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nicolap's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
soramun's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely love Sarah Dessen's books and this one is no exception. The situations and characters are always easily relatable to anyone.
This story follows Macy and her ongoing struggles after her father's passing. Trying to be perfect all the time is beginning to weigh heavier and heavier on her shoulders. She can no longer be perfect for her mother or perfect for her too perfect boyfriend Jason. She finally gets the chance to change when she meets Wes and his chaotic and not so perfect family.
That's a lot of 'perfects' but it's important to the story. The overall presentation of this book makes it an easy read. It can definitely be read in one sitting because of how engrossing it is from page to page. It might be a little upsetting because there is a lot of talk about death but the topic felt very fair and it helped me, someone who has never dealt with such a close death, understand what some people go through. Dessen has a very subtle and unique way of telling these stories with great realism. Every character seemed so realistic like I had met people just like them before. They have real troubles and every event that happened made me feel like I was experiencing it with them. There are always infuriating times in her stories that make me want to scream and or pull my hair out but there is ALWAYS a nicely wrapped ending. Some people aren't into those types of endings, but the roller-coaster ride of these stories makes me relieved at such nice endings.
I always recommend Sarah Dessen's books and I recommend binge reading all of them one after another, especially this one.
This story follows Macy and her ongoing struggles after her father's passing. Trying to be perfect all the time is beginning to weigh heavier and heavier on her shoulders. She can no longer be perfect for her mother or perfect for her too perfect boyfriend Jason. She finally gets the chance to change when she meets Wes and his chaotic and not so perfect family.
That's a lot of 'perfects' but it's important to the story. The overall presentation of this book makes it an easy read. It can definitely be read in one sitting because of how engrossing it is from page to page. It might be a little upsetting because there is a lot of talk about death but the topic felt very fair and it helped me, someone who has never dealt with such a close death, understand what some people go through. Dessen has a very subtle and unique way of telling these stories with great realism. Every character seemed so realistic like I had met people just like them before. They have real troubles and every event that happened made me feel like I was experiencing it with them. There are always infuriating times in her stories that make me want to scream and or pull my hair out but there is ALWAYS a nicely wrapped ending. Some people aren't into those types of endings, but the roller-coaster ride of these stories makes me relieved at such nice endings.
I always recommend Sarah Dessen's books and I recommend binge reading all of them one after another, especially this one.
jenny_hedberg's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah Dessen is one of my favourite authors right now. She just knows how to write a really good book.
yassmonn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I’ve owned this book for years. I picked it up because I couldn’t fully remember the plot and I’m glad it didn’t come back to me as I was rereading this book.
The growth and reflection that Macy goes through in finding herself and rebuilding herself up throughout the book is a heartwarming story.
The growth and reflection that Macy goes through in finding herself and rebuilding herself up throughout the book is a heartwarming story.
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: It's been three years since I read this, I'm sharing my notes from that time.
Critically
Plot - 4.5 out of 5 stars
grief, friendships, self-discovery, chaos, living to the fullest, deep
Writing Style - 4 out of 5 stars
honest, real, powerful, personal, emotional, funny, heartfelt
Characters - 5 out of 5 stars
Macy: quiet, good girl, brave, vulnerable, closed off
Wes: kind, mysterious, hurt, caring, dark, artistic
Supporting characters are unique, quirky, beautiful
Emotionally
The plot was heartwarming. We follow Macy who's recently lost her father and who is trying to keep it together by being perfect and dependable. That is until she stumbles upon a cooky catering company that turns her world upside down. What I love about Dessen's novels is that she's not afraid to talk about the hard things in contemporary novels: death and bullying. But things that are real as well: family, friendship, strength. It's so powerful and honest that you can't help but feel for the characters and to feel like this is someone's real life you're reading about.
I related to Macy a lot. She was the kind of person that doesn't like to rock the boat. She's used to being the dependable one for everyone around her. I grew up that way and it's taken me a lot to push out of that and I was so happy to see her grow out of that mold and starts to find herself. It's an amazing transformation and character growth.
Wes was mysterious but lovely. I loved how supportive and understanding he was. Delia was one of my favorite characters. She's that adult perspective that brought more realness to the story. Bert was really sweet and really funny.
Critically
Plot - 4.5 out of 5 stars
grief, friendships, self-discovery, chaos, living to the fullest, deep
Writing Style - 4 out of 5 stars
honest, real, powerful, personal, emotional, funny, heartfelt
Characters - 5 out of 5 stars
Macy: quiet, good girl, brave, vulnerable, closed off
Wes: kind, mysterious, hurt, caring, dark, artistic
Supporting characters are unique, quirky, beautiful
Emotionally
Spoiler
This book was the second I've read by Sarah and I loved it just as much!The plot was heartwarming. We follow Macy who's recently lost her father and who is trying to keep it together by being perfect and dependable. That is until she stumbles upon a cooky catering company that turns her world upside down. What I love about Dessen's novels is that she's not afraid to talk about the hard things in contemporary novels: death and bullying. But things that are real as well: family, friendship, strength. It's so powerful and honest that you can't help but feel for the characters and to feel like this is someone's real life you're reading about.
I related to Macy a lot. She was the kind of person that doesn't like to rock the boat. She's used to being the dependable one for everyone around her. I grew up that way and it's taken me a lot to push out of that and I was so happy to see her grow out of that mold and starts to find herself. It's an amazing transformation and character growth.
Wes was mysterious but lovely. I loved how supportive and understanding he was. Delia was one of my favorite characters. She's that adult perspective that brought more realness to the story. Bert was really sweet and really funny.
pkgonzales7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kaeliwolf's review against another edition
This book left me tingling with how amazing the writing is. It leaves you wondering if what you thought is the honest Truth or if you are just kidding yourself into thinking that it was the right decision. The message that I received from this story would be "Live your life the way that you want to live it."
lastpaige111's review against another edition
5.0
I am learning so much about pacing and themes by reading Dessen's novels. Here, she stereotypes super smart teens rather meanly, however, which I didn't feel too good about. Those poor library job girls -- I was one once, and my co-workers and I had a blast. It's where I learned to smoke a cigarette! Ha! But I loved Macy's crush ... The perfectly nice misunderstood hot boy with an artistic nature. "Sa-woon!"