This was a book I’ve been meaning to reread for a loooong time. And it held up!! It’s still officially one of my favorite Sarah Dessen books. I wish YA were still this good, I might still be reading it if it was. Also, A on audio. All her books really translate well into audiobooks. ( )

It's not my favorite Sarah Dessen but it is still really good! Nate is a good typical boyfriend with the lovely, wild Ruby counterpart. ( )

This story was well-written and fast paced. It kept me turning the pages. However, I expect I'll have completely forgotten it in a few weeks. The plot was light and predictable and so were the characters, which is fine for a quick, fun read. I did think Ruby's mother was well-done and was sorry she didn't appear more prominently. The relationship between Ruby and her mother had depth unlike her other relationships from this part of her life which I felt were sidelined far too easily (even though Ruby does make a couple of half-hearted attempts to reconnect with her old friends). But while I thought the Ruby/ mother dynamic worked well, I found the Nate/dad relationship totally unconvincing. Besides, I couldn't work out how the dad was in financial hardship since there seemed to be a huge demand for his services and business was so successful that poor Nate was working round the clock. ( )

Wonderful.
And hits too close to home for me.
Such a hopeful thing. Loved every moment.

There's a character from [b:This Lullaby|22205|This Lullaby|Sarah Dessen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397779294s/22205.jpg|132402], which makes it feel bigger and wider. Feels like a solid link between two wholes, somehow.

Outstanding book.
It made me think.
About various things.
Things like home and family and death and loss. Beginnings and Endings and everything in between.
That's what good books are all about. That's what I think. ( )

Ordered from BAMM 1/25/08. ( )