Since You've Been Gone

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 450

Publication Date: May, 2014

Rating: 5/5

Summary:

One summer morning Emily wakes up to find that her best friend Sloane is nowhere to be found. After two weeks of going to her house and calling her in hopes of finding her, a letter arrives in the mail. Sloane had sent a list:

1.     Kiss a stranger.

2.     Go skinny-dipping.

3.     Steal something.

4.     Break something.

5.     Penelope.

6.     Ride a dern horse, ya cowpoke.

7.     55 S. Ave. ask for Mona.

8.     The backless dress. And somewhere to wear it.

9.     Dance until dawn.

10.  Share some secrets in the dark.

11.  Hug a Jamie.

12.  Apple picking at night.

13.  Sleep under the stars.

Emily sets off to complete the list and in the processes meets unforgettable people and creates long-lasting memories.

Pros:

·       It was nice to see a book focus on a friendship between girls rather than pushing that aside in favor of a romantic relationship, although there is some romance.

·       A relatable story for anyone who has ever found themselves without a huge group or friends or feels overshadowed by their best friend.

·       Left me smiling every time Emily completed an item on the list.

Cons:

·       There was one plot point that did not have closure at the end.

·       Some parts were a bit predictable.

Final Thoughts:

A great, quick read that is filled with some unpredictable moments that will leave you smiling! I’d recommend this as a summer read for high-schoolers. I loved that it focused on the loss of a best friend which is often overlooked.

“Date someone who'll wait to make sure you get inside before driving away.”