Review: What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye

by Sarah Dessen

Book Description:

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. 

Review:
Sarah Dessen's books alway make me cry at least a little.  They are great summer reads and they are great for any time that you want something that will make you both smile and tear up. They deal with family and relationship issues in such a great way, too.

For example, in What Happened to Goodbye, McLean is dealing with her "issues" following her parents divorce. Rather than move in with her mom and her mom's new husband and twin toddlers, McLean chooses to live with her father...and that means moving from place to place for his job.  McLean loves the fact that they move, though, because it gives her the chance to reinvent herself in each place. 

When she finds a guy who really seems to get her, though, she finds that she suddenly wants to be "herself" again.  Can McLean rediscover who she was or wants to be today?

This book dealt with the fallout of McLean's parents divorce really, really well. What I loved most was that they were a family that finally pulled together in the end...around McLean... when she needed it the most.  I loved the restaurant setting and I loved the secondary characters that worked at Luna Blu. 

Another great book from Sarah Dessen.