What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

May 10, 2011, Penguin Young Readers

Summary from Goodreads:

In the past two years, Mclean Sweet has moved four times. At each stop, she assumes a new persona, but it never quite works. Whether she's an effervescent cheerleader or an intense drama queen, nothing can permanently dispel the turmoil and rage at her mother since her parents' divorce.


Sarah Dessen's novel about a teenager and her restaurant manager father captures the vulnerability that young people often experience after the dissolution of their family. A compelling story; strong characterization; and with a touch of romance.

Of course I was anxiously awaiting this novel--I love Sarah Dessen--and it was well worth the wait! For the past two years Mclean and her father have been traveling as Dad refurbishes, reinvents, or renovates restaurants. Mclean has started reinventing herself at each of their stops. Knowing she won't be staying long, Mclean has no fear in embracing a new persona, right down to inventing a new name for herself. Until they reach Lakeview. Suddenly Mclean is sub-consciously revealing real parts of herself--parts that haven't been revealed in years--to people who just might become her friends.


I loved the characters in this story. I love Mclean, who's strong without being stuckup. The group of teens she encounters in Lakeview are so eclectic! Riley, Hannah and Dave are happy to be on the outskirts of society, Deb is the loner who desperately wants to fit in, and even the restaurant's employees are a healthy mix of strange. They're all delightful and I loved getting to know them! 


Funny how in one week I read two books about daughters living with their dads because Mom was an epic fail--What Happened to Goodbye and 10 Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have). Both deal with similar issues but in vastly different ways, and both are wonderfully fun reads.


Borrowed book from library (but now own!).


Enjoy your reading!
Christi