Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “What Happened to Goodbye” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

What Happened to Goodbye

Sarah Dessen (Goodreads Author)

3.95 · Rating details · 86,130 ratings · 4,545 reviews

A new day. A new place. A new life. In the past few years, McLean has pretended to be so many different people that she hardly remembers who she really is anymore. The adorable guy next door might be able to help her figure it out. But is she ready for it?

Get A Copy

Paperback, 402 pages

Published April 9th 2013 by Speak (first published May 10th 2011)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about What Happened to Goodbye, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

I Cried When I Read This

961 books — 1,911 voters

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Heart in Hand

23 books — 11 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.95 ·

Rating details

· 86,130 ratings · 4,545 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of What Happened to Goodbye

May 11, 2010 Mili rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

I miss the Sarah Dessen who wrote This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever. What happened?

flag 180 likes · Like · see review

May 01, 2011 Nomes rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, i-thought-i-would-love-this-but

What Happened to Goodbye has no huge inciting incident or great source of tension. Instead the book quietly unfolds in layers: each time Dessen revisits a scene/sub-plot, she goes just a little bit further than the previous time ~ giving more depth and insight into her characters lives, relationships and what makes them the way they are. Ad infintum and you reach the resolution: where Dessen has begun with isolated characters she ends with a motley group of friends who have bonded and each come ...more

flag 121 likes · Like · see review

Jan 30, 2011 Vinaya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, fluff-fluffy-fluffest, books-i-loved, ya-fiction, guilty-pleasures, romance, fluffy-5-stars

I ♥ Sarah Dessen. That is all.

Okay, I lie. That is NOT all. How could I use only six words when the possibility of six hundred exists? My lawyer genes would go into revolt!

I really, really liked What Happened to Goodbye. In fact, it just might rank up there with my other Dessen favourites, Just Listen and The Truth about Forever.

Generally, I tend to like Dessen heroes better than Dessen heroines. It was Owen and Wes who really lit up Just Listen and The Truth About Forever for me. Surprisingly, I ♥ Sarah Dessen. That is all.

Okay, I lie. That is NOT all. How could I use only six words when the possibility of six hundred exists? My lawyer genes would go into revolt!

I really, really liked What Happened to Goodbye. In fact, it just might rank up there with my other Dessen favourites, Just Listen and The Truth about Forever.

Generally, I tend to like Dessen heroes better than Dessen heroines. It was Owen and Wes who really lit up Just Listen and The Truth About Forever for me. Surprisingly, though, in this book, I found myself really, really liking Mclean.

Mclean Sweet has moved four towns in the last two years. Her father works as a consultant for an eatery chain, and his job is to rehab restaurants that have not been performing to standards. Her parents divorced two years ago, when her mother cheated on her dad with the coach of his favourite basketball team, a double betrayal that has left Mclean angry and bitter. And unsure of her identity.

In an attempt to escape her past, and her parents' very public divorce, Mclean has taken to reinventing herself at every school she goes to. She's been Beth and Lizbeth and Eliza, but never, ever Mclean. Somehow, though, this changes when she moves to Lakeview. For some reason, despite her efforts, she can't seem to get away from her real name, and consequently, her real self. Soon she finds herself making friends, and even possibly falling seriously for a boy.

As with most Dessen novels, this one is populated by a kooky cast of adorable friends, all of whom I loved. Riley, who only seems to fall for douchebags, Heather, who has no sense of conversational appropriateness, Deb, so lonely before Mclean enters her life and Dave, the boy-genius who lives next door and makes Mclean feel strangely comfortable and secure.

The main reason this book worked so well for me, though, was Mclean. Sarah Dessen's heroines generally tend to be more passive-aggressive than pro-active. Even their rebellions are slow things, a bubbling under the cauldron that finally froths over. Mclean, however, is open about her anger and her conflict from the word go. She doesn't secretly rebel- she fights her mother with everything she's got, for the right to make her own choices. She doesn't mince any words in expressing her anger and disappointment with her mother, and she doesn't let her mom's clingy ways steamroller her. There was never any point where I wanted to shake her and scream "SAY IT ALREADY", which is a thing that happens all too often to me with Sarah Dessen's other heroines.

I also liked that this book wasn't unnecessarily angsty. My favourite part was the one where she draws the school outcast Deb into her circle of friends, giving her a social life for the first time. It felt positive and affirmatory and I was cheering her on, and really liking her.

