Review Detail

Remy knows from her mothers many failed marriages that
happily-ever-after does not exist and that the best relationship is a
temporary fling, which is exactly what she needs for the summer before
college. Until Dexter literally crashes into her. He is everything she
dislikes in a guymessy, gangly, and a musicianbut he is also
relentless and she cannot shake him off.  Suddenly none of her previous
relationship rules applies and Remy finds herself wondering if the
summer fling she so wanted is even possible anymore.

Remy is a character that, if done incorrectly, can become extremely
irritating. She is confident, accomplished, and has seen it all. People
refer to her as a cold-hearted bitch, which she takes pride it in. You
can call her cynical, but she no doubt sees herself as realistic. Such a
self-assured character is very difficult to portray and Dessen does it
well, by not going too over the top with the cynicism and blending in
some vulnerability that readers can identify with when they read about
how witnessing failed relationships has shaped Remys view of life. She
is a three dimensional character who, though is perfectly in control of
her life, is too afraid to take the risks necessary to connect with
other people. Dexter, on the other hand, is her complete foil, which is
probably why she finds it so hard to handle him. He is assertive,
impulsive, andunlike herbelieves in fairytale stuff like destiny. He
is not good-looking in the traditional sense, but his charisma is
overwhelming and seeps out of the pages. He dives headfirst into love,
something that Remy does not dare to do and that is what ultimately
makes her so attracted to him. Their relationship has an incredibly
awkward and tender feel to it, and Dessen skillfully uses it soften up
Remys otherwise harsh personality.

But this really is not a love story in the sense that the
relationship really is not the focus. While Remys relationship with
Dexter certainly is the catalyst for her character development, This Lullaby
as a whole is about Remy growing into herself, about her learning to
relax and take life as it is rather than continuously shielding herself
from it. Dessen has the setting down pat: the summer before going off to
college. This, in anyones life, is a monumental moment. It is a time
of change, a time of goodbyes and a time of anticipation. Remy, who will
be traveling all the way across the country, is leaving behind all that
she has known and even if she claims to be glad about it, the
uncertainty is still there. She struggles with her identity, of her
place in her mothers marriage, of her place as her brothers confidante
now that he has a girlfriend, and of her place with her own friends who
are surprised at the change she undergoes after she meets Dexter.
Ultimately, the romantic relationship matters little compared to whether
Remy can come out as a stronger person in the end.

This Lullaby is a slice-of-life story, a story of growing up
and learning that love exists, but requires a bit of pain and a lot
compromise. The writing flows and draws you in extremely quicklyI was
lost the minute I read the first line. Remys voice is dominant
throughout the entire book and resonates strongly within me, even though
I myself am not a control-freak with a chip on my shoulder. Her
insecurities and worries are understandable for someone with her
childhood and you just cannot help but root for her. This is a perfect
example of what good YA fiction should read like. It is a shame that
Sarah Dessen is one of the few authors who can pull it off.

Reprinted from my blog: www.reviewsrantsandramblings.wordpress.com