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June 3, 2008 12:40 PM
BOOK REVIEW: The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
I've been hearing about Sarah Dessen's books for years now, but I hadn't read one until The Truth About Forever.
It's the story of Macy, who is trying to keep it together following her dad's death (which she secretly feels she could have prevented). Macy's way of dealing is to keep her life very small and controlled and everything's going fine until her boyfriend suggests they take a break (he's not sure Macy is in line with his future "goals"), she gets a new job that she hates and she meets a chaotic catering crew who are always looking for extra help.
Liking the fact that when she's with the Wish caterers, she's just Macy and not Macy-whose-dad-died, she starts spending more and more time with them, particularly the gorgeous Wes. She and Wes enter into a game of truth and become closer and closer, sharing their secrets, but it's still safe because they both have partners (Wes's girlfriend is in prison).
But Macy had to have learned her coping strategy from someone and it was her mother who, when she realises how much time Macy is spending with her new friends, takes back some control of her own.
I loved this book. I liked Macy from the first page and the Wish crew are charming and hilarious. Wes is extremely sexy and charismatic and the book is filled with little details - about art, family, emotion, friendship, letting go and moving on - that are so brilliantly and subtlely woven into the story that you barely notice them until you finish reading and realise how utterly satisfying it all was. Although Macy and her family are sad, this isn't a sad book at all; in fact it's a very positive book. I'll definitely be reading more Sarah Dessen.
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
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Posted by Aigua Media on June 3, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink
Comments
this book, along with just listen and lock and key and this lullaby...WELL, ALL SARAH DESSEN BOOKS - are my favorites :D
Posted by: aa | June 3, 2008 4:12 PM
Hmm. I'd heard of Sarah Dessen before, but never picked up one of her books. I think a trip to the library is in order..
Posted by: Michelle | June 4, 2008 8:20 AM
Her books are great!! I cant wait to read the new one that comes out in 2009!
Posted by: ashleigh | November 18, 2008 9:49 PM
This is my favorite Dessen, and Wes is totally why. And the Truth game. Totally the Truth game.
My own post about it, if you're interested, is up here:
http://underagereading.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/inexplicable-book-love/
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 2, 2009 9:45 PM
I read the book The Truth about Forever. I thought it that it was a very well book. Everything she writes is amazing. she puts comedy and tragedy in it. Like her father dying and her boyfriend breaking up with her and having to build from that. i think she is an awsome writer and should keep it up!
Posted by: ashtin | March 11, 2009 2:24 AM
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