As much as I adore Sarah Dessen, her first book is not that memorable a read. There's nothing about it that really sticks out. I don't care about the characters, the plot, anything, and that's a bad characteristic for a story to possess. A book is meant to grab and enthrall its readers, and this one fails at this vital task. I understand that Haven, the main character, is in a state of tumult in her life, but the urgency is never really communicated in the writing. There's so much pointless description and deadened conversation, none of it seems quite real. I suppose a younger teen who is just getting used to growing up might enjoy this book, but for teens 15+, I'd pick another Dessen novel.

Rating: 2/5 ( )

Haven is fifteen and her summer is turning out to be rotten. Opening with a view of her mother elbow deep in dirt gardening on the day Haven's father, a local sportscaster, gets married to the weather girl (not so fondly nicknamed "the Weather Pet" by Haven's mother) from his station, things are really not going Haven's way. Not only has her father re-married, but Haven's best friend goes away to camp and changes drastically, her sister's upcoming wedding is turning her into a terrible Bridezilla, and Haven herself feels like a freak thanks to her unusual height. When one of her sister's ex-boyfriends shows up, Haven latches onto him, thinking that the summer when Sumner was around was a golden time in their family. Alternating between her memories of that summer two years ago and the present summer, this is the story of a young girl facing major changes both outside of her control and within herself.

Dessen has nicely captured the pain and humiliation of being fifteen and her portrayal of Haven's longing for a past summer when things looked so much rosier is poignant. Some of the minor characters are a bit over the top though. Haven's sister is a selfish monster and is allowed to be a ridiculous, shrewish brat for a very long time given her age and imminent marriage herself. Haven's best friend turns from good girl to love-struck teen rebel seemingly overnight. And Haven's mother's portrayal as the newly divorced going out on the town without considering her 15 year old daughter struggling to cope with all the changes is a bit far fetched. But despite the stereotypical characterizations of these minor characters, the book will still resonate with teens, especially those who are searching for the person into whom they want to grow. Light and easily read, I can see why Dessen is a recommended read for the late middle school, early high school set. Overall, it's a nice read. ( )

I liked this book but not as much as i liked all the other books that i have read. I Wish i could have got in to this book like i have before with all the other book. I think that if i liked it more that i would have finished it faster! The book was about a girl that was really tall girl that is going through some tough times with her family. ( )

Heven is a fifteen year old girl who is very tall, but she is still growing. Haven is almost six feet tall. Her life was changing right before her eyes. Her father is getting remarried to the ‘weather’ girl at his work. Heven’s sister is also getting married to a guy that Heven doesn’t like too much because he is too dull. Casey, her best friend, returns from camp and Heven sees a change in her. Casey says she is in love with a boy from camp, but Casey has picked up many bad habits at camp. Things change when Heven meets up with one of her sister’s ex-boyfriends. Sumner was different from the others. He always made the whole family laugh and would include Heven when others left her behind. One night Heven and her dad were out eating Heven ran into Sumner. Sumner makes Heven laugh whenever she is with him and she feels free and careless when she is with him. Can Sumner change things for Heven to make things change for the good? Or will things turn out badly? Casey

In her fifteenth summer, Haven is nearing six feet tall and feeling every bit as awkward as a fish out of water. That summer is particularly tumultuous for her: in addition to her embarrassingly rapid growth spurt, she also has to suffer through two marriages, her father's remarriage and her sister Ashley's.

It's hard for Haven to see her father moving into a new life with his new bride, leaving her and her mother behind. Meanwhile, Haven thinks that Ashley is being too selfish with her impending marriage. But it is not only that. Ashley has always been pushing Haven away her whole life and acting like a pain. Wistfully Haven remembers the summer Ashley went out with Sumner Lee. He made Ashley loosen up and allow Haven to get close.

All of a sudden, Sumner's back being his usual comfortable, friendly self, taking Haven along for the ride. He's just what she needs this summer, when she feels disconnected from everyone else. In a way, she's also secretly hoping that Sumner will help bring her and Ashley closer together, just like he did all those years ago.

But sometimes things aren't always how Haven wants them to be. This summer, she'll learn that people will let her down, but she can grow into her body, soul and all. It only takes one summer.

Sarah Dessen is a consistently impressive author, and her debut will not let anyone down. It has heart and realism, two things that many YA books nowadays are sorely lacking. Don't miss this rich story. ( )