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Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.
Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.
Ginny Blackstone returns for another delightfully madcap adventure in Europe in this follow-up to Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes (2005). Seemingly out of nowhere, Ginny receives an e-mail containing a scanned copy of the never-opened 13th and final letter from her deceased aunt, stolen along with her backpack while she hopped from country to country in the first novel. The person in possession of the letter instructs her to respond if she's interested, leading her back to England, where she gets another chance to see her not-boyfriend Keith, with whom she has a relationship that they've agreed is "kind of something." Inevitably, they embark on another trip encompassing France, Belgium, Holland and, eventually, a messy, drunken New Year's Eve in Ireland, though this time with the addition of two new, not altogether welcome traveling companions. Ginny's narrative, told in an intelligent, third-person voice, establishes her firmly as a sympathetic, often hilarious everygirl, whose efforts to understand herself and who she'd like to be are fraught with moments both romantic and heartbreaking. Johnson's skill in creating secondary characters that are unusual, realistically flawed and utterly believable is again on display here. While there are no big surprises in this oft-told story of a teen's growth through travel and new relationships, this is an appealingly smart and honest read that fans of the first will find deeply satisfying. (Fiction. 12 & up)
ReadergirlReviews
Posted Thu Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I always enjoy the idea of someone who has passed on leaving behind a set of instructions, letters, tasks or gifts for a loved one still alive. Loved it in P.S. I Love You (awesome movie. If you haven't seen it yet, what's wrong with you?) I also love the concept in Maureen Johnson's The Last Little Blue Envelope. She brings such a neat new perspective to the concept, where Ginny's Aunt Peg has left a series of letters for her that send her on adventures through Europe.
This time, Ginny's last letter, which she thought lost, is found by an English boy named Oliver. The adventure begins again, with some old friends returning, and a new one, Oliver, there to stir up trouble and feelings. I loved Ginny! She was such a fun character to read because she was independent, smart, and determined to follow her aunt's instructions to the end of the journey and its rewarding conclusion. Oliver was a bit harder to figure out. At first, his motives for what he does seem not so very honorable, until much later you find out what the true motives are. I had guessed along the way that Oliver probably had a good reason for what he was doing, and as romance began to bloom between Oliver and Ginny, I found myself convinced that he was a great guy. The romance between the two was sweet, although I could have stood to see a bit more development on this aspect. It was pretty late into the book before things really start to take off, so it didn't leave a whole lot of time left to really see their relationship grow. So Ginny's final decision, while nice and what I would have wanted, didn't make as much sense.
I haven't read the previous book, but this one intrigued me enough that I will definitely be picking up a copy. I enjoyed Maureen Johnson's straightforward writing style and had fun reading this book and following Ginny's adventures. All in all, a satisfying read.
17 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Balina
Posted Thu Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I Also Recommend:
What a book! l loved it!
11 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 2011
Good way to end the book. It was great to finally get to know what the last letter contained (although, it seems ultimately to not have been the point). Takes care of the loose ends from the previous book, and managed to not bog down the book with recaps from the previous. Definitely recommend for anyone adventurous, or anyone who wishes they were.
10 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.After reading the free drida selection with the first book i had to buy the second one. I Absolutely love her books. You have a new fan!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jun 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOOOOOOOSOSOSOSO MICH it is amazing but u must read the first book first CANNOT READ OUT OF ORDER loved it and i like oliver more than keith
Keith is totally uncool for doing what he did to her but i cant tell u cause im not a spoiler ;) <3
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Dec 22 00:00:00 EST 2011
A fabulous continuation of the story from the first book. These stories inspire me to have an adventure of my own. A fun, inspiring, cute and lively story. Get ready to curl up with a cup of tea and read this book from start to finish!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat May 07 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I bought this after getting the 13 Blue Envelopes free. Good read.
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jun 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I read the first book and fell in love with it. It was just so good i could not stop reading. You MUST read this and the first book there sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu May 12 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I am an adult who traveled Europe with my friends when I was in my early 20's and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did notice that it was recommended both for 9 to 12 and teens. This is definitely NOT a 9 to 12 read, only for one passage, but it is not appropriate for a 9, or a 12 year old to read about a girl being felt up by a boy and making the decision that it shouldn't go further. Makes me question who is making these recommendations.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue May 08 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I Also Recommend:
This is a must read! Favorite book! Read the first book first so you get the whole story :) Also my favorite author!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue May 08 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I really enjoyed the characters and style. The author did a great job of keeping me engaged and wanting to find out what happened next.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I loved the book!!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Mar 30 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I really enjoyed the first book, and this one did not disappoint! Like others have said, it answers some questions and ties up loose ends! If you liked the first one, which you should read first, then you'll like this one! It would be nice to know what happens to Ginny after this book!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Oct 24 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOVE THIS BOOK I LOV THIS BOOK
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jul 19 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Ok so .. this isnt really age appropriatre for kids or cchildren under the ages of 12 or13 because of ginnys romance i the novel. But otherwise its i well written and a little dragged out. Please dinttt tell me theres 3 books omg. Read mazerunners instead. Fast paced series tht keeps you on the edge of your seat. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jul 11 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I loved t the first one
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jul 09 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I honestly didn't expect the book to be this good, but it was fantastic. It had some very unexpected twists that left me happy and a little sad at the same time. It was definitely worthwhile because it was more than a good plot, it was a story with feeling (XD I am so cheesey). Read it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jun 27 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Is this the first book
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I really enjoyed this book and think its great as a coming of age story. I liked how everthing ended from the earlier book. Thought it was overall great.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Heaven on earth.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.
Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. ...