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Getting Over Garrett Delaney
Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious novel.
Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly onesided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to ‘80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized selfhelp guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.
Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly onesided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to ‘80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized selfhelp guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 24, 2012
96 people are currently reading
7027 people want to read
About the author
Abby McDonald
11 books549 followersAuthor of several YA and adult novels, including DANGEROUS GIRLS and DANGEROUS BOYS (written as Abigail Haas).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 698 reviews
August 7, 2022
I'm leaving my old review of this up despite it making me cringe just a little bit (ah, me in 2016). But I want to mention that I took this off my shelf and ended up rereading the entire thing in one sitting and it made me tear up because I think I see even more in this book now than at age fifteen: the idea of caring so much about one person that you wait for them even when they've given you nothing to depend on. I don't really understand why that resonated with me when I was twelve. But it's something that resonates so hard with me now.
I know what you're all thinking right now, having looked at the cover and blurb: Elle, what the hell, why do you keep telling us that you don't really like contemporary and you don't like romance and then boosting your review for this ya contemporary romance? And okay, you have a point about the not-liking-contemporary thing. But you're wrong about point number two because THIS BOOK IS NOT A ROMANCE. It is adorable and it is funny and it is important, but it is not a romance. What it is, instead, is a funny, feminist subversion of all your least favorite tropes.
Getting Over Garrett Delaney is about a girl named Sadie, who starts out as... basically that cliche ya contemporary protagonist we all know and do not love. She looks down on everyone who doesn't read classic literature or listen to the Smiths or drink black coffee. She has probably [definitely] used the phrase “I’m not like other girls.” And she's in love with Garrett, who's even more pretentious and condescending and oh my god Augustus Waters ripoff than she is. But he's framed as perfect, because he’s Hot, and Sadie likes him, but of course he doesn't like her back (or does he?). And to make matters worse, he's going away for the summer. You know. Fifty pages in and yikes, why do I want to read this again?
And then it proceeds to smack down every single expectation you‘ve formed based on previous experience. From this point on, the story focuses on how she's given up her personality for a boy and become someone different from who she is. And that's not evil; it's just a mistake.
I adore the themes about loving things because you love them, not because they're meaningful. There's a deep current of self-expression and self-love to this book that I adore. Sadie's realization that she's built her personality around Garrett is done so organically. She takes so long to realize it, but it’s a very honest portrayal of the realization – how she's ditched things she loves because he doesn't love them, how she's given up her old best friend because she was “that dumb blonde”.
Speaking of which: There is such an incredible takedown of girl hate here. Kayla, the lead character’s ex-best friend, is very blonde and dating a football player. But she’s also an intelligent, supportive, and personality-full best friend. Oh, and then there’s the whole art squad, who are just all so cool. Getting Over Garrett Delaney is so much about finding your people and not looking down on them because they're popular or because they, what, went to a pool party some time?
This is the type of book you can enjoy without seeing anything deeper, but when you look deeper, you find more. The characters are interesting, all with their own lenses on relationships and love and being their own people. And this book is also just really fun . The humor is genuine and the dialogue feels very natural. These characters feel like real people. And again, no romance, besides a hint of one at the end. This is what I want contemporary YA to be: lighthearted and fun but dealing with real issues of growing up.
Two quotes from this book that I think about a lot:
♔ “Great with a capital G great?” Aiko asks, head tilted to watch me. “Or great because you found it moving, and inspiring, and it made your life better somehow?”
♔ “You’re not in love with me, not really, you just love the way I always made you feel. Like you were the center of my world. Because you were.”
(In case you needed another reason to believe me about the quality: Abby McDonald is also the author of Dangerous Girls and Dangerous Boys under the pen name Abigail Haas. Are you in absolute awe over the fact that Abby McDonald can write such incredible books in both suspense and contemporary? I am too. I live my entire life in awe over how talented this woman is. Moving on.)
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“So how are we suppose to win? On the one hand, the world tells us that capital-L Love is epic, and all-conquering, and the meaning of everything, but on the other, it drills us with this message that we shouldn't make any sacrifice or effort to pursue it, because that would make us weak, unempowered, desperate, silly girls.”
I know what you're all thinking right now, having looked at the cover and blurb: Elle, what the hell, why do you keep telling us that you don't really like contemporary and you don't like romance and then boosting your review for this ya contemporary romance? And okay, you have a point about the not-liking-contemporary thing. But you're wrong about point number two because THIS BOOK IS NOT A ROMANCE. It is adorable and it is funny and it is important, but it is not a romance. What it is, instead, is a funny, feminist subversion of all your least favorite tropes.
Getting Over Garrett Delaney is about a girl named Sadie, who starts out as... basically that cliche ya contemporary protagonist we all know and do not love. She looks down on everyone who doesn't read classic literature or listen to the Smiths or drink black coffee. She has probably [definitely] used the phrase “I’m not like other girls.” And she's in love with Garrett, who's even more pretentious and condescending and oh my god Augustus Waters ripoff than she is. But he's framed as perfect, because he’s Hot, and Sadie likes him, but of course he doesn't like her back (or does he?). And to make matters worse, he's going away for the summer. You know. Fifty pages in and yikes, why do I want to read this again?
And then it proceeds to smack down every single expectation you‘ve formed based on previous experience. From this point on, the story focuses on how she's given up her personality for a boy and become someone different from who she is. And that's not evil; it's just a mistake.
I adore the themes about loving things because you love them, not because they're meaningful. There's a deep current of self-expression and self-love to this book that I adore. Sadie's realization that she's built her personality around Garrett is done so organically. She takes so long to realize it, but it’s a very honest portrayal of the realization – how she's ditched things she loves because he doesn't love them, how she's given up her old best friend because she was “that dumb blonde”.
Speaking of which: There is such an incredible takedown of girl hate here. Kayla, the lead character’s ex-best friend, is very blonde and dating a football player. But she’s also an intelligent, supportive, and personality-full best friend. Oh, and then there’s the whole art squad, who are just all so cool. Getting Over Garrett Delaney is so much about finding your people and not looking down on them because they're popular or because they, what, went to a pool party some time?
This is the type of book you can enjoy without seeing anything deeper, but when you look deeper, you find more. The characters are interesting, all with their own lenses on relationships and love and being their own people. And this book is also just really fun . The humor is genuine and the dialogue feels very natural. These characters feel like real people. And again, no romance, besides a hint of one at the end. This is what I want contemporary YA to be: lighthearted and fun but dealing with real issues of growing up.
Two quotes from this book that I think about a lot:
♔ “Great with a capital G great?” Aiko asks, head tilted to watch me. “Or great because you found it moving, and inspiring, and it made your life better somehow?”
♔ “You’re not in love with me, not really, you just love the way I always made you feel. Like you were the center of my world. Because you were.”
(In case you needed another reason to believe me about the quality: Abby McDonald is also the author of Dangerous Girls and Dangerous Boys under the pen name Abigail Haas. Are you in absolute awe over the fact that Abby McDonald can write such incredible books in both suspense and contemporary? I am too. I live my entire life in awe over how talented this woman is. Moving on.)
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May 31, 2024
🎧✩˖°🌷✨ PRE-REVIEW ♡
It did indeed deliver! And exceeded my expectations in every single way 😌
🐋🐚☾⋆⁺₊ PRE-READ ♡
In need of a quick, light read and I remember really liking this book 6 years ago so 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
It did indeed deliver! And exceeded my expectations in every single way 😌
🐋🐚☾⋆⁺₊ PRE-READ ♡
In need of a quick, light read and I remember really liking this book 6 years ago so 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
June 17, 2013
Getting over Garrett Delaney was much more than the cute fluffy book I was expecting it to be. Our MC Sadie has been infatuated by Garrett for over two years now, he’s become her best friend, but she’s always wanted more. He’s the perfect match for her, as they both have so much in common and there’s nothing that either would do for each other. Sadie has her summer planned out, both she and Garrett would be attending writing camp and it would be the best summer ever. But things don’t end up as planned as Sadie ends up stuck at home, whilst Garrett is whisked away to camp. Both Garrett and Sadie promise to keep in touch every day, but then Sadie gets the dreaded phone call, Garrett has met someone at camp and she’s definitely the one.
I was all for Sadie and Garrett getting together, they did seem perfect for each other. But I think the wake- up call Sadie received from Garrett, it was exactly what she needed, as Sadie was led through an incredible journey about discovering how lopsided and toxic her friendship with Garrett was. I adored the steps that Sadie planned out to get over Garrett which led to tapping into Garrett’s character beneath the surface so that Sadie could see what he really was like. I admit that I was also completely mesmerised by Garrett’s charm and personality, so I could completely understand Sadie’s pain when she realised she was the one contributing everything to the friendship in the first place.
I truly admired Sadie’s character and strength, but more the character growth that she displayed over the course of this book. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way where Sadie faltered, but with unexpected friends from work she was able to stay on the right path. A lot of readers will appreciate Sadie especially if you like your MC’s who finally take a stand to guys they’ve been steamrolled over for ages. To give credit to Sadie she was enamoured by Garrett’s character, but it was only when her friends were able to help her take a step back that she realised what was happening.
Getting over Garrett Delaney was a tough task to accomplish for Sadie, as for the past two years her only friend left had been Garrett. But with great secondary characters such as Kayla, LuAnn, Dominique, Josh and Aiko who really came through as more of supporting friends than Garrett ever was, Sadie was able to experience this traumatising situation in a great way. The secondary characters did bring a lot of their own drama, but the way everyone helped one another out in their most difficult times proved just how far they had come in their friendship. The characters were also great in making light of a dull situation; some of their antics were quick to bring a smile to my face.
Getting over Garrett Delaney was a book which I certainly read at the right time, it was perfect in lifting up my spirits when I was feeling run down and tired. And it was a truly eye opening journey to go on with Sadie in this book. For those of you who have originally not considered Getting over Garrett Delaney as your sort of book I encourage you to give it a try.
I was all for Sadie and Garrett getting together, they did seem perfect for each other. But I think the wake- up call Sadie received from Garrett, it was exactly what she needed, as Sadie was led through an incredible journey about discovering how lopsided and toxic her friendship with Garrett was. I adored the steps that Sadie planned out to get over Garrett which led to tapping into Garrett’s character beneath the surface so that Sadie could see what he really was like. I admit that I was also completely mesmerised by Garrett’s charm and personality, so I could completely understand Sadie’s pain when she realised she was the one contributing everything to the friendship in the first place.
I truly admired Sadie’s character and strength, but more the character growth that she displayed over the course of this book. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way where Sadie faltered, but with unexpected friends from work she was able to stay on the right path. A lot of readers will appreciate Sadie especially if you like your MC’s who finally take a stand to guys they’ve been steamrolled over for ages. To give credit to Sadie she was enamoured by Garrett’s character, but it was only when her friends were able to help her take a step back that she realised what was happening.
