What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking (an imprint of Penguin)
Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Pages: 402
Source: Purchased
About the Book: 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. (from goodreads)
Note: I would say this is a spoiler free review 🙂
My Thoughts: Sarah Dessen’s books make me happy. Like deep down in my soul happy. Even when they’re breaking my heart and I’m bawling, I love it. There is just something about them that I can’t get enough of. What Happened to Goodbye was no exception. I sat down to start it last night and didn’t stop until I had turned the last page.
I absolutely love the way Ms. Dessen builds her stories. They are so authentic. The things the teens do, say, and feel are things that make sense without being stereotypical. I also love the way she weaves different elements of the story together. In What Happened to Goodbye basketball is a big deal. It’s not a book about basketball yet it permeates everything from the phrases the characters use to the underlying reasons events occur. It works with the other aspects of the book that are seemingly unrelated. I also love how she can take something you would think is insignificant and make it awesome. I mean seriously… how does she manage to make a guy giving a girl (who doesn’t cook) an open container of spices into a swoon worthy moment? ***sigh***
This book wasn’t exactly what I’ve come to expect from a Sarah Dessen novel but I loved the differences. Her characters always grow and change but I felt that, in Mclean’s story, it was much more prominent. Mclean is very clearly trying to figure out who she is and where she fits (in her family and the world at large.) Yes, there are friendships and the Dessen boys we know and love but the focus is way more on Mclean’s relationship with herself and her family. I really think this story is something so many teens will be able to connect with. I will certainly be recommending it!
A few random things I loved:
*The mentions of the book A Prayer for Owen Meany and Bob Dylan. Two of my favorite things!
*The characters and places we encounter from previous books… especially Gervais and going back to the beach in Colby.
*The basketball love!
*Deb… she is so great! Actually, I loved a lot of the secondary characters. They really added to the story.
*Seeing Jason from The Truth About Forever and Along for the Ride in a different light.
*The restaurant Mclean’s parents owned was called Mariposa. This is my favorite Spanish word. It means butterfly and is totally appropriate for the story!
Check out what Sarah Dessen has to say about this book on her website.
Also, to keep up with my earlier posts here are a couple logos and the list of connections I noticed in What Happened to Goodbye. I certainly may have missed some! Let me know if you found more. There were a couple things that sounded familiar but I couldn’t remember why!
Alex (A Girl, Books, OtherThings)
Awesome review!! Good to know it’s a bit different before hand, thanks for saying that.
And thanks for the connections! 🙂 I love those.
Deb
Excellent review…thank you thank you. I am getting a hard cover copy, just waiting for it to arrive. But I tell ya…it is soooo tempting to kindle it so I don’t have to wait. I keep going back and forth, forth and back. Do, though, have THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER to read!
lisa (the nerd)
i love all the shoutouts to previous places and peeps. i feel like i need to read more SD before getting into this one to fully appreciate the depth of her world.
i do love that this one seems to focus strongly on self growth versus romance. nice review!
Savannah
EEEPPP! So excited to read this book!I love her writing!
Erica
I am really excited to read What Happened to Goodbye – I have it and I think it sounds absolutely awesome. I really like the cover – it’s one of my favorite covers for her books I think.
Jacinda (The Reading Housewives)
Fantastic review Heidi! I’m upset, because I just found out today that I’m probably not going to be able to make it on Tuesday…the hubby’s work schedule changed… 🙂 I’m sooo sad!