Book Review: WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE by Sarah Dessen

What Happened To Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published: May 10th 2011
Publisher: Viking
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Summary | Add to TBR

Who is the real McLean?

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.

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

My Thoughts:

You could just tell when a person belonged somewhere. That is something you can't fake, no matter how hard you try. -Mclean p13

Amazing how you could get do far from where you'd planned, and yet find it was exactly where you needed to be. -Mclean, p279

Of all Sarah Dessen's books that I've read, What Happened to Goodbye is the first one that made me cry. All her books are emotional, sad, thought-provoking, and they all deals with realities in life. But this one has touched me the deepest. Of all her characters that are crafted with delicate care--making them the imperfect, flawed, and most of all real--it was Mclean Sweet who captured my heart the most. This might not be my most favorite of her books, but surely this one will forever be in my heart. I don't know what it is that makes Sarah Dessen's books very touching that it makes me appreciate the people in my life after I read them. It makes me appreciate life itself, or my life to be specific.

I think it's important that it really have meaning to you if it's going to be part of you forever. -Deb, p129

Mclean's life isn't easy. She was once been happy, and that was before his parents got divorced. Before her mom cheated her dad with the university's basketball coach. Before her mom got pregnant with the twins, before her dad sold their restaurant and decided to be a consultant instead--the reason why they are traveling and moving every six months. She's been in four different schools during the last two years, avoiding making friends, making attachments, living a life. Every time they move, she takes it as a new beginning...every time. She starts a new life that isn't hers, not Mclean, but a new girl with a different personality. She feels that she doesn't belong anywhere, and I think that what makes this book achingly sad. To feel that you are alone and that you have no place to really call home... I think that's the saddest part.

What I really appreciate about Sarah Dessen's books, are the stories of life--disappointments, struggles, painful past, but always with a hopeful future. I always love the settings and the characters that she created... it make me feel connected to them in some ways I couldn't explain. Maybe because they all felt real to me--they're ordinary people dealing with normal issues in life. I love every bit of the story, because for me, it's giving me something true and something good to think about and hold onto.

Two a.m. You know. The person you can call at two a.m. and, no matter what, you can count on them. Even if they're asleep or it's cold or you need to be bailed out jail...they'll come for you. It's, like, the highest level of friendship. -Dave, p216

This is a story of girl who is trying to forget her real self but ends up finding herself in the process. With the help of her funny, weird, and amazing friends and a smart guy who live next door, she will realize that a home isn't actually a place...

This book is emotional but blended with just the right amount of humour and wit. I enjoyed it and I am grateful that I've read such a good story. I recommend What Happened to Goodbye. I recommend Sarah Dessen. 

My Rating: