{NIN} Review: The Truth About Forever

I have to say that The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen is a most excellent read. As {Ja} stated before, there is no Love-Pow! (PS) in this story but a believable progression from friendship to sweet love between two people.

Macy has had a rough year (understatement), adjusting to her father's sudden death and trying to prove to everyone that she is "fine just fine" by striving for perfection. She even has the "perfect" brainiac boyfriend who's about as interesting as mud to go along with her facade. Seriously, this guy is so goal-oriented and so obviously not that into Macy that you have to wonder if she was just another checkbox on his list of goals. "Find girlfriend - check!"

When stupid, useless boyfriend goes off to Brain Camp for the summer, Macy is left to fill his "so very important" position at the library with two snide and condescending co-workers who think stupid boyfriend is dating down when it comes to Macy. Day in and day out, she is forced to endure their snotty comments and torturous silent treatment with a smile. And the stupid boyfriend has no sympathy for her. Seriously, when she tells him about it, all he can say is, "I don't think you're taking the job seriously enough. You didn't answer my last question about whether the reference documents came in," or some such nonsense that doesn't even acknowledge the real emotional issues Macy is feeling. If that was not a sign to dump the guy's sorry arse, I don't know what is. It was incredibly frustrating that Macy did not have enough of a spine to dump him right then and there when she received that email. Yes, yes, I know she was having emotional issues and what-not b/c of her dad, but still...better to be alone than to be with a stick-in-the-mud that drags you down like that.

But then, there would be no WES to come along and show how right the world can be if you just find the right person.

ANYHOO, like I said, Wes...total "sa-woon!" Since {Ja} gave a most excellent review already about where and how Macy met Wes, I'll just move on to the more important stuff, like what makes him so awesome.

Hot, down-to-earth, approachable, not full-of-himself, hot, easy-going, family-oriented, artistic, and hot.

Yup, that about sums it up.

But their progression from friendship to more was simply...perfect. And after reading some of the books I've just read (Angel Star, Heavenly - more on those later), I've realized that it's supremely irritating when all you get from a book is a Love-Pow! and you have no clue why two people should be together (I can throw in Linger here too). Not so with Macy and Wes. They learn the other person's history, what makes them who they are, and how their past has shaped who they are today. Slowly, but surely, the connection is made and it's a match that is just so right.

So next up...the rest of Sarah Dessen's book. Cuz if The Truth About Forever is any indication, Sarah Dessen's books are the thoughtful and realistic cure for the prevalent Love-Pow! books in YA lit today.