The Moon and More
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Pages: 384
Source: ARC borrowed from friend
About the Book: Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo’s sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline’s mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he’s convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she’s going?
Sarah Dessen’s devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer. (goodreads)
My Thoughts: I know this book is still a bit over a month away but I just can’t hold it in any longer! I enjoyed it so much and I just want the world to know! Also, Sarah Dessen is signing at Anderson’s Bookshop tonight and I can’t wait to see her!
There were so many reasons I was excited for The Moon and More. I mean, other than the fact that it’s simply a Sarah Dessen book! First of all we get to go back to Colby. I live in Wisconsin so beach towns aren’t prevalent around me. I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy books set at the beach so much! Also, I just love Colby. Going back there is like visiting an old friend. Isn’t that they beauty of a new Sarah Dessen book? You get the exciting adventure of meeting new characters. You also get to revisit the familiar and “check in” with characters and places you already know and love.
Okay, back to the other reasons I couldn’t wait to read this one… a documentary film (love those!), a reclusive artist, and a girl getting ready to leave the world she’s grown up in and head to college. So many elements that I enjoy. And as always, I was excited to meet the newest “Dessen boys!” Sarah always writes the best love interests. However, in The Moon and More the romantic relationships really took a back seat for me. And I’m not gonna lie, I loved it!
Don’t get me wrong, I adore all of Sarah’s books. However, when I think of Just Listen I think of Annabel and Owen. When I think of The Truth About Forever I think of Macy and Wes. When I think about The Moon and More I think about Emaline. What really sticks out to me is how Emaline grew as a character and how her views on life, love, and her future are altered in relation to her life experiences. She loves her home, her family, and her friends but sees that she has choices. Living in a small beach town makes her feel a bit closed in. At the same time she is afraid of losing it all. Yes, she wants more. But does that mean she has to let go of all she already has? This inner struggle really resonated with me. I remember panicking about the very same thing right before leaving for college.
I know this review is getting a bit on the long side but I can’t not mention Emaline’s friends and family. Those are the relationships that really stole the show for me. They were so well written. Emaline isn’t perfect and she makes some mistakes over the course of the summer (as we all have!) I loved the ways in which these things affected her relationships with others. You can see the people who really care for her. They aren’t threatened by her “coming into her own” so to speak. I think it’s refreshing for teens (and really any reader) to see this.
Basically you need to read The Moon and More and I’m a terrible person for gushing about it when it isn’t out until June 4th. Sorry. But it’s that good. To make up for it I’m giving away a signed copy of the new What Happened to Goodbye paperback.
Also, if you preorder The Moon and More from Anderson’s Bookshop you get a super awesome gift back! Along with the book you get a poster, Colby Sticker, necklace, and signed bookplate!
To order from Anderson’s call 630-355-2665 OR you can order online. When you order online you should note that you are preordering to get the gift pack in the comments section of the order (These instructions are per Anderson’s staff.) There is a charge for shipping.
Giveaway: Use the rafflecopter below to enter to win a signed paperback of What Happened to Goodbye. US only. Must be 13 or older.
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