Getting over Garrett Delaney was a tough task to accomplish for Sadie, as for the past two years her only friend left had been Garrett. But with great secondary characters such as Kayla, LuAnn, Dominique, Josh and Aiko who really came through as more of supporting friends than Garrett ever was, Sadie was able to experience this traumatising situation in a great way. The secondary characters did bring a lot of their own drama, but the way everyone helped one another out in their most difficult times proved just how far they had come in their friendship. The characters were also great in making light of a dull situation; some of their antics were quick to bring a smile to my face.
Getting over Garrett Delaney was a book which I certainly read at the right time, it was perfect in lifting up my spirits when I was feeling run down and tired. And it was a truly eye opening journey to go on with Sadie in this book. For those of you who have originally not considered Getting over Garrett Delaney as your sort of book I encourage you to give it a try.
June 3, 2012
Some books just have every perfect element. A narrator whose voice is so authentic, so perfectly matched to their story, so absolute spot-on with every emotion and reaction. A romantic comedy-esque plot that's maybe done to death in some people's opinions, but not exactly in this way and doesn't have everything wrap up in a pristine, pretty bow so that it ends up actually feeling like a real ending. A cast of characters that are so funny and unique and perfectly utilized in a way that makes each character seem like their own person but also play an important role in the story (and okay, maybe one titular character is a cardboard cut-out of a pretentious hipster boy, but come on, that's the entire point). A hint of a new romance that gets you all ooh-y and ahh-y and doesn't disappoint because it's not this perfect fairytale relationship build-up like in so many other YA books. A story that may not be the deepest, most poignant tale in the literary universe but is still one that really resonates in its own way (if you aren't, of course, like the aforementioned pretentious hipster boy).
Ladies and gentleman, the jury is in. And Getting Over Garrett Delaney has all those perfect elements swirled together in a little perfect bundle of words.
Guys, I've got to be honest, I think YA seriously lacks perfect rom-com books. The kind that may be cheesy and cutesy but you still read them every summer because, why the hell not? I know most people would disagree, would drag my ass to the bookstore and shove all the pretty boy-meets-girl pretty-in-pink covers at me, and then call my bluff. But, if anyone I know has read pretty much every YA rom-com on the list, it's me. And I've been hard-pressed to find one as spot-on as this one. Sure, I have my Sarah Dessen, I have all ten Princess Diaries books, and I most certainly was given a treat in December 2010 when Stephanie Perkins graced my bookshelf with all the Parisian perfection that was Anna and the French Kiss. But ever since Anna, I've had a hard time finding a new rom-com that hits every note for me. Something was always off--too much cute, too unrealistic even for my swoony tastes, too everything. And now, (at last, after all my years of searching, the Cave of Wonders okay, no Aladdin references) I've finally found a new rom-com for the club.
Sadie is the perfect mix of whiny, hilarious, teen-aged, melodramatic, honest, and quirky. I kept waiting for the moment where I'd want to smack her, to reach into the book and shake her until she stopped gushing over Garrett and opened her eyes. But it never happened. Because the truth is, I remember feeling that way when I was 16, and I was melodramatic. And I whined. And I wrote really, really, really awful diary entries about it all. So, where I probably would've wanted to scream at a different YA heroine, I didn't want to do that with Sadie. She was just so authentic and perfectly written for this story. She keeps trying, she has faults and she knows it, she makes mistakes, she's just like an actual, real, live teenage girl. She was easy to like because I could relate so well to her and I think so many girls can, and that's why she's a great character. She's not so perfect, but that's the kind of character that you can really root for (and believe me, I was rooting), because they have something to accomplish and something to work toward.
And the rest of the characters! Sadie actually has a relationship with her parents! We SEE THE PARENTS OF A TEENAGER IN A YA BOOK, GUYS. INTERACTION HAPPENS. HER PARENTS AREN'T ASSHOLES. I was shocked, too. And all of Sadie's new friends gave me pleasant memories of the first time I read The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and really fell in love with the ensemble of a book. LuAnn's parallel to Sadie was perfectly executed, right down to how adamantly Sadie believed she wasn't going to end up that way if she chose not to change. Kayla was a perfect best friend, sympathetic but not a doormat and definitely not afraid to call out her friend on her crap. Even Dominique, who seemed like the stony girl who ends up warming up to the MC, never completely becomes Sadie's new BFF. Oh, and Aiko is my spirit animal, just so everyone knows. Her and ice hockey = me at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. And Josh. Josh was just the absolute sweetest. I am in no way biased because he cutely taught Sadie how to bake his favorite cinnamon rolls and had such adorable banter with her and invited her to an ice hockey game and had Bruce Springsteen on his iPod. Those were all just perks. Really the only dud in this ensemble was Garrett. In fact, I may or may not have literally said, "Boo, gross" out loud when he returned from his six week writing camp thing, and not only because he interrupted the cutest kitchen scene ever.
I'm trying really hard to think of negatives here, guys. And the only one I have is that Garrett is the most stereotypical pretentious hipster douche in the YA universe. He likes poetry, he's a Woody Allen fanboy, he listens to those obscure bands that people fight over the right to say they "discovered" first, he talks like he's better than the universe and even his compliments have a condescending edge to them. But then...that's kind of the point? We can all see that, and Sadie can't. If she could, we wouldn't have the story. If Garrett wasn't so pretentious, we might be rooting for her to keep trying to win him over. So, it kind of works that he's the only character in the story with barely more than one-dimension. There you go, guys. You know I love a book when my only negative opinion ends with my making excuses for a fictional character who is basically a glorified Tumblr hipster condensed into YA male loveinterest obsession. And okay, maybe I did wonder why Sadie's mom disappeared for the entire middle of the book but then she and Sadie has such a nice bonding moment at the end that I didn't care anymore.
Do I need to do an overall opinion on this review? Because I think it's clear enough how I felt. I couldn't rate this book 5-stars fast enough. Hell, I was ready to rate it and throw it on my favorites shelf when I was barely 50 pages in. And if all the characters and the entire story didn't win me, an ice hockey game and a Bruce Springsteen name drop within the SAME CHAPTER certainly would've sealed the deal (I've never claimed to be perfectly unbiased when reading, okay). Sure, Sadie's story is what you'd expect it to be. You can probably predict every twist and turn, but that doesn't make it any less of an enjoyable journey to follow. And honestly, why do we need every book we read to be this great big testament to literature these days? Go be a Garrett somewhere else, thanks. If you've been on the fence with this book, I seriously recommend it. Because maybe you don't need to get over a boy right now, but I think we've all been there--where someone or something becomes our world to the point where we don't know who we are without it. I certainly had more than a few high school memories of time wasted on a guy who wasn't worth my effort while I read, not going to lie. And isn't this genre all about finding yourself, after all? Seriously, this is a YA book to remember, and if it isn't...well. Let's just say I'm not opposed to taking creative liberties with how the YA section is arranged in my local Barnes and Noble.
And so now my search for the next great YA rom-com begins anew. But at least I know I found the perfect book to hold the title for the time being.
Ladies and gentleman, the jury is in. And Getting Over Garrett Delaney has all those perfect elements swirled together in a little perfect bundle of words.
Guys, I've got to be honest, I think YA seriously lacks perfect rom-com books. The kind that may be cheesy and cutesy but you still read them every summer because, why the hell not? I know most people would disagree, would drag my ass to the bookstore and shove all the pretty boy-meets-girl pretty-in-pink covers at me, and then call my bluff. But, if anyone I know has read pretty much every YA rom-com on the list, it's me. And I've been hard-pressed to find one as spot-on as this one. Sure, I have my Sarah Dessen, I have all ten Princess Diaries books, and I most certainly was given a treat in December 2010 when Stephanie Perkins graced my bookshelf with all the Parisian perfection that was Anna and the French Kiss. But ever since Anna, I've had a hard time finding a new rom-com that hits every note for me. Something was always off--too much cute, too unrealistic even for my swoony tastes, too everything. And now, (
Sadie is the perfect mix of whiny, hilarious, teen-aged, melodramatic, honest, and quirky. I kept waiting for the moment where I'd want to smack her, to reach into the book and shake her until she stopped gushing over Garrett and opened her eyes. But it never happened. Because the truth is, I remember feeling that way when I was 16, and I was melodramatic. And I whined. And I wrote really, really, really awful diary entries about it all. So, where I probably would've wanted to scream at a different YA heroine, I didn't want to do that with Sadie. She was just so authentic and perfectly written for this story. She keeps trying, she has faults and she knows it, she makes mistakes, she's just like an actual, real, live teenage girl. She was easy to like because I could relate so well to her and I think so many girls can, and that's why she's a great character. She's not so perfect, but that's the kind of character that you can really root for (and believe me, I was rooting), because they have something to accomplish and something to work toward.
And the rest of the characters! Sadie actually has a relationship with her parents! We SEE THE PARENTS OF A TEENAGER IN A YA BOOK, GUYS. INTERACTION HAPPENS. HER PARENTS AREN'T ASSHOLES. I was shocked, too. And all of Sadie's new friends gave me pleasant memories of the first time I read The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and really fell in love with the ensemble of a book. LuAnn's parallel to Sadie was perfectly executed, right down to how adamantly Sadie believed she wasn't going to end up that way if she chose not to change. Kayla was a perfect best friend, sympathetic but not a doormat and definitely not afraid to call out her friend on her crap. Even Dominique, who seemed like the stony girl who ends up warming up to the MC, never completely becomes Sadie's new BFF. Oh, and Aiko is my spirit animal, just so everyone knows. Her and ice hockey = me at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. And Josh. Josh was just the absolute sweetest. I am in no way biased because he cutely taught Sadie how to bake his favorite cinnamon rolls and had such adorable banter with her and invited her to an ice hockey game and had Bruce Springsteen on his iPod. Those were all just perks. Really the only dud in this ensemble was Garrett. In fact, I may or may not have literally said, "Boo, gross" out loud when he returned from his six week writing camp thing, and not only because he interrupted the cutest kitchen scene ever.
I'm trying really hard to think of negatives here, guys. And the only one I have is that Garrett is the most stereotypical pretentious hipster douche in the YA universe. He likes poetry, he's a Woody Allen fanboy, he listens to those obscure bands that people fight over the right to say they "discovered" first, he talks like he's better than the universe and even his compliments have a condescending edge to them. But then...that's kind of the point? We can all see that, and Sadie can't. If she could, we wouldn't have the story. If Garrett wasn't so pretentious, we might be rooting for her to keep trying to win him over. So, it kind of works that he's the only character in the story with barely more than one-dimension. There you go, guys. You know I love a book when my only negative opinion ends with my making excuses for a fictional character who is basically a glorified Tumblr hipster condensed into YA male love
Do I need to do an overall opinion on this review? Because I think it's clear enough how I felt. I couldn't rate this book 5-stars fast enough. Hell, I was ready to rate it and throw it on my favorites shelf when I was barely 50 pages in. And if all the characters and the entire story didn't win me, an ice hockey game and a Bruce Springsteen name drop within the SAME CHAPTER certainly would've sealed the deal (I've never claimed to be perfectly unbiased when reading, okay). Sure, Sadie's story is what you'd expect it to be. You can probably predict every twist and turn, but that doesn't make it any less of an enjoyable journey to follow. And honestly, why do we need every book we read to be this great big testament to literature these days? Go be a Garrett somewhere else, thanks. If you've been on the fence with this book, I seriously recommend it. Because maybe you don't need to get over a boy right now, but I think we've all been there--where someone or something becomes our world to the point where we don't know who we are without it. I certainly had more than a few high school memories of time wasted on a guy who wasn't worth my effort while I read, not going to lie. And isn't this genre all about finding yourself, after all? Seriously, this is a YA book to remember, and if it isn't...well. Let's just say I'm not opposed to taking creative liberties with how the YA section is arranged in my local Barnes and Noble.
