In fact, I think there’s an Emily Hughes persona in everyone which is why her character is so relatable. As I learned more about her character, all I could think of was that she was so me. Unlike her best friend who could chat and be friends with anyone, Emily prefers interaction with others to be kept at a minimum because she’s pretty awkward at them. She’s a passive girl- timid and isn’t much for talking to people which is why she’s usually unnoticed. Understanding Emily came easy for me because reading about her felt like looking through a mirror and seeing myself. I didn’t simply get Emily’s character- I knew her. #3: I’d to be able to connect to main characters the way I did with Emily. Since You’ve Been Gone is by far my favorite Morgan Matson book for so many reasons. I utterly need for there to be more books by her. Morgan Matson is seriously an excellent writer and I am in awe with how she continues to create such amazing contemporary YA novels. What I’m saying here is that: I absolutely loved Since You’ve Been Gone! I have to admit that I went into the story with certain expectations, as this was one of the books I was just crazy excited about, and I’m so happy that these expectations, namely being able to enjoy the book and embrace the characters, were met. #2: I’d be spending my whole summer just reading and devouring this book over and over. And it’s the little things that are harder anyway.” “I don’t think you have to do something so big to be brave. As Emily spends her summer accomplishing the list, in the process, she finds growth and new friendships. Thinking that the list might help her find her best friend, Emily dares herself to check off every item on it, which involves skinny-dipping, stranger-kissing and apple-picking at night.

Emily has zero clue why Sloane suddenly disappeared like that- only a list, from Sloane herself, of things to do. This is how Since You’ve Been Gone starts: After two years worth of a solid friendship, the kind where one is never without the other, Emily finds her best friend, Sloane, just gone. #1: Best friends didn’t leave their best friends behind without a word. Why not? Kiss a stranger? Um.Įmily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter ( totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list. But what if they could bring her best friend back?Īpple picking at night? Okay, easy enough.

On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting.

Purchased copy from Fully Booked 449 pages Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson Published by Simon & Schuster on May 6th 2014