Book Review: That Summer

Book Review: That Summer by Sarah Dessen

First sentence: "The day my father got remarried, my mother was up at six A.M. defrosting the refrigerator."

From the back: "For fifteen-year-old Haven, there's just too much going on. First, there's her father's wedding to Lorna Queen, the local television "Weather Pet." Then her sister Ashley's wedding to boring Lewis Warsher, who doesn't seem to suit Ashley at all. And Haven can't ignore the fact that she's nearly six feet tall and still growing. Haven can barely figure out who she is anymore or where she fits in. Then Ashley's old boyfriend, Sumner Lee, shows up and sparks Haven's memories of the summer when her parents were happy, her sister was plucky and carefree, and everything was perfect... or so it seemed."

My take: I am still wondering what I missed. I didn't get this book. I found no rhyme or reason for it. It read more like Haven's diary. The people were all likeable. For the most part. The writing was good. The descriptions great. But this one needed something more. More pizazz with the storyline. I saw no conflict, other than Haven's own inner conflicts and her spoiled bratty sister's temper tantrums. Haven thought the sun rose and set on Sumner and didn't understand why her sister broke his heart. She finds out the truth about that a little later in the book. I still enjoy Sarah Dessen's writing. This just wasn't one of my favorites.

If you've reviewed the book, leave a comment here and I'll post a link to your review!

Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Viking Juvenile (April 6, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670061107
ISBN-13: 978-0670061105

My rating: D