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A review by ori_gina_lity
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
5.0
For returning readers another adventure in Lakeview was much anticipated, but initially I felt like this book was going to fall flat, I wasn’t sure that Mclean’s story was going to impact me the same way as some of my other favorites like Lock and Key and The Truth About Forever. But my doubts were quickly put to rest, as they often are! What Happened to Goodbye was just as endearing, and heartfelt as the rest of her books, I honestly don’t know how Dessn was able to do it for the tenth time!
It’s not often that I’m able to really “loose” myself in contemporary fiction, but I’ve always been able to count on a good story when I hit it off with the main character. Mclean was so likeable, although her past was messy and unclear early on in the story you knew exactly what she was going through, and I was rooting for her true identity to come through the whole story. The supporting characters were also charming and well developed... Mclean’s friend base in Lakeview is what every girl dreams to have at some point in their lives, especially someone like her geeky, but level headed, next door neighbor, Dave. Dessen does such a wonderful job pulling you into the story, and makes her characters jump off the page. You are able to connect with each person in the story -even the parents, who seem to be paper thin in most modern entertainment, have problems of their own to solve and share with the reader. Though Dessen is known for romantic story lines, Mclean and Dave’s relationship builds slowly and the romantic touches are few and far between. The importance is taken off romance and is only a small aspect of What Happened to Goodbye which was refreshing to encounter in a young adult novel.
Divorce, self discovery, and learning to let go are all big topics to take on and Dessen does a beautiful job bringing so much into a teen novel. I appreciate her witty dialogue and strong sincerity that she brings to such serious topics. While her stories may be considered “chick lit” at times, her writing style and realistic observations of teenagers speaks to so many young readers, and adults. So whether you are returning to get lost in another one of Dessen’s enchanting coming-of-age stories or a first time reader don’t be shy, pick up a copy and enjoy Mclean’s story, it deserves being read!
It’s not often that I’m able to really “loose” myself in contemporary fiction, but I’ve always been able to count on a good story when I hit it off with the main character. Mclean was so likeable, although her past was messy and unclear early on in the story you knew exactly what she was going through, and I was rooting for her true identity to come through the whole story. The supporting characters were also charming and well developed... Mclean’s friend base in Lakeview is what every girl dreams to have at some point in their lives, especially someone like her geeky, but level headed, next door neighbor, Dave. Dessen does such a wonderful job pulling you into the story, and makes her characters jump off the page. You are able to connect with each person in the story -even the parents, who seem to be paper thin in most modern entertainment, have problems of their own to solve and share with the reader. Though Dessen is known for romantic story lines, Mclean and Dave’s relationship builds slowly and the romantic touches are few and far between. The importance is taken off romance and is only a small aspect of What Happened to Goodbye which was refreshing to encounter in a young adult novel.
Divorce, self discovery, and learning to let go are all big topics to take on and Dessen does a beautiful job bringing so much into a teen novel. I appreciate her witty dialogue and strong sincerity that she brings to such serious topics. While her stories may be considered “chick lit” at times, her writing style and realistic observations of teenagers speaks to so many young readers, and adults. So whether you are returning to get lost in another one of Dessen’s enchanting coming-of-age stories or a first time reader don’t be shy, pick up a copy and enjoy Mclean’s story, it deserves being read!