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hangngt_'s review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t expect myself to love this book as much as I do. I was so excited to read this book because the topic seemed so relevant to my life and I felt like I could deeply connect with the character. And I have, though of course we are different but yet the same in some ways, it felt like I had a friend who understand me. I absolutely love the friendship and relationship in this book and love the character development. It’s so amazing and cool to see each character transform into somebody else; Emily from shy to this brave person, Sloane spilling out her big secret, Frank known as this serious guy to quite a gentlemen. Dawn and Collin as well. It was like I got to experience this the way Emily had, how she had discovered her bravery and made so many friends. I adore this story so much. I especially love the friendship between Sloane and Emily, it reminds me of my own best friend and somehow thinking of my best friend leaving me made me tear up. It was just so touching. I also love the dynamics between Frank and Emily, to be honest, most of the time I could guess the love interest. When we first meet Frank, in the back of my mind I felt like he was going to be the love interest. But during that period he just felt like a friend. But throughout the story it had definitely developed into something more and I’ve experience it with Emily. Proving my point of how well I’ve connected with this story. Though I must say the writing style was quite hard to get into at first, but you soon get use to it. Overall, I love this book so much. I’m so grateful for it. This is the book I designate to the most.
mozbolt's review against another edition
5.0
Morgan Matson can do no wrong. I need her to have character crossovers though! I would have loved a little bit of Amy and Roger referencing in that last little road trip bit of Since You've Been Gone.
kosmond's review against another edition
4.0
Original Review posted here.
*Cue Kelly Clarkson's Since You've Been Gone - as that is all I can think about when I say the title of this book.*
Sloane is missing from her best friends life. She just vanished one day with nothing, no goodbye note, no phone call. She isn't even answering her phone calls.One day a list shows up in the mail, a list of things for Emily to do, written in Sloanes' usual girlie writing. Only when Emily is certain that her best friend is no where to be found does Emily start the unusual and scary tasks on the list, hoping that it will lead her to Sloane.
Since You've Been Gone is a perfect light summer read. It's entertaining, and it will remind you of lazy summer days hanging out with your friends. The friendships that Emily is able to form over this list are warming and familiar. Dawn, Frank and Collins will fill the void in Emily's summer and help her in so many ways.
What I really liked about this book was though it started out centered around finding Sloane, as the novel progressed it was focused about Emily finding herself first. She realized that she could make friends herself, and talk to strangers -though it took some work. I liked the way the book turned it's focus. Though the hunt for Sloane never ends, Emily comes to some realizations and her self-esteem increases immensely.
Morgan Matson is a brilliant writer. The book was everything - comforting, funny, honest. We read through flashbacks of Sloane and Emily throughout their friendship which was a nice little touch. It really added depth the both Emily and Sloane. Also, the running playlists, while not necessary, was a nice add-on throughout the novel. Not only did it open my eyes up to new music, but it was fun to see the playful banter between Emily and Frank regarding the music.
After reading Since You've Been Gone, I'm really looking forward to reading more summer reads by Matson. On a nice sunny day like today (only a few degrees warmer), you'll want to lounge outside and devour this one!
*Cue Kelly Clarkson's Since You've Been Gone - as that is all I can think about when I say the title of this book.*
Sloane is missing from her best friends life. She just vanished one day with nothing, no goodbye note, no phone call. She isn't even answering her phone calls.One day a list shows up in the mail, a list of things for Emily to do, written in Sloanes' usual girlie writing. Only when Emily is certain that her best friend is no where to be found does Emily start the unusual and scary tasks on the list, hoping that it will lead her to Sloane.
Since You've Been Gone is a perfect light summer read. It's entertaining, and it will remind you of lazy summer days hanging out with your friends. The friendships that Emily is able to form over this list are warming and familiar. Dawn, Frank and Collins will fill the void in Emily's summer and help her in so many ways.
What I really liked about this book was though it started out centered around finding Sloane, as the novel progressed it was focused about Emily finding herself first. She realized that she could make friends herself, and talk to strangers -though it took some work. I liked the way the book turned it's focus. Though the hunt for Sloane never ends, Emily comes to some realizations and her self-esteem increases immensely.
Morgan Matson is a brilliant writer. The book was everything - comforting, funny, honest. We read through flashbacks of Sloane and Emily throughout their friendship which was a nice little touch. It really added depth the both Emily and Sloane. Also, the running playlists, while not necessary, was a nice add-on throughout the novel. Not only did it open my eyes up to new music, but it was fun to see the playful banter between Emily and Frank regarding the music.
After reading Since You've Been Gone, I'm really looking forward to reading more summer reads by Matson. On a nice sunny day like today (only a few degrees warmer), you'll want to lounge outside and devour this one!
s0ph1e_re4ds's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
was so good until the ending ruined it
literaturefaerie's review against another edition
3.0
This was kind of meh for me. Y’all know how much I hate a dragged out book, and this baby did not need to be almost 500 pages. Way too long for a contemporary in my opinion. However I thought the ending was really cute and I enjoyed the character development.
lncastle's review against another edition
5.0
Fun, uplifting, has great characters, reminded me of summer. Devoured in one day.
fsaven07's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
winemakerssister's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I grabbed this for the SBTB Spring BINGO and didn't really expect much. It was ready to borrow at my library so I figured I'd give it a chance. I was afraid it would be my least favorite type of YA: immature, superficial, and full of angst. Instead it was smart and funny.
The feeling of the book reminded me a bit of the movie Easy A, especially because Sloan reminded me of Olive's friend, Rhiannon. It's the story of a girl who thinks of herself as a nobody at school, in this case because she's the somewhat invisible sidekick of Sloan, a charismatic manic-pixie-dreamgirl. When the book opens, Sloan has just vanished and Emily is left without her bff, and nothing to do for the summer. Sloan mails her a list of to-do items, and while accomplishing them Emily starts to become her own person again. She is pretty pathetic in the beginning (she has virtually lost herself in becoming Sloan's sidekick) and it's lovely to see her come back into herself and grow as a person.
I found the author's means of introducing Sloan - just through the eyes of Emily - to be very interesting. Even though she's a major character, we really only know her through Emily and a few other insights from Emily's family and friends. It's a compelling way to get to know a character and ended up telling us much more about Emily than it did about Sloan.
The book is long, at least for this genre. It's almost 13 hours/480 pages. But it didn't feel long at all. The pacing was good and it never lagged.
I grabbed this for the SBTB Spring BINGO and didn't really expect much. It was ready to borrow at my library so I figured I'd give it a chance. I was afraid it would be my least favorite type of YA: immature, superficial, and full of angst. Instead it was smart and funny.
The feeling of the book reminded me a bit of the movie Easy A, especially because Sloan reminded me of Olive's friend, Rhiannon. It's the story of a girl who thinks of herself as a nobody at school, in this case because she's the somewhat invisible sidekick of Sloan, a charismatic manic-pixie-dreamgirl. When the book opens, Sloan has just vanished and Emily is left without her bff, and nothing to do for the summer. Sloan mails her a list of to-do items, and while accomplishing them Emily starts to become her own person again. She is pretty pathetic in the beginning (she has virtually lost herself in becoming Sloan's sidekick) and it's lovely to see her come back into herself and grow as a person.
I found the author's means of introducing Sloan - just through the eyes of Emily - to be very interesting. Even though she's a major character, we really only know her through Emily and a few other insights from Emily's family and friends. It's a compelling way to get to know a character and ended up telling us much more about Emily than it did about Sloan.
The book is long, at least for this genre. It's almost 13 hours/480 pages. But it didn't feel long at all. The pacing was good and it never lagged.