Challenge Corner discussion

Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break—because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever.

Okay, so my audiobook is messed up. These are my best approximations of percentages
15% (view spoiler)[ It's really sad that Scarlett's boyfriend died and no one at school knows that they were in love. I'm glad Halley is there, but she's a bit uptight I think (hide spoiler)]

26% (view spoiler)[ Macon is kind of meh. I also don't love how Halley is treating her mom, she seems to be going through a rebellious phase. She should tell her mom she isn't interested in Noah anymore (hide spoiler)]

57% (view spoiler)[ I must be getting old if I identify with the mom ha. Yes, she should approach things with Halley in a different way instead of yelling and not letting Halley explain anything. But, Halley is ditching school, lying about where she is, and being defiant just because.

I don't think Macon is a good influence, like revving his engine outside. Why? He's playing around with her and doesn't care if she gets in trouble (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ I'm officially over Macon. Pressuring her to have sex and then when she says no he ditches her and hangs out with other girls. Nope, dump his ass. I'm glad Scarlett is telling her not to sleep with him just to appease him (hide spoiler)]

Looks like I’ll be late to this one, still waiting on my audio to be available. It’s been years since I read anything from this author so I’m not sure what to expect.

Yeah, this one is a bit dated. I find myself identifying more with the mom lol. But I do love Sarah Dessen

finished (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Halley and her mom talked and her mom is doing better listening. Also that Halley dumped Macon, especially when he didn't even see her in the hospital after he caused the accident!!
The ending with the baby was cute (hide spoiler)]

18%

(view spoiler)[ its cute megan having a crush on Hailey (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "57% I must be getting old if I identify with the mom ha. Yes, she should approach things with Halley in a different way instead of yelling and not letting Halley explain anything. But, Halley is d..."

(view spoiler)[🤣🤣🤣🤣 interesting

Most of the time I am just pissed off at the mum. She is 16 for god sake let the girl have some space

My mum is a bit like her mum so it kinda rile me up hahah (hide spoiler)]

38%

(view spoiler)[Poor Halley getting dragged into this when she is only trying to help Scarlett (hide spoiler)]

62%

(view spoiler)[ I wanna smack Halley's mum (hide spoiler)]

85%

(view spoiler)[Megan is kinda sweet but also kinda a dick. Are we ever gonna know what he been up to behind Halley back? (hide spoiler)]

Attack Salmon wrote: "62%

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, some moments I definitely feel the same

Part 2 (view spoiler)[Ugh I don't like this Macon... umm why was he even in her friend's bed. (hide spoiler)]
Part 4 (view spoiler)[I love that Hailey is there so much for her friend. They are more like sisters. (hide spoiler)]
Part 5(view spoiler)[Ok I'm not a fan of her mom but I'm even less of a fan of Macon. (hide spoiler)]
Finished(view spoiler)[So I'm not sad she broke up with Macon officially, that should have happened way sooner. Also umm I guess I don't see the reason Hailey is the MC. Just an ok read. Her BFF was just so much more interesting and I wanted to see more from her POV especially with Cameron hanging around. The fact Hailey couldn't see how wrong Macon was was sad. Thank goodness she didn't sleep with him. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "finished I'm glad Halley and her mom talked and her mom is doing better listening. Also that Halley dumped Macon, especially when he didn't even see her in the hospital after he caused the acciden..."

(view spoiler)[I was so mad he showed up when her BFF was in the hospital but not when Hailey was... And umm she was there because of him smh. Good riddance ;) (hide spoiler)]

Attack Salmon wrote: "62%

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I really didn't like her mom either yet I get her mom in some respects but damn if she ever gives Hailey a chance to explain especially when there's a legitimate reason for whatever she's yelling at her about. I imagine it must be hard to be both a psychologist and a mother and not intertwine to two. In retrospect Hailey is such a good kid, lay off already mom lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-4 (view spoiler)[
The first quarter of this book has started out okay. I have been finding myself less able to relate to Dessen's books, so I don't enjoy them as much as I did as a teen. However, I am finding the writing in this one tolerable. I like Halley and Scarlet so far. I don't really like Macon, though. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 5-8 (view spoiler)[
The thing that is putting me off the story is what usually bothers me in teenage romance books, Scarlett goes on about how much she loves and misses Michael. However, they were only together for a short while, and they probably didn't even know each other that well. It just always seems a little ridiculous (or maybe I'm just getting old). (hide spoiler)]

