Author: Morgan Matson
Date Published: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Rating:
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Summary:
The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.
But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just… disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend.
Apple Picking at Night? Okay, easy enough. Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Um...
Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?
Go Skinny Dipping? Wait ... what?
In a well-ordered universe, I would love this book and vigorously shove it down on anyone's throat, er.... I mean must-read-ASAP list. And I guess I'm living in one right now. Trust me, I rarely do that. This is the kind of book that has every element of wonderful and versatile characters and relationships. Oh, and the fluff???? I'M ALL SQUEEEEE.
“I don’t think you have to do something so big to be brave. And it’s the little things that are harder anyway.”
What struck me the most and totally pulled my heart strings was how much I could relate to the main character. There was a time that I stopped reading for a moment and muttered to myself, "Is the main character me???? Or is Morgan Matson writing a plausible story about me????? ??" And for me nothing beats a character that I could relate to. Emily is shy and she's working on it. I love that the book didn't try to transorm everything about Emily unlike the usual from shy-timid-quiet girl to everyone's-friend-and-wow-become-suddenly-hot-and-popular. Emily explored things and worked up the courage to do things out of her comfort zone but still being herself. She's more confident and braver by the end of the book. It's very important to empower women whilst not deteriorating who they are.
There's a mix of humor and amusing banters. It's the kind of book that will not bore you and will surely hold you captive 'til the end. I love how I always look forward to the interactions between Collins and Emily as well as Collins and Frank. There's also the newly found friend, Dawn, whom I felt a little iffy at first but had her fair share of the laughs and banter. I like the friendship of Emily and Sloane. We get to know more of their relationship through flashbacks. Their friendship is more one completing each other. They are basically polar opposite but they fit like jigsaw puzzle. The problem is, tt really sucks when you're the second option. That's why Emily's character resonates with me so much since I feel the same :( I'm not even second option, I'm like the fifth???? or seventh???
"Before I knew it, the conversation was just flowing without me having to try and guide it, or be aware of its every twist and turn. I was no longer thinking about what I should say. I was just going with it, letting the conversation unfold."
WHEN YOU MEET PEOPLE THAT MAKE THAT HAPPEN THEN CONSIDER YOURSELF VERY VERY VERY LUCKY. There's sexual tension but the friendship build up was the sweetest treat. It was very genuine and authentic. It didn't feel forced or rushed. Emily and Frank started from something that turned into a great friendship and evolved into something deeper that both of them couldn't deny. It's there like an elephant in the room but due to some stuff (ahem Frank's girlfriend) they both know the limitations and that added the angst. But in a nutshell, Emily and Franks's relationship is one mountain of fluff balls: tame but totally squee-some *heart eyes*
Basically the friendships in this book LOL (except for that teeny-weeny mishap between Dawn and Emily which Morgan hinted to be explored and fixed in her upcoming book this 2016. I SMELL SEQUEL LLL LL LL L L )
Aside from the friendship, there's also family dynamics that was well-portrayed. I love how Matson didn't craft perfect families, instead, she created complex family ties that exist in our society. No family is perfect, and there are mishaps that might come along the way. We can't stop it from happening, what we can do is to be strong and understanding. I like that the LIST not only involves Emily's new friend, but also includes Emily's adorable younger brother, Beckett (the Bucket lol).
THE LIST!!!! I love how random but at the same time fitting the list is. I generally love lists and anything that has to do with laying out things in a bullet or numbered manner. It makes me excited and giddy. And everytime Emily and her newly found gang cross out a number in the list, it makes me more excited!!
Overall, I highly and genuinely recommend this to everyone. It is perfect to save anyone from the impending doom of a reading slump. It is also a perfect book if you're looking for a light but very delicious read. And did I mention how pretty the book is????? COVERGASM. HARD COVER GOALS. This is pretty much me all through out the book:
ON THE OTHER NOTE: I AM STILL ALIVE. I just needed to unwind and take a break from some things I used to do. Anyway, some changes might happen in this blog soon but I am not holding my breathe for that. I miss you guys. I still want to be active in commenting, but a lot of mishaps came spiraling down lately. I think I just need more time :D I hope you guys are having a wonderful time *smooches*
