Along for the Ride

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More About This Book

Overview

This special edition includes all-new bonus material, including: ¥ Sarah Dessen's recollections of her own summers at the beach ¥ A playlist of the songs that inspired her as she wrote Along for the Ride ¥ A map of the town of Colby, where the book takes place

Editorial Reviews

John Schwartz
…a wistful narrative of a young woman's last summer before heading off to college…the satisfying ending will give many readers a lump in their throat.
—The New York Times
Mary Quattlebaum
Want a change from fictional neckbiters and backbiters? Welcome Auden West, a studious good girl about to be sun-kissed…Confiding and dry-witted, Auden's voice is like listening to your best bud while splitting a carton of Haagen-Dazs. Author Sarah Dessen beautifully captures that sense of summer as a golden threshold between past regrets and future unknowns, a time that shimmers with the sweet promise of now.
—The Washington Post
More Reviews (6) Fewer Reviews
Publishers Weekly

Studious good girl Auden, named for the poet, makes a snap decision to spend her summer before college at her father's beach house rather than with her mother, a professor whose bad habits include male grad students. Auden's parents divorced three years earlier, a split she's not yet over. Her remarried father has already produced another heir, a colicky baby named Thisbe (after a tragic figure from Shakespeare), with his young wife, Heidi, who owns a boutique. Feeling sympathy for stressed-out Heidi, Auden agrees to do the shop's bookkeeping, providing her with an instant social circle-the teenage clerks plus the boys from the neighboring bike rental, including hunky, wounded Eli. Both night owls, Auden and Eli bond when he coaxes her to experience childhood activities-bowling, food fights, learning to ride a bike-that her insufferable parents never bothered to provide. Auden's thoughtful observations make for enjoyable reading-this is solid if not "top shelf" Dessen: another summer of transformation in which the heroine learns that growing up means "propelling yourself forward, into whatever lies ahead, one turn of the wheel at a time." Ages 12-up. (June)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Booklist
Dessen has built a well-deserved reputation...[her] many fans...expect nuanced, subtle writing, and they won't be disappointed.
VOYA
Two years after her parents' divorce, Auden still feels that she could have prevented the break up. While Auden summers with her father and his new wife and baby, the hurt becomes more apparent—as do her parents' flaws. A year after local teen Eli's best friend, Abe, was killed in an auto accident in which Eli was driving, Eli still feels responsible even though it was not his fault. He has stopped doing things he loves, like championship biking. Auden and Eli literally bump into each other at the beach. Loners and insomniacs both, they begin spending their nights on a quest to salvage Auden's deprived teenage years, time spent studying rather than socializing. Working at her stepmother's store, Auden is drawn into the drama/life of co-workers Maggie, Esther, and Leah, and their friends. But as Auden and Eli become closer, Auden discovers herself emulating her father by distancing herself from Eli and her new friends. Dessen, queen of the intelligently written, thoroughly enjoyable novel about loners coming together, populates this novel with parents into whom one longs to knock some sense, teens who are smarter than their parents, and friends who are fun, loveable, and loyal. The subtheme of bike riding is a perfect ploy—especially because she never learned as a child—for Auden to grow. The juxtaposition of Auden's carefree older brother falling in love and settling down while Auden spreads her wings shows how people can change given the right circumstances. The dialogue is true to both adult and teenage language. The summer resort town setting is perfect. As with all Dessen's books, her latest is a must-have. Reviewer: Ed Goldberg
Children's Literature
Growing up in a divorced family, Auden never learned how to ride a bike. She became super focused on academics in order to appease her parents and was never really allowed to have a childhood. Because she studies all the time, she has no social life and even plans to spend her summer in-between high school and college reading ahead for her fall classes. But after getting a present from her highly social and carefree brother, Auden makes a sudden change of plans. Instead of spending her summer on academics, she decides to spend it at the beach with her dad, his new wife, and their new baby. Despite intending to spend the summer entirely free of work, Auden ends up helping her stepmother out by working in her kitschy, boardwalk boutique. There she begins to get a glimpse of the world of a normal teen—friendships, fashion, and even boys. Auden's chronic insomnia results in her befriending one boy in particular, Eli, a local bike celebrity. Eli's tragic past has turned him into a recluse and has kept him from bike riding for almost a year. Late at night, the two go on mini-quests to recapture Auden's childhood and in the process they gain much more. Dessen's complex characters and rich plot make this both an engaging and realistic novel. Not only will this novel appeal to readers looking for a quick and easy read, but also to those who insist on quality writing. Reviewer: Melissa Joy Adams
School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up

