Rating: 
Summary: Excellent first novel by a very talented writer
Review: Essentially this book is focused on two weddings: the remarriage of Haven's father to a woman young enough to be Haven's sister, and Ashley's, Haven's older sister, marriage to a boy Haven doesn't like all that much. Haven instead keeps remembering Sumner, a boy Ashley had gone out with a few years ago before she broke up with him. For Haven, Sumner represented a time when her family was still happy and together and when Ashley treated Haven like a sister, rather than a stranger. When Sumner shows up again the summer of the two weddings, Haven hopes he can make it like it was the other summer. By the end of the book, however, she realizes that not everything is exactly how you remember it.
I did like this book. While not as good as Dreamland, it's still an excellent story. However, there do seem to be too many things it is trying to focus on. The weddings and the summer at Virginia Beach with Sumner are the main plot points, but there's also the best friend who's changed over the summer, the job Haven has that she hates, and Gwendolyn Rogers, the model who has a breakdown. Really, the job doesn't do anything for the story and I still haven't totally figured out why they spent quite a lot of pages on the Lakeview models and Gwendolyn. Haven and Gwendolyn both share being tall and having men betray them, but there's no other reason for her to be in the book as much as she is.
One thing I have discovered about Sarah Dessen as a writer, is her tendency to put men in unfavorable light. In this book alone, five women are betrayed by men they loved or thought they had loved. She does that in her other books too, though not to the extent she does in this one. I do find that odd because, at first glance, you might think that has nothing to do with the story.
Still, despite the flaws, this is a fabulously written novel with an unusual concept and storyline. Not her best, but also not one to be forgotten.
Rating:
Summary: That Summer
Review: Have you ever been at the age of about 15 and just felt happy, sad, scared, nervous, and excited all at the same time? This is how Haven, a 6 foot tall 15 year old girl feels in the book, That Summer, by Sarah Dessen.
Her father just got remarried to the wheather girl he had an affair with, her "perfect" sister is getting married to this dull and boring guy, and her mother is thinking of selling their house. Her house is crazy and Haven cannot comprehend why all these things are going the way they're going: all wrong. She can't help but wonder why her sister isn't marrying Sumner, the perky, always fun to be with guy that she dated 2 summers ago.
Then one night, she's at dinner with her dad when she sees Sumner. Thery talk for about a 1/2 hour and over the course of the summer run into each other more and more. Now that they're so close, she can't help but think, does she love him? Can she replace her sister's fiance with him? Is her stepmom really
pregnant now? And why is no one paying any attention to her?
In this book, you really relate to what she's going through and feel like you're going along for the ride with her. There's so much going on, you can never get bored. It's a good easy read for all ages, but is best for teenagers.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh!!!!!!!
Review: Have you ever had that feeling after reading a book where you can not stop thinking about it? Well I just finsihed this book a few minuted ago and the many well thought out themes that Sarah Dessen inserts in this book are still running through my mind. That Summer is my current favorite book, and I have read a lot of books!
What is it about? A fifteen year old girl, unique, as all people are, but I still found myself relating to her completely. She is tall and skinny, feeling as if she is a giant and different in the crowd. Everything is changing. Her father is getting remarried to the weather pet, her sister is engaged and is soon to move out, and her mother is sad and lonely. I do not want to It was like the words she was saying were the words I wanted to say but couldn't express.
Who would I reccomed this to? Well, I know whenever you have read a realy good book you say anybody, and I know everyone has their own opinions. Teenager could relate to this novel the most, Sarah Dessen is such a beautiful writer. Please read this book, I loved it, and I hope you will too!
Rating:
Summary: That Summer is amazing
Review: Haven's feel of her own body betraying her. The sister that is more than what it seems and how we, sometimes, hang into the wrong thing - not because that thing we hang to is bad but because isn't really accurate.
Rating: 
Summary: Leave this one on the Shelf!!!
Review: I am a fan of Sarah Dessen, so of course i did not hesitate to read That Summer. I am sorry to say that it was a great let down and not just because Sarah Dessen is a usually a wonderful author, because it was lacking in everything that makes a good book. For one thing, there was no plot. At first it seemed like you were being kept in suspence of what would happen next, but nothing DID happen. It was as if the last few chapters were not published with this book. If you are considering buying and/or reading this book, I advise you not to. Instead, read one of Sarah Dessen's other wonderful books such as Someone Like You or This Lullaby.
Rating:
Summary: A charming, terrific book, for teens or adults.
Review: I completely agree with the previous reviewer: I was 23 when I read this book, and a guy to boot, but I still found it insightful and sweet. It's a dead-on look at what it's like to be uncomfortable with what should feel the most right: your body, your family, your brain. Haven is a very well-drawn character, with quirks and rough edges that feel like real life. A strong debut.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite by Ms. Dessen!
Review: I have read That Summer twice & loved it. Two years ago I read it for school & recently bought it & read it again. I realized & remembered just how much I loved it. I loved what was going on inside the main characters head & the symbolism & how it showed that we all have so much to learn & how one person or one summer can change your life forever. That Summer is a beautiful novel & the best I have read by the author & it fully deserves the five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for you
Review: I just got done reading the book 'That Summer'. This book is about a teenage girl named Haven. She goes through many good times and upsetting times. This book is a very gook book to read if you like to read teen issues. I would like to recomend this book to girls, because the main character is a girl. Many of the things that Haven goes through girs would be able to relate to, and the boys would probably think that it is boring. If you have an older sister that you fight with a lot, but deep down inside you know that you love her, this would be a perfect book for you. Haven and her sister fight quite a bit, but when it comes down to the times when they need each other the most,they're there for each other. If you're looking for a good book take my advice and read 'That Summer'.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, characters are easy to identify with
Review: I like this book a lot. It's about a girl named Haven and all the stuff that's happening to her that particular summer. In the book, she's the same age as I am now, and it was really easy for me to identify with some of the things she was going through. For example, I have an older sister who doesn't like me like her, and my older sister has also had a lot of boyfriends like Ashley, Haven's older sister. It was fun to see her struggle and make choices, and in the end, everything turned out great. I loved this book.
Rating:
Summary: "It's funny how one summer can change everything."
Review: I love to read books by Sarah Dessen because they are good books to read. These are the types of books that a lot of people can relate to and enjoy reading. I have read 3 books by Sarah Dessen and I'm really glad I did because these books are fun to read.Haven's life is changing very quickly. Her sister is getting married and moving out, her best friend is picking up bad habits, her dad is getting remarried, her body is changing and those are just the main things among many other changes in her life she isn't satisfied with. And she just wishes things were like how they use to be back during that summer. That Summer is my favorite from Sarah Dessen because the character, Haven just impresses me with her witty thoughts and her personality. Also I can relate a lot because similarly I always think about the past and wish that I could go back to when I was happiest. Actually I bet a lot of us can related because I know we all would like to be back where we felt good and life just seemed so perfect. Mainly I think it's just having to deal with life. All and all it was a great book.
|