I also liked how Mclean's relationship with her mom played out, going from anger and disappointment, to compromise and finally, to a tenuous peace. The romance, as always, was sweet and sigh-worthy. Dave is not my favourite Dessen hero, but he was adorable nonetheless. The only thing that disturbed me was the fact that he didn't fight his over-protective, over-ambitious parents, but I guess it's okay that he picked and chose his own battles.

All in all, this was an excellent read, like most of Dessen's books. But there's one thing I've come to realize, and that is that you either like Sarah Dessen's style, or you don't. If you do, the relative sameness of her books is like a comforting security blanket you can always return to. If you don't, well, you might want to give this one a miss.
...more

flag 58 likes · Like · see review

Mar 26, 2015 emma rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3-and-a-half-stars, reread, contemporary, ya, reviewed

I REALLY LIKE SARAH DESSEN.

Sometimes, I forget that. Even as I’ve been rereading her books this year. Sometimes, you get That Summer or Dreamland or The Truth about Forever. A disappointment.

But then! Then! Sometimes you get Just Listen. Actually...up until this point that was the only definitively fun one out of this reread so far.

UNTIL THIS POINT. Because What Happened to Goodbye is another Sarah-Dessen-at-her-best type of deal.

Summery vibe. Cute love interest. Family drama that comes to a Dis ...more

flag 52 likes · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2010 Melannie :) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2011

OHMYGOSH, *squeals*

seriously can't wait anymore,
I have been waiting for a new book by her since, what was it? 2009? I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER

I want to read this book NOW *cries*

LOVE SARAH DESSEN.

COVER IS AWESOME. ...more

flag 51 likes · Like · see review

May 11, 2010 Janina rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, contemporary

I finished this book yesterday afternoon when I was sitting in the waitingroom at my doctor's office and really had nothing else to do ... which probably says enough.

Seriously, I consider myself a Sarah Dessen fan. I have read almost all of her books and enjoyed the majority of them – to various degrees. What Happened To Goodbye, however, was a huge disappointment for me. The beginning was great, the whole set-up, the restaurant setting, but then ... the whole thing just fizzled out around page I finished this book yesterday afternoon when I was sitting in the waitingroom at my doctor's office and really had nothing else to do ... which probably says enough.

Seriously, I consider myself a Sarah Dessen fan. I have read almost all of her books and enjoyed the majority of them – to various degrees. What Happened To Goodbye, however, was a huge disappointment for me. The beginning was great, the whole set-up, the restaurant setting, but then ... the whole thing just fizzled out around page 100. And it's a long way to go from page 100 to page 400. Frankly speaking, I just found the rest of the book incredibly boring. I’m finding it difficult to really tell you why, but to me, it was just lacking the usual charm and heart. Let me tell you, I don’t read Dessen’s books because they are particularly deep and yes, I know they all follow the same formula. I read them for fun. I read them because, in my opinion, not a lot of authors can capture this feeling of change and growth, combined with lovely summer vibes and a swoon-worthy guy as well as her.

But here, the things I normally love about Dessen’s books were strangely muted and didn’t really come across. Not that I didn’t like Mclean as a character – she just didn’t stand out in any particular way for me. And despite the fact that I love to ramble about Dessen’s guys (see later), the main character’s voice is what carries the book. And if I don’t really care about her, I don’t care about the book either. The next thing is the quirky group of new friends. Well, Mclean’s friends were fun in this typically quirky way, but still, nothing too special. And then, Dave was a big disappointment as the love interest. From his description, he sounded very interesting: a science genius wanting the real high school experience and therefore giving up on university classes and the like, but in execution, he was just a very flat and boring character. Call me superficial, but Dessen’s guys are often the best about her books. I loved Wes from The Truth about Forever, Eli from Along for the Ride, Owen from Just Listen and Dexter from This Lullaby, and basically, those are the books I would recommend first and that I would label lovely comfort reads. Sorry to say, but with books like this my rule is: no swooning = no fun.

All in all, if you are a Dessen fan like me, you will probably read this anyway and form your own opinion. If you are no Dessen fan, you probably don’t want to read this anyway ;). But if you haven’t read anything by her yet and are looking for a good book to start with, I wouldn’t recommend What Happened To Goodbye.
...more

flag 41 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2017 ♛ may rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 400-pgs, meh, decent, contemporary, standalones

Look whose back with another basic-3-stared-contemporary read !!

