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When It Happens

by Susane Colasanti (Goodreads Author)

3.79 · rating details · 7,709 ratings · 611 reviews

Reminiscent of the movie Say Anything, a debut novel for all those searching for The One!

Sara and Tobey couldn't be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara's other goal is to find true love, so when Dave, a popular jock, asks her out, she's thrilled. But then there's Tobey. His amazing blue eyes an

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Hardcover, 310 pages

Published May 4th 2006 by Viking Books

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Young Adult Romance

30th out of 918 books — 3,095 voters

DCPL 's Teen Love & Sex (Some Romance) Booklist, for OWL

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Oct 20, 2008

Steph (Reviewer X) rated it

Recommends it for: People looking for a very endearing, feel-good romance book.

Recommended to Steph by: Khyrinthia, Nurin

Warning: It took about 30-50 pages for me to get sucked into the narrative. So if you don't feel the effect super quickly, at least give it those initial 50 pages. The book's a quick read anyhow :)

God, I needed this. (A girl has much to grain from a pinch of romance amidst the midterm hustle.) I have no idea what worked here to make this novel as, I don’t know, endearing? Whatever it was, kudos to Ms Colasanti—a mi me gusta.

Okay, so the theme of this novel is already stam...moreWarning: It took about 30-50 pages for me to get sucked into the narrative. So if you don't feel the effect super quickly, at least give it those initial 50 pages. The book's a quick read anyhow :)

God, I needed this. (A girl has much to grain from a pinch of romance amidst the midterm hustle.) I have no idea what worked here to make this novel as, I don’t know, endearing? Whatever it was, kudos to Ms Colasanti—a mi me gusta.

Okay, so the theme of this novel is already stamped on the title—what happens when it happens. “It” being “something real”. (I’m gonna do an adjunct summary to the one above because I’m having fun describing this story. Bear with me.) Voila:

See, the (very likeable) heroine, Sara, gets caught up in this relationship with one of those projected Everything Boys—popular, good-looking, charismatic, *barfs out every Gary Stu quality under the sun* (etc.). She’s thrilled—wouldn’t you be? Except that Dave (that’s the Ken doll) doesn’t make her feel very special; in fact, he’s only in it to, you know, “get down tonight” and she’s just not ready for that. Being with him is labor in and of itself cos the dude is, when you get down to it, a son of a bitch.

Meanwhile, over in Reality, there’s Tobey, a seemingly confident (not so much on the inside, as seen through his first person narration) musician who wants to be with Sara. While she’s undergoing her will-she-or-won’t-she in regards to breaking up with Ken Doll, Tobey keeps devising ways to get her to get it over with already because he thinks she’s his “something real” and vice versa. (! Too cute.)

This isn’t really a spoiler because any half-wit can probably happens: They get together. (!! Too cute.) And unlike with Dave, Sara feels this incredible connection to Tobey. He does too, with her. It’s instant—it’s a click—it’s love.

It is TOO CUTE. Just thinking about them as a couple makes me squeal, so I know other romance lovers out there (especially those who like for the girl to go for the dark-haired, brooding, creative type) will devour this one. It’s not only for the fluff-munchers either—there’s a certain aspect of their relationship (this is a spoiler I won't share) that inspires some tension between the two. (Tension = sweet torment for us readers. :D) So all is not perfect in paradise, making the realist within me very happy.

SQUEAL.

Make no mistake however, this isn’t perfection epitomized. (Can perfection be epitomized?) While I loved the focus on Sara and Tobey’s squeal-ness, Sara’s best friend and even Sara herself had some tough home situations which were only dealt with in peripheral. If these element had to be in the story, I think they deserved to become more prominent (and, conversely, to be given a more complete resolution). Also, there were a couple of characters, like Cynthia and the art teacher, who felt more like props than real people and were only utilized when jealousy needed to be stirred or there was something to be figured out. In that sense, this novel came short.

ETA: Oh and I meant to add in here somewhere that sometimes I got sick of Tobey objectifying Sara (many a sexual scenario ongoing in his imagination). I mean, I know you’ve got the hots for her, but it got to the saturation level. Andandand, I sometimes found his narrative cheesy. Because this = two first person accounts, Sara and Tobey’s. Most of the dual narrative novels I’ve read encounter this problem when the author tackles the opposite sex, so it’s not exclusive to this book. Or maybe guys really are like they’re portrayed and I just have issues when it comes to figuring that out.

