Review: The Moon and More – Sarah Dessen (Giveaway)

The Moon and More Published: June 4th 2013
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Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough. Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby. Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby? Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going? Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Reading a Sarah Dessen book is a lot like coming home after being away on a trip. It’s comforting and it’s familiar. She has this thing about her writing that just makes you feel you are where you are supposed to be. I first encountered it when I read my first Dessen, Along for the Ride, then again when I read my favorite Dessen, The Truth About Forever, and every other Dessen book after. The Moon and More, my latest Dessen read definitely fit right in with the rest.

The story in The Moon and More is about Emaline, a girl from Colby (yes, that Colby!) that is spending her last summer in her small coastal town before heading to college. All her life she has been content with the small town life with her mom, stepdad, sisters and boyfriend. But Emaline’s father wants more for her as does the new boy from New York, Theo. As college gets closer and closer Emaline’s safe, comfortable world starts shifting and unraveling. Does Emaline have to stay stagnant in Colby where she knows and loves everything or can she accept the changes and still hold all that is dear to her in her heart?

I’m not gonna lie, The Moon and More is a quiet book. The pace is not quick, but the story is still there. Actually that was my favorite part of the book, Emaline’s story. Usually I’m a romance gal. I love the romantic relationship/dating aspect of books. The one in The Moon and More though didn’t do it for me. What did was Emaline and her family, Emaline and Daisy, Emaline and Morris, Emaline and Benji, and Emaline and Colby itself. Those things were the stars of the book. Emaline learned who she was by her connections to the people in her life and the small town she loved. She was able to grow and make mistakes but also know who was on her side and always would be. For once with me it wasn’t about the girl and her boyfriend, but about the girl embracing change and understanding it didn’t mean you had to lose who you are in the process.

As I said before, reading The Moon and More was like coming home. It was a quintessential Sarah Dessen book. It had a main character with a voice and a setting that you will want to hop in a car and head to immediately. One of those good summer reads. Thank you once again for giving me that feeling Ms. Dessen.

Currently there is a contest each week (on Fridays). Post a picture on Instagram or Facebook of yourself with pictures of you and your Dessen books. Use the hashtag #IHeartDessen. On 7/31 at the end of the campaign, one winner will be picked to win a full set of 12 Sarah Dessen books and a Tote bag of Summer Essentials.

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