You know what kinda funny ~~not really~~?? if I read this book 12 months ago, I probably would have died over how cute it was. But now as I am *cough* a veteran reader *cough* I have gone through too many contemporaries to know that this ranks as – meh.

description

So what do we got here?
McLean’s parents divorced a few years back and ever since, she’s been living with her father (although her mother would gladly have her). With her father, come ...more

flag 40 likes · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2015 Pinky rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

“Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.” ,

After Mclean's parents divorced, Mclean was on the move with her father from house to house. Needing a change, Mclean decided to change her name and personality for every school she moved to. O ...more

flag 28 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2010 Cara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, to-re-read, realistic-fiction

Does Sarah Dessen still have the awesome stuff? Oh yeah. No doubt or question about it.

This time around we're gonna get to follow the story of a girl named Mclean. She comes from parents that go through a tabloid worthy divorce. Going against the norm Mclean decides to stay with her dad, and up to this point has been through four moves with him. Four different girls for each move. But this fourth move is going to be distinctly different because for the first time in long while she is going to b Does Sarah Dessen still have the awesome stuff? Oh yeah. No doubt or question about it.

This time around we're gonna get to follow the story of a girl named Mclean. She comes from parents that go through a tabloid worthy divorce. Going against the norm Mclean decides to stay with her dad, and up to this point has been through four moves with him. Four different girls for each move. But this fourth move is going to be distinctly different because for the first time in long while she is going to be herself, if she can even figure out who that is exactly.

The premise intrigued me a lot. I grew up as a military kid that moved around and I always did contemplate starting with a new slate. Be a different person; maybe present myself differently because the impression of who I am isn't set. I never did because it's hard to be someone you're not, just as Mclean figures out.

I felt the chaos and love that goes into restaurants. I caught the excitement of watching a basketball game (I live in place where college basketball is followed like a religion, and she got the feel of it just right). I got mad at Mclean’s mom but then understood her. I got to see how to start something big even if it seems impossible. I learned even a small change, one moment can make the difference. But most importantly I know why it’s important to find a place to call home. To find the people who will be home for you.

I wasn't sure why some people were expressing that they didn't fall in love with Dave. Dave is so... unique and sweet in his own way. I think because the relationship arc is different for Mclean and Dave that people couldn't connect with him the same way they did with the other leading guys. But he is a great guy, no disputing that. My top character choice for this book is Deb. Deb is fantastic. She is more than meets the eye and she isn't ashamed to be herself. Gotta love a character like that.

Dessen fans will read the book but I urge people who haven't to try one of her books. She really is (in my opinion) the best young adult realistic author out today. She captures the female teenage voice and presents it in a way that is relatable to people. Though not my favorite book I still stayed up late at night to finish and rooted for Mclean to find her normal and fully embrace the people who get who the real her is.

Side note:While I was reading this, this song popped into my head. I was learning how to play it on the guitar and it feels like it fits the story. It's kind of the flip of what could have happen if Mclean had decided to keep running away from herself. ...more

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

Nov 15, 2020 Aj the Ravenous Reader rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: auto-buy-authors, unexpectedly-good, contemporary, physically-owned-books, reality-bites, easy-read, young-adult

Sarah Dessen's books never get old. There's good reason she's one of the queens of YA contemporaries because she sure does know how to write about young adult lives with genuineness. I have read almost all of her books and even though there are a few I honestly didn't like, I always give the author a chance to redeem herself and she's often successful the next time I pick another of her books.

What Happened to Goodbye is a good read for me, right up there with This Lullaby and Lock and Key althou ...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

Sep 16, 2011 Arlene rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2011, ya-contemporary, young-adult

Must read for Sarah Dessen fans.

My deep like for What Happened to Goodbye comes down to one thing... the protag McLean Sweet. I liked her for lots of reasons and not just because I can relate to her determination to not look down until she identifies a constellation or two when looking up at a starry sky, or because like McLean I’ve never been one to just put myself out there on day one. Also it’s not just because we both have a name you’ve got to live up it, yeah some days it’s not all sweet an Must read for Sarah Dessen fans.

