What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Title: What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published: May 10, 2011 by Penguin Young Readers Group
Pages: 416/Hardcover
Source: Bought


Summary: In the past two years, Mclean Sweet has moved four times. At each stop, she assumes a new persona, but it never quite works. Whether she's an effervescent cheerleader or an intense drama queen, nothing can permanently dispel the turmoil and rage at her mother since her parents' divorce. Sarah Dessen's novel about a teenager and her restaurant manager father captures the vulnerability that young people often experience after the dissolution of their family. A compelling story; strong characterization; and with a touch of romance.


Review: Oh how I love you, Sarah Dessen. As always Sarah Dessen has written a book that tackles some tough issues while still making it fun. Her characters are as interesting and real as ever, and the plot is well developed and engaging.


The main issue in What Happened to Goodbye was that Mclean was trying to fin herself. She doesn't know who she really is and therefore hides behind different personas in every new town. As always with her characters, Dessen has made a cast that is realistic and easy to connect with. People will be able to relate to Mclean because she knows she's not perfect and that's why she feels the need to hide who she is. Deb was my favorite character by far. She was so funny and sweet and pretty much just filled with overall awesome sauce. Dave was the standard Dessen boy. He had a bit of a rough past, but nothing he couldn't get over with the help of Mclean!


I've heard a lot of people say that this book follows the "Sarah Dessen formula" and it really does so it's predictable, but it's still oh so wonderful. One thing that Dessen does frequently in her books is incorporate characters from past books, and I love this. I love seeing where those characters ended up and it's always fun to go back and see where they were. 


What Happened to Goodbye is another amazing book by Sarah Dessen. It may be predictable, but as long as Dessen keeps writing books she can be as predictable as she wants. The characters are great and the story is new and fun.  


More Books by Sarah Dessen
The Truth About Forever
Just Listen
This Lullaby
Lock and Key
Along for the Ride
Someone Like You
Dreamland
Keeping the Moon
That Summer