Howeverrrrrrrrr, I (perhaps highly) recommend this one. It goes by very quickly and, to me at least, it was of the very feel-good variety.

That said, I still disliked the second Colasanti book, Take Me There. Hard to believe it followed When It Happens, but there you have it.(less)

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Mar 23, 2011

Isamlq rated it

I was born too late! I wish I were more conscious/aware the decade when The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire and Pretty in Pink were cool and hip. Then my inexplicable crushes on Andrew McCarthy *sa-woon* and John Cusack *sa-wooning some more*, wouldn’t be so… well, inexplicable. But thanks to weekend reruns on ABC5, I have watched them over and over and over again (much to my brother’s confusion.) Why am I so into those movies anyway?

I am very fond of those movies for the same reaso...more

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Jul 23, 2008

Runa added it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It's one of the best YA novels out there, and definitely the best love story, on par with that of Ron/Hermione, or Lily/James. It's one of those epic ones that you don't logically think exist, and yet, can't help but hope...
Tobey's the guy every girl is looking for. He's sincere and honest and sweet and just a thoroughly lovely open person. He and Sara make an unbeatable pair.
While Sara and Tobey are the main focus, the other plotlines (Maggie's parents, college hunting, etc) all ...more

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Aug 03, 2011

Sana rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

The synopsis of When It Happens was interesting; unfortunately, that's not what I cay say about the book. It falls short and by a large margin as well. I was really psyched to read Susane Colasanti after Something Like Fate. Thus, I decided to read this out the three options I had: Waiting For You and Take Me There.

My feelings about the book could be summed up by a repetitive dialog in the book, “You"re so much more than you"re letting yourself be." That's what I felt ...more

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Apr 12, 2009

Maryelin Ramos rated it

I would like to start of saying that I really liked this book and I think it is romantic. Sara starts of dating some popular guy named Dave but realizes hes not her type and asks her to do something that shocks her, and she also has two close friends who are always there for her. This story also goes from the point of view of tobey who has a secret crush on Sara who cant ignore his big blue eyes once she finds out, tobey wants to win battle of the bands and get into a college hes dying to go to...more

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Dec 28, 2011

Karla Mae rated it

Shelves: chicklit, covers-me-like, contemporary, e-books, favorites, romance, young-adult, 2011-reads, le-handsome-guys

Like other books, i wanted to read this just for its pretty cover ~~very likely of me. haha~~

Basically, this one is a very fun, fresh and witty read. Since i'm a big sucker for happy endings I love love stories like this. What i trully like about this one is how it is told in both the perspectives of the main characters Sara & Tobey regarding the same situations. The scenes between these two are so sweet, romantic and well-written. I especially like the remake of the scene from Say An...more

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Apr 15, 2009

Aimee Garcia rated it

This book is about a girl who has two option wheather to stay with the nerdy boy or the cool guy and needs to know which one of them is the one that truelly loves her and which one desires her. What I liked about this book is that it shows what many teen go through when it comes to love. What I didn't like about this book is that the girl was to dumb.A person that will like to read this book is a person who is into romance movies . If you would like to read this book it can be found in Ms.Lacy's...more

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Dec 22, 2008

JesterDala rated it

When It Happens begins on an awkward note. The author's use of "so I go" and "then she was like" instead of the tried and true "he said", "she said" was more distracting than anything else. It jolted the reader out of the narrative long enough for them to think, "Wow, the author's trying too hard," before sinking back in to the story.

With little things like that, it took awhile for it to really feel that Colasanti got into the groov...more

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May 26, 2011

kari rated it

Shelves: 2010, ya, 5-star

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 09, 2011

Heather rated it

i wish there was a rating for 'hated it' because that's exactly how i felt towards this miserable excuse of a book after i read it.
ive thought about writing a review and it was soo bad that i couldn't even do it.but now i'm going to.i feel like i need to warn people.
i think i read a review for this saying that we would be rooting for the characters. well let me just tell you that i most certainly did not 'root for the characters'.i didn't even care what happened to those crappy chara...more

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Aug 22, 2011

Kathy rated it

First of all, i gave this a 1 star at first...but then I changed it because I finished the book. I am very confident that if a book was a 1 star book I would not have finished it HOWEVER this is the only book that I can remember reading and thinking the whole time "...only ____ more pages until this thing is finally over". this is the only young adult book that I have read and thought, man, maybe i', too old for these books. I am well aware that these books are intended for YOUNG ad...more

