What Happened To Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Released: May 10th, 2011

Pages: 416

Publisher: Penguin Young Reader Group

Rating: 5/5


Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combing Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

Somehow Sarah Dessen has made another incredible book. I recommend everyone read this book! 


I laughed at Dave's straight forward way of thinking, I cried at McLean's dysfunctional yet not so dysfunctional family. I could relate to the character and have dreamed about re-inventing myself in a whole knew town but Dessen touch on the topic of creating someone else and loosing yourself in the process. 

Although McLean probably lost herself when her family broke up we have to question if she ever really knew herself or just knew her family?

Either way Sarah Dessen took a subject that doesn't hold a candle to some of her other topics, like rape and abuse (which when we think about it it really is, just on a seperate plane) and made it just as important, just as touching, and make me reflect on my life, like all her books do, and see just how good i have it.

With no situation completely unrealistic and no character completely fake Dessen brought me into a different world that is somehow very familiar. I could basically draw a picture of the straight forward hunky Dave with his nerdy side shinning through his eyes as he lie on the pavement in a completely embarrassing and outrageously hilarious moment.

So thats ten books total and about eight of them are incredible. Thats pretty good.