And so now my search for the next great YA rom-com begins anew. But at least I know I found the perfect book to hold the title for the time being.
January 21, 2012
Sadie has been in love with her best-friend Garrett for two years, which is why she's so excited to be spending six-whole-weeks at a camp for aspiring writers with Garrett. He's just broken up with his latest girlfriend, so this is finally Sadie's chance to turn their friendship into more. Garrett pretty much occupies all of Sadie's free time. They do everything together. Sadie basically built her world and identity around Garrett, discarding her previous friends, and likes for Garrett and his preferences. When Sadie finds out that she hasn't been accepted to camp, she's devastated, Garrett, not so much. Instead of spending the summer with Garrett, Sadie is forced to look for a job by her mother.
This was probably the best thing to happen to Sadie, in my opinion, because this girl needed time away from Garrett! Sadie ends up getting a job at her favorite local coffeehouse and starts becoming friends with her co-workers. In the middle of all this she tries to stay in contact with Garrett by text messages and daily phone calls. She feels better at first because he keeps telling her how much he misses her, but her world comes crashing down when he calls announcing his fabulous news: He's met the girl of his dreams and he's in LOVE!! I want to smack him over the head at this point, maybe even shake Sadie a little too! Turns out I don't have to shake Sadie because she finally starts to WAKE UP!
I have to say, I was this girl to some extent when I was a teenager. Pathetic and sad, but true. I wished I would've had this book to help me "detox" a certain someone from my life back then. There are some really good lessons to be learned. I really loved how this story progressed and how much Sadie grew as a person, becoming more confident in her own identity. Her friends and mother helped her along the way. There is a romance (or hope of one) in this book is one that kind of creeps up on Sadie, I think without her even realizing it. Very sweet!
Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for allowing me to read this lovely story.
This was probably the best thing to happen to Sadie, in my opinion, because this girl needed time away from Garrett! Sadie ends up getting a job at her favorite local coffeehouse and starts becoming friends with her co-workers. In the middle of all this she tries to stay in contact with Garrett by text messages and daily phone calls. She feels better at first because he keeps telling her how much he misses her, but her world comes crashing down when he calls announcing his fabulous news: He's met the girl of his dreams and he's in LOVE!! I want to smack him over the head at this point, maybe even shake Sadie a little too! Turns out I don't have to shake Sadie because she finally starts to WAKE UP!
I have to say, I was this girl to some extent when I was a teenager. Pathetic and sad, but true. I wished I would've had this book to help me "detox" a certain someone from my life back then. There are some really good lessons to be learned. I really loved how this story progressed and how much Sadie grew as a person, becoming more confident in her own identity. Her friends and mother helped her along the way. There is a romance (or hope of one) in this book is one that kind of creeps up on Sadie, I think without her even realizing it. Very sweet!
Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for allowing me to read this lovely story.
January 6, 2015
well, this was not nearly as cute as it thought it was.
part of me liked the premise - a girl, who is bellaswanning hard on her oblivious male-BFF garrett delaney, decides, after he breaks her heart for the 132th time by dating the next future ex-mrs-garrett-delaney, that she must concoct a plan to rewire her emotional circuit board so that she no longer "loves" garrett delaney.
it had...potential.
or not.
i don't know.
look, i basically have three reading goals this year:
1. read one new book a week (family goal)
2. reread or read ALL agatha christie mystery novels (2015 goal)
3. read all the books referenced in "catcher in the rye" (life goal)
so, at the very least, i can check off a new book for this week.
the major problem with this novel (for me - always implied) is that it's all about garrett. i barely remember the protagonist's name AND I JUST FINISHED THE BOOK. sadie (ha! there it is!) is your typical atypical quirky outsider swan girl - with her lankiness and her amelie hair and her love for russian literature. we know once she stops dorking out hard on all those foreign films and books that there's a hot girl underneath.
because that's what's really important, RIGHT?
as sadie attempts to break garrett's thrall over her, she starts to realize (read: has it blatantly pointed out to her) that her entire image - her appearance, her bedroom, her favorite books/movies/art/music/etc, everything - has all been crafted to be appealing to garrett. and, yes, i think this is something that women do - attempt to recreate themselves in the image of their beloveds' desire - but it's so pathetically creepy. the text even has its own existential crisis when all the female characters sit around and realize how much of their lives are the direct result of their hetero-normal relationships with men.
while i love the idea of being true to oneself and discovering who we really are...i gotta say...i wasn't sold on sadie's transformation. i mean, it was pretty much like the scene in "pretty woman" when they finally let her shop. sadie gets a new hair, some new clothes, and models herself as a normal teenager after realizing she has been brainwashed into liking german poetry and black coffee. post-garrett, she goes to the opposite end of the spectrum where she attends blockbuster summer alien films and eats cookie dough with no ironic concern for salmonella. arthousefilmgirl no more, sadie gets a job working at a coffee shop and makes friends with strong women who:
1. have been dating the same kid since she was 16 and will end up married to him, probably, most likely
2. followed a boyfriend, dropped out of college for boyfriend, was cheated on by boyfriend, continues to date men who cheat on her
3. dates/loves/sleeps with the boss
4. draws cool shit and makes the book more "multicultural" but adds little else
yes, these are sadie's REAL friends. the ones who help her detox. the ones who make her cut her hair and stop modeling herself after the girl she thinks garrett wants, the ones who take her to college parties in the woods...
there's also a nifty (read: uncomfortable) sideplot where we learn that garrett is basically a stand-in for sadie's father who is basically garrett age 46.
sigh.
no wonder type-a-hyper-organized mom wants her to make plans and get a non-garrett-related job.
but, i digress...sadie's butterflying...
i just don't get it. why is it that sadie couldn't be both intelligent AND a female? why does it immediately devolve into watching "bring it on" and eating junk food? i get that those things are stereotypical female breakup nourishment, but to imply that sadie only liked reading the classics because of garrett is a bit crushing. what? without his influence, she'd read trashy romance novels, watch junk television, and have a forever-boyfriend at 16? because that's normal and healthy and "girly"?
and then we have the end...after sadie screams and snaps at her best girlfriend for the 123th time (seriously, sadie is a bitch for half the book), and after sadie realizes she is like SO over garrett's creepy pretentious bullshit, she brings over the requisite sugar cookies of remorse and some trashy girl flick offering, and then, she ditches her friend...
for a guy.
yup.
because if there's one thing i learned from this book, it's that women are better with better men in their lives.
also, cookie dough.
2.5 stars - nothing new here. reads like the lifetime for teenaged women's version of daniel handler's "why we broke up" (shocker, i didn't like that one much either)
caveat: i do have a horrid case of conjunctivitis right now so it is quite possible that i couldn't read the good parts when they showed up.
part of me liked the premise - a girl, who is bellaswanning hard on her oblivious male-BFF garrett delaney, decides, after he breaks her heart for the 132th time by dating the next future ex-mrs-garrett-delaney, that she must concoct a plan to rewire her emotional circuit board so that she no longer "loves" garrett delaney.
it had...potential.
or not.
i don't know.
look, i basically have three reading goals this year:
1. read one new book a week (family goal)
2. reread or read ALL agatha christie mystery novels (2015 goal)
3. read all the books referenced in "catcher in the rye" (life goal)
so, at the very least, i can check off a new book for this week.
the major problem with this novel (for me - always implied) is that it's all about garrett. i barely remember the protagonist's name AND I JUST FINISHED THE BOOK. sadie (ha! there it is!) is your typical atypical quirky outsider swan girl - with her lankiness and her amelie hair and her love for russian literature. we know once she stops dorking out hard on all those foreign films and books that there's a hot girl underneath.
because that's what's really important, RIGHT?
as sadie attempts to break garrett's thrall over her, she starts to realize (read: has it blatantly pointed out to her) that her entire image - her appearance, her bedroom, her favorite books/movies/art/music/etc, everything - has all been crafted to be appealing to garrett. and, yes, i think this is something that women do - attempt to recreate themselves in the image of their beloveds' desire - but it's so pathetically creepy. the text even has its own existential crisis when all the female characters sit around and realize how much of their lives are the direct result of their hetero-normal relationships with men.
while i love the idea of being true to oneself and discovering who we really are...i gotta say...i wasn't sold on sadie's transformation. i mean, it was pretty much like the scene in "pretty woman" when they finally let her shop. sadie gets a new hair, some new clothes, and models herself as a normal teenager after realizing she has been brainwashed into liking german poetry and black coffee. post-garrett, she goes to the opposite end of the spectrum where she attends blockbuster summer alien films and eats cookie dough with no ironic concern for salmonella. arthousefilmgirl no more, sadie gets a job working at a coffee shop and makes friends with strong women who:
1. have been dating the same kid since she was 16 and will end up married to him, probably, most likely
2. followed a boyfriend, dropped out of college for boyfriend, was cheated on by boyfriend, continues to date men who cheat on her
3. dates/loves/sleeps with the boss
4. draws cool shit and makes the book more "multicultural" but adds little else
yes, these are sadie's REAL friends. the ones who help her detox. the ones who make her cut her hair and stop modeling herself after the girl she thinks garrett wants, the ones who take her to college parties in the woods...
there's also a nifty (read: uncomfortable) sideplot where we learn that garrett is basically a stand-in for sadie's father who is basically garrett age 46.
sigh.
no wonder type-a-hyper-organized mom wants her to make plans and get a non-garrett-related job.
but, i digress...sadie's butterflying...
i just don't get it. why is it that sadie couldn't be both intelligent AND a female? why does it immediately devolve into watching "bring it on" and eating junk food? i get that those things are stereotypical female breakup nourishment, but to imply that sadie only liked reading the classics because of garrett is a bit crushing. what? without his influence, she'd read trashy romance novels, watch junk television, and have a forever-boyfriend at 16? because that's normal and healthy and "girly"?
and then we have the end...after sadie screams and snaps at her best girlfriend for the 123th time (seriously, sadie is a bitch for half the book), and after sadie realizes she is like SO over garrett's creepy pretentious bullshit, she brings over the requisite sugar cookies of remorse and some trashy girl flick offering, and then, she ditches her friend...
for a guy.
yup.
because if there's one thing i learned from this book, it's that women are better with better men in their lives.
also, cookie dough.
2.5 stars - nothing new here. reads like the lifetime for teenaged women's version of daniel handler's "why we broke up" (shocker, i didn't like that one much either)
caveat: i do have a horrid case of conjunctivitis right now so it is quite possible that i couldn't read the good parts when they showed up.
