Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick Book Review

January 11th 2013

Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick Book Review

Then You Were Gone
Lauren Strasnick
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: January 8, 2013
Pages: 224
Buy the Book: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Rating: 3 stars

In the tradition of 13 Reasons Why, a suspenseful and heart-wrenching novel from the author of Nothing Like You and Her and Me and You.Two years ago, Adrienne’s best friend walked out of her life. One week ago, she left Adrienne a desperate, muffled voicemail. Adrienne never called back.

Now Dakota is missing. She left behind a string of broken hearts, a flurry of rumors, and a suicide note.

Adrienne can’t stop obsessing over what might have happened if she’d answered Dakota’s call. And she’s increasingly convinced that Dakota must still be alive.

Maybe finding and saving Dakota is the only way Adrienne can save herself.

Or maybe it’s too late for them both.

Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick was a really intense read. Yet, I never connected to it on a deeper level, so I merely skimmed along the story taking everything in while never fully committing.

Lauren Strasnick has such gorgeous prose. I love her ability at story telling and at writing great characters. The characters in Then You Were Gone were definitely the strength of the book. It also is the more minor scenes, such as time Adrienne spends with Kate that were the most enticing for me. The main storyline I just never completely connected with.

I did enjoy the almost mystery aspect of the plot where Adrienne teams up with Julian trying to figure out what happened to Dakota, yet I was not completely satisfied. I wanted the story to build more. There was just some element missing from the story that left things a bit bland. Lauren Strasnick can sure write an ending! I loved the ending of Then You Were Gone. It was my favorite part of the book as I was just absolutely adorable.

Then You Were Gone is a book for those who love contemporary. While it has its flaws, it is a fast read and has a pretty decent storyline.

4 Comment + Yours?

Categories: 3 stars, Book Review, Completely Contemp Challenge, contemporary fiction, young adult

4 Responses to: Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick Book Review

Reply

On 1/11/2013

Elin said:

This I wanted to read. Thanks for the tip. Looks good:)
Elin recently posted..Yes! Yes! Yes!
Reply

On 1/11/2013

We Heart YA said:

“a really intense read. Yet, I never connected to it on a deeper level”

Sounds a lot like how we felt about 13 REASONS WHY…
We Heart YA recently posted..Almost Human
Reply

On 1/11/2013

Erica said:

I felt similarly to 13 Reasons Why.
Reply

On 1/12/2013

VeganYANerds said:

I love contemp reads, so I will be reading this, but it’s a shame there wasn’t a bit more to the story and mystery. Great review!
VeganYANerds recently posted..Made on Earth by Wolfgang Korn