As Always, Dave

by Jack Weyland

When Dave leaves on his mission, he assumes that Abbie, his highschool sweetheart, will wait for him and that they'll eventually marry. But by the time he gets home, Abbie has a new boyfriend and is now living in New York. Can Dave win Abbie back? Is she the right one? And what about Camille, a new friend he's met in his New York young single adult ward? Weyland fans will enjoy this new young adult novel about relationships, romance, and finding true love.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, New Adult, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Jack Weyland is the best-selling author of young-adult fiction for the Latter-day Saint market. In fact, the modern genre of Latter-day Saint-themed popular fiction is one he is largely responsible for creating with his overwhelmingly popular novel Charly. His interest in fiction began with a correspondence course in creative writing taken during a summer at BYU where he was doing research work. Since then he has published more than two dozen books, and over fifty of his short stories have been published by the LDS Church magazine The New Era.

Born in Butte, Montana, Jack received a B.S. degree in physics from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in physics from BYU. Currently he teaches physics at BYU-Idaho. He formerly taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Jack and his wife, Sheryl, are the parents of five children and have four grandchildren. His hobbies include racquetball and singing.

Reviews

[Bayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before I bash this book for what it does wrong, maybe I'll point out what it does right.

...

...

Well, I'll be. There doesn't seem to be anything Weyland did well! Sure, not everything was awful, but what wasn't awful was mediocre at best.

I suppose Weyland was trying to be quirkly and play off of single Mormon stereotypes, but he fails, and badly. Personally acquainted with many single Mormons, NONE of them think of marriage so flippantly and nonchalantly as do ALL of the characters in this book. The main character's whole objective in life is to find a wife as soon as possible (he even notes once he always had it in his mind to marry a girl a month after he's met her). This would lead one to think he was socially handicapped, which, honestly, he is. But for some reason, despite the fact he's kind of an ignorant man whore, and the fact that he's socially retarded, girls flock around him. Luckily, most of these girls marry other guys. Usually within a month of meeting said other guys. The girl Dave does end up with is the most boring and uninteresting character in the book, who, ironically enough, he turns in his bachelorhood for. Go figure.

While the back of the book professes to give an inside look at return missionaries and their oddities, but the characters are portrayed so unrealistically that its more like a scripted reality TV show than anything. It's like that show, "Not on the First Date", but amplified. Amplified a whole lot.

And everything is just too pleasant. No one holds grudges or gets seriously mad (anytime someone gets "upset" they forget about it in about an hour, tops). Everyone gets along. I could just hear "Let's Get Together" by The Youngbloods playing in the background. It was sickening.

I cannot fathom who would enjoy this book. I don't think anyone can. Stay away.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many characters in this book to love and care about. I think Dave's loving and caring about them helps us love and care about them. None are perfect. Each have flaws. I laughed out loud. I got mad. My heart was tugged in so many different directions for so many of the characters. Jack Weyland knows how to write characters that your heart goes out to. He knows how to teach us lessons without being preachy. I love how the characters stand up for themselves and for each other, even though that can be incredibly hard at times.

If you love pairing books with aromatherapy, may I recommend a favorite essential oil blend. doTERRA's Passion blend. The characters in this book are passionate about what they love and how they go about pursuing it. I might also suggest doTERRA's Console blend. Dave had a lot of setbacks that he could have used some compassion and consolation over, we all do.

**Talking Points - what do you think about Dave's decision not to kiss girls casually, but to save his kissing until he was pretty sure that this was the girl that he wanted to marry. What were the advantages of his decision? The disadvantages? Would you like to do something like that as well? What did you think about the ways the nanny's were taken advantage of? Do you think that everyone needs to learn to stand up for themselves sometime? When have you been taken advantage of and how have you learned to stand up for yourself and others. What do you think a person needs more, a a compassionate person to tell their troubles to or a solution? Does the situation matter? What do you think about Abbie not wanting to marry Dave because she wanted more from the man she married? Is it okay to want more? What do you think when Dave gives up after the "I want more" conversation? Was his only option giving up? What more could have he done? Dave doesn't start college for a while, is it ever too late to go back to school to become what you want to become? What do you like best about each of the characters in this story? What don't you like?

