Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I'm obviously in a different place now than when I read some of her earlier books, but I honestly think Sarah Dessen could be the modern teen girl's Judy Blume. General sweetness mixed with relevant, important topics about family and relationships. Not my favorite book of Dessen's, but I'm sure I'll keep reading everything she writes.
This Book shows the problems going on today in our society and almost voices them in disguise. It shows the heartbreaks and struggles, many of us have to go through. Ms. Dessen did a very good job writing this book.
Just when I think her books can't get any more amazing than they already are, I'm completely stunned and in awe, because yet again Sarah Dessen has shown why she is my favorite author. This book will find its way deep into your soul without you even really knowing it. Such an unexpectedly powerful read. Absolutely loved the ride.
I enjoyed Sarah Dessen books when I was younger but I just don't think they are my taste anymore...
This is a hard book to review because everywhere I look, people are singing its praises. I love Dessen as much as the next girl, but this wasn't one of my faves by her. I liked it for what it was- a breezy, beach read. But if I read this Dessen book first, I'm not sure I would be clamoring for more.
"FOR YOU, I WISH FOR SECOND CHANCES."
This was a cute but confusing book.
There are two main characters - Louna, your narrator, and Ambrose, the potential love interest who just seems like an annoying boy. But Ambrose is frustrating. He's cocky and flirty, he dates or tries to date every girl within range of him. he doesn't mind if he's juggling 2 or 3 girls at once and still flirting with anything that is female, he just makes sure he never lies by never telling the full truth.
Louna is a pretty good main character. Her struggles and experiences were eye opening and interesting. She felt real and true - absolutely that she would be jaded by love since she plans so many wedding and because of her own experience.
So it was hard to buy into the slow simmer of this love story. I just couldn't get behind the boy who couldn't date anyone with any sense of seriousness suddenly changing - but at least the story included a lot of dud dates and interesting wedding stories. I did love Jilly and her crazy ragtag group of siblings. I also liked her mom and William. All in all, it was a very good story and I did enjoy it if I couldn't fully get behind the plot.
This was a cute but confusing book.
There are two main characters - Louna, your narrator, and Ambrose, the potential love interest who just seems like an annoying boy. But Ambrose is frustrating. He's cocky and flirty, he dates or tries to date every girl within range of him. he doesn't mind if he's juggling 2 or 3 girls at once and still flirting with anything that is female, he just makes sure he never lies by never telling the full truth.
Louna is a pretty good main character. Her struggles and experiences were eye opening and interesting. She felt real and true - absolutely that she would be jaded by love since she plans so many wedding and because of her own experience.
So it was hard to buy into the slow simmer of this love story. I just couldn't get behind the boy who couldn't date anyone with any sense of seriousness suddenly changing - but at least the story included a lot of dud dates and interesting wedding stories. I did love Jilly and her crazy ragtag group of siblings. I also liked her mom and William. All in all, it was a very good story and I did enjoy it if I couldn't fully get behind the plot.
Struggled with this one big time. I read 21% in the first day and then put it down for almost two weeks. A lot of stuff here felt dated to me. The way the characters acted, the things happening in the news, other cultural stuff. I guess there was no time frame in which the book took place, so maybe it did take place 10 years ago, but it felt off. Louna was fine, she was very surface level and I wish we could have known her more. Even though we were in her head I often felt that I was one of the characters on the outside of things. Also, Ambrose rubbed me the wrong way until the very end of the book when I did start cheering them on. Finally, I hate how Sarah Dessen points out all the (very minor supporting) characters who are minorities. It happened at least twice with black characters and at least once with an Asian character. Having a few minority characters on like 6 pages of your 300-whatever page book does not make your book diverse. Especially if you're always pointing them out.
It was good, but not great. A long time fan of Dessen's, I was anxiously waiting for this book to come out. I loved the concept, as an avid watcher of wedding shows and the like. That part of the book was interesting, and I liked the small bits of the weddings that Louna helped with.
I just think that there was a lot going on in this story, sometimes too much going on. There was this sort of love triangle mentality, with Louna unable to move on from her old boyfriend but always considering the possibility of Ambrose. That was expected and generally followed the plot line I figured it would.
Then, though, were the flashbacks of her time with Ethan. Ugh.
On top of the romance plot line, there was the dating bet with Ambrose, the drama of her best friend's family/work balance, her mother's life, her pseudo-godfather's life . . . there was a lot going on. I think, for the most part, Dessen balanced it all well. The last few chapters, though, felt rushed and a little clunky.