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Jun 07, 2011

Kricket rated it

Shelves: 2011, teen-fiction, teen-romance, dual-narrators, rom-com

sara, a brainy but cute student, starts her senior year hoping hot jock dave will ask her out. but when he does, they don't have much in common and he's kind of a jerk. then she finds out that tobey, a slacker musician with amazing eyes, also likes her. as they fall for each other, she encourages him to get better grades and apply to music school. they have their ups and downs, but everything ends happily.

average teen romance- on the boring side. teens looking for fluffier romances w...more

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Mar 23, 2011

Shawna rated it

Shelves: ya-dramas-romances-comedies, single-books, rated-3-stars-or-above

When It Happens is told from 2 alternating view points.

Sara a high school senior who is incredible smart and has her life all mapped out. Sara has plans that include going to NYU to become a Suburban Devloper/Planner. She studies every night and does her homework. She is focused on what she wants. The only other thing she wants besides graduating out of high school is actualy obtaining a real boyfriend. She is looking for something real and of coarse she already has her sights set ...moreWhen It Happens is told from 2 alternating view points.

Sara a high school senior who is incredible smart and has her life all mapped out. Sara has plans that include going to NYU to become a Suburban Devloper/Planner. She studies every night and does her homework. She is focused on what she wants. The only other thing she wants besides graduating out of high school is actualy obtaining a real boyfriend. She is looking for something real and of coarse she already has her sights set on Dave. Dave the basketball, goregeous, popular jock. Of coarse she doesn't see how someone like him would like a nerd like her. She has her 2 best friends but has always been shunned from the popular crowd.

On the first day of senior day she gets her wish. Dave does like her and wants to be with her. As her relationship develops with Dave she is accepted into the popular crowd. A place she has always wanted to be. Yet is it what she thought it was cracked up to be. The more she gets to know the more trapped she feels. The more she starts to wonder perhaps is this truly the person she wants to be with. Dave appears perfect from far away but as she gets to know she starts to see what he truly is like. Dave is follower, not the leader she thought he was. Is her relationship something with Dave she needs to work on. Afterall this is the guy she has wanted all summer. There has to be more to him than what she sees, right. He has to be her something real.

Then there is Tobey. The slacker who has no desire to go to college. His desire to make it with his band in the music scene. His dream involves music. Tobey is also smart, smart enough to not do any homework or study yet pass his classes with a C average because he aces all of his test. The only other thing he wants besides his music success is....Sara. That's right, Sara the beautiful, smart, and already dating Dave.

Tobey has pinned for Sara all summer. He wanted to ask her out last year but never made his move. So all summer he thinks about Sara and decides this year is his year. He has a plan to get Sara to see him for who he is. To him she is the one. To him she is her something real. Of coarse his plan the first day does not work out the way he wants. Since on the first day Dave has already made his move on Sara. However since Sara is Tobey's something real to him she is worth fighting for. If only she would get to know she would see who he truly is.

Sara and Tobey both grow throughout the story. Sara learns to start living life now and not for the future. Tobey starts to realize that planning for a future and perhaps college really is perhaps a pretty good idea. As Sara starts to get know Tobey she realizes that she has this undeniable attraction to him. Why shouldn't she, he is smart, funny, talented, sweet, and hot. The question remains though what about Dave? Dave was her dream, but is Tobey her something real. You MUST read the book to find out.

I loved reading the alternative view points between Sara and Tobey. You got read both sides of the story and how one another effected each other's lives. Of coarse once again her book reminds of a certains 80's movie but hey that's what happens when you had those great movies to watch growing up!!! All in all a nice enjoyable read. I would recommend it to a friend.(less)

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Mar 05, 2011

Erika B. rated it

I really really want to go and watch Say Anything right now! This book is like a tribute to it and it is one of my favorite movies! I'm such a sucker for the nerdy girl and the bad A boy. A book that captures the essence of high school love that becomes true love. I thought this book was a super sweet romance with lots of "butterflies in my stomache" moments. I just wish that the author could have cleaned up the language in it. If I was a sailor I would be blushing. I liked that th...more

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Feb 28, 2011

Kayla Johsnon rated it

Kayla Johnson
Ms. Campanella
English 3, Period 5
February 29, 2011
Good Reads, When It Happens By Susane Colasanti

