Megan McCafferty

New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty returns to her roots with this YA coming of age story set in a New Jersey mall. The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan: higher education and happily ever after. But you know what they say about the best laid plans... Set entirely in a classic “monument to consumerism,” the novel follows Cassie as she finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself, in the most unexpected of places. Megan McCafferty, beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Jessica Darling series, takes readers on an epic trip back in time to The Mall.

A Novel

The Mall

Sven Test

This 90s-inspired novel transported me completely to The Mall. McCafferty had me wanting more from the 90s and wanting to be born a little bit earlier than 1994.

Cassie cannot wait to head out of New Jersey and straight to New York at the end of the summer. In the mean time, her plan is to work alongside her boyfriend, until that plan fails. Her boyfriend dumps her and she ends up getting fired. She ends up finding a job at a boutique, owned by her ex-best friend's mom. Soon, the girls put aside their differences when Drea pulls Cassie in on a treasure hunt around The Mall.

This novel was adventure-filled and had me glued to its pages! Cassie is a quirky and fun character I enjoyed. Being inside her head was lots of fun. Drea was a character I adored! I want this girl's self-esteem. She embraces herself and doesn't care about the rumor-mill.

This friendship was the highlight for me in the story. You guys know I love to read books with romance. Basically, if it doesn't have romance, I don't want it. Let me tell you that this book had me forgetting it didn't have romance, and had me rooting for the friendship, the treasure hunt, and just everything! I honestly couldn't stop reading this wonderful masterpiece. I loved the tribute it gave to the 90s, with the jean jackets, the pins, the music, the mall itself.

Speaking of which, I felt like The Mall was its own character. I don't know how the author did it, but she managed to have me caring for a building. I was never once bored with the setting just being the mall. It actually enhanced the reading experience because a lot could be touched on with depth, instead of brushing it off.

I was still excited about Barnard and New York City, about seeing what life beyond Pineville had in store for me. Yet, part of me wondered if everything I really needed to know--about family and friendship and love and loyalty and betrayal and sisterhood [...]--I had already learned that summer at the mall.

Aside from friendship, this book also focused on finding oneself. Cassie had a lot of soul-searching to do, and I think this book touched on everything it needed without it feeling too much. Cassie slowly grew throughout the novel and in the end, she ended up becoming "the best possible version" of herself.

Overall, The Mall is a nostalgic and adventurous 90s-inspired novel with a lovely focus on friendship and discovering oneself.
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Lauren Sullivan

Content warnings: (view spoiler)[underage drinking, drug use, secondary character was date raped (off-page, before book starts), MC’s parents plan to divorce (hide spoiler)]

Come for the teased hair and Cabbage Patch Dolls, stay for the sweet coming-of-age story as a teen spends the summer before college working at the local mall, scouring the mall as part of a treasure hunt and navigating her derailed plans for love and her future.

Like the rest of her life, Cassie has her summer all figured out. It’s not exciting, but working at the mall food court with her boyfriend Troy (both voted “Most Likely to Succeed”) will earn her book money for when she goes to Barnard College at the end of August. A bout with mono is not in her plans, nor is discovering, once she’s recovered, that not only has she been fired from her job, but her boyfriend has dumped her for another mall worker. Unwilling to tell her perfect parents about either event, she sets out to find a new job. Unfortunately, the only place hiring is Bellarosa Boutique, home of New Jersey’s finest tube dresses, catsuits, and bustiers, owned by Cassie’s ex-best friend’s mom.

“Compact discs have superior sound quality,” Sam Goody was saying. “They absolutely will not be replaced by any new form of musical technology any time soon.”
“Yeah, yeah,” griped the customer. “That’s what they said about eight-tracks.”

It’s a bit off-putting to realize I’m now of the age where books about my childhood are, well, vintage. To be honest, though, in 1991 I was still in elementary school, but most of what the book describes was very familiar to me. I was vividly brought back to the local mall I hung out at with my friends when I was a teen, from the music store with its stacks of CDs to Spencer’s with its black lights to my favorite Waldenbooks. Even the never-ending argument among my friends over which mall entrance it was best to park near (never the food court, folks)! There’s a revenge makeover! Orange Julius! That weird store that sells stuff to a very specific subset and you have no idea how it actually survives! So, as a fun microcosm of teen life in the early 90s, it definitely hits the spot. It reminded me very much of a teen movie from that era – very predictable, with the standard teen movie plot, complete with the immediately recognizable love interest, misunderstood female characters, and he-was-never-right-for-you ex. It’s also very much a coming-of-age story in terms of Cassie making mistakes and learning from them. It’s light entertainment, and we never actually get too deep into the other characters besides Cassie and Drea.