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I debated between giving this 3 or 4 stars but decided to err on the higher side. The writing was not fabulous but I did enjoy the story and gained personal insight into the type of person I was pre-marriage (I was too much life Dave and wanted to get married far too quickly!). I appreciated the lessons Weyland teaches in this, especially since dating, courtship and marriage are a "hot topic" for LDS young adults. Though I did marry young I know many young adults who are still struggling to find the right person and make that eternal commitment, which is a big thing! My dad knew Jack Weyland when he served his mission years ago so I always have a soft spot in my heart for Weyland's LDS novels, even if they are full of some Mormon cheesiness. But hey, I'm LDS and am sure I'm far cheesiness that I often realize! :)

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooohhhhhh! I love Jacky Weyland. Loved this latest book of his, BECAUSE an older girl gets a younger guy! I also liked how Dave had a heck of time actually getting married. Thank you for writing a Mormon fiction where it's not always sweet and easy in life and dating.

[Elizabeth Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

1 1/2 stars

Many, many years ago I enjoyed reading Charly. So, I gave this a shot. No bueno.

The writing is pretty bad. But I feel like it would be heartless to give this one star, thus the 1 1/2.

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the latest book I read. I loved it, then hated it, then loved it. If you can make a reader do that, then you've got a great talent.

[Raini · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out great. It was really moving along. Then somewhere in the middle it became so slow. I hated how abrupt the ending was the ending ruined the whole book for me.

[Lisa]

This was an interesting look at dating life. It was a little annoying in that the going back and forth that happens in dating is also pretty annoying. It made me glad to be married.

[Mommywest · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my eye when I was waiting for my kids to finish picking a few books at the library. I gave up on Jack Weyland many years ago because it felt like his books were just becoming more of the same. Because I was intrigued by the premise, I decided to give this one a try. I would have liked to see more character and story development; the whole book felt rushed and compressed, and sometimes the people felt almost too wooden. Maybe that was an unfortunate function of trying to portray certain stereotypes, or maybe it was quick pacing and lack of development. Even so, I did feel like I got to know the characters somewhat and could even envision myself visiting the places they lived and explored, even if I would have loved more depth. As always, there were parts that were laugh-out-loud funny, and there were some really nice moments, too--spiritual moments that really touched my heart and even brought tears to my eyes. And the book turned out to not be in any way predictable! Overall, I feel like I learned a lot about the unique challenges that single young adults face today, and what might be holding them back from the commitment of marriage. I even learned some things about myself and what I can do differently to make my marriage even better. And, hopefully, I can teach my kids not to fall into the same traps as some of the characters in this book! After all, one of my kids is a year away from leaving for college, and we are already seeing the reluctance of some young men to actually ask girls out rather than "hang out." This book is not great literature, and sometimes you feel like you are watching a train wreck in progress (or you feel like whacking a few of the characters over the head...), but at the end, you realize that sometimes life really is like watching a train wreck (or being in one), but that when you turn to the Lord and trust in Him, everything works out right. You also feel like you care for the main characters and their lives, and that you learned something. It is apparent that Brother Weyland has spent significant time in the locations he used in the book and also has spent some time with this particular population. :) Best audience for this book would be young single adults or those who soon will be, parents of young singles or those who soon will be, and leaders of this age group. Or, if you're just looking for a quick, clean, feel-good (eventually :) ) read, this would be a good choice. Note: reference is made to sexual relations without using those words. I think it's very tastefully done, and it's all very appropriate and a good way to get YSAs thinking in an eternal perspective. Two of the characters also talk about eloping and almost do, but remembering temple marriage puts the brakes on that idea.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I am a Jack Weyland fan, but his books seem to not have changed even though they are newer. His writing style hasn't changed since..Ever. I would recommend teens to read this and not adults, even though it is geared towards the YSA genre. I would have liked him to actually have become a better novelist over time, but this wasn't a well written book.
The story starts off with Dave returning home from his mission. The girl that he was in love with and still is before has changed and is seeing someone else. Dave takes it hard and is immature about everything that happens, some say that he's a guy, but that doesn't make up for the poor writing.
I felt like I was reading a children's book, this book was the easiest read that I've had in a long time. I skipped paragraphs because with this book, I didn't miss anything. Brother Weyland showed a lot of detail at the beginning of the book, but towards the end of it, thirty pages left, he rushed the book. I won't be reading any of his books for a while because of how easy they are. I think that the hardest word was probably "fuhgetaboutit".
I guess this book is geared towards the LDS crowd, he had to make it simple and easy to read. But even so, Orson Scott Card is an LDS author, and he has suspenseful, hard worded books.
Don't read this book if you are older than 19 years old. Save yourself some time, SPOILER: Abbie and Dave don't get back together.

[Catharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Weyland isn't the best writer in the world, but his books sell, so I guess that says something. This book is about a young man returning from an LDS mission with his plans all set as to who he's going to marry and when. Unfortunately, the girl has other plans. With his desires unfulfilled, he falls into the rut of "hanging out," to make sure he doesn't get too close to any girl for fear of setting off the rumor mills. After a while he realizes that instead of seeing a girl and thinking "What about her?" he thinks, "What's wrong with her?" and he can always find something that makes her undatable & unmarriageable. Until he realizes that it might just be himself that has something wrong, he never will find anyone that could possibly be just right. An enjoyable, quick read.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My wife mocks me for reading Jack Weyland books even though I am neither 13 years-old, a girl, nor single, and yet I enjoy them. It's refreshing to have characters and a storyline that reinforces good, moral principles. Because Weyland's characters are always LDS, his readership will never expand outside the Church, but in contrast to Stephenie Meyer and Orson Scott Card, who have found wider commercial success, Weyland's books fill me with hope. As Always, Dave is no exception.

Also I read it in one night, from 11 - 2 am, on a family vacation.

[Chelsie Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave just got home from his mission. He and Abbie, the girl he has been in love with his whole life, were supposed to get married when he got back and then he was supposed to take over his dad's hardware store and then they were supposed to live happily ever after. Except, Abbie is in New York, so he flies out there and is determined to win her back and help her realize that Ririe, Idaho really is the best place on earth. Abbie isn't so sure she agrees with Dave. His work is cut out for him when he gets to New York and finds out that Abbie is seeing someone else.

This book was ridiculous! It was hilarious but it was so, so typical of the new returned missionary that wants to get married the second that he steps off the plane. As I was reading it I was really frustrated with his mentality on marriage. It was funny though. He was such a baby (young).

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book yesterday while in the hours I spent in the E.R. I was greatful for a distraction! The story is about a man named Dave whom after returning home from a mission expected his girlfriend Abbie to be waiting for him with open arms. Ofcourse that's not often the case. Abbie has changed as she grew accustomed to New York and the people there. She's met someone else and Dave decides to get a job there to try to get her to change her mind. He suffers a roller coaster of emotions as he tries to win Abbie's heart while also showing interest to two other singles in the area. He eventually finds himself and the girl who was meant for him in an unexpected way. It was a pretty good read overall even through Dave's whining and suffering!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed Weyland's books in Jr. High and high school, but when re-reading or reading his new stuff for the first time now I'm completely bored, irritated and turned off by his books. This book was so BLAH. Boring and unrealistic. The main character has a list of three girls in which order he'll try to marry them if the first one doesn't work out. He tells the girls this and they seem to get a kick out of it (even the one who actually likes him who is last on the list!). Thet aren't offended or hurt by it. If I liked a guy and he told me two of my best friends were in line before me that'd be the end of him. Honestly stupid. If you enjoy a boringness, irritating characters, and a not-so-well written book, go for this one.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I actually enjoy most Jack Weyland books, cheese and all. But this book is SO lame. Every single character is stupid. And half of the characters are mean and would have no friends in real life. No one in their right mind would want to marry the girl the main character pines for the entire book. And the girl he actually ends up marrying would never marry him after the way he treats her. I seriously cannot think of a single good thing about this book. Lame.

[Annemarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not my favorite Jack Weyland books. I've read a lot of his books and this one I just found myself struggling to get through. It seemed to really drag and it was almost frustrating to read because the main character didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I actually found myself skimming parts of the book because it seemed to be repeating itself or was monotonous. I finally started getting a little into it once I had about 40 pages left, and then it was like the author was just trying to hurry and end the book. This was definitely not one of my more favorite books of his.

[Natalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read because it reminds me of the 12 year old inside. I was a little disappointed that Mr Weyland has been writing for years about young adults and still has a hard time seeing what it is like to date as one. I still remember the good and the bad of dating. He hits on a few good points when it comes being a young single adult but then misses the real point by a mile. All n all it is a sweet book. Like I said, I read because the 12 year old inside thought she would like it a little and she did.

[Allyson Daniels · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really disliked this book. The main character Dave comes home from his LDS mission to find that his high school sweet heart has changed and moved on. He then spends the rest of the book trying to win her back even though she is a jerk. That wouldn't be too bad but the whole time he is attempting to win her back all he does is whine, complain, and be a jerk to everyone around him. As for this author writing this for the LDS crowd... I am LDS and did not even come close to enjoying it.

In conclusion the writing isn't great and the story is awful.... I recommend you do not read it.

[Heidi]

I don't know why I always fall victim to the thought that THIS time he will have written a good book! "As Always, Dave" was so poorly written and the conversations between his characters soooooo unlikely that it is literally painful to read. I can not begin to tell you how badly I wanted to give Jack Weyland a lesson on the use of adverbs in the English language as his characters never use them in their speech. This book was painful on sooo many levels...

[Jene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love to read Jack Weyland and for a long time he is the author that I would ever read. I know totally weird and the truth is I am a total sucker for his books. Paul always make fun of my mormon books.
Anyway this is a pretty good story if you are into that teeny bopper return missionary stuff. Oh man I know I am crazy and totally weird but, that it why I am being more dedicated to this site because I am really wanting to branch out. So please please give ideas so I can start some new reads.

[Amber Irvine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought a lot of the book was a little over the top dramatic and unrealistic...however, it kept my interest enough that I finished it. I would have preferred Dave end up with Hannah because that relationship seemed to progress in a believable manner. I did like the idea of putting a lot of faith and prayer into finding your partner and took that as my message from the book. It is OK if you just want a quick and somewhat predictable church read but not one of my favorites.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Weyland's books have always been a literary equivalent of comfort food for me: fun to read, especially the parts where the characters have a fun time teasing each other and being goofy, with a good dose of people trying to live the gospel. As Always, Dave, was enjoyable and contains both elements. What made this book a little unique (compared to his other books) was Weyland's treatment of dating as hanging out vs. courtship.

[Nicole Bulkley · Rating 1 out of 5]

So here was another book I read out of desperation to be reading something. Boy, what a disappointment. I could not stand the main character, which I never really got a good "visual" of, and he just got worse as the book went on. And there were too many side stories that were too rushed for conclusions (if that makes sense). The one character that I felt had any amount of value or interest was thrown in at the end in, yet again, another rush.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a young recently returned missionary who goes to New York to visit his high school sweetheart, only to realize that she's changed. He wants to fall in love so badly, but after getting "burned" a few times, becomes complacent. I thought this was a pretty good take on how today's dating scene works--guys and girls are more like buddies and just hang out rather than date--maybe because they don't want to get hurt.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do enjoy this book. It has a wide range of romance, comedy, life choices and religion. The characters all have such different personalities and i think thats what i like most about it. Each of them posses different qualities and are each unique. I like this book because it has a lot of life choices and decisions on what to do with your life when you're in a messy situation. I think we all can relate to this because, we each face so many trials and difficulties in life.

[Tennille Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book and was really trying to get into it but it was slow to start, unrealistic and ended badly. Weyland has us get invested in characters all of whom (except Dave) ended up disappearing and we are left to believe after all his work and energy, marries a woman who at first glance, would have walked right by.
Really disappointed by what a waste of time this book was.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister sent me this book and I started it at 10:30ish last night and finished it at 3:00AM. I enjoyed it and laughed out loud at some parts but...

I didn't care for who he ended up with. I didn't think she matched him at all. The first 3/4 of the book was awesome and funny, the last 1/4, not so much.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this book more than I thought, although I think the girls (Abbie, etc.) were highly annoying characters. I'm sure they were supposed to be. I liked that he made Dave work for a 'happy' ending and it wasn't just a fairy tale. It reminded me of someone I know who recently got married.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read that I borrowed from Jessica M. It is about a return missionary who goes to New York City to see if it is still going to work out with the one he left behind. A web of women follow. Will he find the right one? You'll just have to see. I found it to be good and it kept me going to find out who he ends up with.