Saint Anything

After reading books I normally write my reviews right away so I don't forget anything. But with this one I had to wait a few days and sort my feelings out on paper before I turned this review in. It wasn't really what I was expecting, but I say that in the most pleasant way possible. Since I've heard so much about Sarah Dessen being the queen of contemporary romance, I was expecting the swoons to be over the moon. Unfortunately, the romance was swoony, but it wasn't all that I was expecting. What was amazing though, was the realistic nature this story was written."I was used to being invisible. People rarely saw me and if they did, they never saw me, and if they did, they never looked close. I wasn't shiny and charming like my brother, stunning and graceful like my mother, or smart and dynamic like my friends, That's the thing though. You always think you want to be noticed. Until you are."pg. 3 (e-ARC) Parents will always say they don't ignore you, they just tend to help the child that may need them more. (But in this case, Sydney's parents were no different. All they were focused on was Peyton and all his mess ups. But as those mess ups get worse and worse, there's nothing else they can do but let the law handle it. Even then, Sydney isn't the one they're looking at. Until she is. And by then, things are already out of control."Across the courtyard, someone laughed. Two girls in field hockey uniforms passed by, one on the phone, the other opening a piece of gum. Happy, normal lives going on in happy, normal ways, in a world that was anything but. Once you realized this, experienced something that made it crystal clear you couldn't forget it. Like a face. Or a name. However you first learn that truth, once it's with you, i never really goes away."pg. 75 (e-ARC) I've only read That Summer by Dessen and that one wasn't too impressing. So when I read "...is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?" I knew it would be good. The romance wasn't really there and at first I was upset about that because I've heard so much about Dessen's swoony boys and it didn't get swoony till super late in the book. But someone told me that Dessen's books are normally about family and other relationships and it made me appreciate the book even more. And as it turns out, that makes a lot more sense because the realism in this book was surreal. It looks like she's become the new Queen of Realistic Fiction. From the food, to the friendships, to the romance, it felt like a movie and not a book."I would have loved to know how it felt, just once, to have something fall apart and see options instead of endings."pg. 245 (e-ARC) The romance in this one was ok, but not the best. Mac has his swoony moments, but he won't be one I write home about. But that was because this book focused more on Sydney as a character. Her friendship with the people from both schools, the relationship between her and her family, and last but not least, the relationship between her and her brother. Having not read many books where the main character and her different relationships are the main focus, it was a very welcome change."Funny how the world works. You don't get the something you really covet, but then the universe provides unexpected compensation."pg. 389 (e-ARC) Last but not least, the writing in this one was what MADE this book for me. After reading Dessen's very first book and then reading her most recent, I was able to see the difference of her writing styles from the beginning to the most recent. And I can clearly see the difference. Everything in this felt so descriptive and made me feel all the emotions that Sydney felt as if I were her. I was pleasantly surprised to see it wasn't as MG-ish as the first. I can't wait to see what else she has in store."You get used to people being a certain way; you depend on it. And when they surprise you, for better or worse, it can shake you to your core."pg. 407 (e-ARC) This book is the the twelfth book by Sarah Dessen but only the second of hers I've read. This one book alone has changed my view on her. It made me want to read everything else by her. If they're all filled with the swoony times, cool families and friendships, and all the realism, like this one, there is about 100% chance that I will read them all.

