Just Listen

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking

Favorite Character: Annabel-I don't know what it was about her, but I don't think I'd mind being her friend.

Summary: Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least that's who she plays in the commercial for Kopf's Department Store: top student, popular cheerleader, dazzling prom queen surrounded by friends. In real life, though, Annabel is the girls who has nothing: no best friend since her friendship with mean-but-exciting Sophie ended with malicious rumors flying, no peace at home while her older sister's eating disorder preoccupies the family, and no ability to tell anyone what's on her mind.

And then she meets Owen Armstrong--intense, obsessed with music, and determined to always tell the truth, no matter what the consequences.

Can a girl who hates confrontation find a way to connect with a guy who thrives on it? And can Annabel find the courage to tell what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?

Once again, the incomparable Sarah Dessen has written a novel that will captivate her many readers.

Review: This was actually a surprisingly good book. I immediately fell in love with the music angle even though I had never heard of any of those bands. Music makes everything cooler. The storyline was pretty typical for this kind of conflict, but the music made it somewhat more unique.

Annabel is kind of too bland. Her personality seems too unselfish for a human and then she has random moments of really good self-esteem. I don't know what it was about her that just didn't agree with me. I didn't hate her, but I didn't like her.

Owen pretty much rocked. He really is an interesting person and he can be quite unpredictable. His sister, on the other hand, is super annoying.

Sophie is a blind meanie-head who deserves the freaking cheater of a boyfriend and also the humiliation that she's had to go through because of her terrible choices.

I love the story and I love this book. Just Listen is really a good summer book to read out on your lawn chair. If you have time, I suggest that you pick this up.

Rating: 4/5

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