“If you want to forget that loser, I can help you with that,” she said. “Just like you can help me with the treasure.”
“The treasure?” What was Drea even talking about?
“There’s a fortune hidden somewhere in the mall,” Drea said, “and I’m determined to find it.”

While there is a romance, it takes second stage to the relationship between Cassie and her ex-best friend Drea. Cassie looks down on Drea, who seems to be content with working at her mom’s boutique and serial dating anyone who catches her eye, while Cassie’s got her life all planned out and her sights set on more. Never mind how badly her summer plans have gone so far… The driving force behind most of their interactions is Drea’s quest to find a treasure supposedly hidden in the mall, which leads to them working together to find ways into various stores to find, I’m not joking, hidden Cabbage Patch Dolls with Supermarket Spree-style clues written on their birth certificates. The quest takes them from the basement teen party spot to a variety of stores to the mall’s roof, and along the way Cassie slowly realizes exactly how wrong she is about herself and Drea. There’s also some interesting moments contrasting Drea’s relationship with her mother and Cassie’s relationship with her mother, and a bit about female empowerment and friendship.

My big concern is of how much interest this would be to an actual teen reader today. This book is like wallowing in the mall fountain of nostalgia for me, but are teens today really that interested in 90s culture? Overall, I’d give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 due to the nostalgia factor. It’s light, it’s entertaining, it’s a sweet confection of a summer read.

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lauren Attaway

What a pleasant read! It's 1991, and Cassie Upworthy is excited to spend the summer working at the mall with her boyfriend, before they both attend college in NYC. When Cassie's life goes off-script, she has a summer to remember. This book was a breezy, perfect summer read, with a treasure hunt, romance, a rekindled friendship. I did not graduate in 1991, but I think everyone can relate to this coming-of-age story. I hope this becomes a movie, because I loved the friendship between Drea and Cassie, and the references to the time and place were fun even though I'm sure I missed a lot of them. 

I'd say put this in your beach bag, but hey, even if you can't go anywhere in 2020, this is still a fun escape!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Aubrey Hennig

A summer drama in the 90s. Friendship, love, finding yourself and cabbage patch dolls.

Candyce Kirk

3.5 stars

The Mall was a book that brought back a lot of memories. I was only 3 in 1991, but a lot of the references were around during my childhood. I loved reading the references about different TV shows, products (mix tapes, cabbage patch dolls) and stores I haven't thought about in years. This book really really made me feel some nostalgia for my visits to the mall as a teenager in the early 2000s. Going to the mall with friends was often a highlight of the week. I do wonder if the generation this book is meant for will get all of the pop culture references, but I think it will be a fun read for them as well.

This book is more than just pop culture references and a walk down memory lane. The main character Cassie isn't having the summer she's expecting. Working at the mall with her boyfriend of two years was the plan. That changed when she got mono and later found out Troy was cheating on her. Showing her face in the mall isn't something she can do now. I loved listening to Cassie's brainstorming on what she would do now that plans changed. I definitely laughed out loud a few times.

In many ways The Mall is a story of self discovery for Cassie. Her life is about to change in a big way, because she's off to college at the end of the summer. Other things in her life start to change and this really makes her think. Cassie makes mistakes, discovers new things about the people in her life and herself. Things don't go right off the bat, but she learns from it and it gives readers a laugh here and there. Seeing her transform during the summer was a really interesting aspect of this story.

The Mall is also cheesy in many ways, but definitely in a good way. I loved all the drama in the mall and how at times it was completely over the top. At first I didn't really understand the treasure hunt aspect in this story, but it definitely added some fun moments. Add some interesting side characters and a little romance and this turned out to be a fun summer read!

Jessica Williamson

4.25

I am genuinely surprised by how much I liked this book! 

That's not a fair assessment really but YA contemporary and I are not always the best of friends so I wasn't 100% sure how I was going to feel about it. - ALSO I got an ARC of this, and it came out this past July so like, your girl completely lost her mind. I thought it was for July 2021! I am the worst.

