Review: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Since You’ve Been Gone

Author: Morgan Matson
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Genre: YA Contemporary
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Source: Finished copy received at BEA
Rating: 4.5 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***  

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um...

My Review:

I was a little nervous going into this book because of all the hype surrounding it. So many bloggers have been raving about it and I was super worried that it wouldn’t live up to it. It was really good! Super cute and just a really feel-good read. It did take me a bit to really get into it though and for a little while I was worried there was something wrong with me. I just think that it started a bit slowly, was very description heavy and the pacing just kind of dragged.

But the fact that it moved a little slowly really allowed the characters to develop. That was the best part of the book. The characters. Not a single one was flat. They each had distinct personalities that shone through. The main character, Emily, grew so much throughout this book. At first she really doesn’t know who she is. She completely identifies herself with Sloane and when Sloane disappears, Emily has no idea who she is anymore. It kind of broke my heart a little. That she relied so much on her friend and basically thought she was no one without Sloane. But Emily slowly starts to come out of her shell as a result of trying to complete Sloane’s list. She meets new people, makes new friends, and tries new things. It felt liberating and exciting to watch her go through all these experiences and I found myself cheering her on the whole book.

As Emily starts to discover who she is, she stops relying on Sloane and starts relying on herself and that’s when the book really started to shine. We get to know the other characters better at this point. Like Dawn who turns into a great friend (although one of my complaints is that their relationship isn’t tied up at the end, but I will just assume that they work it all out). We get to know Collins who I absolutely loved. He was so funny and easy-going. And I loved the honesty that we got to see from him towards the end.

And finally, Frank. Frank Porter. I’m in love. He is the perfect boy-next-door. He’s smart, motivated, ambitious, sweet, gentlemanly. He has some flaws, but he is so amazing and I just wanted to jump inside the book and make out with him a little. I love how he just immediately jumped in to help Emily complete her list. I loved how real he was and how easy it was to talk to him. Did you read that sentence? Yes, I said it was easy to talk to him. That’s how real these characters were. I felt like I was having conversations with them, hanging out with them at the Orchard or on the beach. They were so perfect. Morgan Matson is amazing for creating these characters. I only wish they could be real people that I could be friends with.

In short, this book totally lives up to the hype. It’s a journey. It’s not always pretty, it’s not always perfect, but it is an epic journey of one girl discovering who she is and breaking out of her shell. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to devour Morgan’s other books! Happy reading all!  

Let's talk! Have you read this one? Did you find the beginning a little slow? Did you end up loving it as much as I did? Were you swooning over Frank Porter? What did you think of Emily's journey and how much she grows and changes?