While I know I'm complaining, overall, it was a good book. It was the perfect beach read, filling me with that nostalgia for high school and wanting to go on blind dates with nice (and sometimes, unfortunately, boring) boys. While not her best book, Dessen did not exactly disappoint, either.
I just think that there was a lot going on in this story, sometimes too much going on. There was this sort of love triangle mentality, with Louna unable to move on from her old boyfriend but always considering the possibility of Ambrose. That was expected and generally followed the plot line I figured it would.
Then, though, were the flashbacks of her time with Ethan. Ugh.
Spoiler
I wanted to love Ethan and Louna, wanted to feel like my heart was broken when he died, but it didn't happen. The flashbacks were cute, but I just felt like I was reading this watered down, sped up version of a love story. I feel like Dessen made their relationship this epic one night long-distance love so then it would be easier to accept that Louna could eventually move on. I don't know. I mean, I get it, but it just felt a little forced. The whole beach sex scene was unexpected and while I'm all about sex positivity, it felt, again, a little forced.On top of the romance plot line, there was the dating bet with Ambrose, the drama of her best friend's family/work balance, her mother's life, her pseudo-godfather's life . . . there was a lot going on. I think, for the most part, Dessen balanced it all well. The last few chapters, though, felt rushed and a little clunky.
Spoiler
Louna's entire relationship with Ben was a disappointment. He deserved better, or he should have just been a one-night date like the rest of the boys.While I know I'm complaining, overall, it was a good book. It was the perfect beach read, filling me with that nostalgia for high school and wanting to go on blind dates with nice (and sometimes, unfortunately, boring) boys. While not her best book, Dessen did not exactly disappoint, either.
She told someone she loved them after 10 hours of knowing that person 😐
As the daughter of a popular wedding planner, Louna has seen her fair share of weddings – and she shares her mother’s cynicism about finding a happily-ever-after love-of-your-life. Louna is especially gun-shy because her own first love was tragically lost. And, then when Ambrose stumbles into her life, she finds this ladies’ man annoying and selfish. While Ambrose may have his eye on Louna, he’s doing nothing to change her opinions on love. If anything, he only reinforces them!
I admit that I picked up this particular Sarah Dessen because of the wedding planning aspect. As a former wedding coordinator at my church, I knew I’d get sucked in by the details of the weddings – and I did! The planning tid-bits were very entertaining and, to me, felt very real. My colleagues and I would sit, like Natalie and William, after a wedding and do a debrief. Though I must say we were not quite as cynical as they were!
I also very much liked the flashbacks to Louna’s romance with Ethan. While it was very insta-love, I still found it sweet and heartwarming and, then, heartbreaking. Ambrose was perfectly cast as the carefree playboy. I, like Louna, would have been irritated with this boy who so openly juggled girls and didn’t really see a single thing wrong with it. Louna’s mother and William were entertaining secondary characters – and all the brides were fun too! Then there was Jilly. Poor Jilly who so succinctly mirrored my own best friend from high school. My friend and I often had one of her siblings in toe as we tried to navigate the obstacles of being a teen.
This was only my second Sarah Dessen read. Like Saint Anything, I found this book also rich in character development. I seriously must remember that her books are worthy distractions and fun walks through contemporary fiction.
I admit that I picked up this particular Sarah Dessen because of the wedding planning aspect. As a former wedding coordinator at my church, I knew I’d get sucked in by the details of the weddings – and I did! The planning tid-bits were very entertaining and, to me, felt very real. My colleagues and I would sit, like Natalie and William, after a wedding and do a debrief. Though I must say we were not quite as cynical as they were!
I also very much liked the flashbacks to Louna’s romance with Ethan. While it was very insta-love, I still found it sweet and heartwarming and, then, heartbreaking. Ambrose was perfectly cast as the carefree playboy. I, like Louna, would have been irritated with this boy who so openly juggled girls and didn’t really see a single thing wrong with it. Louna’s mother and William were entertaining secondary characters – and all the brides were fun too! Then there was Jilly. Poor Jilly who so succinctly mirrored my own best friend from high school. My friend and I often had one of her siblings in toe as we tried to navigate the obstacles of being a teen.
This was only my second Sarah Dessen read. Like Saint Anything, I found this book also rich in character development. I seriously must remember that her books are worthy distractions and fun walks through contemporary fiction.