{Blog Tour} Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Posted by Donna
Release Date: 3rd July, 2014
Finished Date: June 15th, 2014

Publishers: Simon & Schuster Childrens 
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 449

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um...

The Review: Since You’ve Been Gone is one of them books that I was highly excited for and it certainly didn’t disappoint! 

The story follows two best friends; Emily and Sloane who have practically been attached to each other for the past two years. They do everything together and they’re constantly texting or calling each other when they’re not, so when Sloane and her family disappear Emily suddenly doesn’t know what to do anymore – she’s lost without Sloane. All Emily has got from Sloane is a list of ‘to do things’ that Emily is supposed to do over the over. The list includes things like apple picking at night, dance until dawn, hug a stranger, kiss a stranger – yep, the list goes on. But while Emily is out experiencing all this new things – including striking up a friendship with Frank Porter, Emily can’t wonder where Sloane is and she’s on a mission to find her. 

Morgan Matson is one of them authors that knows how to write fun and lovable summer reads and Since You’ve been Gone is simply the perfect summer read – full of drama, hidden secrets, first love and a journey about self-discovery. What’s not to love? 

With a bit of a slow to star, the story picks up after a handle full of chapter and soon, it was very hard to put this story down because I couldn’t wait to unravel the mystery of where Sloane had gone.  I really enjoyed the set up to Emily and Sloane’s friendship, the way Morgan gave us that little bit of insight just a little bit of a time. It definitely added to the excitement of the story. But I think what stood out for me the most were the moments that Emily and Frank had together. Yes, I did like Emily and Sloane’s friendship but I felt that Emily and Frank together we’re just too cute to ignore. Their slow burning relationship was totally swoon-worthy and left me on the edge of my seat because I just couldn’t wait for something to happen – and boy does the author make us wait, but it’s so worth it!

In all, I really enjoyed Since You’ve Been Gone. It’s a captivating read and one I highly suggest picking up this summer – perfect for reading on the beach! 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

About the author.....

Morgan Matson grew up in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut. She attended Occidental College in Los Angeles but halfway though a theater degree, she started working in the children's department of Vroman's Bookstore and fell in love with YA literature.

Following college graduation (and the proud bearer of an incredibly useful theater/English degree) she moved back East to attend the New School, where she received her M.F.A in Writing for Children.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, inspired by Morgan's three cross-country road trips, was published in May 2010. It was named an ALA Top Ten Best Book, a PW "Flying Start" book, and was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Prize. It has since been published in five different languages and six different countries.

In the meantime, Morgan moved back to California, went back to school again and in 2011 received an M.F.A. in Screenwriting from the University of Southern California.

Her second book, Second Chance Summer, was published in May 2012 and draws largely on her experiences spending summers growing up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Morgan currently lives in Los Angeles, though she loves to travel and does it whenever she can. She is currently writing another book, to be published in 2014