My deep like for What Happened to Goodbye comes down to one thing... the protag McLean Sweet. I liked her for lots of reasons and not just because I can relate to her determination to not look down until she identifies a constellation or two when looking up at a starry sky, or because like McLean I’ve never been one to just put myself out there on day one. Also it’s not just because we both have a name you’ve got to live up it, yeah some days it’s not all sweet and lovely. :/ When it comes down to it, it was McLean’s philosophy on people and life. Plain and simple. She hit home for me in so many ways that at the end of the day, I could relate on so many levels and that’s what made her a compelling character in my eyes.

McLean and her dad have moved from town to town for the past few years. There was a messy, public divorce along with a gut wrenching betrayal that led McLean’s dad to close his restaurant and take a consulting job that has them packing their suitcases about every six months. McLean doesn’t mind. She loves being on the road with her father and changing her identity at every stop, but all that takes a turn when they come to Luna Blue. There she meets some great friends and becomes part of a community where hiding behind someone she’s not is no longer an option.

The majority of this story revolves around McLean’s strained relationship with her mom. There was a heated moment in the book where she tells her mom to just “own it”... own the fact that their mother/daughter relationship is fractured because her mom did something pretty shitty. McLean owed her nothing because if you screw up, down or inside out, you can’t just expect an apology to fix everything that’s wrong. Life just isn’t that way. Actions have consequences, and more so selfish actions destroy relationships. When this scene was unraveling before my eyes, I was so much on McLean’s side that I felt myself rooting for her all the way.

Funny thing with books; a character can do or say one small thing to claim your allegiance and that’s exactly what happened here.

This book is made especially for Sarah Dessen’s true fans. With her you’re not going to get a rushed story, but rather a slow and steady development of a situation. Dessen doesn’t play the love triangle game and most importantly you won’t come across a guy and girl that have a chance meeting with tireless declarations of love, but rather a girl that has so much crap going on in her life that the last thing she wants or expects is a guy that’s going to sweep her off her feet and spew love sonnets. So when she meets “the one,” he’s the guy that’s there for her, that challenges her to be who she really is and not hide behind false pretences, the guy that’s there when you need him… and when the clouds and cobwebs are lifted, he’s the one that she sees as her 2am. ;) Beautiful and real! Now that’s what I call awesomesause. Give me more...

¸.•´¯`•.´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>
.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>
...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

Jul 26, 2021 ❦ jazmin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021, genre-contemporary, i-bawled-my-eyes-out, trope-slow-burn, genre-romance, trope-moving-or-moving-back, genre-food-or-cooking

“Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.”

What Happened to Goodbye was the fifth book in my Sarah Dessen binge read and once again, I’ve read another book that was neither my favourite nor least favourite. And although I did enjoy it a lo ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Feb 21, 2021 Deacon Tom F rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A Teenager's Journey

“What Happened to Goodbye” by Sarah Dessen is a very well written exploration of a teen’s life.

The characters are well developed and come across as strong, and charming.

The plot was not hollow or perfectly predictable. The issues were complex and interesting. Most compelling was how the author was using a main character, “Mclean” who "changed" her identity 3 times in coming to terms with who she really was.

What results is a brilliantly layered book with strong storytelling ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2010 Ash rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great, now I have to wait another billions years (okay, probably more like 2) for another Sarah Dessen book. Get cracking Dessen! Really though, the reason why so many people love her books are because she just gets it. She deals with problems that not only teenagers but anyone can relate to in some way.

Quick Overview: Another move for Mclean just means another persona. After her parents’ divorce Mclean and her father move around as he works as a restaurant consultant. Two years and four schools Great, now I have to wait another billions years (okay, probably more like 2) for another Sarah Dessen book. Get cracking Dessen! Really though, the reason why so many people love her books are because she just gets it. She deals with problems that not only teenagers but anyone can relate to in some way.

Quick Overview: Another move for Mclean just means another persona. After her parents’ divorce Mclean and her father move around as he works as a restaurant consultant. Two years and four schools later Mclean and her father are in Lakeview. Mclean thinks this is just another move, another school, and another girl. This time is different though because despite her plans Mclean finds that she’s making real friends and being…herself. Whoever that is.

Was there really any doubt that Dessen would deliver? Rhetorical question. I was kind of surprised by how much I liked Mclean. She was openly angry with her mother (rightly so I might add),no matter how much her mother pushes to be a part of her life again. I had a real understanding of Mclean. I understood why she was angry and why she did things. It almost felt I was the one who had been betrayed, and later as she comes to realizations and understandings I did too. More than anything though, I liked that Mclean was a good person. I loved how this book was as much about Mclean as it was about her family.