Marissa wrote: "Chapters 1-4
The first quarter of this book has started out okay. I have been finding myself less able to relate to Dessen's books, so I don't enjoy them as much as I did as a teen. However, I am ..."

🤣🤣 yeah its kinda amazed me when old authors. Enid Blyton, Jean Ure, Meg Cabot able to write teenage/ children books. They are young at heart I guess!!

I do wish I am still able to enjoy teenage books as I grow older

Attack Salmon wrote: "Marissa wrote: "Chapters 1-4
The first quarter of this book has started out okay. I have been finding myself less able to relate to Dessen's books, so I don't enjoy them as much as I did as a teen..."

I find that YA fantasy, sci-fi, etc. are more enjoyable, but then the plots don't necessarily revolve around the romance. I think I just don't like YA fiction/romance where the characters are moody, rebellious against their parents, madly in love with someone they just met, etc. Those are just too hard to relate to now.

Chapters 9-13 (view spoiler)[
I don't think Halley's mom is being that unreasonable. Halley was changing and maybe it wasn't just because of Macon, but she needs to be nicer and more honest with her parents. I don't see why she won't introduce them to Macon? Although, honestly, I still don't like him. He is pushy and doesn't respect boundaries. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 14-19 (view spoiler)[
I knew Macon was going to end up being a jerk. It is too bad that it took all of that for Halley to realize this, but I guess she learned a lot from her experiences. Overall, I found this book to be boring. Halley was bland, and the story was predictable and slow. Definitely not ranking this high on my list of books by Sarah Dessen. (hide spoiler)]

Marissa wrote: "Chapters 9-13
(view spoiler)[I don't think Halley's mom is being that unreasonable. Halley was changing and maybe it wasn't just because of Macon, but she needs to be nicer and more honest with her parents. I do..." (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad someone else doesn't hate Halley's mom lol. I felt so alone

You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen book. I'm trying to read them all in publication order this summer, since there's easter eggs in the later books

Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen book. I'm trying to read them all in publ..."

I was planning on reading This Lullaby if you want to BR that?

Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen book. I'm trying to read them all in publ..."

😳😳 Easter eggs???!!

Oh I am up for any BR..
My August BR are so bare.... 🤣

Marissa wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen book. I'm trying to read them..."

Yes! When do you want to read it?

Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen book. I'm trying to read them..."

I have a ton of buddy reads you can join if you want!


Plus more I'm reading in YA buddy readers that we can read here too

Aly wrote: "Marissa wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen book. I'm try..."

Does starting it next Friday work (8/7)?

Aly wrote: "Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen book. I..."


🤣🤣 I am still deciding whether to join those. I am picky with the covers LOL

But I am up for reading more Sarah Dessen 😁

🤣🤣🤣😅😅 I donno how u and Crystal can be slaying in both here and YA Buddy Read group. It be too stressful for me.

Marissa wrote: "Aly wrote: "Marissa wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah Dessen b..."

Yes that works. I'll make the thread

Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah De..."

I use a planner and it's color coded lol. It gets a bit crazy

8/7
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Aly wrote: " 8/7
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

Thanks! :)

Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to read another Sarah De..."

I had to make a spreadsheet (also color coded 🤓) a few months ago to keep track of all my dang books, reading progress and groups lol. It’s like a side job 😂

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me know if anyone wants to..."

No kidding! If only we got paid to read

Aly wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "Attack Salmon wrote: "Aly wrote: "You can definitely tell this is one of Dessen's early books. They get so much better as they go.

Let me k..."

A girl can dream lol