Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Annabel Greene begins a new year of school at a completely different place than she left off last year. She is in exile. Her family is still reeling from the discovery of her middle sister's eating disorder. Annabel is determined not to rock the boat, even if it means hiding her own devastating experiences. Through an unlikely friendship with another notorious loner, she begins to learn to confront her fears and her past.


I have to say, I loved these characters. I found them to be spicy and a little off-beat. Loved the hero! Sarah Dessen creates the unlikely hero brilliantly. Owen Armstrong (I even love his name!) had me at hello.

The timeline was really hard for me to follow at times, though. I had no idea how old Annabel was at certain times in the story, and to when she was flashing back. That made things a little confusing. It also seemed a bit narrative in places, as if Annabel stepped out of the scene and filled me in on what was going on.

I've also read Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen and enjoyed her characters there as well. Quirky heroes, I'm telling you! Great stuff! I will be checking out The Truth About Forever here shortly, and look forward to her newest release, Lock and Key, which comes out in April 2008.