That special 'Someone'
The second in my collection of Sarah Dessen novels, purchased over the summer. (R.I.P. Borders).
When Scarlett's short-term boyfriend dies at the end of the summer, Halley rushes to her best friend's side to comfort her. Halley didn't know the guy well, although the two friends had been kind of running with his crowd lately. Attending his funeral is weird enough, but then Scarlett reveals that she's carrying his baby - and that she wants to keep it. Halley makes it her mission to be there for her, even though a distraction comes in the form of bad boy Macon, who charms her pretty easily. But Halley's therapist mother doesn't like how Halley is changing from dutiful daughter to disobeying teen; she doesn't like that Halley's new priority is hanging out with Macon and not spending her Friday nights at home with friends of the family. As Macon and Halley become more serious, Halley begins to feel pressured to prove herself - to prove that she can keep up with Macon and is worthy of him. And to prove that her mother isn't always right.
Of the handful of Sarah Dessen books I've read, this is the most middling. It's quite enjoyable in parts and overall is a gentle, if generic, tale of finding yourself. Halley's relationship with her mother is given the most depth and shade - Mom isn't a domineering and by-the-book parent, but a woman who genuinely loves Halley and has her compassionate and vulnerable moments. A subplot with Halley's grandmother helps illustrate the layers of mother-daughter relationships, and in addition reminds us that mothers had lives before and beyond their daughters. We can certainly see why Mom disproves of Macon, even as he is appealing to the reader. Halley's relationship with him - and the highs and lows of such - is believable and root-worthy; when Halley acts hastily in the name of love, it's understandable as well as worrisome. It's unfortunate that Scarlett doesn't make as much of an impression, as we are deprived of what makes her and Halley's friendship special. We are told that Scarlett is the leader and Halley the follower, and that dynamic - like Scarlett's character - remains the same all throughout the novel. The pregnancy is often pushed aside, which is kind of disappointing. The issue of sex is more or less tip-toed around, and it's hard to see if Dessen herself is on either side. Perhaps she isn't, and expects younger readers to draw their own conclusions.
I like how Dessen explores relationships and creates three-dimensional, introspective main characters. Most of the elements here work well together, and others such as a humorous father and characters who ultimately support Scarlett add some flavor. This is a story that goes down well, even if it's not all that memorable. Rating: 4 candy bars out of 5.
Of the handful of Sarah Dessen books I've read, this is the most middling. It's quite enjoyable in parts and overall is a gentle, if generic, tale of finding yourself. Halley's relationship with her mother is given the most depth and shade - Mom isn't a domineering and by-the-book parent, but a woman who genuinely loves Halley and has her compassionate and vulnerable moments. A subplot with Halley's grandmother helps illustrate the layers of mother-daughter relationships, and in addition reminds us that mothers had lives before and beyond their daughters. We can certainly see why Mom disproves of Macon, even as he is appealing to the reader. Halley's relationship with him - and the highs and lows of such - is believable and root-worthy; when Halley acts hastily in the name of love, it's understandable as well as worrisome. It's unfortunate that Scarlett doesn't make as much of an impression, as we are deprived of what makes her and Halley's friendship special. We are told that Scarlett is the leader and Halley the follower, and that dynamic - like Scarlett's character - remains the same all throughout the novel. The pregnancy is often pushed aside, which is kind of disappointing. The issue of sex is more or less tip-toed around, and it's hard to see if Dessen herself is on either side. Perhaps she isn't, and expects younger readers to draw their own conclusions.
I like how Dessen explores relationships and creates three-dimensional, introspective main characters. Most of the elements here work well together, and others such as a humorous father and characters who ultimately support Scarlett add some flavor. This is a story that goes down well, even if it's not all that memorable. Rating: 4 candy bars out of 5.
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