May 31, 2024
Actual Rating: 4.25 :)
Cute, quick, and easy! A perfect summer read, especially for getting over a book hangover!
Re-read May 2016
I think this book is now a sort of summer tradition for me XD It has a combination of all my favorite elements- family drama, quirky friends, an adorable love story (JOSH), and the one of the best character developments I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. From the surface, this book may seem like a light and fluffy summer love story, but it really is unique and filled with good lessons.
Here are some more final thoughts:
- Garrett is a stereotypical pretentious teenage boy, which annoyed me to no end. But I get it! McDonald is just trying to prove her point ;)
- I NEED SADIE'S JOB. Like, now. Working at Totally Wired? A total dream job!
- Western MA. I feel ya Sadie.
- Josh is the ultimate adorable boy. Have I said that already? Whoops. I totally need a companion novel from his perspective. Or a sequel about him and Sadie. NOW.
Well, thanks for reading that rambling review *laughing/crying emoji* I hope you find time to pick up this novel sometime in the future!
Re-read June 2017
I love rereading this book every year. It's the perfect introduction to a summer of fun! I still adore every character, and the development Sadie goes through never ceases to amaze me. Happy summer reading!
Re-read May 2018
Still an amazing book. There's so much amazing feminism and self-confidence notes, and it always makes me warm and fuzzy! Also - I still want a companion novel from Josh's perspective. PLEASE. Enjoy!
Reread May 2019
I re-read this book before every summer because 1) it's the perfect intro into summer, and 2) it's the perfect way to remind myself that being yourself is so important, even if it's not always easy. Here are some great quotes from this book that highlight its depth:
Great with a capital G?...Or great because you found it moving, and inspiring, and it made your life better somehow?
Moping is self-indulgent teen angst...Mourning is the totally justified grief that comes from being separated from the love of your life! (okay, this isn't especially eye-opening, but I think this line is hilarious because you an just hear the whining)
I can't get past this strange contradiction that seems to lurk behind everything we do. Because no matter what, or who, we end up choosing, all of us feel like we've failed somehow.
So how are we supposed to win? On the one hand, the world tells us that capital-L Love is epic, and all-conquering, and the meaning of everything, but on the other, it drills us with this message that we shouldn't make any sacrifice or effort to pursue it, because that would make us weak, unempowered, desperate, silly girls.
It was more about whether I was going to shape our world around him or make a life on my own terms - for the both of us...They live their lives, and in the end, I have to choose to live mine, no matter how much I care.
Reread: May 2024
How did I ever rate this 4 stars? This is a five-star exploration of personal reinvention and coming of age. I hope I continue rereading this one for years to come.
Cute, quick, and easy! A perfect summer read, especially for getting over a book hangover!
Re-read May 2016
I think this book is now a sort of summer tradition for me XD It has a combination of all my favorite elements- family drama, quirky friends, an adorable love story (JOSH), and the one of the best character developments I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. From the surface, this book may seem like a light and fluffy summer love story, but it really is unique and filled with good lessons.
Here are some more final thoughts:
- Garrett is a stereotypical pretentious teenage boy, which annoyed me to no end. But I get it! McDonald is just trying to prove her point ;)
- I NEED SADIE'S JOB. Like, now. Working at Totally Wired? A total dream job!
- Western MA. I feel ya Sadie.
- Josh is the ultimate adorable boy. Have I said that already? Whoops. I totally need a companion novel from his perspective. Or a sequel about him and Sadie. NOW.
Well, thanks for reading that rambling review *laughing/crying emoji* I hope you find time to pick up this novel sometime in the future!
Re-read June 2017
I love rereading this book every year. It's the perfect introduction to a summer of fun! I still adore every character, and the development Sadie goes through never ceases to amaze me. Happy summer reading!
Re-read May 2018
Still an amazing book. There's so much amazing feminism and self-confidence notes, and it always makes me warm and fuzzy! Also - I still want a companion novel from Josh's perspective. PLEASE. Enjoy!
Reread May 2019
I re-read this book before every summer because 1) it's the perfect intro into summer, and 2) it's the perfect way to remind myself that being yourself is so important, even if it's not always easy. Here are some great quotes from this book that highlight its depth:
Great with a capital G?...Or great because you found it moving, and inspiring, and it made your life better somehow?
Moping is self-indulgent teen angst...Mourning is the totally justified grief that comes from being separated from the love of your life! (okay, this isn't especially eye-opening, but I think this line is hilarious because you an just hear the whining)
I can't get past this strange contradiction that seems to lurk behind everything we do. Because no matter what, or who, we end up choosing, all of us feel like we've failed somehow.
So how are we supposed to win? On the one hand, the world tells us that capital-L Love is epic, and all-conquering, and the meaning of everything, but on the other, it drills us with this message that we shouldn't make any sacrifice or effort to pursue it, because that would make us weak, unempowered, desperate, silly girls.
It was more about whether I was going to shape our world around him or make a life on my own terms - for the both of us...They live their lives, and in the end, I have to choose to live mine, no matter how much I care.
Reread: May 2024
How did I ever rate this 4 stars? This is a five-star exploration of personal reinvention and coming of age. I hope I continue rereading this one for years to come.
February 7, 2012
A big thank you to Abby McDonald and Heather Wilks-Jones for sending me a copy of this book. From the moment I saw this book cover on good-reads I knew I had to read it. I am so HAPPY I got that chance. This is one of those books you can't down once you start reading it. It is like a train wreck you can't look away, you want to but you just can't. This is how Sadie is with Garrett.
Lord this book had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Poor Sadie is in love with Garrett and he has no idea. He is so clueless I wondered at times if he knew and was just playing games to keep her right next to him as a toy. It is the end of the school year and Sadie and Garrett are going to start the summer off right because they are going to go for six weeks to a writers camp. Only there is one problem Sadie does not get accepted into the camp and Garrett is going by himself. What is a girl to do with herself for six weeks when they have never been separated from each other for the past two years.
Well Sadie has to get a job because her mother has told her you get a job or you work for me and Sadie is like heck no I will find a job. She does find a job at the local coffee shop where her and Garrett love to go for coffee. Once she starts her job she realizes that Garrett is acting weird so she asks him what's wrong and he says Sadie I found true love. Sadie is devastated because she was so sure this was going to be the moment he professes his love and he does but just not to her. She is so devastated that she decides she needs to detox from Garrett.
So with the help of her new friends at the coffee shop she starts to detox from Garrett so much so that when six weeks ends and Garrett comes home he does not recognize her. At first she tries to ignore him but she just can't stay away from him so she decides to go out with him a few times. Then he decides to give her a surprise date. Sadie is so excited she can't believe it this could be it where Garrett gets his act together and they will get their happily ever after. Well no spoilers from me because this is the best part of the book so you will have to go and read it for your self.
I interviewed Abby for this book because I loved it so. Read on to see what she says and trust me this is a MUST READ BOOK FOR 2012!
I also think the song Last Kiss By Taylor Swift sums up their relationship. So here is the video enjoy!
http://youtu.be/n-OQvwYd740
First of all tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm 26, a British transplant living in LA, author of six contemporary novels for teens and adults. I love trashy action movies, old WB teen shows circa 1999-2005, and country music. Oh, and I'm allergic to chocolate.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Ever since I was in school, but back then, I thought you had to be old and experienced in order to write. Then, when I was 19, I started writing my first novel, just for fun. I wound up getting an agent for it, and never looked back! (Especially not at that first book, which still languishes in a deep, dark place on my hard drive where it belongs.)
Your novel is soon to be released, how do you feel about that?
Excited! No matter how many books I have published, I still feel the nerves of a new release. What if people don't like it? What if they're disappointed? What if it gets banned? OK, well, I actually hope for that last one. I would be honored.
Was there any inspiration for Sadie or Garrett?
Oh boy. The disclaimer on the front says that all characters and events are fictional, but, well.... Let's just say they were heavily inspired by my sixteen year-old self, and a certain male BFF I had at the time! But the thing that made it so much fun to write is that the concept is so relatable: everyone knows what it's like to have an unrequited crush, so we all feel Sadie's pain as she struggles to free herself from the clutches of love!
Have you ever been in love with one of your best friends and not told him?
Ahem. See above. I wouldn't say love, but I certainly had feelings for them.
Have you ever been heart broken? How did you deal with it?
Yes. If not broken, then thoroughly bruised. I dealt with it the way we all do, I suppose: lots of crying, listening to plaintive music, eating too much chocolate (which for me triggers migraines, so, that made the whole experience even more fun). I wish I'd had Sadie's determination and 12-step plan, rather than wallowing around for months in misery!
Please tell us readers 7 random things about yourself?
Hmmm.... I'm left-handed. I can't whistle. I wear contact lenses, because I'm incredibly short-sighted. I hate flying - which is problematic when you live half a world away from home. I'm excellent with navigation and maps (I mis-typed that as 'naps' to begin with, but I'm also excellent with those too). I went on a pilgrimage with my BFF to the real-life Star's Hollow in Connecticut (a charming town called Washington Depot). And finally, I lived a year in Montreal when I was 23, until winter came, and I fled.
Thank you for taking the time out to answer the questions!
Tee@adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com
Lord this book had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Poor Sadie is in love with Garrett and he has no idea. He is so clueless I wondered at times if he knew and was just playing games to keep her right next to him as a toy. It is the end of the school year and Sadie and Garrett are going to start the summer off right because they are going to go for six weeks to a writers camp. Only there is one problem Sadie does not get accepted into the camp and Garrett is going by himself. What is a girl to do with herself for six weeks when they have never been separated from each other for the past two years.
Well Sadie has to get a job because her mother has told her you get a job or you work for me and Sadie is like heck no I will find a job. She does find a job at the local coffee shop where her and Garrett love to go for coffee. Once she starts her job she realizes that Garrett is acting weird so she asks him what's wrong and he says Sadie I found true love. Sadie is devastated because she was so sure this was going to be the moment he professes his love and he does but just not to her. She is so devastated that she decides she needs to detox from Garrett.
So with the help of her new friends at the coffee shop she starts to detox from Garrett so much so that when six weeks ends and Garrett comes home he does not recognize her. At first she tries to ignore him but she just can't stay away from him so she decides to go out with him a few times. Then he decides to give her a surprise date. Sadie is so excited she can't believe it this could be it where Garrett gets his act together and they will get their happily ever after. Well no spoilers from me because this is the best part of the book so you will have to go and read it for your self.
I interviewed Abby for this book because I loved it so. Read on to see what she says and trust me this is a MUST READ BOOK FOR 2012!
I also think the song Last Kiss By Taylor Swift sums up their relationship. So here is the video enjoy!
http://youtu.be/n-OQvwYd740
First of all tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm 26, a British transplant living in LA, author of six contemporary novels for teens and adults. I love trashy action movies, old WB teen shows circa 1999-2005, and country music. Oh, and I'm allergic to chocolate.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Ever since I was in school, but back then, I thought you had to be old and experienced in order to write. Then, when I was 19, I started writing my first novel, just for fun. I wound up getting an agent for it, and never looked back! (Especially not at that first book, which still languishes in a deep, dark place on my hard drive where it belongs.)