Standing in the shadows of anyone is never fun. When that individual is your older brother, a charismatic, good looking, larger than life individual, how can another compete or get a shred of attention for themselves? Sydney has lived her entire life with Peyton as the dominant force in her parent's eyes, especially her mother's. When he began getting into trouble, her folks tried to help him, but he needed to want help in the first place. When he gets behind the wheel of his car, inebriated, and hits a teen boy on a bike, Peyton receives a sentence and is jailed. Now Sydney has to live with the repercussions of his actions as well as his ghost in her life.Saint Anything is typical Dessen from the quiet girl to the immensely likable secondary characters (here it's an entire family, the Chathams), the budding romance with a guy (Mac) and the journey of self-discovery. It's also one of her darkest toned books in a long time. I will immediately say I was surprised by the amount of telling in the beginning of the story which set-up the premise for Sydney's journey. Peyton's back story did slow down the pace for me, but since I already found Sydney a likable and highly sympathetic character (she calls herself "invisible"), I had to read on. That is what gets me with each and every Dessen book--the voice. The main character may not always be exciting or interesting, but their insight, the way they view the world and convey their feelings to the reader, is what hooks me and what has made me a fan of this author. When I read a Sarah Dessen book I know I will really get to know her MC because she writes such deep portrayals of teen girls. And I usually wind up loving the MC's best friend too.Sydney changes schools so she can begin over again while Peyton serves his sentence. It's hard standing in his shadow and the new public school she attends offers her anonymity. She meets Layla at a local pizzeria along with her brother, Mac. At school Layla seeks her out and brings Sydney into her group of friends. Sydney is accepted. This story has so much going on from Sydney's internal conflict of dealing with her feelings for Peyton and what he did, to the external of living with her grieving parents, to the secondary plots involving the creepy Ames, making friends and falling for someone. I did love Layla's outgoing personality and her dedication to her mother. Her entire family, no matter how dysfunctional, showed Sydney what family is all about.I did have some qualms about a few things in the book. The cover depicts a carousel and I wondered why. When the carousel was mentioned, it was only in one scene, and I really expected to see it used again, especially in a scene with Sydney and Mac. It wasn't. If something is showcased on a cover, I think it's going to be of importance. Why not have a medallion pictured instead? The story line with Ames built up and was tense (even though I had a hard time believing her parents couldn't see what was going on) and then ended rather weakly. And after so much was said about Peyton, I expected to see him with Sydney more, at least one 'big' scene between siblings later on.Even with my comments and concerns, I have to admit once I open a Sarah Dessen book, it's hard for me to put it down. I love the way she writes contemporary girls. Their voices always have a way of touching me, gripping a piece of my heart, and resonating with me. Whenever I read her books I make sure to keep a highlighter handy becasue I know I will be marking favorite passages. Saint Anything was no exception. My copy is marked up in yellow and also autographed since I was able to meet the author while she was on tour for this book.

Lovely, lovely book - heartbreaking and honest. Dessen has probably never written better than this. I'm reading it again so I can enjoy her turns of phrase, which are understated but so clever. She really captures the confusion of being a teenager, that sense of wanting to be noticed but knowing that being noticed brings its own problems. And there is tremendous, subtle sympathy in the way she writes about Sydney's mother. Read it!

Saint Anything is darker than Dessen's other books but you can feel the soft and loveable core that you will find at the centre of all of her books. I love how open this book is. It opens with a note from Sarah honestly explaining the process leading up to this moment and I feel that raw and emotional theme continues through the story.Just when I thought that Dessen couldn't top herself she goes and does it again! Saint Anything holds home to an epic mix of characters, some of which are instantly loveable, others take time to grow on you, but all of which have set up a home in my heart. I always feel at the end of Dessen's books that you are saying goodbye to family you have grown to love, but there was something extra hard yet fulfilling about the goodbye that comes on the last page of this particular novel.Saint Anything contains come hilarious characters, epic friendships and heart wrenching moments, but above all a beautiful and gritty story that will draw you in from the very first page. The three year wait was definitely worth it! And whether this be the start of something amazing or the last of Sarah's books all I known is that I would wait a lifetime of anticipation to read more of her inspiring words.

Very disappointing and underwhelming ending. The last two chapters were very rushed and left many questions unasked. All the tension build throughout wasnt worth it.

Such a wonderful read. Sarah Dessen just gets better and better. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in intelligent, mature young adult fiction.

Sarah Dessen is one of my all time favourite authors and she has done another amazing job with saint Anything. If your looking for a book that you can't put down... This is one. Definitely one of my favourites.