What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Pages:402
publication date:May 10 2011



Summary:
In the past two years, Mclean Sweet has moved four times. At each stop, she assumes a new persona, but it never quite works. Whether she's an effervescent cheerleader or an intense drama queen, nothing can permanently dispel the turmoil and rage at her mother since her parents' divorce. Sarah Dessen's novel about a teenager and her restaurant manager father captures the vulnerability that young people often experience after the dissolution of their family. A compelling story; strong characterization; and with a touch of romance.




Review:
Sarah Dessen does it again, she writes a flawless book that has everyone wanting more. The Goddess of YA has created yet another emotional, fun loving book.

Mclean is dealing with a whole lot in her life. Her mom and dad got divorced; she lives with her dad because she feels like her mom betrayed her and her dad’s job has them moving 4 times in just 2 years. In every place she moves to she makes herself a new identity. Every school she has a different name and different clique in school.

Her mom left her dad for a famous basketball’s team coach, and then got pregnant with twins. In Mclean’s eyes her mom betrayed her and she doesn’t want anything to do with her.

This book revolves around Mclean’s personal life and how everything affected her emotionally and physically. While her dad is working at helping the newest restaurant she helps out and befriends a bunch of people from school and the restaurant. She just broke one of her personal rules. Never get to close to someone because it’s too hard to say goodbye.
But then she meets Dave, well they met on some uncomfortable situations the first 2 times but it all worked out. I really did like Dave’s character, he wasn’t perfect, and he didn’t make himself out to be perfect either. Everyone has their faults and Dave and Mclean know a lot about that. Both come from not so perfect families, which let me tell you Dave’s parents would suffocate me, I wouldn’t be able to live with them.

The character that surprised me the most was Deb, she was an outsider at school, nobody liked her but it took one person to befriend her and invite her to sit down and the whole group grew on each other. Deb’s character was great and surprising and I loved every minute of her organization/boss skills.

I love how Sarah creates a world that isn’t exactly perfect and people can relate to. All the characters names are creative and different. That’s why I love Sara’s writing; it’s so fresh and perfect all at the same time.

“What Happened to Goodbye wasn’t my favorite book of hers but it’s still great. Make sure to read all 10 of her books if you haven’t already!


4/5 stars