She is more than meets the eye and she isn't ashamed to be herself. Gotta love a character like that. Dessen fans will read the book but I urge people who haven't to try one of her books.
She really is in my opinion the best young adult realistic author out today. She captures the female teenage voice and presents it in a way that is relatable to people. Though not my favorite book I still stayed up late at night to finish and rooted for Mclean to find her normal and fully embrace the people who get who the real her is.
Side note: While I was reading this, this song popped into my head. I was learning how to play it on the guitar and it feels like it fits the story. It's kind of the flip of what could have happen if Mclean had decided to keep running away from herself.
View 1 comment. Nov 15, Aj the Ravenous Reader rated it really liked it Shelves: auto-buy-authors , contemporary , physically-owned-books , unexpectedly-good , reality-bites , young-adult , easy-read. Sarah Dessen 's books never get old. There's good reason she's one of the queens of YA contemporaries because she sure does know how to write about young adult lives with genuineness. I have read almost all of her books and even though there are a few I honestly didn't like, I always give the author a chance to redeem herself and she's often successful the next time I pick another of her books.
What Happened to Goodbye is a good read for me, right up there with This Lullaby and Lock and Key although not quite as good as Just Listen but it's definitely in my top five Dessen reads. I really liked McLean 's character and her unique adolescent experience. Her current self-exploration is very realistic and I really liked the friends she made despite her reluctance in making real connections. The all-around Deb is probably my favorite though.
I love the little surprises she reveals about herself day by day. But McLean herself is also one memorable and sympathetic heroine. I like how responsible and mature she is when it comes to taking care of her dad but at the same time, I like that she can also be childish and selfish when dealing with her mom whom she blames for the wreckage of their family.
Sep 16, Arlene rated it really liked it Shelves: ya-contemporary , read , young-adult. Must read for Sarah Dessen fans. My deep like for What Happened to Goodbye comes down to one thing Plain and simple. McLean and her dad have moved from town to town for the past few years. She loves being on the road with her father and changing her identity at every stop, but all that takes a turn when they come to Luna Blue.
Actions have consequences, and more so selfish actions destroy relationships. Give me more View all 21 comments. And although I did enjoy it a lot, I think this book had a lot of wasted potential. As for the main conflicts in this book, they were surprisingly light.
It was mentioned time and time again that he was smart but basically nothing was given beyond that. They had barely any chemistry, and they just needed to have more scenes together to convince me of their relationship. I know you probably changed your mind. But you should know, the answer was yes. It's always been yes when it comes to you. They did end up being a couple but they had so much potential to become a great couple so much earlier and in a much better way that I was just left disappointed.
The characters are well developed and come across as strong, and charming. The plot was not hollow or perfectly predictable. The issues were complex and interesting. What results is a brilliantly layered book with strong storytelling and that I truly enjoyed. I connected with character because I went to 3 schools in 3 consecutive years and felt lost. So, her loneliness was real to me. A fine book that I recommend to all. View 2 comments.
May 10, Ash rated it it was amazing. Great, now I have to wait another billions years okay, probably more like 2 for another Sarah Dessen book. Get cracking Dessen! Really though, the reason why so many people love her books are because she just gets it. She deals with problems that not only teenagers but anyone can relate to in some way. Quick Overview: Another move for Mclean just means another persona.
Two years and four schools Great, now I have to wait another billions years okay, probably more like 2 for another Sarah Dessen book. Two years and four schools later Mclean and her father are in Lakeview. Mclean thinks this is just another move, another school, and another girl. Whoever that is.
Was there really any doubt that Dessen would deliver? Rhetorical question. I was kind of surprised by how much I liked Mclean.
She was openly angry with her mother rightly so I might add ,no matter how much her mother pushes to be a part of her life again. I had a real understanding of Mclean. I understood why she was angry and why she did things. It almost felt I was the one who had been betrayed, and later as she comes to realizations and understandings I did too. More than anything though, I liked that Mclean was a good person. I loved how this book was as much about Mclean as it was about her family.
I found myself liking much less important characters like the endearingly stupid Leo. And holy guacamole and I do like me some guacamole!!! She put Jason in again! Like some other fans I wanted to see a happy ending for Jason or at least a progression of sorts. Weird and sensitive Deb though, by far, was my absolute favorite. And of course the guy, Dave.
They both teach Mclean that sometimes the hardest thing to do is have the courage to be yourself. Mostly though this book is about finding what it means to have a true sense of self.
So to finally wrap this up, a 4. Dec 26, Thomas rated it really liked it Shelves: romance , young-adult , realistic-fiction. What Happened to Goodbye is another hit from the queen of young-adult realistic fiction, Sarah Dessen. As with all of her books, readers can expect a moving story filled with cleverly drawn characters and the perfect touch of romance.
After her parents' divorce she travels from town to town with her dad, assuming a new identity each time. Things are different at Lakeview, though. Mclean may ju What Happened to Goodbye is another hit from the queen of young-adult realistic fiction, Sarah Dessen. Mclean may just try to be herself, if she can find who that is before it's too late.
People consistently comment on Dessen's formulaic writing style. I have to disagree - this talented lady could write a book about a girl who reads instruction manuals and watches paint dry for a living. Her writing is that good. It sucks you in and forces you to flip the pages until you've read the whole novel. Not only is it addicting, but it's neat and welcoming, like a gift that you can't help but come back to every now and then. With every book I've read by Sarah Dessen there are certain details and quirks that I adore.
