Review: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Stand Alone

Format: Paperback

Pages: 449

Rating: 5 Stars

How I Got It: Gift

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list.

On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back?

Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger? Um...

Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go skinny-dipping? Wait...what?

Review

Holy crap! I was a little nervous for like the first hundred pages because it wasn't gripping me. But the book did end up sucking me in and had me crying by the end. And I think this is my second favorite Morgan Matson books.

The romance was cute and incredibly well-paced. But it was the friendships that really hooked me. I loved the exporation of different friendships-new, old, male/male, female/female, groups, etc. They all felt very real and organic.

And I really liked Emily. I have a lot of things in common with her. So, it was great to listen vicariously through her. And I felt like it was kind of inspiring.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Summer TBR (2017)

It's that time again. I'm going to try a seasonal TBR of 5 books again. Some of these have been on TBRs before, so hopefully, they'll actually happen this time. But I think this is a great list, especially for the summer season.

Doon by Carey Corp and Laurie Langdon

The Heir by Kiera Cass

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 468

Rating: 5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Can someone tell me if Since You’ve Been Gone had a dead or dying dad because this crap destroys me. I mean I cried at work-a few times-while reading this. But I still loved this story.

I find Ms. Matson’s writing very soothing. I can’t explain why. But she easily blends family, friendship, romance, and character growth. And normally I would want more romance, but this story completely satisfied me.

Taylor could easily be annoying and immature, but she isn’t. And she really evolves in a natural way. Plus, her flaws are very normal and believable. I think what made the difference is that she is very aware of her mistakes/flaws.

I didn’t think the big “issue” from five summers ago was as huge as it was built up to be. But that’s what happens when you avoid your past mistakes.

As much as I liked the romance and Taylor’s growing friendships my favorite parts were when she was with her dad. Now, these were also the most emotional, because I’m very much a daddy’s girl. There’s so many messed up parent relationships in YA so this was refreshing. There interactions were just perfect and full of love.

The worst thing is that I know I’m now going to look at every Instagram picture of Morgan Matson’s dog differently.

Thanks for reading!