Review: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Page Count: 435 Pages, Hardcover

Date Published: June 4th, 2013

Find it on Goodreads: The Moon and More

Source: Purchased

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?
Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

As a long time Sarah Dessen fan, I'm sad to say I'm a little bit disappointed... When I first started The Moon and More, I loved it. I went in with high hopes, especially since it was set in Colby and there were references to some of past characters that I loved, like Auden from Along for the Ride. There were also a lot of situations that I could relate to that Emaline went through, especially with her parents. Some of the things discussed in the book were so similar to my own life that I felt like Dessen had taken if from my head. But as I continued to read, I fell out of the beach-read daze and it fell flat.

While reading, I felt as if nothing really happened in the story. The family issues were the only part that really kept me reading, especially Emaline's relationship with her little brother, but I felt like the romance aspect of the novel was almost... unnecessary. Which is weird, considering it's a Dessen book. Right? There was a love triangle, which was probably one of my main problems with this book and it keeping my attention... I just didn't really feel anything for either of the guys. I liked Theo, I guess... he was geeky and artsy and very enthusiastic, but it just felt really forced for me. Then there was Luke, Emaline's long-time boyfriend who was sweet and all, but he also could be kind of a.... nincompoop. I just didn't feel anything for either of them, which was weird, considering I usually love the romances Dessen writes.

I am happy to say that I did like how the book ended, but by that time I had been trying to lug through it for a month and I just wanted to finish it. This wasn't my favourite Dessen novel, but I did like it in the beginning and the end... It was just the middle that had me disappointed.

Happy reading!

~Kristy

Review: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Page Count:  402 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: May 10th 2011

 

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.

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

My Thoughts: Not my favorite Dessen book, but hey, it's Sarah Dessen. It was awesome. 

When I picked up this book I was really needing a light, easy contemporary read and that's pretty much what I got from What Happened to Goodbye. I find Sarah Dessen's books are so similar and somewhat repetitive but at the same time, each of them have their unique qualities that make them super special.

Sarah Dessen has a way of making all her protagonists very relateable and loveable. They're vague enough that we can all pull something from them that reminds us of ourselves, but the girls are still complicated and have their issues that make the book so enjoyable. McLean was not my favorite Dessen girl, but I did really like her. The fact that she didn't know who she really was is something everyone can relate to at some extent and yet, with her character it was so extreme. She literally would change her name, style and personality every time she moved, so she didn't even know who McLean was anymore. Her pain over her mother's affair and trying to protect her dad were so raw on the pages and I felt so deeply for this fictional girl. I find in every one of Sarah Dessen's books I have one character where all I want to do is give them a big hug and talk to them for hours. But in this book, both McLean and Dave where those characters. I loved how akward Dave was and how his filter wasn't exactly in proper working order. The relationship between Dave and McLean was sweet and innocent and made me smile, but it wasn't anything super special. Generic contemporary romance, but I needed that for a break from all the dark stuff I've been reading lately.

We all know that Sarah Dessen is a fabulous author and that is still totally true. But I just hope that in her next book she will be able to come up with something a little bit more unique and different than her previous books. I love the way her words flow and the beautiful stories, but I'm needing something more. Of course, I'll read pretty much anything she publishes, but I was even hesitant about this one, because I wanted it to be special. Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy it. I just hope I'll enjoy the next book, more.

If you're a Dessen fan and you haven't picked this book up, I do recommend you do. It is light and easy and a perfect book for the season. Tell me, what is your favorite Dessen book? What do you hope to see in her next novel? I'd love to know your opinions, so comment below if you've got something to share.

Have a great day/night!
-Kristy

Poll question! - What's your favourite Sarah Dessen Book?

I thought I'd do something kind of fun and ask a question about the winner of each poll I give! So the winner was... Sarah Dessen! I want to know: What is your favourite Sarah Dessen book? Any YA loving female should most definitely read her work, even some of the guys if you're into that kind of book! I have read every single one and I think Along for the Ride is the one I liked the most, but I never forget to mention Lock and Key. That was the first Sarah Dessen novel I had ever read and I loved it so much! But the funny thing is, I don't actually own any of the books. I've always borrowed them from the library or my friends... maybe it's time I make some room for a few of them!

So I ask you: What's your favourite Sarah Dessen novel? Let me know!

Visit her at sarahdessen.com/
~Kristy