"Since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move - four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, Mclean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, Mclean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself - whoever that is. Perhaps her neighbor Dave, an academic superstar trying to be just a regular guy, can help her find out. Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading."
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A couple months ago, some book I was buying (I think "13 Little Blue Envelopes") suggested that I might like Sarah Dessen. Well whoever wrote the program behind those little suggestion boxes are stinkin geniuses. She is now in my top favorites along with Julie Klassen and others as I think of them. I bought "Along for the Ride" when in C-Bad and thought it was awesome. When I got to the library here, they had a stash (more than 5 I think), and I've been getting one each time I go. I was about halfway through her collection when I realized a few things seemed familiar. Not only did some of the books happen in the same places, but characters from different books pop up randomly! Apparently these are called "Easter Eggs" and she puts them everywhere. Each book has probably about 8 references. Read them, find them, love them.
Okay, so on to this book. Surprise, surprise, I loved it. In each of Dessen's books, the girl has something going on in her life that really gets her confused. For Mclean, it is her identity. Moving around from place to place gives her the opportunity to be someone else. Yet this time, she's forced to being someone she didn't choose - herself. Both Mclean and Dave were really great characters. Dave is a genuine good kid who helps Mclean get to where she can be who she is and enjoy it. I really loved the ending. Had me at the edge of my seat because I honestly had no idea which way it would turn at the last minute.
This is a definite recommendation whether you get it at the library or shell out the 8 bucks for the paperback. If I have a girl someday, I'm gonna make sure we have Sarah Dessen's works so she can read them and hopefully get some guidance/inspiration through the craziness of high school.
Okay, so on to this book. Surprise, surprise, I loved it. In each of Dessen's books, the girl has something going on in her life that really gets her confused. For Mclean, it is her identity. Moving around from place to place gives her the opportunity to be someone else. Yet this time, she's forced to being someone she didn't choose - herself. Both Mclean and Dave were really great characters. Dave is a genuine good kid who helps Mclean get to where she can be who she is and enjoy it. I really loved the ending. Had me at the edge of my seat because I honestly had no idea which way it would turn at the last minute.
This is a definite recommendation whether you get it at the library or shell out the 8 bucks for the paperback. If I have a girl someday, I'm gonna make sure we have Sarah Dessen's works so she can read them and hopefully get some guidance/inspiration through the craziness of high school.
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