And of course you can’t NOT mention the secondary characters! Both of Mclean’s parents play a big role in the book and you get a genuine sense of what kind of people they are. What I found strange was that I actually didn’t like some of the secondary characters, like Riley and Heather. Although they are both typical Dessen characters they just didn’t do it for me. I found myself liking much less important characters like the endearingly stupid Leo. And holy guacamole (and I do like me some guacamole)!!! She put Jason in again! Like some other fans I wanted to see a happy ending for Jason or at least a progression of sorts. It’s not an ending, but it’s really interesting to see what happens with him and I’m immensely happy she put him in again. Weird and sensitive Deb though, by far, was my absolute favorite. Right from the first moment she’s introduced I wanted her to be a significant part of the book. And of course the guy, Dave. He’s different from Dessen’s other guys because he’s not an obvious dreamboat, or “cool”. In fact he’s kind of a dork. He’s quirky, weird, and a lot more vulnerable. Completely hilarious and a genius he’s already one of my favorites. They both teach Mclean that sometimes the hardest thing to do is have the courage to be yourself.

I felt I could particularly relate to Mclean because through high school I moved around and just like her I wasn’t sure if I really belonged anywhere because I didn’t have a place to call home. Just like her I learned that home isn’t a place but a feeling you have with people who care about you. Mostly though this book is about finding what it means to have a true sense of self. So to finally wrap this up, a 4.5 because I loved reading this, warts and all :D. ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Dec 26, 2010 Thomas rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, realistic-fiction

What Happened to Goodbye is another hit from the queen of young-adult realistic fiction, Sarah Dessen. As with all of her books, readers can expect a moving story filled with cleverly drawn characters and the perfect touch of romance.

In her tenth novel, Dessen details the story of Mclean Sweet - also known as Liz Sweet, Beth Sweet, etc. After her parents' divorce she travels from town to town with her dad, assuming a new identity each time. Things are different at Lakeview, though. Mclean may ju ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2011 Brianne rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I love Sarah Dessen. Her earlier books were hit and miss for me, but I've loved everything she's written since The Truth About Forever.

Except, unfortunately, What Happened to Goodbye.

It's not a bad book. Dessen's prose, as always, is solid, with a few brilliant lines that made me put the book down to think. The problem was those lines were not the only reason I put the book down.

I've always found Dessen's books to have slow starts. From past experience, I know if I push through the beginning and I love Sarah Dessen. Her earlier books were hit and miss for me, but I've loved everything she's written since The Truth About Forever.

Except, unfortunately, What Happened to Goodbye.

It's not a bad book. Dessen's prose, as always, is solid, with a few brilliant lines that made me put the book down to think. The problem was those lines were not the only reason I put the book down.

I've always found Dessen's books to have slow starts. From past experience, I know if I push through the beginning and get settled into the book's world, I'll be hooked in no time. So, I pushed through, but I still felt like I was settling into the world come the last chapter.

Not much happens. Between the restaurant scenes, the party, and Mclean meeting Dave, the beginning arguably has the most exciting scenes in the book. The plot dragged, the romance dragged, and the climax was very, well, anti-climatic. Beyond Mclean running away, there was no real fall-out to her friends discovering her past identities. It's beyond me why no one got mad at her. On that note, the only people Mclean ever fights with are her parents. Riley's overprotective of Dave, and despite what Mclean's told her about not wanting a relationship, she doesn't get mad when Mclean and Dave start to get closer. While Deb may not be the type to get mad, there's no tension when Mclean essentially ditches her. Dave's never mad, or even annoyed, at her, nor is she ever mad at him. There's one scene where Dave apologizes for something, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what he was apologizing for. There's very little tension, and combined with a slow plot, it was hard for this book to hold my interest.

The biggest problem, though, was Mclean herself. I understand how she can reinvent her persona from town to town, but there has to be something about her character that remains constant. Even if the point of the book is for her to find herself, there still needs to be a three-dimensional character there for her to grow into, to have her coming-of-age moment. I didn't know enough about her to care about her, or even root for her romance with Dave. In fact, I wanted to read Riley's story of Dave and Ellis more than anything. I would've been happy to read Opal or Jason's story as well.

