Reunion

Yearbook Trilogy #3

by Ally Condie

Addie Sherman isn’t popular, she’s not exuberant, and she’s not known as the class clown. She’s just Addie, a high school junior who is convinced that she has nothing in common with the rest of her outgoing family, including her brother Dave. When Dave’s wife, Avery, needs help during a difficult pregnancy, Dave calls on Addie. Addie has to hide her resentment over having to help her sister- in- law when there are plenty of things going on in her own life that need her attention.

Sam Choi is one of Addie’s best friends, and he has a few secrets of his own. He doesn’t want to go on a mission, and he’s not sure how to break the news to his parents.

Cate Giovanni is a freshman in college, and enjoying the chance to reinvent herself and leave her high school years behind. As she makes new friends and encounters new people, she also can’t help but think about someone she left behind.

Reunion, the final book in the Yearbook trilogy, is a novel about the journeys home that become possible after you’ve discovered more about yourself.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Lds, Contemporary, Romance, Love

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2008

About the author

Ally Condie is a former high school English teacher who lives with her husband, three sons and one daughter outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, running, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar.

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read so much that it's hard for me to keep a story straight months after I read it. Typically, when I pick up a sequel, I'm lost for awhile, thinking, "Who did what? Who is that character again? What's going on?" For some strange reason, I didn't feel that with this book. The characters came right back to me and it was fun to see all the intertwining of stories from the previous two novels in the series.

Mikey and Ethan are in love, much to the disgust (really disguised happiness) of her two younger brothers, Sam and Alex. I loved seeing how the brothers interacted and really felt their personalities shining through the pages.

Sam is snowboarding buddies with Rob, Cody, and Addie, yet he nurses a crush from afar on Addie. I like how he's such a good friend and allows himself to be himself and honest with her. Cody and Rob are great side characters. I love the friendship these four friends share on their weekly outings.

Cate is away at BYU-Idaho and has to deal with a roommate situation that she would rather not face.

There is a lot of mention of the LDS church (temple marriages, missions, Word of Wisdom, honor code, etc), therefore it is a clean read. One person has some struggles and they are mentioned, but not in great detail.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the third book in the yearbook triliogy. I've been so excited for this book to come out because I wanted to know what happened from everyone in first day. Call me crazy, but I like books like this. Even though there were some parts that were a little to cheesy for me, I still thought it was a fun read. I was a little disspointed that this book was more about the "younger" people you didn't hear much about in first day or yearbook. I was hoping it would be more about those from the previous books but they still made appearances in this book. I think Allyson is a very talented writer and has a bright future ahead of her with the LDS fiction fans.

[Brooklyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was the third book to the yearbook series. it was a quick read, well at least for me... i had nothing else to do after getting surgery... well i really liked it if tied it all together or if you want i suppose that it could be the lead up to another book in the series. but really good with lessons of choosing the right and supporting others. :)

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the story was good, this is one of those books that isn't really a YA, yet not an adult book per se either. If there were such a thing as "college-age" book, then that's where this one would most likely fit. I kept forgetting that one of the POV characters was a guy as I read befcause the voice sounded like a girl, and then suddenly something in the action of the story would remind me. It was weird. Because I hadn't read the other books in the series, the Reunion epilogue threw me and I had to sit and think for a few minutes before I understood how it was significant and not just a reason for the book's title. Most fans of LDS fiction will probably like it, especially teenage girls who tend to read all LDS fiction with the same lack of discrimination as to target audience.

[Suze Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the first two books in this trilogy , but this last one was kinda odd compared to the others. I’m giving more of a 3.5 stars. The Prologue & Epilogue had nothing to do with the stories, except that it’s about Mr. Thomas. But there’s no other part of his story in the book. Just odd. I also thought there should’ve been a little more character development for Jenna. Even though she’s not a main character, her back story was a bit lacking. I don’t know how to explain it, but this book just didn’t have the same meat as the first two. But it was still enjoyable.

[Tausha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful I was able to read this series back to back or I think I would have been lost. This was my favorite of the series, but still was missing something. It was great to see where many of the characters from First Day and Yearbook ended up. Cute read, just not a favorite.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, sweet, lds, YA read

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

really a 3.5. Addie Sherman (Dave's sister) loves snowboarding with her 3 guy friends in Seattle. They treat her like a guy even though she wishes Rob wouldn't. When her grades slip, she's grounded from snowboarding and has to babysit her sister-in-law who's on bedrest. Sam Choi (Michaela's brother) is her best friend and he's struggling with mission plans, but his parents are busy with Michaela's wedding and don't notice. Cate Giovanni, one of Andrea's seminary student is in Rexburg and having roommate problems. When she goes to Seattle for a summer internship she meets them all.

Another fun story in the trilogy.

[Megan Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

See review for Yearbook (the first book in this series!)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went right into this third book after finishing "First Day". This was a shorter book that brought in several characters from the earlier books but also introduced a few new ones. The thing I like best about this series is how real the characters feel and how realistic their situations and decisions seem. I think the author really nails the emotions that a lot of teens and young adults face. From feeling like you don't fit in, to dealing with friends/roommates who make bad choices, to struggling with whether or not to serve a mission. It was definitely an LDS book but didn't feel preachy (at least the least "preachy" of the three books). I loved the humor in it as well -- found myself laughing out loud many times! I will definitely encourage my kids to read these books when they're a bit older.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ally Condie does well with writing multiple points of view so we see many different angles of the story. The first time I experienced her doing that was in 'Crossed', the second book of the 'Matched' trilogy, but it seems she has done that for most of her books. I think it's a good literary device that helps move the storyline along without being overly heavy-handed with details.
I also really enjoyed getting to know 2 new characters (Addie and Sam) who are both siblings of previous characters we've met in the 'First Day' series. It was fun to go back to Lakeview High and see how some things never really change about being in high school.
I think my favourite part of the book was the little mystery, though. It was subtle, but beautifully done, and kept me guessing until literally the last page! :)

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series just went downhill after the first book. Check out my other reviews for the previous two.

