Along for the Ride - Sarah Dessen

Young Adult
Pages: 383
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: June 16, 2009

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.

Oh, this book was so sweet! Probably shocking, but its the first I've read from Sarah Dessen. She's a wonderful writer. I don't think I have enough compliments for her writing. It was just delightful. The story was really pretty, so much more than a love story. It has a message, you can learn from it and that is always a pro.

What impressed me the most though, was the feeling I got as if it was a true story. Wow. Auden's character is incredibly real. I just felt like I was with her all the time. All the characters seem so alive and I could actually see the place, the beach. I liked the cover, even if I thought it was cheesy at first, well no, actually I still do. I'm guessing that's not Auden because of the pink dress. Anyway, if you enjoy cute love stories and teen summers you'll definitely love this book.

Goodreads / Amazon

Something, Maybe - Elizabeth Scott

Young Adult
Pages: 224
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release date: March 24, 2009

Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar . . . and that's just how she likes it. Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants - only what she wants may not be what she needs. . . .

This is a quick and easy read. But it is also really beautiful. It's a modern teen love story, probably predictable, but still magical. The plot is really well done, the whole family story is trapping. The character are marvelous, the best part of the book. Specially Finn's.

It has it's funny parts, sad parts, love parts... at the end a great book. The cover is cute, I love the color. It gives you an idea of summer, with the hat and stuff but it's not. So, I think it doesn't quite go with the book. But it is pretty. If you like fresh-pretty love stories, you'll love this book!