Author: Morgan Matson
Published: May 6th 2014Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genres/age group: Contemporary, romance, young adult
External links: Goodreads • Amazon
It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back? Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough. Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a stranger? Um... Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list. Who knows what she’ll find? Go skinny-dipping? Wait...what?
A story of everlasting friendships, first loves and finding yourself, Since You've Been Gone is one of my favourite novels of all time. I loved this book the first time I read it, but the second time around I adored it. Emily, the protagonist of the novel, was a character I could honestly relate to. At the beginning of the book, Emily is a wallflower and is dependent on her best friend, Sloane, in almost every social situation. She is reserved and shy (I saw so much of my 16/17 year old self in Emily) and hasn't really found herself, or who she really is. Almost all of her memories prior Sloane going missing consist of her acting as Sloane's counter piece, a shadow in the background.
Throughout the novel, Emily discovers (without her best friend by her side) who she really is, and her journey was an amazing one to be a part of as a reader. Morgan Matson is a pro at pacing and of character development and this book highlights just how talented Morgan is as an author. I could never fault how Morgan's characters transition throughout the novels as it always just seems right (plus, how awesome is it that Morgan brings back old characters into her books?!). By the end of the novel, Emily has faced both awkward and uncomfortable situations I'm sure most of us can relate to, but it's a slow and challenging process and it's just so realistic.
Sloane, on the other hand, is Emily's outgoing counterpart. As a character she is outgoing and laid back, very much different to Emily herself, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading Emily's memories of Sloane. Like chalk and cheese, these two girls were completely different and as characters I really believe they really help in balance each other out. Emily, providing the voice of rationality to Sloane's acts of spontaneity.
I loved Emily's new formed friends (Frank, Collins and Dawn) but I particularly loved the friendship between Emily and Frank. I've swooned over Frank before, he is probably my favourite male character in a novel (next to Roger in Amy and Roger's Epic Detour - also by Morgan Matson!). He is genuinely such a good guy, he always put others before himself and made sure that Emily was okay and comfortable. Plus, I adored how their friendship blossomed into a relationship so gradual and lovely, it was never a "love at first sight" or a "in your face" type of romance and I think that just added a whole lot more to the story.
I also loved how Emily's family life was always present, whether it was through her parents who are theatre fanatics or her adventurous little brother Beckett (whose relationship I also admired, I love how they look out for one another).
In a well ordered universe, there would already be a sequel to Since You've Been Gone. Morgan Matson is an extremely talented story-teller and her novels are so well thought out and have such likeable and relatable characters. Her pacing and character development is perhaps the best I've seen in any young adult novels and until her next book, The Unexpected Everything, is published next year, I will be going through and re-reading all her novels (starting, of course, with Since You've Been Gone).
Since You've Been Gone addresses everything good about summer, friendships and first loves. It is a book that will honestly warm your heart. I loved this novel the first time, and I absolutely adored it the second. I have no doubt I will re-re-read it again in the future. Morgan Matson is an extremely talented story-teller and her novels are so well thought out and have such likeable and relatable characters. Her pacing and character development is perhaps the best I've seen in any young adult novels. Now, I'm going to move onto Amy and Roger's Epic Detour for the second time so that I get my Morgan Matson fix until The Unexpected Everything is published next year.
Team Frank Porter forever.
My rating: ★★★★★
Throughout the novel, Emily discovers (without her best friend by her side) who she really is, and her journey was an amazing one to be a part of as a reader. Morgan Matson is a pro at pacing and of character development and this book highlights just how talented Morgan is as an author. I could never fault how Morgan's characters transition throughout the novels as it always just seems right (plus, how awesome is it that Morgan brings back old characters into her books?!). By the end of the novel, Emily has faced both awkward and uncomfortable situations I'm sure most of us can relate to, but it's a slow and challenging process and it's just so realistic.
Sloane, on the other hand, is Emily's outgoing counterpart. As a character she is outgoing and laid back, very much different to Emily herself, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading Emily's memories of Sloane. Like chalk and cheese, these two girls were completely different and as characters I really believe they really help in balance each other out. Emily, providing the voice of rationality to Sloane's acts of spontaneity.
I loved Emily's new formed friends (Frank, Collins and Dawn) but I particularly loved the friendship between Emily and Frank. I've swooned over Frank before, he is probably my favourite male character in a novel (next to Roger in Amy and Roger's Epic Detour - also by Morgan Matson!). He is genuinely such a good guy, he always put others before himself and made sure that Emily was okay and comfortable. Plus, I adored how their friendship blossomed into a relationship so gradual and lovely, it was never a "love at first sight" or a "in your face" type of romance and I think that just added a whole lot more to the story.
I also loved how Emily's family life was always present, whether it was through her parents who are theatre fanatics or her adventurous little brother Beckett (whose relationship I also admired, I love how they look out for one another).
In a well ordered universe, there would already be a sequel to Since You've Been Gone. Morgan Matson is an extremely talented story-teller and her novels are so well thought out and have such likeable and relatable characters. Her pacing and character development is perhaps the best I've seen in any young adult novels and until her next book, The Unexpected Everything, is published next year, I will be going through and re-reading all her novels (starting, of course, with Since You've Been Gone).
Since You've Been Gone addresses everything good about summer, friendships and first loves. It is a book that will honestly warm your heart. I loved this novel the first time, and I absolutely adored it the second. I have no doubt I will re-re-read it again in the future. Morgan Matson is an extremely talented story-teller and her novels are so well thought out and have such likeable and relatable characters. Her pacing and character development is perhaps the best I've seen in any young adult novels. Now, I'm going to move onto Amy and Roger's Epic Detour for the second time so that I get my Morgan Matson fix until The Unexpected Everything is published next year.
Team Frank Porter forever.
My rating: ★★★★★
