Friday, November 30, 2012

Jen Reviews What Happened to Goodbye

Title: What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published: May 2011, Penguin
How I Got It: Library
Rating: 4 stars

Summary (from Goodreads):
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.

Jen's Thoughts:

It only took a year and a half but I finally read the most recent Sarah Dessen book!  Seriously though, why do I procrastinate with things so much?

But this was another Dessen book that sucked me in right away.  I was intrigued with Mclean's different "identities" in each new town she was in.  She got to start over four different times in a two year period.  Sometimes I would love to have a fresh start all over again.  While college was a new beginning, I was still painfully shy.  But Mclean puts herself out there, usually always getting involved in school activities.  She makes new friends but always keep them at a distance, never getting too close so there are never any goodbyes.

I usually LOVE the "love-interest boys" in Dessen's books.  But Dave was just kind of meh.  He was boring and didn't stand out to me in any way.  There was no swoon factor!

One of the secondary characters, Deb, is probably one of my favorite minor characters ever.  She is one of those characters who remind you that you "shouldn't judge a book by it's cover".  When she is first introduced in the book she is over-the-top peppy and outgoing.  She seems like the type of girl who is friends with everybody.  Sadly, Mclean sees her eating lunch all alone everyday because the kids at school think she's too pushy.  But once we get to know Deb there is a lot more beneath the surface. 

I am SO mad at myself that I didn't realize it until after I returned the book to the library but Jason from The Truth About Forever makes an appearance.  Actually, if I remember correctly he is mentioned a few different times.

As a whole I did enjoy What Happened to Goodbye.  Was it my favorite Sarah Dessen book?  No.  But I don't think any of her books will live up to The Truth About Forever or This Lullaby for me.

22 comments:

  1. I loved Deb too. And I didn't get the Jason appearance either....Great review!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one who missed the appearance of Jason!

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  2. I've only read along for the ride so far by her. I really need to get around to the others. I have a few on my shelf. Lots of bloggers I've seen, say those two are their favs, so I should start with them maybe. :)

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    1. I really liked Along For The Ride too! But you definitely should read The Truth About Forever!

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  3. I'm a Dessen fan, too! Keeping the Moon is my all-time favorite. Like you, I wasn't crazy about Dave.

    Check out my review at:
    http://joriesreads.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/sarah-dessens-what-happened-to-goodbye/

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  4. I've just finished that book today and funny enough was about to start The Truth About Forever and got so confused when the first chapter talked Jason and brain camp haha.

    really good review, I loved Deb too, I thought she was really sweet. I also loved Dave though and did find the whole thing swoon worthy but I'm in a strange mood today haha.

    I think all the characters in this book were brilliant and I think the story was just amazing in general.
    Not my first (or last) Sarah Dessen book and I'll defiantly be reading The Truth About Forever next :)

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    1. Let me know what you think of The Truth About Forever once you finish it!

      And Sarah Dessen usually has characters from past books make quick pop-up appearances in her newer books. So it's always fun to try and pick them out!

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  6. Totally agree! Dave was just kind of meh. This Lullaby and Along for the Ride are my favourites :) Only a few more months to go before her next one is released...woohoo!

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  9. Wow! I've gotten recommendations for This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever after reading Along For the Ride. I'm guessing those are probably her best books!!

    I'm not sure about this, but the swoon factor is probably a major factor in Sarah Dessen's books!!

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  10. I liked reading your review. I have not read this book but I will give it a chance if I ever come across it. I think it's interesting how the Mclean changes her identity in each town and her name is interesting too.

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  13. Nice review. This one sounds really interesting. I procrastinate as well and havne't read it yet, but I do typically really enjoy Sarah Dessen! :)

    Brandy

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  17. I mirror your thoughts exactly. And I totally missed that it was THAT Jason. He's in Along for the Ride as well. And I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be Annabel and Owen from Just Listen listening to music in the quad on her first day too. I wonder why Jason dropped out and became a cook? He was so one track mind before.

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  18. Yeah those are my two favorite Dessen books too but Deb was a great character. Looking back at when I read this, I feel like we have almost the same thoughts :)

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