Your novel is soon to be released, how do you feel about that?
Excited! No matter how many books I have published, I still feel the nerves of a new release. What if people don't like it? What if they're disappointed? What if it gets banned? OK, well, I actually hope for that last one. I would be honored.
Was there any inspiration for Sadie or Garrett?
Oh boy. The disclaimer on the front says that all characters and events are fictional, but, well.... Let's just say they were heavily inspired by my sixteen year-old self, and a certain male BFF I had at the time! But the thing that made it so much fun to write is that the concept is so relatable: everyone knows what it's like to have an unrequited crush, so we all feel Sadie's pain as she struggles to free herself from the clutches of love!
Have you ever been in love with one of your best friends and not told him?
Ahem. See above. I wouldn't say love, but I certainly had feelings for them.
Have you ever been heart broken? How did you deal with it?
Yes. If not broken, then thoroughly bruised. I dealt with it the way we all do, I suppose: lots of crying, listening to plaintive music, eating too much chocolate (which for me triggers migraines, so, that made the whole experience even more fun). I wish I'd had Sadie's determination and 12-step plan, rather than wallowing around for months in misery!
Please tell us readers 7 random things about yourself?
Hmmm.... I'm left-handed. I can't whistle. I wear contact lenses, because I'm incredibly short-sighted. I hate flying - which is problematic when you live half a world away from home. I'm excellent with navigation and maps (I mis-typed that as 'naps' to begin with, but I'm also excellent with those too). I went on a pilgrimage with my BFF to the real-life Star's Hollow in Connecticut (a charming town called Washington Depot). And finally, I lived a year in Montreal when I was 23, until winter came, and I fled.
Thank you for taking the time out to answer the questions!
Tee@adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com
December 1, 2011
My Thoughts: A 12 step program to get over a guy? This is my kind of book! Oh, where was this book when I was a teen? Being in love with your best friend when he's constantly got a girlfriend? Yep, been there, done that.
We are introduced to Sadie (cool name) who is best friends with a boy named Garrett Delaney. She's been obsessed with him for 2 years waiting for him to open his eyes and finally notice she's the one for him. Of course, he always has a new girlfriend and she loyally plays the girl sidekick always giving him advice.
After not getting into a literary camp while Garrett does, after his call to reveal his love for yet another girl, Sadie is determined to get over this boy. She must. She has to find herself. How much of her personality is based solely on this guy?
She gets a job at a coffee shop, meets a bunch of new friends, takes up with her old friend Kayla, and starts putting her 12 step program into action. Even her newly found friends help her purge Garrett out of her life for good.
She ignores his calls, texts, emails, and tries to focus on everyday tasks and having fun.
There is also a cute chef who works there named Josh. Josh and Sadie are just friends. I knew from the get go, I was going to like Josh. He was a funny goofy kind of guy. He didn't put the moves on Sadie, he understood what she was going through.
With the help of her friends, she finally starts to learn who she is, and that she doesn't just love everything she thought she did, because of Garrett.
I wanted to hate Garrett but I didn't exactly hate him. But thinking about how some of the little things he did were jerky, I am kind of irritated with him. I mean, some of his actions, really stunk. Yes, at the beginning I wanted him to open his big fat eyes and see how much she loved him and realize maybe he felt the same way, but by the time he even halfway came to his senses, I was so over Garrett and into Josh.
As for Sadie, I loved her personality. She was very spunky. Her personality was so easy to relate too. The writing just flowed and flowed, and I finished this within a few hours!
Getting Over Garrett Delaney was a great contemporary novel. This is exactly the right book for anyone who has a crush on their best friend especially when they don't feel the same way. This book is exactly what you need to read if your in the mood for a funny but full of lessons novel.
Overall: A Great novel! Abby McDonald is an author to read. I always find her books to be so cute and funny and marvelous! Loved this book! Can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
Cover: Love it! Love how she is laying down with a book over her head. She looks frustrated! I also love how her feet are up against the wall. The cover alone has the word awesome written all over it!
What I'd Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
__________
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
We are introduced to Sadie (cool name) who is best friends with a boy named Garrett Delaney. She's been obsessed with him for 2 years waiting for him to open his eyes and finally notice she's the one for him. Of course, he always has a new girlfriend and she loyally plays the girl sidekick always giving him advice.
After not getting into a literary camp while Garrett does, after his call to reveal his love for yet another girl, Sadie is determined to get over this boy. She must. She has to find herself. How much of her personality is based solely on this guy?
She gets a job at a coffee shop, meets a bunch of new friends, takes up with her old friend Kayla, and starts putting her 12 step program into action. Even her newly found friends help her purge Garrett out of her life for good.
She ignores his calls, texts, emails, and tries to focus on everyday tasks and having fun.
There is also a cute chef who works there named Josh. Josh and Sadie are just friends. I knew from the get go, I was going to like Josh. He was a funny goofy kind of guy. He didn't put the moves on Sadie, he understood what she was going through.
With the help of her friends, she finally starts to learn who she is, and that she doesn't just love everything she thought she did, because of Garrett.
I wanted to hate Garrett but I didn't exactly hate him. But thinking about how some of the little things he did were jerky, I am kind of irritated with him. I mean, some of his actions, really stunk. Yes, at the beginning I wanted him to open his big fat eyes and see how much she loved him and realize maybe he felt the same way, but by the time he even halfway came to his senses, I was so over Garrett and into Josh.
As for Sadie, I loved her personality. She was very spunky. Her personality was so easy to relate too. The writing just flowed and flowed, and I finished this within a few hours!
Getting Over Garrett Delaney was a great contemporary novel. This is exactly the right book for anyone who has a crush on their best friend especially when they don't feel the same way. This book is exactly what you need to read if your in the mood for a funny but full of lessons novel.
Overall: A Great novel! Abby McDonald is an author to read. I always find her books to be so cute and funny and marvelous! Loved this book! Can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
Cover: Love it! Love how she is laying down with a book over her head. She looks frustrated! I also love how her feet are up against the wall. The cover alone has the word awesome written all over it!
What I'd Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
__________
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
June 19, 2015
You can find more from me on my blog:
I loved Getting Over Garrett Delaney! Abby McDonald's writing made me feel like I was right there living along-side Sadie and the rest of the Totally Wired crew !
Firstly, this book had all the things I love in a book:
- A likable and easy-to-relate-to main character; even at times when the main character -Sadie- irritated me, I still felt like I could understand why she was acting the way she was, and felt like I myself would probably act the same way if put in that situation..
- A believable story-line where the characters don't fall in love in two seconds flat, I hate that in a book!
- A work environment; I know that sounds weird, but I hate how in most YA novels, authors tend to not mention work in them at all! Getting a job is key when growing up, and working takes up a big part of your life, and therefore I believe should at least be mentioned ! Plus, there's just something really cool about working in a cafe ! (:
- A range of different characters; I love almost all the characters in this book, and found that having a range of different personalities and styles in each character gave the book an upbeat and modern feel to it.
There are so many more things about this book that I liked, and I could go on and on, but those are my main ones ^
If there was something I had to fault about Getting Over Garrett Delaney, it would be the fact that I often felt that I was guessing what was going to happen before it actually did. I really hate being able to guess what'll happen, I like my books to be full of surprise !
But all in all, I couldn't hold that against McDonald, because this was such a feel-good book, and I found myself sad to finish it. So, keeping all this in mind, I still rated Getting Over Garrett Delaney 5 stars, because I enjoyed it a lot, and would definitely read it again !
I loved Getting Over Garrett Delaney! Abby McDonald's writing made me feel like I was right there living along-side Sadie and the rest of the Totally Wired crew !
Firstly, this book had all the things I love in a book:
- A likable and easy-to-relate-to main character; even at times when the main character -Sadie- irritated me, I still felt like I could understand why she was acting the way she was, and felt like I myself would probably act the same way if put in that situation..
- A believable story-line where the characters don't fall in love in two seconds flat, I hate that in a book!
- A work environment; I know that sounds weird, but I hate how in most YA novels, authors tend to not mention work in them at all! Getting a job is key when growing up, and working takes up a big part of your life, and therefore I believe should at least be mentioned ! Plus, there's just something really cool about working in a cafe ! (:
- A range of different characters; I love almost all the characters in this book, and found that having a range of different personalities and styles in each character gave the book an upbeat and modern feel to it.
There are so many more things about this book that I liked, and I could go on and on, but those are my main ones ^
If there was something I had to fault about Getting Over Garrett Delaney, it would be the fact that I often felt that I was guessing what was going to happen before it actually did. I really hate being able to guess what'll happen, I like my books to be full of surprise !
But all in all, I couldn't hold that against McDonald, because this was such a feel-good book, and I found myself sad to finish it. So, keeping all this in mind, I still rated Getting Over Garrett Delaney 5 stars, because I enjoyed it a lot, and would definitely read it again !
May 6, 2012
At the risk of sounding painfully old, I think this book holds an amazingly good message for young women. Come to think of it, I know some adult women who would probably benefit from it.
'Self-actualization' is the term that comes to mind when I sit and ponder how to describe this story, and I suppose it's telling that that exact term is used fairly early on in the book. Sadie's struggle with her addiction to Garrett, and her subsequent attempts to get out and live her own life were touching and funny, and the little snippets from the 12 Step program that eventually begin each chapter are priceless. As it progresses, Sadie (with the help of some new friends) begins to come to terms with the fact that her whole life for the previous two years has been wrapped up in what Garrett likes, what Garrett wants, and what Garrett thinks. It's painful to read at times because there's a certain amount of reminiscent guilt to go along with Sadie's pain, but it's also an affirmation that there's absolutely nothing wrong with being yourself.
Oh, it also takes a few well-earned swipes at those snobby, self-important arthouse kids who think the only entertainment worth engaging in is the kind that makes you want to jump off a bridge. I'm not saying I don't like some of that stuff, but those open-mic night, poetry slam assholes really get under my skin with their pseudo-intellectualism and their adherence to the idea that if you're not tortured, you're not an artist. So yeah, this book brought me a little guilty pleasure in that area.
Getting over Garrett Delaney is about being an individual, coming to terms with being honest about who you are, growing up, and what true friendship, and true love, really look like.
'Self-actualization' is the term that comes to mind when I sit and ponder how to describe this story, and I suppose it's telling that that exact term is used fairly early on in the book. Sadie's struggle with her addiction to Garrett, and her subsequent attempts to get out and live her own life were touching and funny, and the little snippets from the 12 Step program that eventually begin each chapter are priceless. As it progresses, Sadie (with the help of some new friends) begins to come to terms with the fact that her whole life for the previous two years has been wrapped up in what Garrett likes, what Garrett wants, and what Garrett thinks. It's painful to read at times because there's a certain amount of reminiscent guilt to go along with Sadie's pain, but it's also an affirmation that there's absolutely nothing wrong with being yourself.
