantic side of things...It did have a few moments that were good, but overall, it fell flat for me and left me disappointed. I was really looking forward to this book, as I do with anything new that Sarah Dessen writes, but alas, I guess I have to wait for her next one and hope for the best. Also, not that this matters, but I really don't like the way they have re-printed most of her old books with new covers...not that I'm judging them based on that (hmmm old habits die hard I suppose!). If you are new to Dessen, try reading Lock and Key, The Truth about Forever, Just Listen, This Lullaby, or What Happened to Goodbye.
I have been a fan of Sarah Dessen ever since I picked up This Lullaby, back when I was a cynical teenager who mainly chose books based off their covers (*gasp* i know, i know...). However, I have noticed in Dessen's last few books that I have grown tired of her apparent recycling of the same plots/outcomes/writing style over and over. It almost seems as if she follows a checklist for many of her books, so they end of being extremely predictable and in the instance of this book in particular, mostly boring. Typically I can find at least one character that I genuinely love, but this one just left me feeling like eh...that is it, just eh. None of the characters were developed in a way that I really felt a connection to them. Just a few pages in and I could already tell how the book would end as far as the romantic side of things...It did have a few moments that were good, but overall, it fell flat for me and left me disappointed. I was really looking forward to this book, as I do with anything new that Sarah Dessen writes, but alas, I guess I have to wait for her next one and hope for the best. Also, not that this matters, but I really don't like the way they have re-printed most of her old books with new covers...not that I'm judging them based on that (hmmm old habits die hard I suppose!). If you are new to Dessen, try reading Lock and Key, The Truth about Forever, Just Listen, This Lullaby, or What Happened to Goodbye.
3.5 to 3.8?? Like I wanted to like it more but it just didn't capture my heart like some of Dessen's other books. I liked the story, but I was also happy to put it down between pages.
I do like the background story, but it is really idealistic. But then again, I like how Dessen wrote it.
I do like Louna. She's really great too.
I liked Ambrose, he was funny haha.
But I don't know what it was, something about the whole story didn't click. I suppose I already saw it all coming? The ending did surprise me a bit though, that Louna went one way and Ambrose another before they finally got together.
Tbh, I'm still thinking about what I actually think about Once and For All.
But well! more review later!
I do like the background story, but it is really idealistic. But then again, I like how Dessen wrote it.
I do like Louna. She's really great too.
I liked Ambrose, he was funny haha.
But I don't know what it was, something about the whole story didn't click. I suppose I already saw it all coming? The ending did surprise me a bit though, that Louna went one way and Ambrose another before they finally got together.
Tbh, I'm still thinking about what I actually think about Once and For All.
But well! more review later!
I thought this was a really cute book. One of Sarah Dessen's best. I'm a sucker for happy endings, and this one had a great one. I'd definitely read it again, and recommend it to anyone who wants a good, YA romance
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Either I've outgrown Sarah Dessen, or this was a huge dip in quality. I'm going go do some... homework. It'll be a better use of my time than reading this mess was.
● where
● the
● FUCK
● is the plot
● ??
● how can you publish a book that has neither plot nor character development
THE 2015 DESSEN STAN IN ME IS DISAPPOINTED.
It started out good. It even made me laugh — and I found myself shipping loony tunes and embryo.
BOY WAS I WRONG. After 50% of the book, the characters STOP TALKING TO EACH OTHER BC EMBRYO SHARED HIS “FEELINGS” AND LOONY TUNES GOT EMBARRASSED.
But wait! That’s not even it. In the last chapter, while she’s dating another guy, they kiss out of nowhere. And promptly, start dating. No chemistry. Nada.
WHERE IS THE SENSE.
I may have been willing to overlook everything else that went wrong if not for the fucKING ROMANCE but tough luck:
● william and her mum are both “coupling”
● she completely ditched jilly, her best friend of Years
● NO CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
● nothing made sense tbh
● YOU DON’T HAVE SEX WITH A STRANGER ON THE BEACH IF YOU’VE KNOWN HIM FOR TWO HOURS
● is this NA
● didn’t anybody tell you about stranger danger
● she’s in denial about her bf dying,, and what does she do about it?
● NOTHING
● she takes out a Saturday night
● says, ok I’ll get over him today by donating the dress I wore when I had sex with him
● but oh WAIT her new boyfriend called her
● well
● let’s just forget about closure
● it’s important to be a Wild Teen
● I’m honestly DONE
● I can’t believe I was excited for this??
________________________
● Buddy read with the Harry to my Ron
● where
● the
● FUCK
● is the plot
● ??
● how can you publish a book that has neither plot nor character development
THE 2015 DESSEN STAN IN ME IS DISAPPOINTED.
It started out good. It even made me laugh — and I found myself shipping loony tunes and embryo.
“I think,” he continued, ignoring me, “that we met cute. Like, you dropped a kitten, and I picked it up for you.”
“Why would I drop a kitten?”
“Well, clearly, it was an accident,” he replied, sliding his other arm around me. I told myself not to stiffen, then glared at William, who had the nerve to laugh out loud. “Your hair smells good, by the way. Is that vanilla?”
I didn’t respond to this. The photographer, now shooting, said, “Louna, can you relax your mouth? You look kind of angry.”
“Imagine that,” I said under my breath.
BOY WAS I WRONG. After 50% of the book, the characters STOP TALKING TO EACH OTHER BC EMBRYO SHARED HIS “FEELINGS” AND LOONY TUNES GOT EMBARRASSED.
But wait! That’s not even it. In the last chapter, while she’s dating another guy, they kiss out of nowhere. And promptly, start dating. No chemistry. Nada.
WHERE IS THE SENSE.
I may have been willing to overlook everything else that went wrong if not for the fucKING ROMANCE but tough luck:
● william and her mum are both “coupling”
● she completely ditched jilly, her best friend of Years
● NO CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
● nothing made sense tbh
● YOU DON’T HAVE SEX WITH A STRANGER ON THE BEACH IF YOU’VE KNOWN HIM FOR TWO HOURS
● is this NA
● didn’t anybody tell you about stranger danger
● she’s in denial about her bf dying,, and what does she do about it?
● NOTHING
● she takes out a Saturday night
● says, ok I’ll get over him today by donating the dress I wore when I had sex with him
● but oh WAIT her new boyfriend called her
● well
● let’s just forget about closure
● it’s important to be a Wild Teen
● I’m honestly DONE
● I can’t believe I was excited for this??
________________________
● Buddy read with the Harry to my Ron
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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