Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

9/7/2017

The Story

Annabel Greene appears to live a perfect life. Admired by many girls due to her model status, she shows confidence and promise on the outside. However, there is more to her life than meets the eye. She struggles with a shattered friendship with her friend Sophie, her sister, Whitney, battles an eating disorder, and Annabel is not entirely sure if she even wants to continue modeling. Her world is chaos until she meets Owen, a completely honest, music obsessed boy who opens her eyes to how sharing the truth can have positive impacts on a person. She begins to share more of her secrets; however, there is one she cannot bear to share. What happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

What I Liked

Owen: Although Owen seems like your typical, run-of-the-mill angry teenager, his character evolves when he meets Annabel and learns to become more accepting of other's ideas and lives. While he is honest without a glitch, he begins to accept how blatantly sharing the truth may be difficult for others.
The Music: I am always a sucker for a romantic story line centered around music. I really appreciated how Annabel and Owen get to know each other through each other's choices in music and by sharing music while they hang out.
Annabel's Sisters: As I read Just Listen, I always looked forward to scenes with Whitney and Kirsten. Their characters both experience significant, self-motivated growth during the novel as they begin to find themselves and realize who they are meant to be.
The Drama: Sarah Dessen does a splendid job of accurately depicting many struggles teenagers experience during high school and with their friends.

What I Did not Like

Annabel's growth is motivated by a boy. Her realization that she is the one who holds the steering wheel of her life comes only after a boy guides her.
Some scenes felt really drawn out. There were a few chapters where I began skimming because the dialogue did not add to the story and I had no interest in the events of the chapter.

Overall

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen is a well-written YA novel which tackles many issues experienced by teens such as eating disorders, dating, and drama among friends. The story was entertaining, but I am not sure it is one I would reread in the future. I recommend Just Listen to teens looking for a summer read with sprinkles of romance and lots of drama.

Rating: 4/5

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