The lesson that takes experience to learn is that life is too unpredictable to live by a plan. The novel When It Happens, by Susane Colasanti takes you on the journey of a teenager that is in a situation that almost everyone goes through, attempting to be patient when waiting for their first love. I would rank this novel a 3 o...moreKayla Johnson
Ms. Campanella
English 3, Period 5
February 29, 2011
Good Reads, When It Happens By Susane Colasanti

The lesson that takes experience to learn is that life is too unpredictable to live by a plan. The novel When It Happens, by Susane Colasanti takes you on the journey of a teenager that is in a situation that almost everyone goes through, attempting to be patient when waiting for their first love. I would rank this novel a 3 on a scale of 1-5 because the story has good potential based on the topic and ability to relate to the readers life but the dialogue could leave the audience feeling a bit bored. The reason I chose to read this book is because I heard how relatable and fun the story was from a friend and I liked how different the author's writing style is.
The fictional story, begins the last day of summer before, the Sara's senior year. Her only goal, other then to be accepted to her first choice college, is to fall in love. Tobey, on the other hand, isn't as worried about his future in school. The only important things in life to him are winning first place in the upcoming battle of the bands competition and making Sara fall in love with him with help from her best friend, Laila. When school time rolls around, Sara is shocked to hear one of the in-crowd's best looking guys are interested in asking her out. Dan, who she hoped to be what she had been looking for, ended up just wasting her time. When Sara finally came to her senses about him she had gotten a new partner in music class, Tobey. The two narrators realized how much they had in common and built a real connection. The story then goes into detail about their relationship and the complications that are involved when dating in high school.
The theme of this story was not hard to interpret, you could find it right in the title. The theme the author is trying to get across is that if something in your life is meant to happen, it will happen when it is supposed to. This idea is also very easy to relate to because it can give people hope that things will eventually fall into place for them like the characters in the book. I would recommend this book to individuals that enjoy reading about romance and are interested in comical stories. This book can also be enjoyable because of the author's ability to give you great insight on the character's feelings and thoughts gives the reader a great experience.

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Feb 25, 2011

Anna LaGrois rated it

Shelves: realistic-fiction, romance, four-stars

This was a really cute book! After reading Waiting for You, I instantly fell in love with Susan Colasanti, and when my friend Kate told me she had this book, I was really excited to read it! It really didn't let me down.

It's told in alternating chapters of Sara and Tobey, and each character has their own distinct voice -- that was one of my favorite things of this book. Susane did a great job with getting into Tobey's head. Also, she did a great job of seperating the two voices: Sara...more

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Dec 30, 2010

YA Reads Book Reviews rated it

Shelves: nikki

Sara has two goals this year: get into her college of choice and score herself a very hot boyfriend. The first one should be pretty easy, since she’s super smart and has been working her booty off. When it comes to the second goal, though, Sara isn’t totally sure she can pull it off.

Enter Dave – new kid at school and totally hot property. When he starts casting his eye Sara’s way, she can’t believe her luck.

Tobey, also can’t believe his – his bad luck, that is. His two goals ...moreSara has two goals this year: get into her college of choice and score herself a very hot boyfriend. The first one should be pretty easy, since she’s super smart and has been working her booty off. When it comes to the second goal, though, Sara isn’t totally sure she can pull it off.

Enter Dave – new kid at school and totally hot property. When he starts casting his eye Sara’s way, she can’t believe her luck.

Tobey, also can’t believe his – his bad luck, that is. His two goals this year are to take his band to the next professional level, and score Sara as his girl. So when Dave beats him to the punch, Tobey enters serious boy moping mode. Tobey doesn’t understand why such a cool chick like Sara would be interested in a douche like Dave, but he doesn’t have the guts to ask her. He doesn’t have the guts to really even talk to her, which is probably why he missed out on dating her in the first place.

But then something changes. He watches Sara and Dave incessantly, and Tobey knows that Sara isn’t really happy dating Dave. He enlists the help of Sara’s friend, and before you know it, Tobey has Sara falling all over the place for him.

Being with Dave really isn’t all Sara thought it would be anyway. He’s boring, and really, she just doesn’t feel that spark. All of a sudden, Tobey is everywhere she is, and he’s all she can think about. Everything about Tobey feels right and everything about Dave feels wrong.

Tobey and Sara both feel the same way: they just can’t pass up the chance to feel something real, something honest. But is being with each other worth it? When you think you’ve found your soul mate, shouldn’t it be easy?