This book was A) a love story, B) a mystery/treasure hunt (maps included!) C) about self discovery and D) all about friendship!!!

I loved the friendship aspect of this. So much so that the end actually had me in tears. 

Cassie is at times kind of a hateful narcissist but she does have a lot of character growth throughout this novel. I really enjoyed getting to see her grow into a full adult and hope that her future is full of more happiness.

This is one of those books where I really feel like a need a post-college epilogue. If I could get that, I'd be dang happy.

Also, I didn't even mention the '90s aspect! This book, along with Rebel Girls by Elizabeth Keenan (that I also had an ARC of last year) just goes to show how much us modern-day women really owe it to the feminists from the '90s (and earlier too!). Where would we be without the rebel girls from the past?

That all being said, there were a few aspects that I didn't 100% love or feel like I got the conclusion I was looking for, and that mostly revolved around Cassie's parents. There was a conclusion for their relationship, but I don't feel like there was any coming together of her and each parent individually - if that makes sense?

Anyway, really good book, enjoyed it. Recommend it for anyone who enjoys the '90s and books about finding yourself and/or friendship.

Cover 4; Characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 4; Writing 4; Enjoyment 4; Cry *

laura

* I got this book for review for the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I really loved this 90 romp and found it to the the prefect summer read. This read features some of my favorite elements including flash from the back friendship, summer jobs, mystery elements and a one location. I thought this book tackled self discovery so much. I really loved how this book tackled 90 elements. I felt this book was a fun read. It was a book that made me smile. This book is def one i would rec if you like morgan matson and or Kasie west.

Jelke Lenaerts

I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.  

This was a surprisingly quick read. It in no means is the best book I have ever read but it is a very enjoyable read. The 90's setting wasn't really a big thing in this book. With a couple of small changes it could have perfectly been set in modern day. What I'm trying to say is that I wish this had more of a distinct 90's feel. Either way I liked that friendship was the main focus of this book. Yes, there's some romance involved into this story but most of the book resolves around a great friendship. The ending conflict felt a bit too dramatic, but honestly that made this book feel like an early 2000's teen girl movie (honestly this whole book just feels like that movie genre in book form). I liked how the characters were pretty flawed in this book and the narrative made them acknowledge those flaws. I liked the treasure hunting side plot, reminded me a lot of the rollerworld money storyline from On My Block (which is a show I love and that storyline was amazing).

Heather Harrington

It's the summer of 1991 and Cassie Worthy has a plan. She's going to spend the next six weeks working at the mall food court with her boyfriend before the pair head off to college together in New York. But after her boyfriend dumps her and she loses her job at the cookie stand, she needs a new plan fast. When she lands a job at her ex-best friend's family boutique managing the books, she thinks it'll be a quiet summer filled with spreadsheets, and the last thing she expected was to get roped into a crazy treasure hunt around the mall. It turns out, running from store to store searching for a treasure that might not even exist is the exact thing Cassie needed to break her out of her shell and become the person she's always wanted to be.

As someone who spent the majority of their free time growing up hanging in malls, I was immediately sold on this premise. I enjoyed the characters and the story itself, especially all the '90s references which made it feel super nostalgic. The pace was good and I flew through this in pretty much one sitting. It was also a bit funnier than I expected it to be which was nice. I thought the treasure hunt was a fun element and I liked how it helped Cassie and Drea re-form their friendship and brought out a lightheartedness to Cassie that she was lacking. That being said though, my issue with this was that I felt like not a lot happened. It all felt very flat and didn't really go anywhere. I'd still recommend picking it up if you're in the mood for a fluffy summer read.

Lacey

Thank you to a NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a copy for review purposes.

This book is heavy on the early 90’s nostalgia. It was definitely atmospheric.

This was set in 1991. I was too young to experience mall culture like the characters in the book. I did enjoy the pop culture references! The mention of 90210 brought me back to the purple high top sneakers I had with the show’s logo. I was too young to watch the show, but I loved those shoes! 

I didn’t really enjoy the main character, Cassie. I have a deep love for flawed, messy characters. In YA, I love a messy character because we all make mistakes. It’s human nature to make those mistakes and learn from them. Cassie was the epitome of perfection with the high school boyfriend, the top college and the set plan for life. She finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her—and I just felt like I’d run to the damn hills if someone wanted a “plan” with me at 17/18. 

