The Truth About Forever

By: Sarah Dessen

"a quick read that leaves you wanting more"

          I loved this Sarah Dessen book about death, life, and forbidden love. The Truth About Forever follows Macy through one of the most important summers of her life. The summer she finds out life is about living, not always staying in. The summer she finds out that life doesn’t have to be perfect. The summer of change.

            When Macy’s dad dies she acts “fine” for her mother and sister.  She becomes the “perfect” daughter, always doing what she is told, never arguing, focusing on school, and never staying out with friends.  Macy aches to give into her emotions and talk to her workaholic mom about her father.  To be the perfect daughter, Macy also tries to live up to her perfect boyfriend, Jason.  When she ends an email to Jason, who is at Brain Camp, with “I love you,” Jason decides they should take a “break.” Even though they are on a break, Macy still has to take over Jason’s job at the library. Macy hates working at the library, where her fellow workers isolate her and make her feel like she is not smart enough.  Feeling alone, Macy spontaneously takes a job at Wish catering.  Little does she know her life will never be the same.

            At her new chaotic job, Macy meets a lot of new friends, including the pregnant and forgetful Delia, the wild and full of life Kristy, and the beautiful, artistic Wes.  These new friends, who have also dealt with death, teach Macy that life isn’t perfect, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful.  Over the course of the summer Macy changes. She begins going out with friends more, even sneaking out to see them.  Though one of Macy’s favorite things to do is be with Wes. She and Wes play an ongoing game of Truth, sharing more about themselves than they ever have.  Through Truth they learn they have more in common than they thought....and they fall in love.  Everyone but Macy can see Wes wants to be with her. Macy starts to see her old life chipping away, and she likes it.

            Macy finally starts to live her life again and is happy, though her mother is not. Her workaholic mother puts a tight reign on her, shoving Macy back into her “perfect” but unhappy lifestyle. After a seriously needed meltdown, Macy’s mother begins to change.  What happens between Macy and Wes is too good to tell, so I’m not going to.

            Like all of Sarah Dessen’s books, The Truth About Forever is a quick read and leaves you wanting more. Dessen does a great job of keeping balance between love and loss, depression and humor.  Just like most of Dessen’s other books, girls can relate to it.  Many girls can relate to Macy’s struggled relationship with her mother, or her struggle to find out who she really is.  This book will keep you up until the early hours of morning. The Truth About Forever is definitely a must read.

-Carson S.