As Tobey and Sara learn, nothing about love is easy. Especially the real, honest-to-God kind.

I’ve read a couple of Susan Colosanti books before and absolutely adored them, and while Tobey and Sara’s story is indeed high up there on the cute meter, When It Happens wasn’t a real page turner for me. I just wasn’t feeling their love in the way I wanted to. I do, however, thing the younger YA readers will really dig this one. Sara’s innocence and drive to be a good person is inspiring, and she’s really a great role model for young girls. Tobey’s honesty and silly teenage lust is adorable, and the girls will really dig him.

If you’re looking for heart breaking romance, then this isn’t the book for you, but if you’re looking for something light and entertaining, then it sure might be. I’ll let you decide…(less)

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Dec 16, 2010

Natshane rated it

Shelves: freaking-awesome-made-me-swoon

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My exact thoughts were 'Is there actually a guy out there like Tobey?'
I always have gotten used to the idea of guys being un-romantic and incapable of well, passion that every time when I read a book about a guy professing his undying love to his 'soul mate', I'm taken aback. In my mind, guys are so insensitive, and that had me wondering if the fictional characters in the book is actually a rare image of reality-living-guys. So, back to the book, does a guy like Tobey really do exist? I...more

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Oct 09, 2010

Jessica Lawlor rated it

Shelves: read-in-2009

I think I’ve found a new favorite author!

When It Happens by Susane Colasanti tells the story of Sara and Tobey, two high school seniors. Sara is serious about school and getting into college. Tobey is serious about music and winning this year’s Battle of the Bands. Both of them want to find their true love this year. Sara finds Dave, a popular jock and is thrilled when he actually likes her back. Tobey only has eyes for Sarah, but he is discouraged when he sees Sara and Dave together.
...more

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Oct 06, 2010

Meredith rated it

Shelves: young-adult, romance, reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book lost me on several fronts. First of all, I was hard-pressed to understand how the sex-obsessed liar Tobey was any better than the equally sex-obsessed, but virginal, bully Dave. Second of all, the pacing issues in this book (e.g., Sara finding out that Tobey and Cynthia used to have casual sex) meant a frequent glossing over of major developments. On one page, Sarah has just found out about the relationship and is angry as hell at Tobey. The next page, the beginning of a new chapter, p...moreThis book lost me on several fronts. First of all, I was hard-pressed to understand how the sex-obsessed liar Tobey was any better than the equally sex-obsessed, but virginal, bully Dave. Second of all, the pacing issues in this book (e.g., Sara finding out that Tobey and Cynthia used to have casual sex) meant a frequent glossing over of major developments. On one page, Sarah has just found out about the relationship and is angry as hell at Tobey. The next page, the beginning of a new chapter, picks up some time later, and they have already mended fences. Where is the relationship-building in this? How can we forgive Tobey his omission of truth if he atones for it off the page? How can we understand how this relationship can last if conflict resolution is skipped in favor of shallow banter (which, in most cases, does little to advance the plot) between friends? There are other instances when scenes gain momentum and then drop off suddenly. This made the narrative feel choppy.

Moreover, there simply wasn't a strong enough connection between Tobey and Sara to warrant the "soulmate" label. We're told that they're "something real," but the book does little to show us why this is true. The two have hardly ever interacted when he takes it upon himself to scheme for her affections. There is little direct communication--instead, just a sad series of manipulations and contrivances to get her attention, rather than just talking to her as actual "soulmates" would. Though, to their credit, Sara and Tobey do play Dots in class sometimes. (This is another YA romance with the class partner setup--though, in this case, the setup is orchestrated by Tobey himself). When they finally do talk on the phone, a conversation that propels Sara to break up with Dave, they say nothing of actual substance to one another. The conversation is awkward. At one point, it actually devolves into a string of "yeahs." There is nothing to indicate what it is that makes them right for one another.

Also, is it at all believable that a girl born in the late '80s would never have heard of R.E.M.? It pains me to concede this point, but I can at least understand her never hearing of Jane's Addiction (ow, that hurt). But R.E.M.? They're kind of hard to miss. Kind of iconic. In general, the music used in this story felt out-of-tune with the narrative, as if the author just found random places to insert her own favorites. There are mentions of The Cure, Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Coldplay, and Eminem. Dave Matthews Band pops up gratuitously in several places, and Tobey makes the strange choice of using "Say Goodbye" to prove his love to Sara before sleeping with her for the first time. Nice try, Tobey, except "Say Goodbye" is a song about being "lovers for a night" and going "back to being friends" the next day. Hardly the lyrical gesture necessary to prove to this girl that you want her for more than just sex.

