Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Source/Format: Publisher (Thanks Simon & Schuster!) || ARC

[I received this book for review from the publisher. This in no way affects the thoughts expressed in my review.]

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find? (from Goodreads)

You know the satisfaction that comes after having a three scoop ice cone (coffee, chocolate chocolate chip and cookies and cream with rainbow sprinkles as a special treat for me) on a hot summer day? That is precisely how I felt reading Since You've Been Gone. 

This book is about friendship - the familiarity of a best friend who knows you better than you know yourself, the tantalizing newness of finding friends in the most unexpected circumstances and places. This book is also about growing up, discovering who you really are, and what you like and don't like, and what you're truly capable of. There is, of course, a hint of romance, just enough to make readers like me squee. Set against the backdrop of a small town in the summertime, Matson tells an irresistible, relatable, charming story.

Matson's biggest strength, when it comes to her novels, are her characters. She writes about people readers can relate to, who readers will care about enough to root for and understand and love. She writes them real. It's hard not to want to hang out with her characters (Hiiii Amy & Roger!), or be a part of their families (Hi Taylor & family!), or date one of them (Hiiiii Henry!). And it's a wonderful thing to have the same experience with Emily, the main character in Since You've Been Gone. (And Frank Porter too, who am I kidding? He's adorable.)

It's not just that Emily and I have a lot in common when it comes to our personalities, though that definitely made me like her straight off the bat. The essential thing that made Emily so relatable was her relationship with her best friend Sloane. Their friendship was essential in getting Emily out of her shell, spurring her into new experiences that would change her life and push her into becoming braver, better, stronger. But it was also complicated, and not as picture perfect as it would seem. The way Matson deals with the reality of the growing pains that friendships go through is spot on - and happens to be the biggest reason I love this novel.

Since You've Been Gone was also simply a fun reading experience! I loved that it was all about one summer in Emily's life where, guided by a list that Sloane sends her, she does things she would never have dreamed of doing before. She takes risks, she conquers fears, she gets silly and crazy (in a safe way, obviously) and starts to slowly learn who she is as an individual (i.e. without Sloane around). There were obviously a variety of embarrassing bits, really cool moments and just plain emotional experiences. I loved the variety, I loved the way it was put together and I loved how effortlessly it flowed from one part to another.

Basically, Morgan Matson has completely hit it out of the park (again!) with her third novel. Since You've Been Gone is a lovely story that is about Emily's "summer that changed everything" - her friendships, her relationship with her family and even what she thought of herself. Combined with some really awesome playlists (yes, they're back!), and all sorts of food that I love to eat (pizza and ice cream, anyone?), I'm definitely ready to say this book is a win!