Oh, it also takes a few well-earned swipes at those snobby, self-important arthouse kids who think the only entertainment worth engaging in is the kind that makes you want to jump off a bridge. I'm not saying I don't like some of that stuff, but those open-mic night, poetry slam assholes really get under my skin with their pseudo-intellectualism and their adherence to the idea that if you're not tortured, you're not an artist. So yeah, this book brought me a little guilty pleasure in that area.
Getting over Garrett Delaney is about being an individual, coming to terms with being honest about who you are, growing up, and what true friendship, and true love, really look like.
January 29, 2012
I should start off by saying that I love books that stay true to their title and cover, just as this one does.
Sadie is very likable, with her love of books and wit. The way Sadie describes her feelings for Garrett Delaney, after their initial encounter at the coffee shop, makes her eventual love for him believable and sweet. But that’s just it - Garrett never reciprocates her feelings. When he goes to a writing camp for six weeks, he merely “misses” Sadie and, at the same time, admits that he was having such a great time that he did not realize she wasn't there. At camp, he even admits to falling in love for the umpteenth time, this time with a girl who reminds him of Sadie except brighter. Heartbroken, Sadie takes her (awesome) “goddess of achievement” mom's advice and plans a step-by-step Garrett detox.
The format of the book is perfect for this purpose. Starting with a disclaimer, the book proceeds to give advice at the beginning of most chapters based on Sadie's detox progress. The book moves quickly, describing Sadie’s hasty decision to work at Totally Wired (a cafe), where the author introduces a new cast of rather amazing characters. Each individual has problems of his or her own, but each helps Sadie with her situation (this is unity at its best). In a way, I feel that this book is more about the importance of friendship than about love - this, in my opinion, renders the book much more meaningful.
In succinct terms, a girl should not abandon her friends (old and new) for someone who has consistently seen her as a "fan" or "groupie." Garrett's true feelings about Sadie are evidently caring, but in a way that is clearly patronizing. Going back to the friendship motif, I think it is ultimately Sadie’s cafe co-workers and Kayla that cause Sadie to "get over Garrett." Of course, the resident chef, Josh, and his goofiness catalyzes this process.
Furthermore, the book has its share of humor, from Sadie’s clumsiness when she first works at Totally Wired to the ways her new friends oversee Sadie’s detox progress. I could not have asked for a better ending!
After I finished this book, I could not help but want more (in a good way, of course). I wondered, despite what happened at the end with Sadie and Garrett, does Sadie still maintain her friendship with him? I also questioned whether Sadie took an interest in Josh – based on their discussions, it looks like Sadie just likes his cooking and humor.
Nevertheless, with meaningful character development and an appealing premise, Getting Over Garrett Delaney is a fantastic read.
Sadie is very likable, with her love of books and wit. The way Sadie describes her feelings for Garrett Delaney, after their initial encounter at the coffee shop, makes her eventual love for him believable and sweet. But that’s just it - Garrett never reciprocates her feelings. When he goes to a writing camp for six weeks, he merely “misses” Sadie and, at the same time, admits that he was having such a great time that he did not realize she wasn't there. At camp, he even admits to falling in love for the umpteenth time, this time with a girl who reminds him of Sadie except brighter. Heartbroken, Sadie takes her (awesome) “goddess of achievement” mom's advice and plans a step-by-step Garrett detox.
The format of the book is perfect for this purpose. Starting with a disclaimer, the book proceeds to give advice at the beginning of most chapters based on Sadie's detox progress. The book moves quickly, describing Sadie’s hasty decision to work at Totally Wired (a cafe), where the author introduces a new cast of rather amazing characters. Each individual has problems of his or her own, but each helps Sadie with her situation (this is unity at its best). In a way, I feel that this book is more about the importance of friendship than about love - this, in my opinion, renders the book much more meaningful.
In succinct terms, a girl should not abandon her friends (old and new) for someone who has consistently seen her as a "fan" or "groupie." Garrett's true feelings about Sadie are evidently caring, but in a way that is clearly patronizing. Going back to the friendship motif, I think it is ultimately Sadie’s cafe co-workers and Kayla that cause Sadie to "get over Garrett." Of course, the resident chef, Josh, and his goofiness catalyzes this process.
Furthermore, the book has its share of humor, from Sadie’s clumsiness when she first works at Totally Wired to the ways her new friends oversee Sadie’s detox progress. I could not have asked for a better ending!
After I finished this book, I could not help but want more (in a good way, of course). I wondered, despite what happened at the end with Sadie and Garrett, does Sadie still maintain her friendship with him? I also questioned whether Sadie took an interest in Josh – based on their discussions, it looks like Sadie just likes his cooking and humor.
Nevertheless, with meaningful character development and an appealing premise, Getting Over Garrett Delaney is a fantastic read.
February 7, 2013
1.5 Stars Sigh. Another one down the drain.
As many may know and many may not, I'm live up in ol' Canada, and every year to celebrate and reward Canadian authors, we have a youth award program called White Pine. In White Pine, teens read a selection of books by Canadian authors for their age group and they then choose their favorite to award. Why does this matter, you ask? Well, this book happens to be one of the 2013 selections for the White Pine and I happened to pick it up for that sole reason.
How I wished I hadn't picked this book up first. Don't get me wrong - I love Canadian authors, but this was just not for me. Lemme explain why.
Sadie, for her entire life, has beencreepily obssessed "in love" with her best friend, the intolerable Garrett Delaney. Garrett is poetic, adores tragic Russian literature and weird, funky 80's indie rock. After getting rejected from lit camp, Saddie can do nothing but wither away while Garrett (who did get accepted) goes off on his adventure. This is where this book's problems and my migraines exponentially increase.
Since I'm getting a major ache in my noggin just by imagining writing all of my feelings down on how the book progressed, I'll just summarize.
Sadie is depressed.
Garrett tells her he has found his "soul mate" at lit camp.
Sadie is near suicidal/very much depressed.
Depressed Sadie finds improntu job as barista in cafe.
Cafe is full of weird/psychologically damaged employees and boss.
She creates a "Garrett detox" program to get over him.
Weird employees + Hunky Chef help Sadie with program.
Garrett says he no longer loves his "soul mate" and now loves Sadie.
Sadie, with such deep inner strength, dismisses Garrett and goes out with Hunky Chef.
I almost fell asleep typing that. So, yes, there is no content worth recognizing and no fundamental value of this story. And frankly, I found Sadie a dumb, foolish girl who doesn't need to be around teaching us females that we need men to feel whole or put together.
Be single, and proud of it. Or be with someone who appreciates you as an equal and who returns every ounce of affection back to you.
That up there was my ol' tip to y'all. Hopefully, you glean my words and not Sadie's in the long run.
Though Sadie may have realized that at the end, for the entire book, she silently screamed the opposite. So, that in the end, did it for me.
This book is not for me, and too boring and slow-paced for any reader who reads with vigor and passion. Believe me, you'll be passionate when you read this book - just not for the right or good reasons.
As many may know and many may not, I'm live up in ol' Canada, and every year to celebrate and reward Canadian authors, we have a youth award program called White Pine. In White Pine, teens read a selection of books by Canadian authors for their age group and they then choose their favorite to award. Why does this matter, you ask? Well, this book happens to be one of the 2013 selections for the White Pine and I happened to pick it up for that sole reason.
How I wished I hadn't picked this book up first. Don't get me wrong - I love Canadian authors, but this was just not for me. Lemme explain why.
Sadie, for her entire life, has been
Since I'm getting a major ache in my noggin just by imagining writing all of my feelings down on how the book progressed, I'll just summarize.
Sadie is depressed.
Garrett tells her he has found his "soul mate" at lit camp.
Sadie is near suicidal/very much depressed.
Depressed Sadie finds improntu job as barista in cafe.
Cafe is full of weird/psychologically damaged employees and boss.
She creates a "Garrett detox" program to get over him.
Weird employees + Hunky Chef help Sadie with program.
Garrett says he no longer loves his "soul mate" and now loves Sadie.
Sadie, with such deep inner strength, dismisses Garrett and goes out with Hunky Chef.
I almost fell asleep typing that. So, yes, there is no content worth recognizing and no fundamental value of this story. And frankly, I found Sadie a dumb, foolish girl who doesn't need to be around teaching us females that we need men to feel whole or put together.
Be single, and proud of it. Or be with someone who appreciates you as an equal and who returns every ounce of affection back to you.
That up there was my ol' tip to y'all. Hopefully, you glean my words and not Sadie's in the long run.
Though Sadie may have realized that at the end, for the entire book, she silently screamed the opposite. So, that in the end, did it for me.
This book is not for me, and too boring and slow-paced for any reader who reads with vigor and passion. Believe me, you'll be passionate when you read this book - just not for the right or good reasons.
December 14, 2012
I adored the overall message of this book.
Sadie starts out hopelessly, head over heels in unrequited love with her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who as it turns out is a bit of a pretentious poetry-spouting hipster. But when Garrett goes away to writing camp for six weeks and Sadie is pronounced too young to go, she starts realising just how much of her life revolves around him--that she needs to get over him and start being Sadie, not a female Garrett clone.
Books like these can turn out whiny and annoying and all kinds of wrong, but Sadie's voice is so refreshingly honest you never feel like strangling her. I've certainly liked boys who would never like me back. Her troubles were startlingly relatable, and I really liked how the book ended. Sadie's new group of eclectic friends at Totally Wired were a great addition too. Oh, Josh. Can we have a mini sequel with him and Sadie, aka. the aftermath of his awkward cuteness?
I had my doubts going into this, but I'd recommend it to any YA lover who doesn't necessarily want romance as the front-and-center of their book.
Sadie starts out hopelessly, head over heels in unrequited love with her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who as it turns out is a bit of a pretentious poetry-spouting hipster. But when Garrett goes away to writing camp for six weeks and Sadie is pronounced too young to go, she starts realising just how much of her life revolves around him--that she needs to get over him and start being Sadie, not a female Garrett clone.
Books like these can turn out whiny and annoying and all kinds of wrong, but Sadie's voice is so refreshingly honest you never feel like strangling her. I've certainly liked boys who would never like me back. Her troubles were startlingly relatable, and I really liked how the book ended. Sadie's new group of eclectic friends at Totally Wired were a great addition too. Oh, Josh. Can we have a mini sequel with him and Sadie, aka. the aftermath of his awkward cuteness?
I had my doubts going into this, but I'd recommend it to any YA lover who doesn't necessarily want romance as the front-and-center of their book.
March 18, 2016
Aww, this was a great book. I think it might have even cured me from my reading slump, yay!
May 28, 2021
Okay, so this book isn't the most intellectually stimulating and the writing is fair. In fact, on the surface, it seems to only be a stereotypical unrequited love story. HOWEVER I think the protagonist's journey of self discovery and her community of supportive girl friends redeem this story for all its faults (like a teenage boy who acts like a tenured philosophy professor). This is an entertaining read, very wholesome and uplifting.
February 25, 2012
THIS REVIEW ON B'S BOOK BLOG!