I also found this book to be a little dizzying in the sense that I didn't always know where I was or when it was after a scene transitioned (and sometimes I didn't even realize there was a transition.) There was a point where I was convinced Mclean was in two places at once. I'll be the first to admit that this could be because I didn't pay enough attention, but if that's the case, it was because I was bored, and that's a problem in itself.

Ultimately, the restaurant scenes, secondary characters, and prose saved this novel, but I'm still disappointed. ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Jun 17, 2011 Margaret Stohl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So I automatically read every Sarah Dessen, who is super good at being Sarah Dessen. The guy will be quirky and loveable. A family will somehow be destroyed and put back together. The food service industry will likely appear, as will the beach. Knowing that these things will happen is like knowing that macaroni and cheese will not let me down in a time of need. At least, it never has yet...

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Jul 18, 2018 Kayla rated it liked it · review of another edition

This was a quick easy contemporary that was very sweet, the problem is I don't find Sarah Dessen books memorable like next week I won't even renember the protagonist or her love interests name. ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

May 17, 2017 Jay G rated it liked it · review of another edition

After her parents divorce, Maclean Sweet has found herself moving constantly. She has been in 4 different towns in the past 2 years. Using a different name at every new school she attends, Maclean reinvents herself after each move. So, when she arrives in Lakeview, and goes to pick a new identity, she is surprised when she chooses Maclean. Now, making new friends and falling for a boy, Maclean is learning to accept herself and learn to not run away when things get real.

Dave is such a sweetheart ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2012 Zoë rated it liked it · review of another edition

Not my favorite Sarah Dessen book, but I enjoyed it! I didn't feel satisfied by the ending and I wanted a little more romance between Dave and Mclean, but there was good character development throughout. ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Apr 12, 2015 Justine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I love Sarah Dessen more and more with every book.
This might be my new second favorite book by her.
I loved the story.
I love that the family is always the top spot on her books. The love part only comes second.
Sarah Dessen, you are my queen!

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2010 Mary Ann marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Finally! I've been waiting for her to write a new book since along for the ride came out!! ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2014 Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Another cute, quick Sarah Dessen read. Her books always make me feel so nostalgic in the best way. Awh

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Jun 05, 2010 Alyssa rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: People who suffer too much real-life excitement and need something to sleep on.

Shelves: ya-romance, own, 2011-read, emotional, highly-anticipated, really-excited-for, only-okay, not-even-okay, a-favourite-author

Disappointment. In the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of 2004, the verb “disappoint” is defined as such: to fail to fulfill the expectation or hope of –

I don’t know what exactly went wrong with this book. Maybe Dessen’s becoming lazy – her last three books have left me mourning after her better novels – or maybe she’s just running out of “ever-powerful” things to talk about. Whatever it is that made this book lackluster in the eyes of a dear fan, it’s got to be put to bed here and now. I can’t wat ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

May 21, 2017 C.P. Cabaniss rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: signed-books, contemporary, books-i-own, young-adult, sarah-dessen

This is my twelfth Dessen novel. In the last two years I have read all of her published works and am now waiting for book thirteen.

But back to this one. I really enjoyed this overall. It was understandable why Mclean reacted the way she did to her parents' divorce. I had a hard time liking the mother at all, but she did grow on me a little.

All of the friends that Mclean and her dad make in Lakeview are great. Deb is my favorite. She does some odd things that really remind me of myself. I like ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Jul 22, 2017 Trisha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

“Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together.”

Another wonderful Sarah Dessen book. I love that she is a wonderful author, a go-to author that I know there will be a character I love, a story that's easy to slide right into and a plot with depth and interesting twists.

I'm a mover. We don't move every 6 months, but I don't like to stay in one house longer than 4 or 5 years......so I completely understand McLean's u ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Nov 09, 2020 inabookshell rated it it was amazing

Sarah Dessen books are some of my all time favorites. I have been in love with her writing, her characters, her world, ever since I picked up one of her books for the first time in middle school. It is so strange reading her books now, at 20 years old, still loving them, when I can still remember talking to my friends in my classes back in the 8th grade about the book by Dessen that I was reading and was obsessed with at the time. I have found that she is one of those authors I can always come b Sarah Dessen books are some of my all time favorites. I have been in love with her writing, her characters, her world, ever since I picked up one of her books for the first time in middle school. It is so strange reading her books now, at 20 years old, still loving them, when I can still remember talking to my friends in my classes back in the 8th grade about the book by Dessen that I was reading and was obsessed with at the time. I have found that she is one of those authors I can always come back to. Some people don't enjoy her writing style but I find it to be so refreshing. I love how her stories focus on the character development, and the world around the main character like their family, their friends, their thoughts, and of course, a sprinkle of romance. I am always so captivated by Sarah's writing and this book was no exception.

