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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
lighthearted
reflective
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
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.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated