As a huge fan of Megan McCafferty’s Jessica Darling series, I was absolutely delighted to find out that she was publishing a new book! This book is set “pre-Jessica Darling” (but still has a couple cameos that Jessica fans will recognize!) in the 80’s– and as a late 80’s baby with an outdated mall in a small-town where I, yes, spent many days hanging out in my youth… this brought back some STRONG memories.
I always appreciate when McCafferty includes characters that are whip smart– especially when it comes to school– but always have so much to learn about themselves…. and this book was no different. I appreciated that it was so much more about Cassie learning about herself and coming into her own, and less about romance or obsession over a boy who “created” the changes. There is a hint of romance and heartbreak, but it’s much more of a “D Plot” that echos what a lot of “summer relationships” can be. I do wish there was a little bit more development of some characters– Sam Goody, for instance, I would have liked to get to know more, but the development of Cassie and Drea were so well done, I can give that a (small) pass.
All in all, a fun read from Megan McCafferty, and a great one for the end of the summer.