I’ve been reading all the Sarah Dessen books that I hadn’t gotten to and this... is not her best. I kind of feel like she phoned it in. It’s very formulaic.

It startled me a bit in the beginning with a school shooting being a part of the story (there’s no scenes of the shooting and the person recalling it was multiple states away when it occurred). This felt way out of Sarah’s norm and I was hopeful that this story would be unique and show her pushing herself a little. But then it reverted back to the same story of the same uptight, non-personality girl and the guy that is sickeningly nice but flawed. Once again, the best friend and side characters shined in this book (which is the one part I really really loved).

I didn’t get the appeal of Louna for Ambrose or Ambrose for Louna (or really anybody). Who wants to try a serious relationship with someone who cannot do serious? How is someone who flirts with every girl and wants to date everyone at the same time attractive?

I did like the familiarity of this book in the way that it felt homey— as in it reminded me of reading other Dessen books. But there wasn’t enough originality to push it into a LOVE category for me. It was very: insert mom with x career, insert main character facing a loss, insert boy who isn’t available but will be someday because the main character is just so special.

Just not this author’s best by any stretch.

( )

It's a solid Sarah Dessen book! Classic template and it just freaking works. ( )

Nothing truly exceptional. Likely won't reread.

Content:
some language, not a lot
MC had sex with a previous boyfriend
mentions school shootings
MCs godfather has a boyfriend ( )

It was good but I think it would of been beter if it was shorter. It is like a 3.5 stars. ( )

I liked it well enough - until the final unnecessary drama. Now I'm exasperated and annoyed.

I feel like the books are going downhill with Dessen. At least romance-wise.
I absolutely loathed Ambrose. The guy was so annoying I wanted to... ARGH!
There was no chemistry. At all.

I liked the wedding planner aspect and family interactions.
I think this story would have been better without romance in it.

FINAL VERDICT : FIND SOMETHING ELSE ( )