"Just Listen"

Written By:  Sarah Dessen



Picture From:  goodreads.com

Just Listen is a marvelous read about the life of a teenage model coming into her own skin. Annabel Greene, an in-demand model, is going through life on autopilot. She doesn't have the heart to tell her mom, who lives vicariously through her daughter, that she doesn't want to model anymore. Her sister, Whitney, was also a model, but she developed an eating disorder and now lives back at home with Annabel and her parents. Annabel doesn't have many friends anymore because Sophie, her former BFF, think Annabel slept with her boyfriend-- the truth, however, is much more complicated. Then, Owen Armstrong comes along, changing everything. Annabel doesn't know anyone even remotely like Owen. He is a member of a court-ordered anger management class, a complete music freak, and the host of an early morning radio show. Owen teaches Annabel valuable life lessons, the most important of which is "just listen". Because this is a young adult ROMANCE blog, this book will obviously contain a love story as well. My absolute favorite part of this book is the first time Annabel and Owen really sit down and talk about subjects that aren't facetious. I don't think I've ever experienced such a powerful story in a fiction novel. Sarah Dessen weaves a realistic tale that anyone can relate to. Fans of romance and music alike will find this book pleasing. 

My rating:  8/10. Dessen gets down to the gritty stuff in the life of an anorexic through Whitney, the life of someone with anger management issues through Owen, and the life of a teenage model through Annabel. This book relates to everyone, and the writing is magnificent. However, I found myself only giving Just Listen an 8/10 because the beginning was a lot of background details. This isn't something that keeps me occupied as I like a moving storyline. 

-Louise