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kpbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tbr_withmaya's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
This book was so good! It was different from some of the other Sarah Dessen books I’ve read and tackled some heavier topics.
On Caitlin’s sixteenth birthday, her older sister Cass runs away. With her family falling apart, Caitlin tries to fill the void her sister left. Then she meets Rogerson who makes her forget about everything. But are things with Rogerson as good as they seem?
On Caitlin’s sixteenth birthday, her older sister Cass runs away. With her family falling apart, Caitlin tries to fill the void her sister left. Then she meets Rogerson who makes her forget about everything. But are things with Rogerson as good as they seem?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
secretmagic's review against another edition
4.0
When I think of Sarah Dessen books, I think of comfort reads and happy endings, of internal struggles and identifying new parts of yourself. This book wasn't quite like that - and it was probably the hardest Sarah Dessen book I've ever read.
Dessen's novels aren't always light and fluffy on every page - she does tackle emotional personal and family issues, and she doesn't shy away from giving her teens edge if they're the type to smoke, drink or have sex. And she has written in a couple of bad fitting relationships. But the relationship in DREAMLAND was pretty powerful for a YA novel. You don't often see a book that highlights the fear and struggle of women in abusive relationship - that desire to stay with the person attacking you because of the attention they gave you when no-one else was looking or paying attention.
DREAMLAND was written well before the age of #MeToo - to highlight that battered wife situation in a teenage girls life would have been both difficult to write and courageous for being so open again it. But I think its message and discussion of teens also experiencing abusive could really contribute to the #MeToo conversation.
Dessen's novels aren't always light and fluffy on every page - she does tackle emotional personal and family issues, and she doesn't shy away from giving her teens edge if they're the type to smoke, drink or have sex. And she has written in a couple of bad fitting relationships. But the relationship in DREAMLAND was pretty powerful for a YA novel. You don't often see a book that highlights the fear and struggle of women in abusive relationship - that desire to stay with the person attacking you because of the attention they gave you when no-one else was looking or paying attention.
DREAMLAND was written well before the age of #MeToo - to highlight that battered wife situation in a teenage girls life would have been both difficult to write and courageous for being so open again it. But I think its message and discussion of teens also experiencing abusive could really contribute to the #MeToo conversation.
langeletta's review against another edition
5.0
I don't remember much about this one except not being able to put it down. I'll have to give it a revisit soon.
ammie116's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s very much about DV. I gave it a 3 because I can’t do DV storylines but it’s good writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
nikkimouse_16's review against another edition
4.0
beautiful. So sad that she still loved him after he had hurt her so many times.
pearlygirl3's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
2.0
ok i picked up this book because i wanted a summery sarah dessen book and this ended up being so depressing. i didn't really care for the characters and the plot was just annoying. it did not feel super believable and i wasn't really able to feel the emotions of the characters come through. i was done with this book like halfway through but i was committed at that point.
marcusbryan777's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5