This Lullaby

This Lullaby is a thoughtful coming-of-age novel that blends romance, humor, and personal growth in a way that feels real and easy to connect with. The story follows Remy, a girl who has built her life around the idea that lasting love does not exist. After watching her mother go through several failed marriages, she has decided that temporary relationships are safer than real commitment. That mindset is challenged when she meets Dexter, a messy, unpredictable musician who is almost the complete opposite of everything she thinks she wants.

Remy is one of the strongest parts of the novel. She is confident on the surface, but her confidence hides a lot of fear and vulnerability. What makes her interesting is that she is not written as a perfect or overly soft character. She is sharp, guarded, and a little difficult, but those traits make sense because of her background. Sarah Dessen does a great job of showing how Remy’s experiences have shaped the way she sees the world. Instead of making her feel one-dimensional, the story slowly reveals the insecurity underneath her control.

Dexter works well as Remy’s opposite. He is spontaneous, persistent, and full of warmth, which makes him hard for Remy to ignore. Their relationship is awkward, tender, and sometimes frustrating, but that is part of what makes it believable. It does not feel like a perfect romance. It feels like two people slowly affecting each other in ways they did not expect.

What makes this novel stand out is that it is not only about romance. At its heart, it is about Remy learning how to open herself up, trust others, and step into a new stage of life. The summer before college is the perfect setting for that kind of story because it naturally carries change, uncertainty, and the feeling of leaving one life behind for another. Remy has to deal with her shifting relationships, her future, and the fear that comes with growing up. Those emotional transitions give the book real depth.

The writing is smooth and engaging, and Remy’s voice is strong from the very beginning. Sarah Dessen captures her personality so well that the novel pulls you in quickly. The emotional honesty of the story makes it easy to root for Remy, even when she is at her most guarded.

Overall, This Lullaby is a strong YA novel about growing up, learning to trust, and realizing that love is not always neat or predictable. It is a great choice for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with realistic emotions and a meaningful summer setting.

I have read Sarah dessen before and loved her books! But this book I didn't like. I felt as if this wasn't a book meant for teens. There was under age drinking,lots of talk of sex. I just wasn't comfortable while reading. I only made it almost to the middle of book. :( .

This is my third Dessen book and it's the most relatable, so far.

It's a story about Remy, a girl who doesn't believe in love because she witnessed her mother getting divorced way too many times. Mum is planing to marry for the fifth time and Remy's had enough but she's still going to keep her mouth shut cause she's leaving for college in the fall. Dexter literally collides with Remy and he is ready to fight for her even though they just met. Soon they start casually dating but Remy knows there is no future for them.

Remy is one cool chick. She's 'the mother' of her family. Since she's a neat freak, she cleans the house, organizes her mother's every wedding and she even has a steady job junior year. Even though she doesn't believe in love she still hooks up with a lot of guys. She doesn't want a relationship. This all changes when she meets Remy who's clumsy, irresponsible, jokester and a musician. He has so many faults which would usually make Remy have 'the talk' with a guy but something is different with Dexter.

I did like Remy but I didn't like Dexter that much and that's the only bad thing I can say about this book. Dexter just wasn't unique enough for my taste. He was just like any other fictional boy. I was really surprised Dessen didn't do something more but with his character then again, maybe she wanted him to be more realistic, without too many embellishments.

Other than that, I would recommend reading this book to those who're for a perfect summer novel.

I like all of Sarahs books and this one is no exception.

I don't really read contemporary or general fiction type of books as i'm more of a paranormal kinda girl but whenever i see one of Sarah Denssen's books, i pick it up. her style of writing is different and not predictable and i love it.

Remy likes control and order in her world and when lanky, i'm in a band Dexter bumps her, she has some difficulty getting her bearing.
I didn't expect the outcome of this story and i liked it. The characters all have their on little story to tell just by their actions and i would have liked this to be a series.
One thing i got out of this book is this; don't be so scared of change, sometimes change is good.

This Lullaby just kept surprising me and surprising me. Through every twist and turn I thought I knew what was coming next, but then SURPRISE, no I didn't. The characters really got to me and I WISH with a power in me that even wishing wells would be surprised about, that this would turn into a sequel.

But, have no fear, because I think Sarah Dessen liked her characters for than usual as well because...they do come back! Yay! Not quite in a series, but in Just Listen they're hidden in there.

So once you're done with this book but are still suffering from your book hangover, read Just Listen.

I highly recommend this book. It is incredible which is no surprise. Sarah Dessen never seems to disappoint.

I have read all of Sarah Dessen’s book and they are all amazing and deserve a read from everyone.

Oh, this book was so good. The name Remy is freaking adorable, and then I see the name Dexter and I'm thanking Mrs. Dessen for even being alive. She always seems to write the most beautiful novels, with the same formula. But that's okay, it works. And she wrote the character Dexter, and I can only hope somewhere out there he is real!

Reader reviewed by Wiesteria

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

Reader reviewed by Jewelie Elsbree

From the very first time that Dexter spoke to Remy I absolutely knew I was in for a very romantic and thrilling ride!!! (Pardon the pun: Along for the Ride, another one of Sarah Dessen's beautifully awesome novels) This book was my first Sarah Dessen novel that I had read, and I was more than happy with the outcome of reading this first! I absolutely loved Dexter, and wonder to myself how Sarah creates such amazing guy characters that make all of us girls swoon!!! The plot itself was adoringly sweet and I loved the ending also!!! It is definitely a must read for all of you hopeless romantics out there!