Review: Since You've Been Gone

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publishing date: May 6, 2014

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson is about the growth of a teenage girl named Emily as she discovers who she is over the course of a summer. Ever since they first met, Emily has been the sidekick to her spunky best friend Sloane, living in her shadow. When Sloane disappears and leaves her a list of 13 daring, embarrassing, and weird tasks to do, Emily bravely attempts all of them with the help of friends like Frank and Dawn that she met along the way, hoping it would lead her to Sloane. This journey will bring her to high highs and low lows, make her do things she never would have done before, maybe fall in love, and make realizations that not all is what it seems.

Morgan Matson is a great writer, but I feel that the book could have been a little more centered on Sloane's list instead of the romantic relationship between Emily and Frank. There aren't that many non sci-fi or fantasy books these days that can successfully pull off having friendship and adventure being one of the main themes. I love the way the author wrote the novel and I definitely plan on reading more of her books in the future.