YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

Will start this around midnight est.

I might join you for this one. But I'll be really slow. I'm reading a lot of books right now. :)

12% done- (view spoiler)[ Arden's father is a jerk. How can he just let his wife take care of the baby on her own. Especially when the baby cries for hours nonstop. I like how Arden steps in to help her stepmother with the baby. (hide spoiler)]

28% done- (view spoiler)[ I really like Arden. Not only did she step up and help her stepmother with the baby, but she is now helping her with her store. (hide spoiler)]

I'm just starting now.

Ok. I'm not that far into it. I'm reading two books so you will probably catch up to me.

Sounds good. I'm 8% done right now -- soon I'll be able to read your spoiler comments and reply back ;)

48% done- (view spoiler)[ I wonder why the locals are so obsessed with shopping and snacks. Auden's father is really pissing me off. He is selfish, passive aggressive, and just a big jerk. I love Eli and Auden's friendship. (hide spoiler)]

I'm about to start this. :)

Glad you could join Courtney. :)

5% (view spoiler)[Interesting first chapter. Her parents are irksome. I can't believe her mother is so set on people not changing. I hope she gets over that.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

19% (view spoiler)[Her dad is so selfish! I really cannot stand him. And Eli is Jake's brother...that's going to be awkward. (hide spoiler)]

Nikinnia wrote: "12% done- [spoilers removed]"

I completely agree!(view spoiler)[ I do not like her father at all... (hide spoiler)]

I'm 11% done

(view spoiler)[So far I'm not that impressed with this book. I'm hoping now that she's at her father's for the summer, things will become more interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Melanie wrote: "I'm 11% done

[spoilers removed]"

The first half is very slow, but it does get a better.

Melanie wrote: "I'm 11% done

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm actually really enjoying it, but I tend to enjoy novels that are thought centered, so Dessen has been God for me. :) I'm thinking it will pick up a lot more as she meets people near the dad <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

Done- (view spoiler)[ this book had a great ending. Im happy the father finally got some sense. (hide spoiler)]

44% (view spoiler)[She's just had her first real outing with Eli. Things have started to pick up. I really like Eli. I hope things stay that way.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

59% (view spoiler)[I love Eli! I'm just worried about what crazy drama is coming my way with him. And her parents are seriously annoying. I really can't stand her dad. I feel bad for Heidi, but she had to have had a clue he would be like that.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

85% (view spoiler)[I really don't like how she's just pushed Eli away. And her dad is still just as annoying. I like Heidi though. (hide spoiler)]

Ending (view spoiler)[I'm glad she worked things out with Eli because I loved him. And her love for Isby was so sweet! And her being friends with Maggie and rooming with her was great.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

Nikinnia wrote: "28% done- [spoilers removed]"

I like how she's helping her too!

Courtney wrote: "19% [spoilers removed]"

Yes!! Her father is so annoying! I can't believe how selfish he is.

page 184

He (view spoiler)[ finished his book! Maybe now he will actually make the time to be a better husband and father...hope so! (hide spoiler)]

Just wait...(view spoiler)[He reaally drove me crazy. In some ways it was worse through the last half. I really like Heidi though.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

Courtney wrote: "Just wait...[spoilers removed]"

He drove me crazy too, but I feel like in the end (view spoiler)[he's working on changing and being a better husband/father, so at least there's that... (hide spoiler)]

And I'm finished!

(view spoiler)[I enjoyed this book more than Just Listen. It took me a while to get into the story, but I grew to really enjoy it as the story went on. :) I like how Auden did that jump with the bike and Eli was shocked by it! (hide spoiler)]

I haven't read Just Listen yet. I might have to give that one a try.

I hope you like it, Courtney, if you do read it. Just Listen was an okay read for me...

How many of her novels have you read? Which ones did you enjoy?

I've only read this is one and Just Listen.

Ah. I started with Lock and Key, which is my favorite of the five I've read.

That's great. I have Lock & Key to read for a different group. Happy to know it is your favorite. :)

I hope you enjoy it!