That Summer, by Sarah Dessen

2009 Puffin (spine breakers)

230 pages

Review copy

Paperclips: 2/5 teenage relationships

Smiles: 2/5

Tissues: 1/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Funky cover here! That's what initially attracted me to the book. The space in the top right corner (when tilted in the light) shows small (black) illustrations of small hearts, a dog, weather clouds (the type you see on tv) clouds with 'love' written in them, a golf caddy (with clubs) and other sweet pictures. Illustrations get 5/5 from me.

So what's this book about? Family. Predominantly mother-daughter, and sister-sister relationships. Teenage years are never easy, particularly not when Haven's father is remarrying (the new bride is a weather girl, hence all the clouds on the front cover), and her sister is getting married too.

Her mother's reaction to her ex-husband remarrying made me laugh - definitely a realistic character here. She does her best taking care of Haven and her sister Ashley, whose stress over her own big day grows and grows.

At times of change, its perfectly normal for people to reminisce about the past. Haven mulls over all of Ashley's past boyfriends, never expecting one of them called Summer will turn up and play a part in her life. I like the way Sarah Dessen explores human relationships, the mixups that can happen from miscommunication, or even just only having part of the story about something. I think anyone reading this can learn not to jump to conclusions, and to realise that sometimes the reason behind something won't be the one they expected.

Even more positive, considering the images which are still being portrayed by today's media, is the message given about the lives of models. Sarah incorporates this issue into the book so it isn't about unknown people Haven and her school friends will be unable to relate to.

Definitely a book for the times we live in.

Sarah Dessen's website is here