The characters' names, like Opal and Riley. The model community town that brings individuals from the story together. I even enjoyed the basketball references, which clearly says something. And lastly, Deb! She was such a cute little ray of sunshine or in some cases, a frenetic tornado of neatness. I hope she makes a cameo appearance in a future work by Dessen. Characters from her past novels appeared in What Happened to Goodbye , but I won't spoil who they are.
Let's just say, one of them has changed a lot. The Truth About Forever and Just Listen remain as the two books I would recommend right away to a newcomer of her novels, but What Happened to Goodbye offers a solid story that shouldn't be missed by Dessen fans. Want to read more of my reviews? Follow me here. View all 6 comments. Jun 09, Brianne rated it liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I love Sarah Dessen. Her earlier books were hit and miss for me, but I've loved everything she's written since The Truth About Forever.
Except, unfortunately, What Happened to Goodbye. It's not a bad book. Dessen's prose, as always, is solid, with a few brilliant lines that made me put the book down to think. The problem was those lines were not the only reason I put the book down. I've always found Dessen's books to have slow starts. From past experience, I know if I push through the beginning and get settled into the book's world, I'll be hooked in no time.
So, I pushed through, but I still felt like I was settling into the world come the last chapter. Not much happens. Between the restaurant scenes, the party, and Mclean meeting Dave, the beginning arguably has the most exciting scenes in the book. The plot dragged, the romance dragged, and the climax was very, well, anti-climatic.
Beyond Mclean running away, there was no real fall-out to her friends discovering her past identities. It's beyond me why no one got mad at her. On that note, the only people Mclean ever fights with are her parents. Riley's overprotective of Dave, and despite what Mclean's told her about not wanting a relationship, she doesn't get mad when Mclean and Dave start to get closer. While Deb may not be the type to get mad, there's no tension when Mclean essentially ditches her. Dave's never mad, or even annoyed, at her, nor is she ever mad at him.
There's one scene where Dave apologizes for something, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what he was apologizing for. There's very little tension, and combined with a slow plot, it was hard for this book to hold my interest.
The biggest problem, though, was Mclean herself. I understand how she can reinvent her persona from town to town, but there has to be something about her character that remains constant. Even if the point of the book is for her to find herself, there still needs to be a three-dimensional character there for her to grow into, to have her coming-of-age moment. I didn't know enough about her to care about her, or even root for her romance with Dave. In fact, I wanted to read Riley's story of Dave and Ellis more than anything.
I would've been happy to read Opal or Jason's story as well. I also found this book to be a little dizzying in the sense that I didn't always know where I was or when it was after a scene transitioned and sometimes I didn't even realize there was a transition.
There was a point where I was convinced Mclean was in two places at once. I'll be the first to admit that this could be because I didn't pay enough attention, but if that's the case, it was because I was bored, and that's a problem in itself.
Ultimately, the restaurant scenes, secondary characters, and prose saved this novel, but I'm still disappointed. The guy will be quirky and loveable. A family will somehow be destroyed and put back together. The food service industry will likely appear, as will the beach. Knowing that these things will happen is like knowing that macaroni and cheese will not let me down in a time of need.
At least, it never has yet Jul 18, Kayla rated it liked it. Search form Search. Advanced Search. Saturday, June 25, - pm to pm. What Happened to Goodbye Hardcover. By Sarah Dessen. Lock and Key Paperback. Availability: Not in stock. Usually arrives in Days. Add to Wish List. Just Listen Paperback. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Teens who read this book may be interesed in the author's other YA novels, several of which are reviewed on this site. Parents can use the questions in the "What to Talk About" section to encourage more discussion. As her relationships deepen, she realizes how people can be much more complex and surprising than they first seem.
Mclean, though a bit of an emotional mess, is a very capable teen. She runs the household and handles much of the logistics during each move because her dad is so busy.
She resists peer pressure and reaches out to Deb, introducing her to a growing circle of friends who appreciate her quirkiness and strengths.
This story is about a family torn apart by a parental affair. There are a few references to people making out, including a parent, and some very mild kissing scenes. Alcohol use is treated very casually. Parents need to know that this story is about a family torn apart by an affair.
The teens have a very casual attitude toward drinking alcohol. The capable protagonist Mclean has problems but she realizes that connecting with other people -- family and friends -- makes her feel at home in the world. Add your rating See all 1 parent review. Add your rating See all 13 kid reviews. While her mother starts a new life with a wealthy husband and two babies, Mclean struggles to find her own path. She feels protective of her father, pulled and pushed by her mother, and wary of feeling tied down by anyone as college gets closer and closer.
With each move, she adopts a new persona: cheerleader, student organizer, drama kid -- until she arrives in Lakeview, where she finds herself making friends who really matter to her. As Mclean begins to lower her defenses, she starts to rediscover herself. Older tween readers will appreciate the authentic voice and realistic characters in this rambling but touching story.
This is familiar territory for Sarah Dessen , who again skillfully taps into the emotional life of teens. The characters are both eccentric and familiar, defying easy stereotypes. Families can talk about what drew them to this book.
Have you read Sarah Dessen's other novels? If so, how does this one compare? Why do you think her work resonates so well with teen audiences? Hot Property. Times Events. Times Store.
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