It's the summer before college and Auden goes to her father's house in the small coastal town of Colby for some well-earned R&R. Having no plans other than to preread textbooks for her first-semester classes at Defriese University, the would-be bookworm's solitude is quickly disrupted by Thisbe, her colicky new half sister. Strolling the boardwalk with a fussy baby and late night coffee runs at the Gas/Gro lead to chance encounters with the locals, whose main pastime revolves around Colby's bike park. Auden's curiosity is piqued by Eli, a bike-shop worker whose reserved, solitary nature seems to match her own. Her social sphere widens when Heidi, her sleep-deprived stepmom, asks for some bookkeeping help in her fashion boutique, and Auden is drawn into the circle of girls who work and hang out there, including Maggie, the clerk also bound for Defriese in September, and sidekicks Leah and Esther. Auden joins in on evening rituals of "store-going," eating junk food, and house parties while keeping her budding relationship with Eli to herself. Even Dessen's minor characters are multifaceted and interesting. Readers will be most absorbed by Auden and Eli's romantic friendship, the type soul mates are born of, played out in the bike shop, Colby's all-night Laundromat, and coffee shops. This summer vacation-themed story will be savored.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Kirkus Reviews
Auden missed childhood thanks to her parents' divorce, which she navigated with the gravitas of a 30-year-old. No bike-riding, no giggly sleepovers. Just schoolwork, college ambitions and relentless insomnia. In the summer before college, she spontaneously joins her dad, his 20-something wife and new baby at their oceanfront house, hoping to transform into someone who enjoys normal teenage fun: beach, boardwalk, bonfires and beers. Dessen reworks well-traveled terrain and creates a remarkably original story with realistic teen dialogue, authentic girl friendships and a complex underlying question: Can people really change? Taut, witty first-person narration allows readers to both identify with Auden's insecurities and recognize her unfair, acerbic criticisms of people. It's Eli, a fellow insomniac, with whom she connects, and together they tick off items on her kid to-do list (food fights, bowling, paper-delivery route) while the rest of the town sleeps. The spark between these two sad teens and the joyful examples of girl connectivity deepen this ostensibly lighthearted, summer-fun story, which offers up complex issues-the residual effects of divorce, acceptance of imperfect parents and lip-gloss feminism. (Fiction. 14 & up)

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780670011940
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 6/16/2009
  • Pages: 416
  • Sales rank: 151,535
  • Age range: 12 - 18 Years
  • Lexile: HL750L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 5.82 (w) x 8.52 (h) x 1.32 (d)

Meet the Author

Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and attended UNC-Chapel Hill. is the author of nine highly acclaimed and hugely popular novels, including Lock and Key and Just Listen.

Biography

Although she was born in Illinois, YA novelist Sarah Dessen has spent most of her life in Chapel Hill, NC. Both of her parents were professors at the University of North Carolina, where Sarah studied creative writing and graduated with a degree in English.

As far back as she can remember, Dessen has always wanted to write. She remembers churning out wildly imaginative stories on an old manual typewriter her parents gave her when she was eight or nine years old. So it was only natural that after college she would forego a "real job," choosing instead to support herself by waiting tables at a local eatery while trying to publish a novel. In 1996, just three years after graduation, she sold her first book, the witty, wry coming-of-age story That Summer. A second novel, Someone Like You, followed two years later. (In 2003, these two books were loosely adapted into the movie How to Deal, starring teen sensation Mandy Moore.)

Dessen claims she never set out to be a YA writer, but somehow her memories always bring her back to high school, a time and place that resonates strongly for her. Living in her hometown where she is still in contact with many childhood friends, she finds it pretty easy to get in touch with her "inner teenager." In addition, the books she read from that time have a special, magical staying power. She explains it this way on her website:

"[W]hile I couldn't tell you complete plots of novels I read even six months ago, I do remember even the smallest descriptive details from Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die or Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I think it was because back then books were still somewhat new to me, and when I found an author who seemed to say just what I was feeling, it really struck me and resonated. I hope that my books do that for the people who read them."
If one can judge from her growing fan base and continued presence on the bestseller lists, Dessen can safely say "mission accomplished."

Good To Know

Here are some fun facts about Sarah Dessen:

  • Most of Dessen's books are set in the fictional town of Lakeview and feature recurring locales and characters.

