60 pages 2 hours read

Sarah Dessen

Someone Like You

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1998

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Sarah Dessen's 1998 young adult novel Someone Like You, 16-year-old Halley supports her best friend, Scarlett, through an unexpected pregnancy after Scarlett's boyfriend dies in a motorcycle accident and begins a complicated relationship with Macon, grappling with new feelings and decisions. This leads to a strained relationship with her mother as Halley defines her identity through her choices and mistakes. The novel contains references to underage drinking, drug use, a vehicle accident, and abusive behaviors.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Sarah Dessen's Someone Like You is lauded for its realistic portrayal of teenage friendship and emotional depth. It offers relatable characters and tackles sensitive topics, resonating strongly with young adult readers. Some critics, however, find the plot predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a heartfelt narrative that balances moments of joy and sadness effectively.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Someone Like You?

Fans of relatable and heartfelt young adult fiction will enjoy Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen. Ideal for readers who appreciate the emotional depth found in works like The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and the coming-of-age themes in Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Perfect for those seeking stories of friendship, love, and personal growth.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

820L

Book Details

Genre

Romance

Realistic Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Friendship

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Life/Time: Mortality & Death