"Reunion" was filled with unrealistic dialogue, too much lovey-dovey romance drama, and couples who were perfectly "in love" which I think gives a bad impression of what marriage and relationships are really like and about. It's one of those books that gives the idea that once you've found the right person for you, everything is just peachy and nothing can go wrong.

I also didn't love the characters for this book. I'm not sure what it was, but something about the authors writing just became boring to me. The characters weren't has exciting or in-depth or as varied as they were in the first novel.

[Lauren Perotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in a trilogy, which I didn't know until I was well into the book and still a bit confused. Plot was weak. Characters were underdeveloped. It's hard to use multiple points of view effectively. The characters were too much alike for it to work. They all sounded exactly the same. The only way I could tell them apart was by reading the chapter headings. And what was the epilogue about? It made absolutely no sense. I'm guessing I'd need to read the other books? But still, not a good idea to introduce an entirely new character and subplot in the epilogue. "Oh wait! Before you finish, I forgot to tell you what's going on with this guy. Here's two sentences to update you."

Quick and easy read. Worth the $2 I paid for it.

[Jessica Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the third in the Yearbook series. It gives the point of view of three different people: Addie Sherman, Sam Choi, and Cate Giovonni. Addie is a Senior in High School who is trying to figure out what to do with her future while she is helping her sister law who is on bed rest. Sam is also a Senior in High School who is trying to decide whether he should go on a mission or not. Cate is in her first semester of College and trying to make new friends and learn how to love on her won.
I thought this book was so realistic and easy to relate. It was also such a fun read. I loved reading all of their different stories and how they each dealt with their different problems.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reunion is the perfect conclusion to the Yearbook trilogy! Condie allows us to truly see a reunion of the characters that we became attached to in Yearbook while introducing fresh characters and voices. Readers will immediately love Addie and Sam, who are welcome additions to the Yearbook character family. As in the other books, Condie blends lighthearted high school fun with thoughtful, touching storylines. I highly recommend all three books in this series- Yearbook, First Day, and Reunion- not only for young adults, but for adults as well.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Yearbook series. I have to admit, I really enjoyed all three of these books! They were light reads, and had me wondering what would happen next. I think I read this one faster than the rest (I picked it up Saturday evening, started it Sunday midday, and just finished it a few minutes ago, only 36 hours or so after having started it. I do wish it would've been longer and hope that the author writes more in the future!

[Cindy Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a fun read. Its lds fiction and the third of the yearbook series. Although, I still hadn't read the first, yearbook, yet. And, I think that was why for me at first, it was hard to follow. When I got about halfway through though, I definetly could not put it down. The characters, once I figured out who was who really drew me in. This was great!

[Harmony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stole my mom's copy and read this one over the Thanksgiving holiday. This is the last of the Yearbook trilogy, and just as good as the first two. I enjoyed the story, but the characters are what suck you in. I've really enjoyed Allyson Condie's books and hope she has a lot more ideas to keep her writing.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Much more than the second book in the series. I felt like the author got back to real emotions and I felt the pull I did in the first one, like I had felt those things too. It was a quick and easy read for a cold winter day. Over all I really enjoyed the entire series and would read more of her work in the future.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter got this book for Christmas and we both enjoyed reading it. While not necessarily life-changing, it's well-written and has a good feeling and good message. A good choice for a teenage girl--the characters, romance, and issues seem more real to life and less like a big fairy tale. We feed our girls too much happily-ever-after stuff and not enough real-life positive role models.

[Emmeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book book but it stinks that the series are all over with. I liked this one the best because it was only 3 people telling there story of the time period so it wasn't hard to keep up with all of the characters--including more diologe exc. I loved how it ended even though the book could have used more. I need more of those books.

[Jessica Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series. I originally thought I would hate how she splits up the chapters by characters, but I actually ended up fine with it. My only beef is sometimes I feel that I want to read more about a character and she changes it on me. But good story! And a good ending to the series. Well, the story of the original characters was resolved, but maybe not the others. Still good though.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book. I almost couldn't put it down, I got so involved in the characters, and in the end it had a good message. The only thing is I thought she could've gone further with the story, and I really wish she would have. Because like I said I really liked it.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series. I think I'm a little older than the target audience, but I really like the author's style. I don't love all LDS fiction, but I enjoy these. The last chapter of this book was particularly poignant.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I'm a big fan of Ally Condie. I wish this series would go on forever---or I wish she would go back and bring in more characters! I love all the different points of view! This is a very quick read. It only took a few hours to read and I'm done---this always makes me sad.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like it--but chiefly because I have read the two previous books in the trilogy, and enjoyed having the loose ends "tied up". If you choose to read it, I would suggest first reading "Yearbook", and then "First Day". You will enjoy this one more if you do.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, although not quite as much as Yearbook or First Day. However, it's still good :) Which is why it took me only, what, 2 days to read it :) I liked this one, a rather satisfying end to the Yearbook series.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but every chapter being on a different character drove me nuts. Some of the character's stories were more interesting than others, and it annoyed me to have to wait three or four chapters to continue where it left off.

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely the best book in the series. My favorite characters were completely and all the way Addie and Sam. I do wish it would've been clearer that Sam is going on a mission or not but I have a feeling his answer was yes. These books will stay with me for a long time.

[Annissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was OK and my least favorite out of the series as it left many of the characters in limbo as it raced to finish the book. You never got to hear the behind the scene of their story and felt rushed as they introduced new characters.