Published: April 6, 2006 by: Viking Books
Pages: 383
Rating: 2/5 stars
Annabel used to have it all. A model for Kopf's department store, her life was a series of glitz, glam and popularity. That is, until a tragic lie makes her best friend turn on her, her sister cripples under an eating disorder, and Annabel is stuck friendless and hopeless. That is, until she meets Owen, and music-loving boy who is willing to help her be happy again. Can he do it?
This book was okay. I found it to be not very climactic, and I was kind of bored. There were some aspects that I liked, but cons outweighed the pros.
I did love the character development of this book. We start off with a sad and lonely Annabel, but by the end of the book she is able to blossom out of her shell, reveal the secret that's been haunting her, and start loving life again. I felt for her, in how sad she must have been and how horrible people were to her. Owen was such an amazing male lead. He was kind, thoughtful and protective over Annabel. I loved how he had a strong interest in music, and he was so cute.
The plot of this book was pretty much non-existent. I didn't find much interest in it until the end, when everything got better. I just found a lot of the book to be pointless, uneventful and not go anywhere. I couldn't connect, and I didn't think this book was anything special.
This is only the second Sarah Dessen book I've read, and I am looking forward to reading more from her, but this one was a disappointment. It just didn't have enough rising action for me.
Overall, I loved the characters, but the plot left me wanting a bit more. That is why this book got 2 stars.
Have you read Just Listen? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
Her novel the truth about forever is a bit better!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Truth About Forever!
DeleteI haven't read any Sarah Dessen novel but I've heard pretty good things. I'll have to give them a try!
ReplyDelete- Jocelyn
I would highly recommend The Truth About Forever! It was such a cute novel.
DeleteNon-existent plot? Oh no, sounds like not a book for me. So sorry you didn't enjoy this. But at least you liked the character development, so there's that. I hope your next read is better. :)
ReplyDeleteJulie @ Books and Insomnia
Thanks Julie! I do love reading about great characterization, but this book just didn't have enough to make me like it.
DeleteEveryone seems to love Sarah Dessen, but I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance. I'm a bit wary. While I love books with good character development, the main reason I prefer Sci-Fi and fantasy is because of the action!
ReplyDeleteContemporary romance can either make or break me. I loved Dessen's previous book, but this one just didn't do it for me. I do prefer a bit more action as well!
DeleteIt always stinks when the characters are great but the plot...isn't. They're both so, so important and if one of them isn't as strong as it could be, the book ends up becoming really mediocre. Sorry to hear that this was the case. Thank you for sharing your thoughts though and fabulous review! <3
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right! This book just didn't do it for me :( Thanks Zoe!
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