That Summer

This was the first book I read of Sarah Dessen, my ex-boyfriend gave me the movie tie in edition of How to Deal where it came That Summer and Someone Like You. After I finished reading it, I knew that Sarah Dessen was about to become one of my favorite authors.I want to believe that this specific story has a special meaning to everyone. For me is about changes. Haven is 15 years teenager who's life is being put upside down and in the moment Summer Lee, her older sister boyfriends, appears in her life and bringing her back to those times, when her parents were together, her sister was happier and she felt part of something. I think that once in our life we have to deal with a situation in our lives like that. I can relate with Haven, after I broke up with my ex-boyfriend I thought I would never be happy and for a long time nothing make sense, I thought that I was always were meant to be broken but in the end I realize that you have to pick up the weeds and keep the flowers and though I was happy at that point of my life that happier and merrier time would come for me.. You see what does Sarah Dessen books does to me? I can even apply it to my personal life.As I always say Dessen has a gift to convey emotions, and create characters that you can relate too, even though this is the shortest book of Sarah, I think is one of the must honest and truthful novel she have even written . I can assure you that at some point you would relate with one character of the book, the plot is simple yes but very well thought and the end is very satisfying because she gives closure to the main character.Hope that this review was helpful, and my apologizes if I made it too personal but yet the book has a special meaning for me.

I read this book when I was a freshman in highschool. I decided to go back and read it as an older adult and I love it just the same. Sarah Dessen will always be one of my favorite authors. This book was a fast read and covers the dynamics of divorce, first loves, first heart breaks and new beginnings.

The relaxed and believable voice of the young female narrator in this novel for young adults is something that not just teens can enjoy. Her dry wit and thoughtful observations about the ups and downs of her simple life recently complicated by the impending marriage of her older sister allow readers to smile and understand the agony of being "second born," living in a home altered by divorce, and feeling like everyone around you is different. This is a realistic, often sadly humorous look at one girl's struggle with change -- something we can all relate to.

As 15 year-old Haven struggles with the changes in the lives of all her dad, her mom, her older sister, and herself, she discovers that there is enough time for events to unwind to outcomes which are acceptable; which leaving open a future for better things. Her ever after will be the one which she creates.

I loved it so much. It is such a mature and sophisticated book that you just can't put down. If your a girl interested in books that are like totally girly, then this is the kinda book you should read. Well done Sarah!!!

The book has a whole lot of curse words, but it's pretty good. I would recommend it to anyone who feels like reading it and is a mature reader that knows not to use all of those swear words.

I'm not going to pretend that the end was a surprise, yet once again Sara Dessen gave a fairly credible story with an underlying theme of how to get through teenage years

It was fun to read and very interesting. However, it is so not typical Sarah to write something like this. I guess I'm a little disappointed in the ending.

For a pre loved book it was In good condition and delivery was fast. I read this as a teen and thought it may be somting my daughter would read. Thanks

I didn't dislike this book, but it didn't really evoke any strong emotions in me. It was nice enoughand I did relate to a lot of the subject matter, parents divorcing, remarrying, and all that goes withthat, so I did enjoy it. Like I say, it was nice and easy to read, but not amazing.

I love Sarah Dessen's books, and they're not just for teens. I'm a 21-year-old, just-graduated almost-adult, and I love Dessen's writing style and how relateable and realistic her characters are. A great, light summer read.

This is Sarah Dessen's first book and it shows. It has promise but I found it boring and it felt very unpolished. However, her later books have proved to be excellent reads.

It's no secret that I love the wonder that is Sarah Dessen. I've never been disappointed by one of her books, and I don't think I ever will be.Characters are the most important part of a story, and this woman can certainly write real, emotional people that I always find myself wishing I could be friends with. That Summer includes a mix of likeable but flawed personalities, and although it's shorter than most of Sarah's books, it's still an engaging and compelling read.Haven, along with her sister Ashley, are brilliantly written, and I came away from the book feeling like I really knew them. I loved the family dynamic and loyalty between the sisters, and the way Haven and her family all stuck together. Although there's no trademark Dessen romance in That Summer, I didn't miss it. Everthing else is so vividly described that the absence of a main male character is hardly noticeable, and it's nice to just focus on Haven and her soon-to-be-married sister.No-one writes YA fiction like Sarah Dessen, and I always read her books in a state of excitement. I'm so glad that I finally got to read That Summer, and even though it may not be her best, it's still miles better than a lot of YA out there.