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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I love the writing style, the descriptions, and the colorful locations, which are always top notch in Dessen books. However, I was a little unsatisfied with the ending. Props to her for ending it in a different way than a lot of her other books but, I kind of missed the girl gets guy ending that I know and love in her novels. Still a great story, I was just wishing Theo's side of the story had closed a little differently. I loved the character of Emaline, though. I thought she was smart and strong and her family was full of cool women which was super fun to read.
Pretty basic, one of the more interesting ones out of the series though. Pacing is a bit off
Emaline was a pessimistic, dull character. I don't understand how people could befriend her and actually interact with her. Besides the main character, the book had no plot. None. I don't understand the point behind this story because of the lack of connection and story.
I am sad to say it but this book didn't quite meet my expectations - I am a big Sarah Dessen fan - but this one... I didn't really connect. Think I will just say -'It's me, not you' and move on.
i definitely appreciate a deviation from the formula of the last like six books but like. idk
it's frustrating bc for the first like half/two thirds of the book i found theo to be one of the more endearing love interests of dessen's books bc he was just kinda dorky and sweet (even though grand gestures are not my thing). like for example i loved his freakout after he kissed emaline like "i am not that asshole who kisses girls with boyfriends" especially when it compares to the fact that her now ex boyfriend had just cheated on her. the one thing i didn't like was when he pulled a "you're special, you're not just any other girl" like. "you're not like other girls" is not a compliment, it's an insult to women lmao men gotta realize that. but other than that, i enjoyed him and his emaline's relationship. he was always a little pretentious, sure, but i didn't think he was particularly rude most of the time, until the end of the book. the blatant looking down on emaline felt out of nowhere, even if it was during an argument. if he has the "you're from a small town, you don't know anything about real life" mentality, that bullshit would've come out way sooner than it did. they knew each other for two months and sure there were moments, all i can think of was his response to her getting into columbia and not going, but i think ppl who think that way will make it clear from the get go. i know sometimes assholes don't immediately show their true colors, but i personally felt a little blindsided by him being that way
of course, with that happening, YES, it's a good thing they didn't end up together, but i don't like the indication that emaline could also someday end up with luke either. he cheated on her. whatever nice things he does past that don't amount to much after he betrayed his girlfriend of three years (and i feel in part bc he was annoyed she didn't want to have sex all the time? so he went and hooked up with someone else bc he and emaline were ~out of sync~ or whatever like fuck him) AND his "girl jeans" comments about theo were just annoying skdjfkjds
also i didn't like when emaline was like "eighteen years earlier, she'd given up her future for mine" i just hate that notion that like, if you have children young, that means your whole life is ruined and you can't have anything besides your family ever again, especially because her mom has a job? admittedly it's a family business so it's not necessarily what she would've chosen for herself but it's not like her whole life revolves around her child and she doesn't have anything for herself
anyway i love emaline's bonding with her brother, especially when she called her father out in the end bc he really was a piece of shit to both his kids
it's frustrating bc for the first like half/two thirds of the book i found theo to be one of the more endearing love interests of dessen's books bc he was just kinda dorky and sweet (even though grand gestures are not my thing). like for example i loved his freakout after he kissed emaline like "i am not that asshole who kisses girls with boyfriends" especially when it compares to the fact that her now ex boyfriend had just cheated on her. the one thing i didn't like was when he pulled a "you're special, you're not just any other girl" like. "you're not like other girls" is not a compliment, it's an insult to women lmao men gotta realize that. but other than that, i enjoyed him and his emaline's relationship. he was always a little pretentious, sure, but i didn't think he was particularly rude most of the time, until the end of the book. the blatant looking down on emaline felt out of nowhere, even if it was during an argument. if he has the "you're from a small town, you don't know anything about real life" mentality, that bullshit would've come out way sooner than it did. they knew each other for two months and sure there were moments, all i can think of was his response to her getting into columbia and not going, but i think ppl who think that way will make it clear from the get go. i know sometimes assholes don't immediately show their true colors, but i personally felt a little blindsided by him being that way
of course, with that happening, YES, it's a good thing they didn't end up together, but i don't like the indication that emaline could also someday end up with luke either. he cheated on her. whatever nice things he does past that don't amount to much after he betrayed his girlfriend of three years (and i feel in part bc he was annoyed she didn't want to have sex all the time? so he went and hooked up with someone else bc he and emaline were ~out of sync~ or whatever like fuck him) AND his "girl jeans" comments about theo were just annoying skdjfkjds
also i didn't like when emaline was like "eighteen years earlier, she'd given up her future for mine" i just hate that notion that like, if you have children young, that means your whole life is ruined and you can't have anything besides your family ever again, especially because her mom has a job? admittedly it's a family business so it's not necessarily what she would've chosen for herself but it's not like her whole life revolves around her child and she doesn't have anything for herself
anyway i love emaline's bonding with her brother, especially when she called her father out in the end bc he really was a piece of shit to both his kids
ARC from NetGalley
Good solid read which felt so familiar with the town and some old friends. The ending seemed really abrupt, not because the story didn't wrap up, it just ended.
Good solid read which felt so familiar with the town and some old friends. The ending seemed really abrupt, not because the story didn't wrap up, it just ended.
The Moon and More had substantial pluses and minuses...
This Lullaby is my favorite Sarah Dessen book, and I felt that The Moon and More brought back some of its most endearing features: perfectionist main character who has a perfect guy but then loses control via (spoiler redacted, with maybe some more coming so don't read if you're sensitive to those!). Is then shown a different side of life by the artsy quirky guy. This story explores what it's like when artsy quirky guy is not a more-perfect guy in disguise, and I like that difference. Plus Benji was an adorable addition.
Following Ms. Dessen's blog and twitter, I feel like I want to be her friend and/or babysitter. Maybe then I could ask get to give the twee first names, Ivy League focus, and whitewashed world a rest. And yes, I noticed this book's Daisy/Mrs. Ye model minority thing. And maybe someday she could address the lives of high schoolers who actually abide by drinking age laws, or experience even a smidgen of guilt/consequence when not doing so.
Overall, an enjoyable addition to the SD shelf. Probably would have loved it when I was in high school myself.
This Lullaby is my favorite Sarah Dessen book, and I felt that The Moon and More brought back some of its most endearing features: perfectionist main character who has a perfect guy but then loses control via (spoiler redacted, with maybe some more coming so don't read if you're sensitive to those!). Is then shown a different side of life by the artsy quirky guy. This story explores what it's like when artsy quirky guy is not a more-perfect guy in disguise, and I like that difference. Plus Benji was an adorable addition.
Following Ms. Dessen's blog and twitter, I feel like I want to be her friend and/or babysitter. Maybe then I could ask get to give the twee first names, Ivy League focus, and whitewashed world a rest. And yes, I noticed this book's Daisy/Mrs. Ye model minority thing. And maybe someday she could address the lives of high schoolers who actually abide by drinking age laws, or experience even a smidgen of guilt/consequence when not doing so.
Overall, an enjoyable addition to the SD shelf. Probably would have loved it when I was in high school myself.
I love all things Sarah Dessen! My favorite young adult romance author.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No