  • Dessen also teaches creative writing at her alma mater, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

  • Among her confessed addictions, Dessen counts the Gap clearance rack, Starbucks mochas, multiple magazine subscriptions, and a penchant for black pants.

  • Dessen sometimes waxes nostalgic about her days as a waitress. "It was a great job for a writer, " she says. "Endless conversations to eavesdrop, tons of material, and fast money without ever taking work home."

  • In Just Listen, the character of Owen Armstrong was named for the young protagonist in John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany, as well as for Lance Armstrong, one of Dessen's proclaimed crushes.

  • Concerning her "tendency to embellish," Dessen says: "I think it's just a weakness of fiction writers. Once you learn how to make a story better, it's hard not to do it all the time."

      1. Hometown:
        Chapel Hill, NC
      1. Date of Birth:
        June 6, 1970
      2. Place of Birth:
        Evanston, Illinois
      1. Education:
        University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, degree in English.

    Customer Reviews

    Average Rating 4.5
    ( 1004 )

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    See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 1011 Customer Reviews

    • Anonymous

      Posted June 17, 2009

      Along For the Ride is definitely my favorite Sarah Dessen book...

      I have never felt more emotion in a book, I was sometimes actually laughing out loud, to being frustrated with the characters.What really broke my heart is what they decided to name the bike shop.I was literally in tears!

      This book teaches us to do go out there and try things we are not used to.And if we don't get it right the first time there is always a second chance and so on.And that we shouldn't miss out on opportunities even though they don't seem like that big of a deal.

      I relate to this character more than I have to any other character, because I have missed out on a lot of adventures myself. From not going to parties or having boyfriends, but what I loved about this character is she couldn't ride and bike and I'm ashamed to admitted it, but I don't know how either!After one scratch on the knee I was done...But maybe I'll give another try, because it's never too late.

      30 out of 31 people found this review helpful.

      Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

    • Posted June 23, 2011

      I Also Recommend:

      2940011300509

      Excellent

      Loved this one!

      29 out of 34 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted December 12, 2009

      Along For the Ride Review

      "Along for the Ride" by Sarah Dessen is about a girl named Auden who never had a real childhood. She always thought that her parents didn't have time to deal with her. Her mom is focused all on schoolwork, and makes sure that Auden always has the best grades. Her dad only cares about work and himself. The two differences in her parents caused a divorce, which Auden pretends she does not care about. Auden also never had any real friends. This all changes when she goes to visit her dad and his new wife and baby in a small beach town the summer before college. She finds a new job, new friends, and a romance. One of her new friends, Maggie, amazes Auden by how she is completely her own person. Also, Eli, a former bike star who was in an accident, helps Auden get back her childhood and do everything that she never could.
      This book has a very unique story. The characters are realistic and interesting. The setting is beautiful and has a warm feel to it. Also, the book has a specific plot and soulution. Definitely a teenage story. The only problem with this book is that the story line is very prdictable. Even though the story is unique, the reader is never very surprised.
      Tyler

      19 out of 22 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted June 21, 2009

      Amazing

      This was the first book that I have read by Sarah Dessen and it wont be my last. The characters were colorful and unforgetable and the plot keeps you wanting to read more and more. I recommend it for a relaxing read. It will keep your attention!

      18 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted June 23, 2009

      more from this reviewer

      I Also Recommend:

      9780142410974 9781416953555 9780142414729 9780142501559 9780142411551

      Ahmazing...

      This book was amazing just as her others are. It's about a girl Auden who is such a academic freak. Her parents divorce and she spends her sleepless nights alone. She then goes to live with her dad for the summer, and surprisingly to her she has a good time and finds new scary yet exciting experiences during her summer. New friends, and feelings. Sarah did it again! I highly recommend this book to all of you who like a good teen/YA novel. I actually recommend all of her books!! Especially "Just Listen", "Lock and Key", and "This Lullaby".

      8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted June 22, 2009

      more from this reviewer

      I Also Recommend:

      9780142414729 9780142501559 9780142406250

      Omg--definitely worth reading!!!

      Sarah Dessen is definitely my ALL TIME favorite author. This is definitely one of her best books yet. I just plain loved it. Don't stop reading it after the first two or three chapters. Just like every other Sarah Dessen book, it takes a while to get into it. But once you do, it's amazing. I totally loved it, staying out late with a guy you secretly like and running stupid errands, and doing stuff that you didn't get to do when you were a kid. Plus, finally finding some good girl friends to talk and hang out with. Oh my gosh, the end kept me on my seat the whole time wondering and wondering until i finally finished the book. Amazing. If you haven't yet, read this book. It will all be worth it in the end, I promise.

