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A review by scribesprite
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
4.0
It was excellent, it's just that there was no full circle feeling that I usually get with Dessen. Maybe I just wanted the mom to explain herself. I still I want to know why. You can kind of get hints at why but I really wanted to hear it from McLean’s mom instead of just assume.
As always the secondary characters where good but I didn’t get as attached to them as usual. I could get a feel for the atmosphere of Luna Blue and McLean’s home but not so much with the weather and school. I know its summer but I’ve read books that are set in winter during the summer and I’ve felt the cold from the book. With What Happened to Goodbye I didn’t feel that. Like when snow was mentioned I thought, Snow? It’s winter? and then I remember, Oh yeah it is, I forgot.
I love McLean though, she is what really carries the book in this one (so if you don’t like her there will be a problem). She is someone I could really understand. Most of the time with Dessen's characters I understand the way the characters are feeling but in this one I could understand her. When kids move I’m sure that most think I could just start over. Be something new, someone different. And when you are young you can do that because you aren't set in your ways. McClean has to figure herself out in this move though.
But being different after every move is not all McLean’s about. She has a love/hate relationship with her mother and I could feel the same way McLean did about her. In any other book I would’ve felt that girl was being spoiled and difficult just to spite her mom but not with her. Dessen did a pretty good job with that.
I know some people have complaints with Dave but I really liked him. He’s corky without meaning to be. He’s smart-really smart- but not arrogant and sweet but not cheesy.
Okay so this is not exactly a spoiler but it’s about one of the cameos.
All in all Dessen has still got it.
As always the secondary characters where good but I didn’t get as attached to them as usual. I could get a feel for the atmosphere of Luna Blue and McLean’s home but not so much with the weather and school. I know its summer but I’ve read books that are set in winter during the summer and I’ve felt the cold from the book. With What Happened to Goodbye I didn’t feel that. Like when snow was mentioned I thought, Snow? It’s winter? and then I remember, Oh yeah it is, I forgot.
I love McLean though, she is what really carries the book in this one (so if you don’t like her there will be a problem). She is someone I could really understand. Most of the time with Dessen's characters I understand the way the characters are feeling but in this one I could understand her. When kids move I’m sure that most think I could just start over. Be something new, someone different. And when you are young you can do that because you aren't set in your ways. McClean has to figure herself out in this move though.
But being different after every move is not all McLean’s about. She has a love/hate relationship with her mother and I could feel the same way McLean did about her. In any other book I would’ve felt that girl was being spoiled and difficult just to spite her mom but not with her. Dessen did a pretty good job with that.
I know some people have complaints with Dave but I really liked him. He’s corky without meaning to be. He’s smart-really smart- but not arrogant and sweet but not cheesy.
Okay so this is not exactly a spoiler but it’s about one of the cameos.
Spoiler
Jason would be a perfect guy for Dessen’s next book! Come on, he’s changed so much and we already know his history and seen him grow. He seems lonely. It would be great!All in all Dessen has still got it.