Once and for All by Sarah Dessen

From Sarah Dessen, the beloved New York Times bestselling author of SAINT ANYTHING and JUST LISTEN, comes a new novel set in the world of wedding planning! Is it really better to have loved and lost? Louna's summer job is to help brides plan their perfect day, even though she stopped believing in happily-ever-after when her first love ended tragically. But charming girl-magnet Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged now that he's met the one he really wants. Maybe Louna's second chance is standing right in front of her. Sarah Dessen’s many fans will adore this latest novel, a richly satisfying, enormously entertaining story with humor, romance, and an ending that is so much more than happily-ever-after.

2.25/5 stars

Ambrose would again reach out a hand, asking me to dance. And this time, I'd say yes.

finally

warning: unmarked spoilers

good.

cute

annoying

is not more important than your mother's wedding!

stole

“The dead aren't the only ones who vanish: you, too, can disappear in plain sight if enough is taken from you. I was still missing, in many ways. And I wasn't sure I wanted to be found.”

Apparently I can't go wrong with Sarah Dessen. Cute, lighthearted story. Ambrose is probably my favorite male lead, his parts of the dialogue always made me chuckle, I wish he was featured more in the book.

A little predictable, but likable and fully drawn characters, as you would expect from a Sarah Dessen novel.

Not my favorite Dessen. The love interest was a total hound dog and I didn't find his character entertaining or attractive. Why he suddenly decided that the heroine was the one he could commit to was never explained. I did enjoy the insights into the wedding planning process, especially the unique behavior of wedding guests who step out of their ordinary lives for one magical evening (if it's done correctly).

Most of my favorite Dessen novels focus on the heroine's growth and development, with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. This one was too much of a plain old YA love story (a competition between hero and heroine about who can date the most/commit the most? really?) and not enough coming of age.

Maybe in my sixth decade I've finally outgrown YA novels...