      5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted March 4, 2009

      more from this reviewer

      I Also Recommend:

      9780316160179 9780312360269 9780142406250

      Can't Wait!!!

      Like the title says I can't wait! Love all the other books by Sarah Dessen!!!

      5 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted June 18, 2009

      I Also Recommend:

      9780142410974 9780060850913 9780142406250 9780142411551

      She's baaack!

      I love Sarah Dessen. Ever since The Truth About Forever, I have loved her. I was not thrilled with Lock & Key but was amazed once again with Along for the Ride. I love how she intertwines her other stories without confusing anyone who hasn't read them. These characters are not only realistic, but relatable. I could not put this book down! It's a definite must-read.

      4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted September 2, 2009

      I Also Recommend:

      9781615597925 9781615564125 9780142414729 9780142401750 9781615564149

      A Great Summer Read

      Riding a bike is only one of the many things Auden's missed out on. Even before her parents divorce, she was cast in the role of little adult, never making waves, focusing on academics to please her demanding mother. Now she's spending the summer before college in the tiny town of Colby with her father and his new wife and baby. A job at the town's trendiest boutique gets Auden in touch with all the gossip. She feels out of place and lonely, especially at night when she hangs around at the local diner and convenience store. Then Auden meets Eli. During the time they spend together they embark on a quest. A quest to save Auden's childhood.

      3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted June 28, 2010

      I Also Recommend:

      9781615564149

      My opinion....

      I love Sarah Dessen, I think she is an amazing author. I love that you can always count on her for a happy ending and a small twist. I agree that her books have similar plots... but I think thats her signature. Taking a girl who doesnt really know who she is and finding herself through love. I like that the relationships in her books arent perfect but it makes it more believeable. I, personally love Sarah Dessen and this book was probably one of my favorites from her. Well, besides The Truth About Forever.

      2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted June 17, 2010

      more from this reviewer

      I Also Recommend:

      9781615564149

      One of the best books!

      Sarah Dessen is an amazing author! I've only read one other book by her and I loved it! Then after reading this book, I thought they tied. I love how I could imagine myself as the main character. Sarah Dessen makes you feel like your actually there as the character. Also, you can smell all of the smells and hear all of the sounds! They only bad thing about this book is that they haven't made a movie. I hope the make a movie. If you are a girl looking for a good summer romance book, this is a great choice. Buy it, check it out at a library, or borrow it from a friend... But you don't want to miss out on all the fun adventures you get to go through in this story! Get it!!!!!!

      2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted July 4, 2009

      I Also Recommend:

      9781416974475 9780142414729 9780142501559 9780061214677 9780316031844

      THE BEST SARAH DESSEN BOOK SO FAR!!!

      Ok before i give a summary of the book i have to say that i have read all of Sarah Dessen and this is THE BEST so far and thats saying a lot considering the fact that ALL her books ARE WONDERFUL!!!

      Any way you will instantly fall in love with this book i know i did! The characters were sooo intresting!!! I loved Eli's and Auden's characters and all the rest of the Colby gang like Adam, Maggie, Wallace, and Leah!!! And even thought his seems like a seriosu book its not its actually really funny, light, and in nooo way depressing.

      BEWARE SPOILERS ALERT!!!

      Along for the ride starts out as Auden the main character explains her life. Auden is very smart and she hasnt ever had much of a social life or a child hood due to the fact that her mother moves her to a different school every tiem she thinks her gardes are suffering. And to her mother suffering is gettin a B. Auden is 18 and has just graduated from high school, she lives with her mother. Her parents are divorced and her father has remarried and his wife, Heidi, is pregnanta and about the give birth to Auden's little half sister Thisby. Audens older brotehr Hollis, has been in Euroupe for the last 3 years just exploring and partying and baisically blowing off everything else. Auden plans on spending this summer like every other one studying for her next year of education.

      So when Auden gets an email from her step-mother Heidi to come and visit her father and half sister thisby in the small beautiful town of Colby she doenst think twice before saying no. But then Auden realzies this is just what she needs so she changes her mind and heads down to Colby. When she gets there she finds her step-mother extremley stresed out and tired from caring for Thisby. Which is very off for Heidi who is normally very stylish, organized, cheerful, and kind. So Auden takes a job at the store Heidi owns Clementines were very fashinoble cloths are sold.

