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courtknee__vn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn’t love this one as much as I remember loving it. To be fair, the first time I read it, I was 13 or 14 and now I’m 30 so it’s not surprising that it just didn’t hit the same way but I just don’t remember finding Remy so annoying lol I do think it’s a really solid story still and I loved the growth of most of the characters so it’s still one that I would recommend overall! ☺️
secretmagic's review against another edition
4.0
Another book to add to my list of comfort contemporary YA reads. I had high expectations for 'This Lullaby' not only because I have loved all Sarah Dessen books I've read in the past, but also because many friends recommended it and claimed it was the best Dessen book ever. I wouldn't go that far, but I really enjoyed the book and I can definitely see myself rereading it when I need a comfort story.
Sarah Dessen's books have a pattern. This isn't a bad thing, I like the pattern she uses, but it does mean you go into each new book knowing what will come next. There will be a girl with some family or personal issues, who falls for a guy who brings out the best in her; but she gets scared, worried or lost along the way. There's a separation for a while and then they'll get back together in the end. I like this pattern and knowing it exists means it fits into my "comfort" category so well. I don't have to worry that the story will send me spinning out of control; I know it'll end well.
'This Lullaby' starts with Remy Starr, a teenage girl who is just finishing High School and who plans to spend the summer before college having fun and letting loose - but first she must plan her mother's fifth wedding. Remy was a strange main character, I didn't like her all that much for most of the book. Because of her mother's relationship past, Remy convinced herself that love didn't exist, and this showed in nearly all her actions. She was hard and cold; and even though she used the same words (and others) to describe herself, I just couldn't bring myself to like her. I could understand why she came off this way, because of her images of love and relationships she wasn't really open to them for herself - it drove me mental. She's not an easy character to like. I sort of hated myself for not liking her, because Remy reminded me a lot of Auden from 'Along for the Ride' - they had a few differences, but I loved Auden and had to really try to love Remy. In the end, I warmed up to her a lot more, but I think that was all because of Dexter.
When you say the word 'lullaby' you think of music and, as the title suggests, the book involves a little bit of music. It's not a big focus, but there is a band: Truth Squad. Their musical journey becomes a side story as we see them write their own strange songs about Potatoes and attempt to get signed by a record label. Dexter, our love interest for this book, is the lead singer of Truth Squad and the one who finally breaks through Remy's cold heart. It sounds cheesy, but he had a really tough job to tackle and he did help change her. Dexter's a clumsy, loud, funny guy and he balanced Remy's personality so well. He brought out the best in her.
What I love most about Sarah Dessen books are the friendships she writes. Not all of her main characters end up with a close group of friends, but some of them do, and I love the dialogue that comes with them. The easy banter and the crazy conversations. I always like seeing characters that have these stable and well formed friendships. It makes them seem more real.
An easy, touching and comforting read. I loved it!
4/5 stars
Sarah Dessen's books have a pattern. This isn't a bad thing, I like the pattern she uses, but it does mean you go into each new book knowing what will come next. There will be a girl with some family or personal issues, who falls for a guy who brings out the best in her; but she gets scared, worried or lost along the way. There's a separation for a while and then they'll get back together in the end. I like this pattern and knowing it exists means it fits into my "comfort" category so well. I don't have to worry that the story will send me spinning out of control; I know it'll end well.
'This Lullaby' starts with Remy Starr, a teenage girl who is just finishing High School and who plans to spend the summer before college having fun and letting loose - but first she must plan her mother's fifth wedding. Remy was a strange main character, I didn't like her all that much for most of the book. Because of her mother's relationship past, Remy convinced herself that love didn't exist, and this showed in nearly all her actions. She was hard and cold; and even though she used the same words (and others) to describe herself, I just couldn't bring myself to like her. I could understand why she came off this way, because of her images of love and relationships she wasn't really open to them for herself - it drove me mental. She's not an easy character to like. I sort of hated myself for not liking her, because Remy reminded me a lot of Auden from 'Along for the Ride' - they had a few differences, but I loved Auden and had to really try to love Remy. In the end, I warmed up to her a lot more, but I think that was all because of Dexter.