I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley and Candlewick Press for review.
You know, once in a while, there comes a book that tells the story of your life, or something that reminds you very much of it. Be it just a part of the whole thing, or everything that happens in the book has actually happened to you. When a book like this comes along, it's hard not to have a feeling of nostalgia as you read, or once you finish reading it. It might break your heart, make you cry, fill you with indescribable sadness, mixed with the joy of having it past you now. No more drowning in those tears he always successfully and easily summoned from you. GETTING OVER GARRETT DELANEY is a bittersweet reminiscence for that part of my life.
Don't get me wrong. This is not a sad book. If anything, it's a hilarious one with witty prose. I love the story, I love the character development, I love the writing, I love the ending. I love this book!
Two years ago, Sadie was in a local coffee shop reading Pablo Neruda's love poems when Garrett Delaney walked into her life. She immediately felt that he was everything she had been waiting for. Fifty percent prep, twenty percent punk, thirty percent old-school British indie rock, and one hundred percent gorgeous -- that's Garrett for you. Sadie fell madly in love with this new best friend of hers and let her life form its shape around him -- his shape. Having the hairstyle she knew he liked, wearing simple boring clothes so he wouldn't judge her, reading Russian literature and watching movies and listening to music that he loved so. She practically forgot who she'd actually been before he came around. She cherished their friendship, but always wished for something more, for that one day when he would finally fall in love with her.
Now those two years have passed, Sadie is comfortable with the life that she's built around Garrett. When he goes to a writing camp for six week, Sadie is left alone, separated from Garrett for the first time in two years, and has to find a job. One day while she's working in the coffee shop, Garrett calls and tells her he's in love with a girl in the camp, and asks her for advice. That's when Sadie realizes she has to start GETTING OVER GARRETT DELANEY for good. With on-and-off determination, 12-step plan from her mother's self-help book, and a lot of support from friends, Sadie sets off to figure out who she is without Garrett, discover her personal likes and dislikes without the influence of Garrett, and finally getting over this painful unrequited crush she has on her best friend.
This book makes me want to go curl up in bed and cry and cry and cry right now. It inevitably reminds me of those 6 years when the life of my younger and more stupid, love-blind self revolved around this jerk of a guy who enjoyed keeping me in misery so much that he refused to let the love I had for him die down even a little bit. This was just heart-wrenching for me to see Sadie go through almost everything that I myself have been put through. The unclear boundaries, the long phone calls that seemed to never end, the asking for advice about love and some other girls that wasn't me. The pain, the tears, the several attempts to get over him. The six years of my life I spent pining away, wishing he would finally see me. All to no avail.
I love Sadie. She's very relatable. I believe every girl has been in her position, being head over heels for their best friend. The descriptions of her emotions are so real, so touching. I could feel myself feeling the same things she's feeling. And sometimes just reading her feelings, all those things came rushing back to me. I think she represents us girls who have been there. I love how her character develops and how she slowly tries new things and starts feeling comfortable with her life without Garrett.
Abby McDonald's writing in this book is incredibly enjoyable. I love the way the 12 steps are inserted right between chapters. That makes it easier for me to keep up with Sadie's progress and what she's going to do. This book is also very cleverly written and well-plotted. There are many beautiful sentences that had me gaping at, and those that made me laugh and smile. I couldn't put this book down. It's very addictive and fun to read!
In addtion, I'm glad the book ends the way it does. I loved the ending. So powerful and symbolic.
Recommended! GETTING OVER GARRETT DELANEY is a wonderful read!
I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley and Candlewick Press for review.
You know, once in a while, there comes a book that tells the story of your life, or something that reminds you very much of it. Be it just a part of the whole thing, or everything that happens in the book has actually happened to you. When a book like this comes along, it's hard not to have a feeling of nostalgia as you read, or once you finish reading it. It might break your heart, make you cry, fill you with indescribable sadness, mixed with the joy of having it past you now. No more drowning in those tears he always successfully and easily summoned from you. GETTING OVER GARRETT DELANEY is a bittersweet reminiscence for that part of my life.
Don't get me wrong. This is not a sad book. If anything, it's a hilarious one with witty prose. I love the story, I love the character development, I love the writing, I love the ending. I love this book!
Two years ago, Sadie was in a local coffee shop reading Pablo Neruda's love poems when Garrett Delaney walked into her life. She immediately felt that he was everything she had been waiting for. Fifty percent prep, twenty percent punk, thirty percent old-school British indie rock, and one hundred percent gorgeous -- that's Garrett for you. Sadie fell madly in love with this new best friend of hers and let her life form its shape around him -- his shape. Having the hairstyle she knew he liked, wearing simple boring clothes so he wouldn't judge her, reading Russian literature and watching movies and listening to music that he loved so. She practically forgot who she'd actually been before he came around. She cherished their friendship, but always wished for something more, for that one day when he would finally fall in love with her.
Now those two years have passed, Sadie is comfortable with the life that she's built around Garrett. When he goes to a writing camp for six week, Sadie is left alone, separated from Garrett for the first time in two years, and has to find a job. One day while she's working in the coffee shop, Garrett calls and tells her he's in love with a girl in the camp, and asks her for advice. That's when Sadie realizes she has to start GETTING OVER GARRETT DELANEY for good. With on-and-off determination, 12-step plan from her mother's self-help book, and a lot of support from friends, Sadie sets off to figure out who she is without Garrett, discover her personal likes and dislikes without the influence of Garrett, and finally getting over this painful unrequited crush she has on her best friend.
This book makes me want to go curl up in bed and cry and cry and cry right now. It inevitably reminds me of those 6 years when the life of my younger and more stupid, love-blind self revolved around this jerk of a guy who enjoyed keeping me in misery so much that he refused to let the love I had for him die down even a little bit. This was just heart-wrenching for me to see Sadie go through almost everything that I myself have been put through. The unclear boundaries, the long phone calls that seemed to never end, the asking for advice about love and some other girls that wasn't me. The pain, the tears, the several attempts to get over him. The six years of my life I spent pining away, wishing he would finally see me. All to no avail.
I love Sadie. She's very relatable. I believe every girl has been in her position, being head over heels for their best friend. The descriptions of her emotions are so real, so touching. I could feel myself feeling the same things she's feeling. And sometimes just reading her feelings, all those things came rushing back to me. I think she represents us girls who have been there. I love how her character develops and how she slowly tries new things and starts feeling comfortable with her life without Garrett.
Abby McDonald's writing in this book is incredibly enjoyable. I love the way the 12 steps are inserted right between chapters. That makes it easier for me to keep up with Sadie's progress and what she's going to do. This book is also very cleverly written and well-plotted. There are many beautiful sentences that had me gaping at, and those that made me laugh and smile. I couldn't put this book down. It's very addictive and fun to read!
In addtion, I'm glad the book ends the way it does. I loved the ending. So powerful and symbolic.
Recommended! GETTING OVER GARRETT DELANEY is a wonderful read!
March 7, 2012
To have him gone feels like a loss, an absence haunting me every day.
Without him, there's just the empty space that used to be filled with laughter and friendship and comfort. Can you really blame me for finding it so hard to let go?”
Sadie is inlove with her bestfriend Garrett. For two years now. The only problem is that she is the only one who knows this. In the coming summer he is going to a camp for aspiring writers for six long weeks. She don't know what to do without him. She is used to always be with him and her whole world is built around Garrett and his time being away caused here extreme sadness.
Deciding that there is nothing better to do, she gets a job in Totally Wired coffee shop and starts becoming friends with her co-workers. After some thinking and the convincing powers of her co-worker friends she finally realized what she really feels for Garrett. As she said: "This isn't love; this is pure torment."
I likey liked this one! It wasa very light read and entertaining.
Though most of the time Sadie drove me crazy, atleast as the story progress I get to see how she pulls herself together to further discover herself and that really makes me happy. Garrett on the other hand was kinda lame for me. I liked him during the start of my reading but in the end I realized I never really liked him that much. There are times that I thought that he was aware of Sadie's feelings for him, but he still treats her just like an ordinary friend. I also don't like the idea of him using Sadie to plan things for his girlfriends. Well duh! It hurts like a slap on the face for her. As for Sadie's co-worker friends, they are pretty hilarious! I love them all! They are pretty much my favorite part of this book. haha. Their personalities were very much different with each other but at the same time the complemented each other. They serves as the key for Sadie's moving on.
A downside for me on this is the character of Josh. I don't really know what's up with him. I just don't understand it at all. Why throw in some character and never tell a thing about him except that he wanted to be a chef and let him make a move on Sadie on the last page of the book?? I'm suffering the What and Why syndrome with that. But seriously, my point is that I wanted to get to know more about Josh's character and atleast have a bird's eyeview on how his relationship with Sadie would go on.
I was pretty much absorbed in reading it from finish to end. It is a good book for all the girls out there who wants to see a journey to self discovery.
PS. THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN A BOY. ;)
Without him, there's just the empty space that used to be filled with laughter and friendship and comfort. Can you really blame me for finding it so hard to let go?”
Sadie is inlove with her bestfriend Garrett. For two years now. The only problem is that she is the only one who knows this. In the coming summer he is going to a camp for aspiring writers for six long weeks. She don't know what to do without him. She is used to always be with him and her whole world is built around Garrett and his time being away caused here extreme sadness.
Deciding that there is nothing better to do, she gets a job in Totally Wired coffee shop and starts becoming friends with her co-workers. After some thinking and the convincing powers of her co-worker friends she finally realized what she really feels for Garrett. As she said: "This isn't love; this is pure torment."
I likey liked this one! It wasa very light read and entertaining.
Though most of the time Sadie drove me crazy, atleast as the story progress I get to see how she pulls herself together to further discover herself and that really makes me happy. Garrett on the other hand was kinda lame for me. I liked him during the start of my reading but in the end I realized I never really liked him that much. There are times that I thought that he was aware of Sadie's feelings for him, but he still treats her just like an ordinary friend. I also don't like the idea of him using Sadie to plan things for his girlfriends. Well duh! It hurts like a slap on the face for her. As for Sadie's co-worker friends, they are pretty hilarious! I love them all! They are pretty much my favorite part of this book. haha. Their personalities were very much different with each other but at the same time the complemented each other. They serves as the key for Sadie's moving on.
A downside for me on this is the character of Josh. I don't really know what's up with him. I just don't understand it at all. Why throw in some character and never tell a thing about him except that he wanted to be a chef and let him make a move on Sadie on the last page of the book?? I'm suffering the What and Why syndrome with that. But seriously, my point is that I wanted to get to know more about Josh's character and atleast have a bird's eyeview on how his relationship with Sadie would go on.
I was pretty much absorbed in reading it from finish to end. It is a good book for all the girls out there who wants to see a journey to self discovery.
PS. THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN A BOY. ;)
February 8, 2012
Why is it girls always fall for the self-centered guy and never see the sweet one in the background (or in the back of the kitchen in this case, hint hint)?! Hormones. I blame hormones.
As a very grown-up lady, I look back at my high school crushes and it's like, "Oh, honey, no! What are you thinking?" That's how I felt about this book.
