By Sarah Dessen
For fun
Source Borrowed from a friend
Synopsis
Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"—at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help,maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends. (from Goodreads)
General thoughts
K, I couldn't even be bothered to write a synopsis for this one so you'll have to deal with the Goodreads one. I've only read one other Sarah Dessen and I wasn't impressed but I wanted to give her another shot so I borrowed this one from a friend. Well....it was better than the other one I read. I know that there are girls who will relate to the main protagonist, Annabel, and maybe she will even inspire or touch them and that's a good thing. But I am not, nor was I ever, EVER, even remotely like Annabel. So much so, that I just couldn't relate at all! I tried, I really did but this one just wasn't for me.
Characters
Well, as I mentioned above, I just could NOT relate to Annabel at all! It's not that I have to even relate to a character to enjoy the book, but when every thing they say, or do, or think, makes you want to punch them, it's not a good thing. Owen, was a breath of fresh air! I really did like this guy and that's probably the only reason I made it through the whole book. Rolly, Owens friend, was great. I enjoyed him most of all! As for all the rest of the characters...meh!
Would I recommend it?
No. I mean, I wouldn't NOT recommend it but you won't see me shouting praises for this one on every street corner.
Jenny, your review makes me laugh :) I have never read anything by Sarah Dessen because her books sound like way too much teenage drama. Will probably give it a try when I am really bored.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about finding a Sarah Dessen book that I'd want to try, but the covers always seem to have some girl wearing jeans on the cover and the premises sound rather similar. I'lll try one eventually, but I'm not particularly in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteSelina, Oh my gosh! They are way to angsty fo me! You'd have to be pretty bored. ;)
ReplyDeleteKaye, Yes, the covers are weird. It never shows faces just bodies. Weird! I think I'm done with her books.
It is so good to read your reviews and realize I am not the only one that is less than impressed with a popular author. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteI think that each of her novels has it's own feel to it. Just Listen had it's appeal to me because when I was reading it, I was dealing with a lot of the same feelings as Annabel. It actually opened my eyes about a friendship I had lost and I was able to mend fences with the person. If I couldn't relate to her, I probably wouldn't have liked it either. It's good to hear different views. It helps me get a better perspective. ^_^
ReplyDeleteDana, Thanks, I sometimes there's just too much hype about a book and an author and then i find myself totally let down.
ReplyDeleteJessica, See, I knew some people could relate and that's why I didn't outright hate the book I just had a hard time. I'm glad you liked it. I really am.
Great honest review. I think being able to relate to the main character and get emotionally invested in them is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteNic, Thanks for stopping by. It certainly makes a book better if you can relate.
ReplyDeleteI love Sarah Dessen books. My favorite is 'The Truth About Forever'. 'Along For The Ride' and 'Just Listen' are really good too!
ReplyDeleteWhat other book of hers did you read?
Jen at The Broke and the Bookish
Jen, The only ones I've read are That Summer and this one. There's one more, Keeping The Moon, I might try.
ReplyDeleteI hate that you didn't enjoy it! I love her books. My favorites are Along for the Ride, Lock and Key, and my absolute favorite (and very first that I have read by her) This Lullaby. The Truth About Forever is good too, but it was kind of slow for me. I understand it isn't for everyone though. :)
ReplyDeleteSamantha, I tried, I really did, but it just wasn't for me. :( Sorry.
ReplyDelete