      And during her first week in Colbys Auden meets Maggie a kind smart girl who like herslelf is going to Defriese college in the fall. But she at 1st does not get along with but later on becomes very good friends with along with maggies two best friends Leah and Ester. Auden also meets alll the guys who are her age who work at the bike shop across from Clementines and they are all total bike pros they are knwon for being great riders. There she meets Adam a nocefunny boy, Wallace Adam's best friends also a nice and humerous boy, Jake Stock a total jerk, and finally Eli Stock jakes older brother who has a tragic story.

      Eli is the manager at the bike shop and he lost his best friend Abe a fellow biker they had been inseperable friends since kindergarden but the year before when Eli and Abe were coming back from a biking gig a drunk driver hits there car and Abe is killed and Eli feels responsible because he was driving. So now Eli is who use to be funny, socail, and popular is npwanti social no loner talks to anyone ane baisically keeps to himself. But that all changes when he meets Auden one night as they both have a nocturnel habit they get talking and Eli decides to go on what he calls a "quest" for Auden to live the child hood she dint get so every night they go out on the a quest that ranges from bowling to a paper route. And ELi starts to get over Abe's death thanks to Auden

      2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted June 28, 2009

      I Also Recommend:

      9780142411551 9781416900313

      Great Book!

      I've read all of Sarah Dessen's books, and this is my favorite yet. I can't wait to see what she has in store for her next book.

      2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted June 19, 2009

      I Also Recommend:

      9781432724085

      Sarah Dessen is love

      The book Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen reminds me why I love the wonderful Sarah Dessen. True it's the same "formula" but it's the "elements" added that make Along for the Ride great. Okay fine the heroine's in her stories always have a problem and they discover their solution in some way towards the end but the problems differ entirely. None of her stories are the same. Her way of writing engages you into the story and its characters
      With Auden I find myself feeling like I know her and have been her. There is this naive or an almost childlike feeling to Auden that makes me relate to her, she's new to everything so to say. But give her a book to read or an essay to write and she can do those kinds of things. Academics define Auden. She never really related to girls her age, never had any real friends, but that all changes the summer she decided to stay with her father, his new wife, and newborn sister.
      Personally I think that the reason she "recycles" characters is because it's kind of an Easter egg for the long time readers. But if you're new to her stories then you don't miss anything. Also the message isn't only that you can't judge someone by their appearance. But something much more than that, such as if you're given a second chance then do something and don't let that chance pass by we shouldn't take them for granted. And secondly that people don't always stay the same but do in fact change; not always but there are those rare occasions. Auden learns this in one summer that will be known to her as: "The Best of Times."

      2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted April 13, 2012

      Best book ever

      This is seriously the best book i have ever read. I read it in 2 days, i couldnt put it down. It was amazing, i would read it over and over again. I suggest this book, its a great teen love story, being able to try new things with new people and not being afraid to in love. Love it.

      1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted April 11, 2012

      AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!

      I Could not put this book down! It puts you in a girls head who has been through alot,Its amazingly written,and shows ALOT of emotion.

      1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted March 7, 2012

      Stargazer

      Auden is at her dads house for the summer along with her new baby sister Thisbe, and her new stepmom, Heidi. She meets Eli and immediatly they both have the same thing in common......staying up late. They go out every night together and eli helps auden complete her quest.....she didnt have the normal childhood. Auden finds out that in life you just have to get back on the bike;)

      1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted February 23, 2012

      Loved it!

      I have read about 5 Sarah Dessen books, all in the past year. Each time I finish one I think "Wow. That one just might be my favorite." Then I recall the previous ones and can honestly say that I can't choose a favorite! I love them all so much. Every time I read one I would look at the dwindling amount of pages left to read and be like 'gosh, I need to read slower' just to get wrapped in even more! Then I'd finish the book and be sooo sad that it had to end! The characters are so relatable and i just get so attatched! And the boys.... if only all boys could be like the ones in Sarah's books. You just can't go wrong!!

      1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted February 15, 2012

      Speechless :)

      I adore how her books are all interlinked. A very sweet read, I enjoyed it immensely!

      1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted January 2, 2012

      AMAZING!!!!!!

      An amazing story about taking help and enjoying the journey that comes. With romantic interests and a compelling plot line and background I think this is one of Sarah Dessen's best!

      1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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