When you say the word 'lullaby' you think of music and, as the title suggests, the book involves a little bit of music. It's not a big focus, but there is a band: Truth Squad. Their musical journey becomes a side story as we see them write their own strange songs about Potatoes and attempt to get signed by a record label. Dexter, our love interest for this book, is the lead singer of Truth Squad and the one who finally breaks through Remy's cold heart. It sounds cheesy, but he had a really tough job to tackle and he did help change her. Dexter's a clumsy, loud, funny guy and he balanced Remy's personality so well. He brought out the best in her.
What I love most about Sarah Dessen books are the friendships she writes. Not all of her main characters end up with a close group of friends, but some of them do, and I love the dialogue that comes with them. The easy banter and the crazy conversations. I always like seeing characters that have these stable and well formed friendships. It makes them seem more real.
An easy, touching and comforting read. I loved it!
4/5 stars
jojobrown's review against another edition
4.0
I decided (after reading another book of Dessen's last year) to give more of them a try and borrow this book from my best friend. I was not disappointed! I would give this book more of a 3.5 stars but I just rounded up.
This book follows the events of summer through the eyes of the main character (but still 3rd person), Remy, a cynical heartbreaker who denies that true love exists. Her mother has had multiple marriages and even from birth men did nothing but let her down (her father that she never knew). Because of these factors, Remy has her breakup strategy down to a perfect emotionless formula that she's carried out with many guys over the years. This summer Remy plans to do the same, seeing as she will be going to college in the fall and plans to have no attachments tying her to her crazy home life that contrasts so drastically with her orderly, obsessive-compulsive personality. No spoilers, but let's just say this summer is a bit different than what Remy had planned.
This book follows Remy's changing personality and heart through the dysfunctional characters she encounters, and her love interest that stands out from every other guy she's dated.
What I've always admired about Dessen is her ability to create such believable characters in her stories and her ability to make the plot flow so smoothly by taking her time to develop inter-character relationships and not rush the progression of their lives. Her writing style is easy to read, yet exciting and rivets you with such subtlety that you suddenly look up and realize you've been reading for 4 hours. Dessen hits the nail on the head again with the smooth page-turner that is "This Lullaby".
This book follows the events of summer through the eyes of the main character (but still 3rd person), Remy, a cynical heartbreaker who denies that true love exists. Her mother has had multiple marriages and even from birth men did nothing but let her down (her father that she never knew). Because of these factors, Remy has her breakup strategy down to a perfect emotionless formula that she's carried out with many guys over the years. This summer Remy plans to do the same, seeing as she will be going to college in the fall and plans to have no attachments tying her to her crazy home life that contrasts so drastically with her orderly, obsessive-compulsive personality. No spoilers, but let's just say this summer is a bit different than what Remy had planned.
This book follows Remy's changing personality and heart through the dysfunctional characters she encounters, and her love interest that stands out from every other guy she's dated.
What I've always admired about Dessen is her ability to create such believable characters in her stories and her ability to make the plot flow so smoothly by taking her time to develop inter-character relationships and not rush the progression of their lives. Her writing style is easy to read, yet exciting and rivets you with such subtlety that you suddenly look up and realize you've been reading for 4 hours. Dessen hits the nail on the head again with the smooth page-turner that is "This Lullaby".
msaylaa's review against another edition
5.0
I read this at least a couple times in my early adolescence and LOVED it. So wholesome with just a touch of drama. It's been over 20 years since I've read this and I still pretend I'm filling up on a crisp Zip coke at the fountain machine.
christinelee1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cmrobe06's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely a YA romance however I really loved Remy and being along for the ride as she figured out stuff. I also loved the female friendships, very easy read.
gillsbooks21's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't even finish this book. It really wasn't that great! To be honest, how is Sarah dessen like one of the New-York times bestseller author? Her books are boring!!!!!!!!!!! I kinda want to know what happens in the end, but I really don't want to be wishing I could be something else either.
DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
stephco's review against another edition
5.0
I thought I would have read this one, it will had over comed of how much I like her other book the truth about forever. Man, was I wrong.
I loved this lullaby a lot, but Sarah Dessen books are one of does books that you read, that no other book will compare to it.
Worth reading! :))
I loved this lullaby a lot, but Sarah Dessen books are one of does books that you read, that no other book will compare to it.
Worth reading! :))