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wishfulfillment's review against another edition
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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/
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
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
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
stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
In her fifteenth summer, Haven is nearing six feet tall and feeling every bit as awkward as a fish out of water. That summer is particularly tumultuous for her: in addition to her embarrassingly rapid growth spurt, she also has to suffer through two marriages, her father’s remarriage and her sister Ashley’s.
It’s hard for Haven to see her father moving into a new life with his new bride, leaving her and her mother behind. Meanwhile, Haven thinks that Ashley is being too selfish with her impending marriage. But it is not only that. Ashley has always been pushing Haven away her whole life and acting like a pain. Wistfully Haven remembers the summer Ashley went out with Sumner Lee. He made Ashley loosen up and allow Haven to get close.
All of a sudden, Sumner’s back being his usual comfortable, friendly self, taking Haven along for the ride. He’s just what she needs this summer, when she feels disconnected from everyone else. In a way, she’s also secretly hoping that Sumner will help bring her and Ashley closer together, just like he did all those years ago.
But sometimes things aren’t always how Haven wants them to be. This summer, she’ll learn that people will let her down, but she can grow into her body, soul and all. It only takes one summer.
Sarah Dessen is a consistently impressive author, and her debut will not let anyone down. It has heart and realism, two things that many YA books nowadays are sorely lacking. Don’t miss this rich story.
It’s hard for Haven to see her father moving into a new life with his new bride, leaving her and her mother behind. Meanwhile, Haven thinks that Ashley is being too selfish with her impending marriage. But it is not only that. Ashley has always been pushing Haven away her whole life and acting like a pain. Wistfully Haven remembers the summer Ashley went out with Sumner Lee. He made Ashley loosen up and allow Haven to get close.
All of a sudden, Sumner’s back being his usual comfortable, friendly self, taking Haven along for the ride. He’s just what she needs this summer, when she feels disconnected from everyone else. In a way, she’s also secretly hoping that Sumner will help bring her and Ashley closer together, just like he did all those years ago.
But sometimes things aren’t always how Haven wants them to be. This summer, she’ll learn that people will let her down, but she can grow into her body, soul and all. It only takes one summer.
Sarah Dessen is a consistently impressive author, and her debut will not let anyone down. It has heart and realism, two things that many YA books nowadays are sorely lacking. Don’t miss this rich story.
amusedouche's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0