It doesn't help that, in the formative stages of their relationship, Tobey is constantly thinking about "doing it" with her and going so far as to feign interest in what she is saying--something he admits to doing--to up his chances of scoring. Rarely do we get any introspection from him about his actual feelings for her, or anything at all to indicate that there is anything beyond sexual attraction.

Also, the non-relationship between Sara and her mother needed way more development. We are supposed to forgive Sara for breaking the code and ditching her friends for Dave and the popular crowd because she feels unwanted at home (her mother, who had her as a teen, is hyperbolically cold and blames Sara often for ruining her life). But there's no exploration of this beyond a few paragraphs of information-dumping exposition. Then, the book abandons this key issue until the end, when Sara's mom hugs her awkwardly at graduation before returning to her regularly scheduled ambivalence. Simply put, I needed more showing and less telling--on multiple fronts, not just this one.

Finally, the Yale diss at the end of the book didn't improve my mood. My husband is a researcher at Yale, thank you very much!

This book is not without potential. I think it just fell into several traps along the way that plague a lot of YA narratives right now. Love triangles will never, ever stop making for a compelling read. However, they require deep dialogue and even deeper character exploration to be convincing. I think that's where this book fell short.(less)

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Jun 21, 2010

Shxrxn rated it

If he’s so interested, why didn’t he call? I hate that a boy is making me feel this way. And I hate that I’m letting it happen.
- Sara
I’m tired of waiting for my life to begin. Something has to happen. Like an amazing boy. I know he’s out there. I just have to find him. And it would be awesome if that boy was Dave.
- Sara
Love isn’t based on intelligence.
- Maggie
An admirable quality of parenthood is the ability to respect your kid’s privacy
- Tobey
I ca...more

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Jun 06, 2010

Xiaojuanwu rated it

Shelves: quater-4-10th-grade

Love is such complicated experience that everyone will be face or had before. Sara and Tobey are in same high school and same grade. They used to be a good friend for a while but they never knew they could develope what they could not have seem. Sara is so eager to be in loved with a popular guy, Dave. Unitl she feels weirded about Tobey, who is very obsessed with her. Can Sara change her mind? What makes both boy and girlfriend so surprised? While Tobey who sees Sara like a sweetest candy in un...more

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May 27, 2010

Ashley (Books Obsession) rated it

Sara, a senior at high school, is focused on getting into the college of her dreams and getting a real boyfriend. She starts dating the popular jock, Dave, to later find out that maybe he's not the one out there for her. Then there's Tobey...the under-the-radar slacker, wannabe rockstar. Who believes that Sara is his soul mate. Despite the fact they they barely know each other, they begin to fall head-over-heels in love. They're both looking for "something real" and could this just be ...moreSara, a senior at high school, is focused on getting into the college of her dreams and getting a real boyfriend. She starts dating the popular jock, Dave, to later find out that maybe he's not the one out there for her. Then there's Tobey...the under-the-radar slacker, wannabe rockstar. Who believes that Sara is his soul mate. Despite the fact they they barely know each other, they begin to fall head-over-heels in love. They're both looking for "something real" and could this just be it? Or will their very different plans for the future get in the way of that?

Character development. One of my personal most important things for a book to have - and this one had it! I got to know Sara and Tobey so well throughout their story, and their chemistry seemed so real. They're both likeable characters with a separate personality, that fit each other perfectly. It's almost too good to be true!

I loved how the chapters alternated between points of view of both characters. It was like I got a sneak peek into a boy's head and finally was able to understand how they think for once, ha! However the derogatory ways that Tobey would think about Sara were sometimes a little insulting. He constantly would think about sex, whereas from Sara's POV it was all about talking and getting to know him. But Tobey's a sweet guy and I liked how honest he was and stayed true to himself throughout the book.

Something I really liked in the book was that even though Sara wanted to be with Tobey, while she was still dating Dave the idiot, she didn't give into temptation. It's good to see a strong self-control in the main character, and made me like her even more. In other books, she would have kissed him and then felt guilty afterward since she already had a boyfriend.

