{Review} Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 5th, 2015
Finished Date: May 30th, 2015

Publishers: Penguin
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 448
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Peyton, Sydney’s charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion’s share of their parents’ attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton’s increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

The Review: Sydney's always been close with her older brother Peyton but when Peyton starts getting into trouble and hanging out with the wrong crowd, it drives a wedge between them. And even more so when Peyton drink drives and injuries a teenage boy and is then sentence to seventeen months in prison. This causes Sydney's life to change. Her life is overshadowed by what her brother as done. Her mother and father barely take notice in her and so Sydney does everything possible to make herself invisible in everyone else's world too. It's not until she starts a new school and makes friends with Chatham's where she suddenly isn't so invisible. Sydney knows she needs to speak up to her family, especially when she seems to be the only one carrying around the guilt for what her brother did. But can they all truly move on? And can Sydney find her lost place in her family?

I've only ever read one other book written by Sarah Dessen and I'm glad I can now say, I've read two and it's a really enjoyable YA contemporary read that I'm glad I've read. 

In Saint Anything, Sarah Dessen writes a deep story about real life events and by writing this, brings awareness to teenagers, not just in regards to the implications of driving drunk but also with trying to have an honest relationship with parents and not hiding your feelings. I really hope this message gets across to teenager the way it speaks to me as a parent. 

I really liked Sydney. She's a teenager that has been through a lot and seems to be suffering for her brother's mistakes. I could understand why her mother did the things she did but she took them out on the wrong person and I felt so bad for Sydney. All she wanted was to fit into the family she loved and couldn't do that because she was always pushed aside for her brother. At times it was emotional to read the emotions that Sydney was going through but I'm glad she had the Chatham's there because they became the family she needed to support her. Layla and Mac we're great! Layla is a best friend everyone wants and is truly a lovely person. And Mac, a quiet guy but nice as well. The romance does take forever to come into the story though, it's a least over the halfway mark. While I enjoyed the first part of the story it did go a little slow because at times it was like there was no attraction between Mac and Sydney. I was starting to worry that nothing would happen but I guess you could say the story focuses more on Layla and Sydney's friendship for the first part and then moves on to Sydney and Mac. 

As I mentioned, Sydney's mother really only focuses on Peyton and really pushes Sydney aside. At times I hated her mother. She was really hard to like and even more towards the end. She frustrated me to no end and I just wished she took more notice in Sydney. And that Sydney's father would have spoken up more. It's clear they weren't the perfect family but once they reconsider their faults, they quickly took to repairing them even though it was a long time coming.

In all, Saint Anything is a story about family, relationships, love and real life events and while I enjoyed Just Listen just a tad more, this is still a good read that will leave you wanting more from Sarah Dessen.

3.5 Flowers! 

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

Blog Tour for The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen; Review + Author Q&A

Posted by Donna
Release Date: June 4th, 2013
Finished Date: June 3rd, 2013

Publishers: Puffin
Source: For Review 

Format: Paperback 
Pages: 435

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going? 

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

The Review: Sarah Dessen is one of the biggest YA contemporary romance authors around and with each and every book I read, I find myself loving her work more and more. 

This time Sarah brings us The Moon and More where we see Emaline, a teenage girl whose life is perfect. She's in love with a great guy, she knows what she wants to do in the future and until the time comes to move away, she'll help her family run their summer business. However, when Theo comes to stay in the town, she starts to question everything she's once thought. 

I'll always remember my first Sarah Dessen book (Just Listen) and since then, I always find myself eager to see what Sarah is going to come up with next. The Moon and More wasn't on par with Just Listen, but it was still a great summer read. 

What I enjoy most about Sarah's books is the character building. They're always looking to do a little soul finding and find out who they really are, they always have problems they need to overcome and mostly, there's always a hot boy in the picture too. While I wish for more romance in her stories - I always wish for more, I find with Sarah's books  it's not always needed. The stories alone can capture you and keep you interested. She writes characters we can always relate to and feel for and yet again, this was the case with The Moon and More. Emaline's life wasn't as tough as some of her previous characters but it was still interesting enough. 

If you haven't read any of Sarah's work then I highly suggest you do - she's an author you don't want to miss out on.

 

Author Interview with Sarah Dessen

1) eBooks vs Physical books? 

I love the feel of a real book! I'm old school. But I usually have one on my iPad, as well.

2)Twitter vs Facebook? 

Twitter. I have sort of a problem with it, actually. Some might say addiction.

 3) Coffee vs Tea? 

Coffee. Black. I am hardcore when it comes to my caffeine.

 4) White Chocolate vs Milk Chocolate? 

Milk. I don't even understand white chocolate as a concept.

 5) Sweet Popcorn vs Salted Popcorn? 

Salted. Preferably movie-theatre kind.

 6) Walking vs Driving? 

I live in the country, so I drive everywhere.

 8) High Heels vs Flats? 

I love both, but for practical reasons, usually go with flats.

 9) Favourite Season? 

Summer. No question.

 10) Favourite TV show? 

Right now, Parks and Recreation. Of all time? Friday Night Lights.

 11) Favourite Movie? 

Almost Famous. It's basically perfect.

 12) Favourite Singer/Band? 

Tom Waits. His songs are like poetry. I also love Ben Lee.

 13) Favourite Place? 

Cape Cod, MA or Emerald Isle, NC.

 14) Favourite Book? 

A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving.

 15) Favourite Food? 

Potato chips, plain, with red wine. I know, it's weird. But it's true!

About the Author:

Sarah Dessen grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with highest honors in Creative Writing. She is the author of several novels, including Someone Like You, Just Listen and Along for the Ride. A motion picture based on her first two books, entitled How to Deal, was released in 2003. Her eleventh novel,The Moon and More, will be published in June 2013. She lives in North Carolina.