The countdown to Sarah Dessen's new book Once and For All is ON!! To celebrate, Penguin Teen is running the #ReadaDessen tour featuring the complete backlist of Ms. Dessen's awesome books!! Today I'm talking about Someone Like You-- which is a book I reread for the first time since probably 2002.
Note: I was provided a copy of Someone Like You by Penguin Teen as a #PRHPartner to read and spotlight this book.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she was devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break--because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever.
You know what I discovered while rereading this?? I really freaking missed Sarah Dessen's stories. If I were to choose one author to emulate their writing-- I think it would be her. She has this way of making me sink into a setting and a character's life that feels like---- I don't know how to describe it, but I guess it's sort of like home. Just comfortable and easy.
There were things about Someone Like You that I wished were a little different. She kept going back to the phrase "someone like me" when referring to Halley, but I didn't think it was really resolved WHO Halley was by the end of the book. I knew who she was in relation to Scarlett or her mother or Macon, but I didn't know who she was when it came to just her.
Also, who is Cameron and what is his deal? He's introduced, but then he's just kind of always there??
What I love about SD is the family factor. She has the best way of writing conflict between parents and teens that feel real. The parents are present, they aren't conveniently absent so the character can do what they want. But they're FRUSTRATING. Kind of like how real parents are to real teens. The parents make mistakes (and a lot of them are going through a lot of their own life stuff too), they are over-protective, or nosey, and unwilling to let go. I love seeing that stuff in a book because most of us have gone through it.
Teen pregnancy: I usually don't read books about it because I've read many that just don't handle the subject well. I thought this was done here to PERFECTION. Sure, Scarlett pissed me off at times (especially during Halley's indecision about losing her virginity), but overall I thought her situation felt accurate and like my own best friend was going through it.
Reading about Scarlett and Halley's friendship made me wish I had a Scarlett in my life. Not that I don't have friends that I love-- but their friendship was somehow something more. It was like sisters, and since I'm an only child, I can only imagine what that's like.
OVERALL: YES to the way this book made me feel. It was like I was reading about MY best friends and I was sitting there with them. I love how Sarah Dessen's books feel like home to me-- her writing is just easy and vivid. I thought this book did teen pregnancy perfectly, and the friendship and family factors were also a big plus. For a book published in 1998, I thought it held up well.
Add it to your To-Read List!!
My Rating: 5/5
Character: Halley Cooke
Book: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
- Deep down, I think Halley is a romantic. I think she would love to read about Lara Jean's crushes and boy expectations. She would also probably relate to Lara Jean's hot tub freak out and her sometimes questionable choice in dudes.
THAT SUMMER
April 17 – Great Imaginations
April 17 – Nicole’s Novel Reads
April 19 – Peace Love Books
SOMEONE LIKE YOU
April 17 – Picture Books to YA
April 20 – Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile
April 20 – Don’t Fold the Page
April 20 – Pink Polka Dot Books
- Enter for a chance to win one (1) set of Sarah Dessen’s books in paperback (ARV: $132.00).
- NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on April 17, 2017 and 12:00 AM on May 29, 2017. Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about June 1, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
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I hate to admit it, but I've never read any of Sarah Dessen's book. I don't know why, since her style seems like it fits me perfectly. Guess I need to change that!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
WHAT?? Nicole, DO IT!! Just Listen, Lock & Key, this one, This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever.... just pick one!
DeleteIt's been a long, long time since I've read any of her books, but I loved Just Listen back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI loved Just Listen too!! It had been a while for me as well, so I was worried about it holding up, but I didn't need to be!! It was just like when I read it 10 or so year ago :)
DeleteSarah Dressen is a new author to me and I really enjoyed the post on "Someone Like You". Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI SO recommend her books-- especially the older ones!
DeleteSarah Dressen is a new author to me and I really enjoyed the post on "Someone Like You". Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Sarah Dessen, but I really need to! She gets so much love from bloggers! I know I'm missing out. This one sounds really good; I love that she nails the parent-teen relationship.
ReplyDeleteYES!! You totally should try her. I'd rec this one, The Truth About Forever, Lock & Key, or Just Listen to start. Those are the most "Dessen" of her books IMO.
DeleteI've only read That Summer by Sarah Dessen and I didn't really love it but her writing made me want to read more from her. I don't know why I haven't yet but knowing that this deals with teenage pregnancy so well I might be tempted to pick it up soon. It's definitely on my TBR now!
ReplyDeleteThat Summer wasn't one of my favs. I really loved this one, The Truth About Forever, and Lock & Key.
Deletenever read this author
ReplyDeleteI love her books! Along for the ride is my favorite.
ReplyDeletemia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
I haven't read any of Sarah's books yet, but I'm looking forward to. Thank you
ReplyDeleteyeah...I'll admit, I haven't read anything by Sarah yet, but I DO want too. I've always wanted to read Just Listen, for example, but just never did. I'm glad you loved this latest from her and what a fun giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the mood for a Dessen book & trying to decide which to read.
ReplyDeleteI have never read a Dressen book. It sounds like I am totally missing out. I need this book, it sounds awesome!
ReplyDelete