What Happened to Goodbye: Book Review

Novel: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Release Date: May 10th, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Format: ARC

Source: BookPeople Teen Reviewing

Who is the real McLean? 

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out. 

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

(From Goodreads)

Willa's Rambles:

   One of my favorite Sarah Dessen novels ever. What Happened to Goodbye has a different feeling than Just Listen, This Lullaby, or The Truth About Forever, and the difference is what makes it so fantastic. 

   When McLean was first introduced, I didn't like her. I didn't like how judgmental she was, how close to her heart she held everything, and how much she hated her mother, but as the story went on, I understood why she felt the things she did, and I began to like her more. Eventually I liked the relationship she had with her mother. (I'm a big 'how's the relationship with the mother?' person. Key to the story.)

   I did love the relationship McLean had with her father though, especially because they're close and understand each other. They appreciate each other and work well together, which are two things that make a relationship work! Her dad was one of my favorite parts of the story.

   Oh the boy... Dave... I love how, like all of Sarah Dessen's boys, he's different. He isn't mysterious, popular, or any of the sterotypes. He's just... Normal. He has secrets, like everyone does, but he isn't over the top. One of my favorite Dessen boys!

   Dessen's newest novel is her trademark writing skill, great characters, real plots, but adds a new element of a broken family, which readers all over the world can relate to. Haven't read any Sarah Dessen? Start with What Happened to Goodbye!