Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Jocelyn

I had heard of Sarah Dessen, but never read one of her books before. My next paycheck is now going to amazon.com, and then I'll be getting a shipment of Sarah Dessen books in the mail. This book was that good!
It's a story about Scarlett and Haley. They have been best friends ever since Scarlett moved in across the street from Haley, and moved over on the steps of her house to make room for Haley to sit down. They've always been there for each other.
Scarlett has always been the strong one, the one that Haley can depend on. Now, though, Scarlett is the one who needs Haley.
Scarlett's boyfriend, Michael, died in a motorcycle accident on a summer day. Haley was at summer camp, but, when called at midnight by Scarlett, rushed home as quickly as she could. There was more to it than that, though.
After Michael's death, Scarlett discovers she is carrying his baby. It was her first time, the day before Michael died, and now she is sixteen and going to be responsible for another life.
She's not going to give the baby up, though, despite her mother's orders. She and Haley, with some help along the way from Michael's best friend and Haley's love interest, Macon, are going to deal with this the best they know how. Weird food cravings, moodiness, and the "pregnancy bible" become part of their daily lives, and no matter what happens, they're going to see this through, together.
This book was brilliantly written. I read it in one sitting; the pages seemed to turn themselves! The hours flew by, seeming like minutes, as I immersed myself in Sarah Dessen's story of two ordinary (or extraordinary) teenage girls, and their not entirely unfamiliar lives, brought to life by an amazing writer. The characters were all so well thought out and well developed, they seemed as real as anyone I know. The plot, while not the most original ever (but, really, are there any original ideas left anymore?), was brought to life by an amazing writer.
I highly reccomend this book to anyone, even if you think it's "not your thing." You'll love it!