Reviews

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

jenny_hedberg's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a light read and nice enough, but it didn't stand out like many of Dessen's other works. While it told a nice story of coming of age, and perhaps to terms, it lacked that message that I so closely relate to Dessen's novels.

cats_books_coco's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

This book went nowhere. It was boring after a few chapters. Not sure what the point of it truly even was. 

wishfulfillment's review against another edition

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4.0

More of a 3.5.

Why you might bump this up on your TBR: Dessen skillfully writes detailed contemporary. She takes us on an engaging journey of what seems like an actual person's life and she leaves us with a moral at the end. Even though it's very old, it still had elements that I hadn't seen yet. I really enjoyed reading it, especially for her writing style.

Why you might bump this down on your TBR: This is clearly a first-work in that it felt too short and simple. She used the R-word.

cboooots's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sienaro's review against another edition

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2.0

This book was boring. There’s really nothing else to be said. Haven is tall, her dad is remarrying, her sister is marrying, and she falls for her sister’s ex-boyfriend. Nothing really happens, no characters are developed, there isn’t really any romance, and the narration is average at best, tedious and repetitive in general.

lookatjimmy's review against another edition

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2.0

I think I missed the age at which I should’ve first read this book. I’m sure that, were I closer to the age Haven is, I would’ve found it more profound and relatable. But unfortunately all I’m left with is the feeling that, in 198 pages, nothing really happened.

roseleaf24's review against another edition

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3.0

The main character was incredibly inactive for the majority of the book. That's not unrealistic for a teen in summer, and I can see the point it was making, but it's hard to be invested when the main character is almost a 3rd person narrator.

mehsi's review against another edition

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4.0

I absolutely adored this book.

Haven was just a wonderful character and I could totally see why she did what she did. I think in her place I would have done the same. Your dad remarries, you find out his new wife has been pregnant for a while, your sister is psychotic about her wedding, your best friend changed and then there is several other things happening. I really loved reading her story, seeing how everything started and seeing how everything ended.
There was one thing I didn't like (and one thing I couldn't sympathize with) and that was her constant whining and complaining about her length. I am short myself, but sorry, you don't hear me complain/whine about it.

I disliked Ashley. She was mean, rude and totally a bitch to her sister. Making rude remarks about her height and such. I know your wedding is coming up, but you don't do that. Not to your family.

I really loved how everything took place in one summer, how all these events that make one book is just one (not too big) period.

The writing is still amazing, I really love Sarah Dessen's style of writing.

Well I only got a few more books to go before my summer project is over, then I will have read all the Sarah Dessen books.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

readyforit's review against another edition

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I read many of Sarah dessen’s books in middle school and am planning to sell or donate them soon so I thought I’d reread them before I do, but this one just doesn’t seem to hit the same as it did when I was a preteen. No big deal, I just don’t want to waste my time if I’m not going to enjoy them!

dogayye15's review

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lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0