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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Dessen will always excel at stories about setting (especially in the summertime). But what I missed about this one, that I have come to rely on Sarah Dessen for, was the characterization. These characters just didn't work for me. Theo is a caricature and I never really got who Emaline's was. The supporting characters popped a lot more (Daisy and Morris were characters that are more what I've come to expect and appreciate), so this book was a much slower read. Even the Easter eggs read lazy to me (Auden shows up, but she's always just folding clothes and says nothing-no Eli at all. Spinnerbait plays, but is just noted as terrible. Stuff like that).
If you haven't read Dessen before, this is not the book to start with. I think only die hards will love this one.
If you haven't read Dessen before, this is not the book to start with. I think only die hards will love this one.
This book had all of the standard Dessen traits but it left me feeling mostly a big 'meh'. Maybe the 'girl from Colby' rather than the 'Girl visiting Colby' angle doesn't work.
Plus there was too much use of "a beat" .. I considered counting how many times this phrase occurred in the book. The writing just seemed a bit stilted.
The characters were also mostly not likeable. I didn't feel any interest in Emaline and her Daddy problems (as all Dessen characters ultimately have) and her story was just so dull.
It was a bit of a Dessen let down.
Plus there was too much use of "a beat" .. I considered counting how many times this phrase occurred in the book. The writing just seemed a bit stilted.
The characters were also mostly not likeable. I didn't feel any interest in Emaline and her Daddy problems (as all Dessen characters ultimately have) and her story was just so dull.
It was a bit of a Dessen let down.
I really hoped that it would have been better. I love Sarah Dessen book but not his one. I really wanted her and Luke to get back together. And one reason i probably did not like this book was because of Theo.
Emmaline is spending her last summer before college in the small beach town of Colby where she grew up. She's doing the usual things: working at her family's beach rental company and hanging out with friends. Plus her longtime boyfriend Luke is one of the hottest guys in town, not to mention the sweetest. What more could anyone want? Things seem to be pretty perfect and it's looking like it's going to be a typical Colby summer until...
Emmaline meets Theo. Passionate, energetic Theo who's different from Colby boys. He's just brimming with ideas and plans and ambition. A small town like Colby can barely contain his enthusiasm. When he sets his sights on Emmaline, it's hard not to get swept up in it all. Will this be the summer that changes her life?
This is the first book I've read by Sarah Dessen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot starts off slow, but Dessen does a brilliant job at developing the characters. Emmaline's questions about her future and the person she wants to be will resonate with any teen making that leap into adulthood. I loved that her summer romance seemed like it could really happen and the ending was both realistic and empowering. (Recommended for highschool and up).
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 A bit of a downer for a Dessen novel, both on the romance front and on the family relations front, but the depth and detail of her characterizations always pull me in.
"Having no expectations for some people in your life can be depressing, if not devastating. But with others, it's what's necessary. The hard part is not just figuring out which one applies, but accepting it" (421).
Yes.
"Having no expectations for some people in your life can be depressing, if not devastating. But with others, it's what's necessary. The hard part is not just figuring out which one applies, but accepting it" (421).
Yes.
ugh, Sarah Dessen DID IT. AGAIN. SHE IS DEFINITELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS<333 fun fact though, i didn't cry a lot in this book actually. just got a bit teary. THEO IS PRETTY CLINGY AND ANNOYING THOUGH. LUKE IS LIKE AWAAHHAHHHH<3 HE'S SO CUTE OMG. but what he did was like mmM. nope.
This was the first Dessen novel that I did not like the guy she was with. Other than that it was a great book about change and life. I enjoyed it for the most part.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not one of her best books, it was still a good book, but not as compelling as Just Listen (my favorite Sarah Dessen Book...EVER!)
I liked the characters but found both of the 'love interests' to be annoying and flaky and dumb. I didn't like either of them. So that was pretty much a bummer.
I really liked Emaline's story though. It was complex and reminded me of when I was getting ready for college stuff.
I liked the characters but found both of the 'love interests' to be annoying and flaky and dumb. I didn't like either of them. So that was pretty much a bummer.
I really liked Emaline's story though. It was complex and reminded me of when I was getting ready for college stuff.