What Happened To Goodbye is about a girl named Mclean who has been pretending to be someone she is not. After a very messy divorce between her parents, Mclean decides to live with her dad who travels from place to place with his job. Every place that she ends up at, Mclean changes her entire identity, even going as far as changing her name. But then she moves to Lakeview and before she can come up with a whole new persona, she is Mclean again and through the book she finds out what exactly that means all the while making some new friends and maybe a new romance;)

--------------------------------SPOILERS BEWARE---------------------------------

I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up last night just hoping to read a few chapters and ended up reading over half of it, and then finishing it up this morning. I really felt for Mclean. The divorce between her parents was so messed up. What her mother did was wrong and I understood the way Mclean was feeling about it. But... I also really felt bad for the mom because she was trying so hard to fix her relationship with Mclean. Sometimes all a mother really can do is try.

I also really enjoyed the relationships that Mclean made while being in Lakeview. Dave was the sweetest!! loved him:) I also loved Deb and felt for her too. She had no friends and people continued to misjudge her throughout this book and it was so sad. I'm so glad Mclean decided to make friends with her and even make her apart of a friend group.

I was really sad at the end when it looked like Mclean was fixing to move again but then I got happy when that didn't happen! Overall this book was such a refreshing read. I definitely needed a little bit of Dessen writing in my life.
...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2018 Natalia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, favcontemporary

Another amazing book by Sarah Dessen. I have no idea how she does it, but I loved and related to the main character so much.
The story follows McLean. After her parents’ divorce she starts living with her father. They travel a lot and doesn’t have time to saddle dawn and have serious friends or relationship. Every time they travel to a different city, McLean changes. Different personalities, different names, never wants something long term.
This was a really sweet and heartwarming about discoverin ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

May 11, 2011 Joy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: teen, realistic, american, 21c

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

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Nov 16, 2020 Jasmine Heredia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

“Your past is always your past. Even if you forget it, it remembers you.”
What I love about Sarah Dessens books is that they are the type of book that you can stay up till midnight crying your eyes out over. Even with how sad they are there is always so much hope and promise in them that makes you keep reading. Her books bring together imperfect families and friendships and force us to see the beauty in them.

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Goodreads Librari...: wrong number of pages	2	7	Mar 18, 2022 05:35AM
I love this book	1	1	Nov 12, 2021 01:40AM
No Need to Say Goodbye...	1	3	May 31, 2019 10:21AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen → Restarting May 8th 2018	28	139	May 26, 2018 11:23AM
Sarah Dessen Read...: What Happened to Goodbye - 25%	6	9	Nov 30, 2017 10:50AM
Sarah Dessen Read...: What Happened to Goodbye - Finished	1	3	Nov 15, 2017 10:03AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Young Adult

1,801 users

Romance

871 users

Contemporary

723 users

Fiction

292 users

Realistic Fiction

282 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

260 users

Young Adult > Teen

165 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Contemporary

111 users

Young Adult > High School

105 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Romance

93 users

See top shelves…

About Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen

44,431 followers

Books by Sarah Dessen

More…

February's Most Anticipated New YA Novels

As dedicated readers already know, some of the best and most innovative stories on the shelves come from the constantly evolving realm of...

Trivia About What Happened to ...

16 trivia questions
1 quiz

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from What Happened to ...

“Two a.m.' He swallowed, then said, "You know. The person you can call at two a.m. and, no matter what, you can count on them. Even if they're asleep or it's cold or you need to be bailed out of jail...they'll come for you. It's like, the highest level of friendship.” — 828 likes

More quotes…

See a Problem?

Preview — What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Sarah Dessen

Books by Sarah Dessen

Related Articles

Trivia About What Happened to ...

Quotes from What Happened to ...

See a Problem?

Preview — What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Sarah Dessen

Books by Sarah Dessen

Related Articles

Trivia About What Happened to ...

Quotes from What Happened to ...

new topic
Discuss This Book