The book was a lot of dialogue, and I would've liked to see more details or things happening. Halfway through reading it, I couldn't even distinguish what the problem in the book was - it all seemed so happy go lucky to me, and that everything was working out a little too perfectly. Even after the satisfactory ending, I still can't quite put my finger on what was the 'problem' that arose somewhere in the book. Overall a great book, I really loved the two characters, and they shared a cute story.(less)

· see review

Feb 06, 2010

Sara rated it

Shelves: 2010, loved, young-adult

I loved this book. Sara and Tobey are high school seniors destined to be together but, of course, as in most books, they have to overcome obstacles to be together. Sara's focused on her schoolwork and getting into the college of her choice while Tobey's concentration is on winning a band competition and making it big with his music. There are also minor subplots about Sara's friends that tie in nicely to the rest of the story and add depth to the supporting characters.

I loved the ...more

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Sep 21, 2009

Lena rated it

Shelves: senioryear

I really enjoyed reading this book. I originally wanted to read this during the summer as I saw it on the shelves in Barnes & Noble, but forgot to go check it out at the library. I visited the library and I was glad I found this book. It caught my attention because I am into romance and from the blurb, I knew it would revolve around that subject. Anyways, from reading the blurb, I thought the whole story would be very cliche, obvious and boring at times, but I was wrong. The book seems to be ver...more

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Jul 22, 2009

Brandy rated it

Shelves: 2009, for-reviews, teen, realistic

As her senior year is about to begin, Sara makes two goals for herself: one, to get into NYU, and two, to find a Real relationship. She thinks this second goal can be achieved with Dave, the cute, popular boy who seemed to like her at the end of last year but now hasn't called since, and so she's elated when he actually does call right before school starts. Meanwhile, Tobey is just hoping that senior year passes quickly and that people stop asking him where he's going to college, since he has ...more

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Jun 18, 2009

Gloria added it

Shelves: advisory

In the book When it Happens, Sara is a highschoool girl who wants to find true love and she wants to get into a college. Tobey wants to Sara to fall in love with him, so he joined the Battle of the Bands. Sara falls in love with a different guy named Dave, a popular person in Sara's school. Sara was really excited that Dave asked her out. Tobey, little by little makes Sara notice him more.

I thought that this book was very interesting and that i liked reading this book. When I read t...more

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Jun 04, 2009

Steph Su rated it

At the start of senior year of high school, brainy Sara wants to find the perfect boy. She believes Dave, the new jock in town, is the embodiment of perfection, and has the potential to be her dream guy. Meanwhile, slacker rocker Tobey cannot stop thinking about Sara. He’s been sought after by plenty of girls, but his feelings for Sara are radically different. There’s just something about her that makes him unable to look away or think of anything else.

To everyone’s surprise, Dave asks...more

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Sep 05, 2011

Cintia rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: epub-owned, romance, y-a, teens

How it says in the synopsis of the hardcover edition: "Reminiscent of the movie Say Anything".
For reading other reviews I thought I wan't going to like it, and then reading the first pages, my suspicion was getting confirmed. But then, I couldn't stop reading, seriously, I said 'I'm going to stop' but I kept reading, my eyes had live of their own, so I stick to it. And yes, like everyone else said, every time the phrases "and I go..." and "I'm like...", I swea...more

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May 07, 2011

Amy rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. (Im a spoiler(and 'spoiler' is just an understatement)!!..Beware)

**Perspective of Sara n Tobey.

Funny thoughts? Yup.Sara has a thing w/ blushing.It reminds me just of.. who was it again? ME.(lol) I hate that! Its like you cant control it and your face just starts feeling all heaty..(ugh,hate blushing). Anyway thats the funny thought of the day :) (5/3/11)

Why is the title 'When It Happens'? Because this book says 'let fate decide'.

Ending: Sara n Tobe...more

· see review

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About Susane Colasanti

Susane Colasanti is the author of When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting for You, Something Like Fate, and So Much Closer. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from New York University. Before becoming a full-time author, Susane was a high school science teacher for almost ten years. As a teenage Jersey girl, she felt like her true home was across ...more

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“Too bad guys aren’t like Mr. Potato Head Where you can pick and choose which parts you want. Then we might come up with a guy who meets your standards.
- Maggie” — 168 people liked it

“For one day there will be nothing left, yet we will have something. -me-

I tried to wait for my life to begin. Something has to happen. Like an amazing boy. I know he's out there. I just have to find him.” — 85 people liked it

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