Book Review - Since You've Been Gone

Title: Since You've Been Gone

Author: Morgan Matson

Release Date: May 6th, 2014

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Format: Hardcover 

 "Emily is about to take some risks and have the most unexpected summer ever in this new novel from the bestselling author of Second Chance Summer and Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour.

Before Sloane, Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, and she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—someone who yanks you out of your shell.

But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list with thirteen bizarre tasks that Emily would never try. But what if they can lead her to Sloane?

Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger? Wait…what?

Getting through Sloane’s list will mean a lot of firsts, and with a whole summer ahead of her—and with the unexpected help of the handsome Frank Porter—who knows what she’ll find.

Go Skinny Dipping? Um…"

  Thank you Morgan Matson! Let me just say that this was the first contemporary that I have ever read and I was hooked from page 1 and was in love with the book through the end. That being said I have a new found love for contemporary novels; but that's a post for another time.

The characters were a great joy to fall in love with and stumble along with them as they  navigated the summer and through the flashbacks over the course of the last couple of years. Sloane and Emily have one of those friendships that just seemed to happen without really a rhyme or reason to it, kind of like they just sort of clicked. Frank Porter was just as wonderful to fall in love with. Helpful and always Mr. Popular at school, Morgan Matson made him even more relateable behind his exterior. 

What I really, really, really loved about this book was The List. The List set the tone for the whole story and the following of Emily and her friends as they attempt to cross everything off the list. It was a roller coaster ride that I loved to follow. The ending was something I wish I could have for myself but if you want to know about the list and the ending you need to read this book for yourself.

Capturing small town living was something I really give her credit for. Its not easy to capture what its actually like to live in one of these places but everything was familiar to me and described what its like growing up in a place like this. From the drive in movie theater to the Grove, we had our places like that where everyone went to hang out. The book cover and inside of the dust jacket were beautiful and that played a part in my decision to finally order it and read it.

Flawlessly written and with all the characters and fun and issues that we all go through, Morgan Matson wrote pure gold. I can't wait to read her other books in the future!

Rating: 5/5 stars!