“If Hollis was a big kid, I was the little adult, the child who, at three, would sit at the table during grown-up discussions about literature and color my coloring books, not making a peep. Who learned to entertain myself at a very early age, who was obsessive about school and grades from kindergarten, becaus academia was the one thing that always got my parent’s attention.”
When your parents, both academics and well-known in their fields, name you after the poet Auden, chances are you are going to be expected to succeed in school. Eighteen-year-old Auden has done just that. She’s lived up to her parent’s expectations by being an excellent student and is now on her way to a promising college experience. Unfortunately, the one thing Auden hasn’t excelled at is social interactions.
She’s been so busy with schoolwork that she’s missed out on sleepovers, trips to the mall with friends, going to dances and dating but her last summer before college she’ll get the chance to catch up on having some fun. Auden’s dad is now living in a small beach town and has invited Auden to visit and get to know his new wife better and introduce her to her new little sister. Auden can’t imagine having a good time visiting with Heidi and a new baby but she’s also having a hard time being around her mom so she packs her bags and heads out to her dad’s.
Once in the beach town she’ll find that a lot of her preconceived notions about her dad, his new wife and the people that live in the beach town were just wrong. Her dad is so focused on his writing, or at least seems to be, he often neglects his family. Heidi is actually not the twit she was expecting but a business woman in her own right who is just trying her best to build a relationship with Auden. And, when Auden meets some of the local girls while she works at Heidi’s boutique she finds out that just because you enjoy shopping doesn’t mean you may not enjoy other things in life, like reading, school, etc.
Auden’s biggest risk though is learning to trust Eli. Eli has become the town’s loner after a tragic accident but somehow around Auden he feels like he can be with another person again. Together the two go out on midnight drives, experiencing life.
I thought the author did a good job of showing us how distant Auden was from most people and the transformation she goes through as the novel progresses. While I was hoping for a bit more of an emotional pull, I still cared enough to hope what happened to Auden and Eli in the end. It was a bit predictable but nevertheless a fun YA read.
Source: Library Copy
Glad you enjoyed the book, Iliana. I have not read any of Dessen’s books yet, but I think I do have a few copies in my pile. I look forward to reading them soon. 🙂
I haven’t read and Dessen yet, but I do have two books in my collection. Just need more time to read them!
I see Dessen everywhere, but have always thought they might be too light and predictable for anything but a beach read.
I’ve heard good things about this author and will have to look for this book. I think my library has some of her work in our YA collection–must go check the shelves!
It sounds like this is not one of Dessen’s best. The one I read, Just Listen, was anything but predictable or light (and I wouldn’t recommend reading it on the beach unless you don’t mind public crying!). Now I know where NOT to go next.
Sounds like a nice read for out by the pool this summer. I love that the girl is named Auden!
This sounds like a good YA summer read. Great review 🙂
Melody – I could have sworn that Dessen got on my radar after reading one of your posts! Maybe it was a teaser tuesday or something like that. The book was cute although I was sort of expecting something more along the likes of Laurie Halse Andersen.
vivienne – I would like to read something else by her. I do think I sort of went in with very high expectations so I didn’t find it as great but it was a fun, fast read.
Sandy – I think the author sort of tries to show us characters going through very trying times but somehow the book didn’t pack that gut-wrenching kind of read I’ve seen in some other YA books. So yes, a bit light.
Danielle – She seems to be quite a favorite. I read a couple of reviews that mention this one wasn’t one of her best books so I’m curious to try others.
Nymeth – Now, see I sort of expected this to be like that one! I definitely want to read Just Listen. I think she can write a good entertaining story but I want a bit more depth.
Kathleen – Oh yes, this would be the perfect beach read. I know, the name was one of my favorite things 🙂
bookworm – The cover also puts my mind in a summer mood! 🙂