When It Happens

This is a really cute story! I love when books have alternative point of views, and I can't think of any two better people to read about than Tobey and Sara. This is also the first Susane Colasanti, and I love how her words just flow together. From page to page, it's like a song.

“I'm thinking that it might actually be possible for things to work out sometimes. Definitely not everything and maybe not the way you imagined. But sometimes, when you least expected it, life surprises you.” -When It Happens

Reader reviewed by kathy

The book is told from two different perspectives: Sara (the smart, good girl who wants a to find a real relationship) and Tobey (the musician that slacks off in school and who wants to date Sara).
Of course, the couple starts out not knowing each other that well but it doesn't stop them from wanting to be bf/gf. The story had lots of interesting surprises and a lot of funny unforgettable moments.
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti is a great read. I recommend this book to whoever wants to read about an interesting romance between two high school kids who are madly in love for the first time.
My overall rating for this book is a 5. I really did think that it was a great book. Although the endind kind of disappointed me because i didn't want it to end.

Susane Colasanti is for sure one of my favorite authors. Look out for her books. Including: When It Happens, Take Me There, and Waiting for you.

Reader reviewed by BellaRoo

 

Sara and Tobey are both looking for that special someone that will make their hearts beat.

 

Sara seeks a guy that has all of the qualities she is looking for and believes them to be in Dave, a cute boy who caught her eye in a Junior assembly. Dave hasn't contacted Sara all summer even though he asked for her number. Then one day in the cafeteria Dave asks to sit with Sara and her friends.

 

Tobey is a musician. He can't wait to enter Battle of the Bands with his best friends. Junior year Sara caught Tobey's eye in art class and all summer he has been working out to improve the way his arms look as he plays his guitar. Tobey convinces Sara's best friend to switch partners in music class so that he can be partners with Sara.

 

As Sara and Dave's relationship begins to grow she comes to realize that Dave is not what she perceived him to be. Dave has done some very unpleasant things that Tobey has witnessed. Tobey also has a few skeletons of his own and when they are let out he might just lose his chance with Sara.

 

For anyone who is a fan of Dessen will be sure to love any of Colasanti's books. The book is written in alternating views of Sara and Tobey, allowing the reader to think like the characters and better relate. Colasanti creates realistic characters that have all the same motivations as teenagers in their final year of high school have.

Reader reviewed by Erica

When It Happens
By: Susane Colasanti
Pages: 310
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Puffin (May 1, 2008)

Rating: 5 stars

At the start of her senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things in his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. A popular jock named Dave, though, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her - like why she loves the Lloyd Dobler boom-box scene in the movie Say Anything....Can a slacker rock-star wanna be win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

Hilariously and movingly told through Tobey's and Sara's authentic voices, Susane Colasanti's debut novel sizzles in its portrayal of two young people searching for the one.



Ok, this is one of my favorite books! I just love it, it's so cute. The plot is great, and is your typical high school setting.
Susane Colasanti adds so much more to the story by writing in alternating perspectives, it gives you insight to both characters instead of just one. The characters themselves are real, and represent all corners of the social scale in your high school. Tobey's the slacker whose character is just adorable, but at times seems a bit desparate. Then Dave the average high school jock with big head and then there's Maggie and Laila too. Personally I love Maggie. Her character is not necessarily totally unique, but just adds something to the story. Then there's Sara who is just looking for that someone who they can find true love. I'm a huge sucker for romance.

I'd definately recommend it to everyone!

Reader reviewed by katie

When I started reading this book i couldn't stop putting it down. I literally read it in a day. It is cute and Susane Colasanti really understands high school; REAL teen life. You get the drama, the romance, the frustration. Everything that just screams HIGH SCHOOL. The book is written in two perspectives so you get to know the inner most thoughts of the opposite gender. If your a girl, you get to know what a guy was really thinking and vice versa. You realize that when it comes to love, everyone is equal. It's just an absolute fun read.

Reader reviewed by The Book Girl

Sara has the perfect boyfriend: Dave is funny, smart, unbearably kind, and popular. What more could she possibly want? So Sara is pretty surprised when she cant get slacker boy Tobey out of her head. And it's pretty obvious that he is thinking about her too. What's a girl to do? How can you tell if you've found something real?

Susane Colasanti's debut novel is one to be remembered. It's a playful high school romance that explores first true love and what you'd do to get it. Told from the perspectives of both Sara and Tobey, it gives an insight to the different character's actions that you don't get with just one PoV. Sara brings the role of responsibility and brains to the story. Tobey's competely opposite character, of the laid back, carefree musician, balances hers perfectly. When it Happens explores the fine line of who you are vs who people want you to be toward the beginning and the pressures of knowing when youre ready to take your relationship to the next level.

The use of different fonts to differ between each person helps to keep things organized. The characters are very well developed to the point where you feel like you know them. They're funny, but not unreasonably so, and nothing about the text feels forced. The dialogue is completely realistic to a high school setting and makes the story flow. All around an amazing novel!

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Its both Sarah and Tobeys senior year of high school. Saras got everything planned out: shes going to attend NYU after she graduates. And shes all set to go with her stellar grades. Tobey on the other hand doesnt plan on attending college. He figures hell win Battle of the Bands and move onto greater things than school. But there is one thing hes sure on: making Sara fall in love with him.

When It Happens was a cute and funny story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Sara and Tobey have the perfect kind of romance that everyone wishes they had. Susane Colasanti understands teen emotions well, especially those of the smart girl and the music junkie. The plot flowed smoothly, and I really liked the alternate narration between Sara and Tobey. If this novel had one flaw, it would be that the story was too perfect, which made it unrealistic. I know I was wondering if everything in this story continued to be this perfect when they started college.

If youre looking for a light, fun, and enjoyable story, When It Happens is the novel for you. Im definitely going to check out Susane Colasantis next novel, Take Me There.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com