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Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Though their friendship may be tested by the strain, like a true friendship, it will endure.
Halley's junior year of high school includes the death of her best friend Scarlett's boyfriend, the discovery that Scarlett is pregnant, and Halley's own first serious relationship.
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."
Truth_about_4ever_3
Posted April 16, 2009
THis book captured me the second i started reading it! it is so realistic and could happen to people in high school. I definetly could relate to it in some ways and it made me realize some things about myself i didnt know! such a good book i read it about 4 times!
21 out of 25 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 22, 2008
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The protagonists are comprised of two best friends; one outgoing person and one introverted person. Such is the case with dynamic Scarlett and quiet Halley. Scarlett would never push Halley out of the way, but Halley is more than happy to be the girl in the background or off to the side. Her life is relatively okay at home and at school, and she doesn't really drift far from either place.
Most friendships have some kind of balance, some give-and-take, but this usually goes unnoticed until something upsets that balance. Tragedies suddenly make things shift and scatter. In Someone Like You, Scarlett's boyfriend is killed in an accident. Shortly thereafter, Scarlett confides in Halley that she is pregnant. Now it's Halley's turn to be there for Scarlett, to be the strong one. Within all of the chaos emerges another boy, but this one has his sights set on Halley. Things keep changing, and Halley's not sure she can keep up with everything.
This book will be treasured by anyone who has had (or wished they had) a best friend with whom they shared their ups, their downs, their secrets, and their day-to-day routine. We should all be so lucky to have a friend be there for us as Halley is for Scarlett.
The only downside one might consider is the drinking, the death of michael due to a tragic motorcycle crash and perhaps the unwed motherhood aspect.
15 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 20, 2009
There are some books in life that you can remember, whether it be a short, fleeting chapter, or perhaps a line. Someone Like You is a great example of that. You won't be able to forget the heartwarming characters, Scarlett and Halley, as they experience an event in high school that should be rare but is in fact very common. When Scarlett's boyfriend dies in a motorcycle accident, she and Halley mourn together. But then Scarlett finds out she is carrying his child, and decides to keep the baby. She turns to Halley for support, and after years of being supported by Scarlett, Halley agrees to stand by her best friend, for better or for worse.
During all this, Halley meets a mysterious boy with a reputation, Macon. She falls in love with him, and agrees to see him in private, despite her mother's wishes. Halley and Macon enjoy each other's company, but because he is never in one place for long, always traveling and seeing his other friends, Halley grows suspicious. She confronts him, wanting to know why he never really introduces her to his friends, wanting to know if he is embarrassed by her. Macon says no, but Halley is still hurt. She begs him to take her along to a New Year's party at his friend's house, which she accepts. But the events that occur there are events that will change both of their lives' forever...
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 2, 2010
This book was extremely disappointing, i honestly expected so much more from this book i didnt think that it would end the way it did.
i'm glad with the ending but the whole time i was reading i was bored finished n 4 days it didnt grab my atention i was waiting for it to get better but it never did.
6 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Someone Like You was a very good book. It really explains what high school and just what being a teen is all about. Except, not all teens get pregnant in high school. This book is about two girls who have been best friends ever since they first met. Halley has always been they quiet one, but Scarlett is braver and more outgoing. Scarlett has always been there for Halley whenever she happened to need her and she has always known what to do to make things better. But this time I don't think Scarlett can handle this one on her own. At the beginning of their junior year Scarlett's boyfriend is killed in a motorcycle accident. Later on, after the funeral, Scarlett finds out that she is carrying her boyfriend's baby. For the first time Scarlett really needs Halley's help. Now Halley has to learn how to be strong for Scarlett. It will be hard, but she can't let her friend down now. This book was very well written and is very dramatic at times. You will want to see what happens next. Once you pick it up you really will not want to put it down. I would definitely recommend this book to other people. Sarah Dessen's books are very popular with young adults, but this one is interesting for anyone who reads it!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 22, 2010
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"Someone Like You" was an absolutely fantastic read that greatly portrays the powers of love and friendship. Love between friends, romantic relationships, and family. Halley Cooke and Scarlett Thomas have been best friends every since Scarlett and her mother had moved across the street from Haley's family five years ago. The girls were about to start their junior year of high school. However, a devastating event created a mark of melancholy in the girls' summer vacation when Scarlett's boyfriend, Michael Sherwood, died in a motorcycle accident. Previously, Halley's mother, a therapist, had sent her to a Sisterhood Camp in the Grand Canyon. But when Halley received Scarlett's news, she immediately returned home to comfort her best friend. During the first few weeks of school, more news was gathered when Scarlett found out that she was pregnant with Michael's baby. While Scarlett's world seems to be spinning, Halley deals with conflicts of her own. Her mother does not approve of her new boyfriend Macon. But regardless of her opinion and attempts to keep them apart, Halley still pursues her relationship with Macon. However, soon their relationship hit bumpy roads. The two girls search for comfort in each other as they carry themselves across the bridge from their adolescent years to adulthood. A major theme that this novel definitely falls under is that the power of friendship can pull you through the hardest times of your life, no matter what the obstacles may be. Halley and Scarlett had to face numerous gigantic obstacles which they faced and pulled through together. Another theme is that love is found everywhere and comes in all shapes and sizes and affects people in a variety of ways. Halley's mother's love for Halley drove her into making decisions that she believed were best for her daughter. Scarlett's love for Michael led her to happiness, but also to her pregnancy. Scarlett and Halley's love for each other gave them the strength to carry on in times of despair when it literally seems like nothing is worth the effort of enduring. They gave each other the encouragement and support they both needed. "Someone Like You" consists of a brilliant plot, and well-developed characters. Many readers can easily relate to at least one of the events in these girls' life. The events in this book could easily happen to any teenager. Although the ending seemed to be a slightly scattered and lacked a sense of closure, overall this book was a terrific read and was too captivating to put down.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 25, 2011
I read this book for a book report we had to read it in 1 month and every week we had to read a certain amount of pages and i finshed the book in 1 week and i still had the rest of the month to go...its so good i couldnt stop reading....amazing book about friendship and you have to read it i LOVE this book
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 11, 2009
If your looking for a good book to read really look in to this book. It was the best book like ever!!!
