Young Adult Book Reviews

Genre: Romance/Realistic Fiction

Cat has a boyfriend and family who make her feel loved and supported, despite the fact that her parents are divorced. She feels like she has her whole future planned out. Then, her mother surprises her with a trip to a family cabin (that is about to be sold) that she has never been to, to visit family she hardly ever sees. Meanwhile, her boyfriend starts to have doubts about their relationship, which is tricky since she picked her college just to be close to him. Cat’s mother has always been a bit distant as her career keeps her very busy, but she has always taken her custody days seriously and this trip to see her family cabin is very important to her. Cat is reluctant, but quickly enjoys spending time with her aunts and cousins. She even helps out at the family owned diner, The Egg, that is insanely busy and helps her meet the locals quickly. There is even a young man, Ben, who works at the diner and plays in a local band that shows Cat sometimes it’s okay not to have everything planned out. Cat’s mom and sisters have clearly grown distant over the years, but having to go through the lake house brings up some unresolved issues from the past that could lead them back together again. Will Cat decide for herself what she wants to do with her life after high school? Is there something her mother isn’t telling her regarding why it was so important they spend some time together at the family lake house? Who will Cat choose: Ben or Colin?

Fans of Sarah Dessen will not be disappointed in this fun story, with themes that anyone could identify with. Having questions about one’s future after high school is something all teens can understand, as well as learning that parents are not perfect and are just doing the best they can. Communication is a very big theme as well as many of the problems the characters experience would have been handled better if they would’ve communicated their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Friendship and family are frequently themes in Sarah Dessen’s books and this one is no exception, which is why readers feel so connected to the characters. This is a great coming of age story for anyone looking for a teen romance with truly engaging, relatable characters.