Sadie! You young fool you! Garrett doesn't like you! MOVE ON! It's okay though, girl, we've all been there -- just emotionally busted over some jerk dude and passed out on our beds in agony with a book over our faces.* You'll learn.
Back to the point: This was a little slow for me, not a favorite, but I do enjoy the subject matter. Learning to get over a completely futile crush is an essential part of being a teenage girl. Even though it's not about abuse or drugs or death or any of that serious business, it seems like this book carries a very important lesson.
AKA: Get over him already! Stand strong! You deserve better!
xoxo,
Anna
As a very grown-up lady, I look back at my high school crushes and it's like, "Oh, honey, no! What are you thinking?" That's how I felt about this book.
Sadie! You young fool you! Garrett doesn't like you! MOVE ON! It's okay though, girl, we've all been there -- just emotionally busted over some jerk dude and passed out on our beds in agony with a book over our faces.* You'll learn.
Back to the point: This was a little slow for me, not a favorite, but I do enjoy the subject matter. Learning to get over a completely futile crush is an essential part of being a teenage girl. Even though it's not about abuse or drugs or death or any of that serious business, it seems like this book carries a very important lesson.
AKA: Get over him already! Stand strong! You deserve better!
xoxo,
Anna
May 12, 2016
3,5 Sterne
October 6, 2016
3.5 stars.
#MovingOn101 This is an okay book. Quite enjoyable and funny even, at some parts. Another light read. Now next book please. Lol
#MovingOn101 This is an okay book. Quite enjoyable and funny even, at some parts. Another light read. Now next book please. Lol
August 30, 2021
This was a really fun and cute YA. This is about Sadie. She's in love with her best friend Garrett but its an unrequited love. He's a literary guy who writes and loves classics and introspection and comes off very pretentious. He goes to a summer writing camp that Sadie doesn't get into and they talk every day until he tells her he's met someone and she's THE ONE. Sadie knows she can't handle hearing about it so she hangs up and decides to try to get over him. She gets a job at a coffee shop and I love the found family there. They all instantly chime in to help her get over him. I love the self discovery and coming of age story here and thought it was really fun. I also totally shipped the romance that does happen. I really enjoyed this book!
did-not-finish
October 27, 2021We just didn’t vibe 🤷♀️
April 27, 2017
You might not be able to choose how you feel, but you can choose how you act. Decide to focus on something else, and stay busy, and soon you won’t feel so tied to the person anymore.
From the title, I thought this book would be all about romance. And the book starts that way- with references to all of the classic couples to ever exist in literature. But as the story progressed, it turned out to be about everything but romance. The friendships in this book are amazing! But most of all, Getting Over Garrett Delaney is about being true to yourself and not changing who you are for other people. It's a fantastic and empowering feel good book. A must read!
December 12, 2014
So what happens when you fall in love with your bestfriend?
“When you look in the mirror, what do you want to see: yet another reminder of your hopeless attempt to be the girl of his dreams, or you? The answer should always be you.”
Yay for Girl Power! ♥
It's my first time to encounter Abby McDonald, and I was choosing between a few of her books. I think I'll particularly like this one based on the blurb. And boy, am I correct! I loved this one!
Sadie has been in love with Garrett forever, okay, maybe just a few years in her seventeen-year-old life. She's his best friend and this is as cliche as cliche goes but it really happens. Trust me, I know!
This is Sadie's journey to loving herself more and getting over Garrett. And while she finds herself, there are new friends and learnings she finds along the way.
To be honest, this book hit so close to home because I also had an issue like this with my boy bestfriend. I was always on the sidelines while he had his girlfriends. I always a supporter in all of his endeavors - someone he can always call to go to the movies with, watch his favorite bands with, do the groceries with, pig out with, watch video games, and mope with when he gets his heart broken. Yes, of course, I fell in love with him. But there are a lot of things I had to change within myself just to fit what he is looking for.
The funny thing is we also had this almost-relationship. But this only ruined the relationship. Blurred lines are not good. Being assuming. Expectations. Too much sweetness. False hopes. Meh.
When we tried to clear things up, it just brought out the demise of the relationship. And the friendship.
Sometimes I regret how I lost my friendship with him. But I'd rather lose the friendship than totally lose myself in him.
So again, yay for Girl Power! Way to go, Sadie!
Going to back to the book, there are a lot of quotable quotes that you can enjoy:
“You can die of a broken heart -- it's scientific fact -- and my heart has been breaking since that very first day we met. I can feel it now, aching deep behind my rib cage the way it does every time we're together, beating a desperate rhythm: Love me. Love me. Love me.”
“You’re not in love with me, not really, you just love the way I always made you feel. Like you were the center of my world. Because you were. I would have done anything for you.”
“The less time you spend dreaming up a world of happily ever after, the more time you'll have to actually live -- no evers or afters required.”
“So how are we suppose to win? On the one hand, the world tells us that capital-L Love is epic, and all-conquering, and the meaning of everything, but on the other, it drills us with this message that we shouldn't make any sacrifice or effort to pursue it, because that would make us weak, unempowered, desperate, silly girls.
“Just because they were soul mates doesn't mean they had to last forever. Just because they felt true love doesn't mean they couldn't have a new life after that love was over.”
“When you look in the mirror, what do you want to see: yet another reminder of your hopeless attempt to be the girl of his dreams, or you? The answer should always be you.”
Yay for Girl Power! ♥
It's my first time to encounter Abby McDonald, and I was choosing between a few of her books. I think I'll particularly like this one based on the blurb. And boy, am I correct! I loved this one!
Sadie has been in love with Garrett forever, okay, maybe just a few years in her seventeen-year-old life. She's his best friend and this is as cliche as cliche goes but it really happens. Trust me, I know!
This is Sadie's journey to loving herself more and getting over Garrett. And while she finds herself, there are new friends and learnings she finds along the way.
To be honest, this book hit so close to home because I also had an issue like this with my boy bestfriend. I was always on the sidelines while he had his girlfriends. I always a supporter in all of his endeavors - someone he can always call to go to the movies with, watch his favorite bands with, do the groceries with, pig out with, watch video games, and mope with when he gets his heart broken. Yes, of course, I fell in love with him. But there are a lot of things I had to change within myself just to fit what he is looking for.
The funny thing is we also had this almost-relationship. But this only ruined the relationship. Blurred lines are not good. Being assuming. Expectations. Too much sweetness. False hopes. Meh.
When we tried to clear things up, it just brought out the demise of the relationship. And the friendship.
Sometimes I regret how I lost my friendship with him. But I'd rather lose the friendship than totally lose myself in him.
So again, yay for Girl Power! Way to go, Sadie!
Going to back to the book, there are a lot of quotable quotes that you can enjoy:
“You can die of a broken heart -- it's scientific fact -- and my heart has been breaking since that very first day we met. I can feel it now, aching deep behind my rib cage the way it does every time we're together, beating a desperate rhythm: Love me. Love me. Love me.”
“You’re not in love with me, not really, you just love the way I always made you feel. Like you were the center of my world. Because you were. I would have done anything for you.”
“The less time you spend dreaming up a world of happily ever after, the more time you'll have to actually live -- no evers or afters required.”
“So how are we suppose to win? On the one hand, the world tells us that capital-L Love is epic, and all-conquering, and the meaning of everything, but on the other, it drills us with this message that we shouldn't make any sacrifice or effort to pursue it, because that would make us weak, unempowered, desperate, silly girls.
“Just because they were soul mates doesn't mean they had to last forever. Just because they felt true love doesn't mean they couldn't have a new life after that love was over.”
July 14, 2012
I'm not exactly the biggest YA reader, but when I spied the author surreptitiously placing her own book on the display shelf at the library I had to check it out. GOGD didn't transform me into a fervid YA reader--probably nothing can--but it did disabuse me of the Twilight-inspired notion that YA books are all saccharine, predictable, pandering amalgamations of trite tropes and trivialities. And it made me want to check out Abby McDonald's more adult-oriented books.
In other words, despite my demographic mis-fit, I liked it. Getting Over Garrett Delaney features good character depth, believable chains of reasoning (for a 17 year old girl, I guess) and happenstance, and clear prose that really lets the story shine. So many times you open YA lit and find the story clouded by SAT vocabulary and logical contradictions. GOGD is blissfully free from such blemishes and, while it does sort of have the pat ending you're suspecting it might, it's a good one.
In other words, despite my demographic mis-fit, I liked it. Getting Over Garrett Delaney features good character depth, believable chains of reasoning (for a 17 year old girl, I guess) and happenstance, and clear prose that really lets the story shine. So many times you open YA lit and find the story clouded by SAT vocabulary and logical contradictions. GOGD is blissfully free from such blemishes and, while it does sort of have the pat ending you're suspecting it might, it's a good one.
July 9, 2013
This book seriously surprised me. I was looking for a cute, fluffy teen book to help me come down from a 5 book Fever binge. I'm paranormaled out thanks to Karen Marie Moning. Sooo, any hoo...
Getting Over Garrett Delaney was a really good book about a girl who has lost her own identity because of a BOY. How many times did we, as teens, start liking the stuff our boyfriend or BFFs liked? Sadie is pretty unhappy as the realizations hit her, again & again, that what she thinks are her own tastes...well, maybe they're not. I enjoyed the focus on making friends & finding out what she likes. Garrett seemed a little too self centered for me to root for them getting together. I thought that Sadie's co-workers turned out to be way better friends than Garrett ever was. Cute, fun read with a positive message to boot!
Getting Over Garrett Delaney was a really good book about a girl who has lost her own identity because of a BOY. How many times did we, as teens, start liking the stuff our boyfriend or BFFs liked? Sadie is pretty unhappy as the realizations hit her, again & again, that what she thinks are her own tastes...well, maybe they're not. I enjoyed the focus on making friends & finding out what she likes. Garrett seemed a little too self centered for me to root for them getting together. I thought that Sadie's co-workers turned out to be way better friends than Garrett ever was. Cute, fun read with a positive message to boot!
July 5, 2016
I just downloaded this on my phone to have access to some reading on the bus, but I ended up curling in my bed to read it full time. I really enjoyed it. Despite some quick swiping during the mopey parts, the protagonist Sadie really did grow- and grow out of her world revolving around this pretentious guy (which in all honesty I feel like I'd totally fall in love with too, if he just wasn't so full of himself- he never put in a full minute for Sadie, I think).
Josh is a cutie and I could see their connection...kinda? But I guess the story was about Garrett, and it was.
(If only getting a job was as easy as she made it sound.)
Anyway, it was a fun read and I learned a few things about myself while reading it*.
*These things are still very confusing because you know, it's YA.
Josh is a cutie and I could see their connection...kinda? But I guess the story was about Garrett, and it was.
(If only getting a job was as easy as she made it sound.)
Anyway, it was a fun read and I learned a few things about myself while reading it*.
*These things are still very confusing because you know, it's YA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2016
3.5 stars
May 3, 2016
LOVED THIS BOOK OKAY READ IT GUYS
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