That Summer

Reader reviewed by Nikki

Ok,

That Summer by Sarah Dessen was her first published book.

I know this sounds picky but I don't like books with long paragraphs, I think they take much longer to read because you have to read so much more before you can stop. Now about the book.

The book was ok, it didn't really go anywhere or have much of a plot. To me it can be summed up pretty much like this; A girl's parents divorce, she looks for comfort in the past then learns that she can't live in the past. To me that what it pretty much was.

Reader reviewed by Ari

I loved this book, it really showed how even though we all feel we are grown up and understand our surroundings completely, we are still naive inside. To be completely honest I chose this just because I found out there was a movie based on two Sarah Dessen novels. Sad, I know. But Im glad I found this out because I loved this book. A friend and I were actually having a argument about Sarah Dessen's plots. She claims they never change and they constantly stay the same. I argued each one was different. This book proves that. Okay so granted a lot of Sarah Dessen books go, "Girl is independent, girl meets boy, girl struggles with boy, boy does something stupid, boy and girl are over." It didnt. Unless you want to do a lot of digging to prove taht it does youve just gotta face it, it doesnt. This book was amazing. I loved it and I found it a great way to spend my day. Im quickly racing through her books and just wait for more to be seen :)

Reader reviewed by mockock

This book is one of me favorite books i have read, it shows that the past is not always the future and you should always be greatful for what you have and how happy you were. Have is15 years old and her sister is getting married to a guy who is not at all her type.. but then haven finds her old boyfriend and he shows her what it was like when she was younger and had a happier life..what happens? you will have to read to find out..i would definently read this book.. it is happy all through out.. that is my type of book..it is yours?
with lots of love
girl with a smile:)

Reader reviewed by Randi

Can you imagine being only 15 and over 6 feet tall? Well thats what the main character of this book struggles through and her dad remarring another woman who he left her mom for. Its really hard for her so when her sister's ex boyfriend shows up, who was there and reminds her of the good old times, she can't help but keep herself away. You'll be shockd to find out he and her sister broke up in the first place!

Reader reviewed by Cowgirl

"That Summer" by Sarah Dessen, is about a girl who is about to face a lot of changes.  Her sister is getting married to a boring guy, Lewis, she meets up with her Sisters old boyfriend, she develops a new sense of courage, and she learns some life lessons. 

I enjoyed reading "That Summer" and was the first book by Sarah Dessen that I've read!  I will definatley be reading more!

Reader reviewed by Beautiful Devil

Sarah Dessen is such a good author. I relate to her books a lot even though some of the characters in her books are ten years older then me I still find something to relate to. My favorite book by her was That Summer. And it was her first book. Haven is a very strong girl and believes that love isin't real. And her mother has gone through a pretty bad devorse with her father(Mac McPhail), her father only sees her once a week and is getting married to (Lorna Queen) someone half his age and her sister Ashley is planning a wedding to boring old Lewis. How can Haven cope (at 15) with all this love stuff?

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

In her fifteenth summer, Haven is nearing six feet tall and feeling every bit as awkward as a fish out of water. That summer is particularly tumultuous for her: in addition to her embarrassingly rapid growth spurt, she also has to suffer through two marriages, her fathers remarriage and her sister Ashleys.

Its hard for Haven to see her father moving into a new life with his new bride, leaving her and her mother behind. Meanwhile, Haven thinks that Ashley is being too selfish with her impending marriage. But it is not only that. Ashley has always been pushing Haven away her whole life and acting like a pain. Wistfully Haven remembers the summer Ashley went out with Sumner Lee. He made Ashley loosen up and allowed Haven to get close to her sister.

All of a sudden, Sumners back being his usual comfortable, friendly self, taking Haven along for the ride. Hes just what she needs this summer, when she feels disconnected from everyone else. In a way, shes also secretly hoping that Sumner will help bring her and Ashley closer together, just like he did all those years ago.

But sometimes things arent always how Haven wants them to be. This summer, shell learn that people will let her down, but she can grow into her body, soul and all. It only takes one summer.

Sarah Dessen is a consistently impressive author, and her debut will not let anyone down. It has heart and realism, two things that many YA books nowadays are sorely lacking. Dont miss this rich story.

Reader reviewed by Kristen

Well, it was an okay book, completely packed with family drama and teenage break downs. I never did understand why Gwendolyn went crazy... or how Haven just got over her meltdown in a split second. In a perfect world, Haven would have been 17, and she and Somner would have ended up together in the end. The ending just didnt do it for me. I felt like the whole book just lead no where. Sarah Dessen is a great writer... but this is the first time one of her books just didnt do it for me...

Anyways, a quick summery. Haven's parents got a divorce a few years back. Now her dad just remarried a coworker, who ended up pregnant. In the same month her sister is moving out and getting married. Her best friend just came back from summer camp, and now she is a completely different person. Haven's mom is going on vacations and to parties with their new neighbor. And one of Haven's sister's ex boyfriends just got back into town. Haven feels left out. The only one without a friend to help her deal with any of this, or somewhere to run escape too. (I personally thought Haven WAS being a bit selfish (although, Ashley's was being a major brat about the wedding). I felt she needed to make her own life, do things her way, and go out and have fun. She just needed to stop blaming everyone for everything, because somethings just can't be helped)

Reader reviewed by Garden0fdreams

Overall, the book was interesting and catchy, like all Sarah Dessen books, but the romantic side of the novel didn't really catch my attention much and was a bit bland.

Reader reviewed by Brooke

That Summer, by Sarah Dessen, is about a 15-year-old girl named Haven, who's father is getting remarried and her sister is always getting married. The book is about Haven letting go of past myths and coming into her own terms.

I didn't really care for this book. It never caught my attention, it was a book that I just kept reading thinking it might get better... but it never did. I coudn't relate to any of the characters. Even if you liked the movie How to Deal, I wouldn't recommend this book.