Speed Date with Macy: The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Hi everyone, toady I'm doing something a little bit different. I'm participating in a thing called Speed Dating-with reviews. It's hosted by Mary over at The Book Swarm. The purpose is to tell your thoughts about the book in about 150 words. I think it's a fantastic idea! Go check out her blog to participate. 

Title: The Truth About Forever
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Penquin
Publication Date: 
Source: Library
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Summary: a long, hot summer... 

That's what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy's father. 

But sometimes unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to wonder, Is it really better to be safe than sorry?
Review: The Truth about Forever is one of my favorite Dessen books. It has so much in it that is just so lovable.

I instantly fell in love with Macy. She's a girl that's gone through so much, her father has died and her family life is a tad crazy. For some reason I just loved this aspect about Macy's family. It felt so real and broken. I loved it even more when Macy joined Wishbone Catering and met all these fantastic people. Now they made some great characters.

The romance has to be my favorite part of this entire book. Wes is amazing and he was definitely a part of Macy's healing process. Macy changes and develops a lot during the book. It's something that I can always expect out of Dessen books and I've come to love it.

The Truth about Forever has an engaging storyline, an unique and fun workplace and characters that you can actually care about. 

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Speed Date with Ruby: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Hi everyone, toady I'm doing something a little bit different. I'm participating in a thing called Speed Dating-with reviews. It's hosted by Mary over at The Book Swarm. The purpose is to tell your thoughts about the book in about 150 words. I think it's a fantastic idea! Go check out her blog to participate.

Title: Lock and Key
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Publication Date: April 22, 2008
Source: Bought
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Summary: Ruby, where is your mother?

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again. 


Review: Lock and Key has to be one of my favorite Sarah Dessen books. I love just about everything about it. I loved the characters so much when I read it. Ruby was a little hard to relate to at first but as you learn more about her, you grow to love her! The supporting characters were almost better then Ruby. There's the next door neighbor, Nate, and Ruby's sister and her husband to Ruby's friends at school and the mall. They were all fantastic.

The one thing that could have been a little better about Lock and Key was the pacing. It could be a tad tedious to read in some spots but I was still intrigued by the story line and how things would play out for Ruby. It helped that I love Dessen's writing, too!

Lock and Key is a Sarah Dessen book that you won't want to miss because of the awesome characters!

Rating: 4.5 stars

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Title: What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Source: Library

Summary: Who is the real McLean?
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 Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combing Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

Review: Most of Dessen's books are pretty good reads for me. They have some things that I don't like but overall they're really good. But this one was amazing.

When I started reading  What Happened to Goodbye I knew it was going to be good. I hadn't been to Dessen land in over a week (Sarah Dessne binge) and I was eager to go back more. The premise of this one was really interesting to me and Dessen pulled it off quite well. Mclean was broken. She reinvented herself every new place they went, until here. This time we got to see the "real" Mclean. And I was glad. I liked watching her day to day life. Seeing her interact with an incredibly sweet girl, make some awesome new friends, and start a nice little romance with the next door neighbor.

And still Mclean struggles. She was the driving force in this book and one of my favorite characters in all of Dessen's books. She was just so relateable.

I just want to mention this really quick: Dave. What a sweet, talented, brainic boy. How adorable was he? Dave had me smiling every time he talked, or whenever we saw him.

Two of my favorite things that Dessen does is: incorporate previous characters in to her stories and have awesome work places. If that last one makes any sense. How cool is a "restaurant consultant" and a "model town builder." Those were so much fun to read about. And then the cameos. Those are priceless. One character from a previous book got his happy ending in a slightly ironic way, I think. And one was mentioned with a few laughs from me.

I'm not even going to apologize for going on and on about this book. Just read it and be wowed by a cute, heartwarming story with real issues.

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