One of my favorite things about having friends and family who like to read is the ability to share book titles that we love. A few weeks ago I came into work and my friend had left the book The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen on my desk. She said it was a quick but fun little read and she thought I would enjoy it.
She was right.
I’ve never read a book before by Sarah Dessen but I have heard about her books from various people. Last week was one of those weeks where every time I sat down to read, something else came up. It took me almost all week to get the book really started. When I finally got going in the book. It was a very quick and easy race to the finish line. A stormy Sunday morning, little man wanting to snuggle with his show & a cup of coffee was all I needed to read almost the entire book The Moon and More.
Emaline just graduated and was getting ready to venture out into the world, outside of Colby. A town where everyone knew everyone Colby was the only home she had known. Her boyfriend Luke of three years had also been one of her best friends since birth. They were headed off to East U together, but not without problems first.
Not long into their summer vacation, Luke and Emaline hit a rough patch. Not knowing anything different than each other they parted separate ways when both became interested in summer tourists.
Emaline fell for a film student named Theo from New York who was in town assisting on a documentary being made about one of the locals. Luke fell for a girl a few years older from them. Both took separate paths throughout the summer but did find themselves missing the familiarity of their relationship.
As with all things in a small town, secrets become public & people began to show their true sides. It took an unlikely friend in Emily’s little brother to help her realize the important things in life.
“The thing is, you can’t always have the best of everything. Because for a life to be real, you need it all: good and bad, beach and concrete, the familiar and the unknown, big talkers and small towns.”
―The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
The Moon and More was such a sweet read. I found myself reading the book and really starting to have feelings for the characters, something that doesn’t always happen to me with a young adult book. Not only could I understand Emaline’s feelings of moving onto college, but I just wanted to hug Benji every time he was hanging out with Emaline.
For some reason Theo rubbed me the wrong way from the very start. Somewhere around page 300 I texted my friend and said “can she please break up with Theo?” Maybe I always believe that the main character should be with the first guy, but Theo was “too happy” for me. Each of his “Best Date Ever” surprises drove me crazy!
I loved watching Emaline evolve as the book went on. She discovered very quickly how much can change in such a short amount of time.
If you are looking for a great young adult book, I highly recommend picking up The Moon and More. If you need me, I’ll be over reading every other book that Sarah Dessen has written.
This was my 2015 Pop Sugar Challenge Book Recommended by a Friend.
What is your favorite Sarah Dessen book? What should I read next?