What Happened to Goodbye - Book Review

Title ~ What Happened to Goodbye
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Sarah Dessen
Release Date ~ May 10, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Penguin Young Readers Group
Source ~ Bought

GOODREADS SUMMARY 

Who is the real McLean?

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

REVIEW 

McLean’s family moves A LOT. Each move means a new school. And with each new school, McLean starts over as a new person. She may be a drama queen, happy helper, cheerleader, or a know-it-all.  It seems like she has been every single teen cliche' that exists.  But on this most recent move something is different. Something that makes McLean start over as….McLean.

McLean’s father is a restaurant consultant. His current client is a restaurant named Luna Blue. Now here’s the coolest thing ever. As McLean is finding herself, so is Luna Blue. Their journeys of discovery, including steps backwards along the way, go hand-in-hand. Sarah Dessen does a fantastic job of working both story lines together in a sort of dance.  This is what makes Sarah Dessen books so delicious.  They have deeper meanings that whisper to you.

I really loved all the characters. McLean’s friends and her crush, Dave, are all very relatable. What I liked even better though, were the relationships within McLean’s family. After the scandalous divorce, her parents have moved on and McLean finds herself in the middle. I was most taken by the breakthroughs in McLean’s relationship with her mother.

This is my third Sarah Dessen book and I want to read them all.  Every single one of them. In fact, she could probably write a book every week and I would read every one. 

RATING 

5 Loved 

COVER COMMENTS 

It’s a classic Dessen white cover with mostly muted colors. I do like the pop of color that suitcase gives. This cover really captures the story of McLean moving so often.