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Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen 
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 6, 2017
I got an e-galley from Netgalley.

 Synopsis: Is it really better to have loved and lost?  Louna's summer job is to help brides plan their perfect day, even though she stopped believing in happily-ever-after when her first love ended tragically.  But charming girl-magnet Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged now that he's met the one he really  wants.  Maybe Louna's second chance is standing right in front of her.

 Sarah Dessen’s many fans will adore this latest novel, a richly satisfying, enormously entertaining story with humor, romance, and an ending that is so much more than happily-ever-after.


Sarah Dessen's novels are classics. Over the years, I've made my way through each and every one of them. They're some of my favorite books to read during the summer and I've read most of them multiple times. Once and For All is Dessen's best yet and that's saying something. If you've ever hesitated to pick up one of her novels for fear that it might be too sweet and sugary, now is the time. This novel has an overall light and fun tone, but it doesn't shy away from heavier topics. 

The plot has a rewarding sense of parallel structure without loose ends and unnecessary questions. Louna is cynical about love without coming across as pretentious or holier-than-thou. Your feelings about Ambrose change along with Louna's. He at first comes off as annoying and will grate on your nerves, but throughout the plot he grows on you and he was one of my favorite characters. 

Louna and her mother work in wedding planning, which of course comes with drama and some bridezillas, but it never demonizes the women who want everything possible out of their wedding day. Instead it recognizes how the most level-headed women can feel the weight of the stress of a wedding and all that comes with it. The fast-paced nature of the weddings and the dramatics that ensue add a comedic element to the novel, along with all of Ambrose's antics. 

If you're looking for something to read this summer, Once and for All is it. 
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