The Truth About Forever

With her sixth novel, award-winning author Sarah Dessen offers up another generous helping of finely crafted storytelling about real teens dealing with real life. In The Truth About Forever, when asked how she is coping with her fathers death, invariably seventeen year old Macy Queens answer is “fine,” when nothing could be further from the truth. In actuality, she is drowning in grief while maintaining a flawless fa??ade of good grades and unblemished behavior. Though she feels lost when her boyfriend heads to “Brain Camp” for the summer, she finds herself a job with the quirky Wish Catering crew, and meets “sa-woon”-worthy Wes, whose chaotic lifestyle is in direct opposition to her own. As the two share their stories over the summer, Macy realizes she can no longer keep her feelings on ice. Though it feels like her future ended with her dads death, Macys learns that forever is all about beginnings. Dessen charts Macys navigation of grief in such an honest way it will touch every reader who meets her. All of the Dessen trademarks are here: a girl in transition, a wonderfully fleshed out cast of secondary characters, and of course, the luminous, powerful writing itself. The Truth About Foreverwill more than satisfy Dessens legion of fans, and will win her countless more as well. Highly recommended. –Jennifer Hubert