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 29, 2008
Scarlett and Halley have been best friends forever. Scarlett always the more outgoing one while Halley is quiet and ¿innocent¿. They have always helped each other get through the hard times, but will Halley be able to help Scarlett this time. Scarlett's summer boyfriend died in a tragic motorcycle accident then Scarlett finds out she, at age 16, is carrying his baby. Through this thrilling Sarah Dessen book, you will see Scarlett and Halley's journey through motherhood. During the book, Halley finds the man of her dreams named Macon. He loves her, well at least she thinks he does, he treats her right, and he will do anything for her. Her parents think he is a bad influence on her by the way he acts and how he drives. She fell all over him until Macon tried to do the wrong things to her. It was the last straw when Macon left Halley in the hospital after an awful car accident. In the end, will Scarlett follow her gut and have the baby, or will she regret it? Will Halley ever find the spark that was in Macon? Will Halley's parents trust her again? Someone like you is a book you never want to put down. There is always something happening that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. I would recommend this book to all teen-young adult girls looking for an amazing book. I rate this book 5 stars without a doubt!
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 23, 2009
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i have read many of Dessens books and i'm sorry to say that this was not her best. Sure, it was good, i laughed and cried and you could really relate to halley, but i just felt unsatissfied when i finished it. it was a good book and i'm sure lots of people would like it, it just wasnt one that i am always going to love and remember.
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 5, 2008
so this summer my friend was reading the twight series and i have to say write when i opened that book i was confused when i first started reading some one like you i thought wow this story is so real that really does happen to teens like me i got so into the book i finished it in one day and went back to the store to buy another one of sarah dessens books i love them!!!!
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 25, 2001
This book was the best book I ever read! Sarah Dessen is a wonderful author for young adults. I had to read this book for a report in school and I didn't want to put it down. I just kept reading it and reading it. It was so sweet and entertaining.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 31, 2012
I loved it! The book had a great conflict, and im only 13.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2012
So you're 12. Um...well i think u could read it cuz i'm 11 and i just finished it a week ago. There arent really any inappropriate parts in it. I mean, theres one part mear the end, where they begin to do something....inappropriate, but it doesnt happen. At first you'll think its going to be inappropriate, but then its not rite away. Hope i helped!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 28, 2011
When i started reading this book i thought i wouldnt like it. But i was wrong this is one of my favorite books ever. It is so realistic i can allmost relate to Halley. So if your looking for a good book read this one i read it in about 4 days. Sarah Dessen is a great author.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 27, 2011
This was such good book, once u start reading u can put thr book down. I give this book 1000 stars!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 25, 2011
Lovee it sooooo amazing
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 21, 2011
I love this book! Absolutely adore it! This is one of my favorite books i have read so far, at first i just picked it out because the summary sounded good, but after i read it, i'm actually wishing she wrote a sequel! This book is so good i never wanted to put it down, i read this book every chance i got and finished it in less than a week!I would recommend this book to any teenagers that enjoys drama and fiction novels, also something with a scenerio they can relate to!
Im seriously in love with this book,I'm going to read it again next year an the year after that, it's just that good. (normally i don't read book over because i already remember the problem and solution)
To wrap it up, i loved this book and HIGHLY recommend it to teenagers!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 23, 2011
Of course I had not realized there was a prequel, but the book filled me in well. It was slightly predictable and every now and then I found myself disagreeing with their decisions. However, great book! Hard to put down and will stay with you for a while.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 20, 2011
I loved the book so much. It was very intresting and i just couldn't put the book down. It was so addicting. I really dont like reading books at all. But this book really caught my attention and the book was very realistic and many teens nowadays can really relate to the problems and situations presented in this story.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Though their friendship may be tested by the strain, like a true friendship, it will endure.
Halley's junior year of high school includes the death of her best friend Scarlett's boyfriend, the discovery that Scarlett is pregnant, and Halley's own first serious relationship.