Here at Chic Darling, we know how important it is for our readers to be fully entertained this summer. If you’ve been searching for a way to pass these lazy summer days at the beach, look no further than your local bookstore or library. This week we’re recommending The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen.
The Truth About Forever has been published for a few years now, but the characters capture the heart so completely that a reader can’t help but pick it up year after year for another look. It follows Macy McQueen as she finds herself (and love) through the course of one summer after a family tragedy rips her world apart.
After Macy’s father dies of a heart attack, she finds herself going through the motions of life with little emotion. She has the perfect boyfriend, the perfect job, perfect grades, and a perfect house. Despite Macy’s perfection, she isn’t happy. When her boyfriend Jason leaves town for the summer, Macy settles in for a long summer of monotony working at the public library. After she begins working part-time for a catering company on a whim, she is befriended by her co-workers, particularly Wes. Wes is a reformed troublemaker turned artist who sees beauty in chaos, much to Macy’s surprise. As Macy gets to know him, she slowly begins to look into the past and resurrect the parts of herself that died with her father.
All in all, this novel is a great read. In a world where women come across an enormous amount of pressure to be perfect, this book conveys a sense of acceptance for the way things are, while being true to who you are. Sarah Dessen weaves this tale in almost lyrical language, drawing the reader in and refusing to let go until the last page is turned.
The Truth About Forever is a perfect book to take for an afternoon at the beach or your cozy backyard hammock. Just make sure you’re wearing lots of sunscreen, because Dessen’s fantastic sense of flow guarantees a sunburn otherwise.
