The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Title: The Truth About Forever

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Release Date: May 11, 2004

Source: Purchased

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository / Indigo

A long, hot summer...

That’s what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy’s father.

But sometimes unexpected things can happen--things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister’s project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl’s world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to wonder, Is it really better safe than sorry?

I don’t know how many times I’ve read The Truth About Forever, but every time I read it I just love it that much more. This is by far one of my favorite books ever and I just love reading it every so often. It’s basically my go-to book when I’m looking when I’m looking for a good read. Even if I’ve read it so many times before, I always find something new in it and I just enjoy rediscovering the story and characters.

Whenever someone asks her how she is feeling Macy always gives the same answer: she is fine, just fine. Since her father’s death, Macy has been striving to be the perfect daughter for her mother who seems to be drowning herself in work as a way to deal with grief. When summer begins, Macy is ready for her job at the library and to spend her free time preparing for the SATs. But one night she meets the people of Wish Catering and everything seems to start changing. She now as new friends and learns that everything doesn’t always have to be perfect, in fact it’s a lot better if you don’t expect it to be. And then there’s Wes, who seems to be the one who understands Macy the most and who may just be the cause of the biggest change in Macy.

Macy is such a great character. Out of all of Dessen’s characters I would have to say that Macy is the one I like the most. I find that she’s the one I can relate to the most. I haven’t lost a parent like she has, but I have a tendency to always want to be perfect and do what everyone expects me to do. You can really see that Macy grows throughout the novel, by the end she is the same person but different. I always love seeing her evolution every time I read the book. Macy is just a really likable and realistic character. And like I said before she is one of my favorites.

Wes. How to even begin describing Wes. The first time I read this book and found out about Wes was also the first time I basically fell in love with a fictional character. I don’t even know how to describe him. There is just so much to Wes and I’m afraid that any description I could give of him just wouldn’t do him justice. So instead I’m just going to tell you to go pick up the book and find out about Wes for yourself.

I’ve read about people saying that most of Sarah Dessen’s books have the same storyline. I’m going to have to disagree with that. I’ve read all of her books and I can honestly say that not one is the same. The only thing I find that come back from book to book are some of the characters and places. Personally I like it when that happens, it sort of allows me to see what happens to the characters after the books are over. That’s hardly enough to say that all her books are the same.

The Truth About Forever is one of my all-time favorite books. I’ve read it countless times and just love it even more every time I read it. There’s just something about the story that makes it so I can read it over and over again. If you’re looking for a new favorite, I definitely suggest you pick up The Truth About Forever...or any of Sarah Dessen’s books.