90s nostalgia was great, but I may have enjoyed this more if a perfectionist MC wasn’t the focus of the book.

Becca Futrell

Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of The Mall by Megan McCafferty in exchange for an honest review!

Buddy read with Reg! ♥

The Mall found me at a time when I absolutely needed it. 90’s Nostalgia? Check! Absolute silliness and laughter? Check! An all-around good time that makes you want to stick around The Mall past closing time? Check!

The Mall is absolutely phenomenal and deserves so much praise. When I had time to sit down and read, I was turning page after page. It was fun, it was comical, it was nostalgic, it was adventurous (the main portion of the plot IS A GOSH DARN TREASURE HUNT) and there’s even a cute romance involved.

Of course, I have to address an issue in The Mall. While reading this book, I went back and forth so many times with: wow! Friendship! We love! to wow! This friendship is awful. So, here’s the deal & a bit of back story for you: Cassie and Drea were best friends in their middle school (elementary?) days. But, at one point, they go their separate ways & let’s be real, Drea kinda doesn’t seem that great of a person. However, they reunite & it seems as if they’re finally becoming friends again.

Here’s the kicker: they are young adults preparing for their future & Drea confides in Cassie of what she wants to do with her life. Cassie seems to be there & super supportive, but then it’s realized that she doesn’t really believe in Drea & doesn’t think that she’s’ going to get into her dream school. Basically, this situation really made me give Cassie major side-eye.

With that slight character issue I had, everything else makes up for it. There are mentions of 90210, Sam Goody, Cabbage Patch Kids, and more. Reading The Mall really threw me back in the ’90s and I loved that blast from the past. And the ending — I really appreciated how the story ended. Of course, as usual, no spoilers from me, but in general, the ending of this story felt very realistic.

The Mall really won my heart over and I’m screaming my support for this YA Contemporary from the rooftops. Check it out! You won’t regret it.

Kourtney

I grew up in the 80's and 90's when the mall was the place to BE. The boys played in the arcade. The girls shopped all over the place. Everyone met at Hot Dog On a Stick. Listened to music in Sam Goody and looked for movies nextdoor in Suncoast Video. Seeing a movie in the movie theater. Growing up where we now could have jobs in the mall. I applied for a job at Kaybee Toys, but my parents shot that down. I have a lot of memories from that time. So a story that takes place in the early 90's at the center of it all? Enter Robin Sparkles - let's go to the mall!

WHAT I LOVED: The nostalgia of it all. When there were concerts in the middle of the mall (I see you Tiffany!) and fashion shows before back to school time and prom. When you would run into what felt like everyone you knew. 

The story centered around 3 main plot points: Cassie discovering her boyfriend was cheating on her, rediscovering her old grade school best friend, and a treasure hunt involving Cabbage Patch dolls, all in the summer before she was to escape her old life by heading off to college.

I enjoyed the story for what it was - a light read that was amusing to reminisce about the time period. Was it predictable? Yes, except for the treasure at the end of the treasure hunt. I did not see that coming and it made me chuckle. Was it entertaining? If you are coming off of reading a very heavy subject matter, this book is a good palate cleanser. 

My favorite character was Cassie's old best friend, Drea. She was, by far, the most thought out character out of everyone. Everyone else was just there to help nudge the story along, but Drea actually had some heart and soul to her. She wasn't a wooden one-dimensional character to me. She stood out more to me than even Cassie did. I never got the sense that Cassie grew up at all during that summer. But Drea did. If this was a hashtag moment, I would be #teamdrea. 

WHAT MADE ME SCRATCH MY HEAD: A few things left me feeling a bit...funny. Some things that this book mentioned were the emerging grunge scene, and the Nirvana album, Nevermind, was brought up. Only this was to have taken place during the summer of 1991, and that did not get released until the fall. I remember where I was when my sister's went nuts for it. Also, there was a room in the mall where a giant stash of hidden Cabbage Patch dolls were found. Call me crazy, but if a bunch of teenagers in the 90's were able to find this room so easily, why wouldn't teenagers in the 80's have done the same thing? And with it being the craze of the early 80's, they would have used that to their advantage? 

I received this ebook via NetGalley by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Kayla | @chapterobsessed

The Mall by Megan McCafferty.

Holy 90’s nostalgia!

I knew as soon as I saw the cover, I was going to love it! It was fresh and fun and had my complete attention the whole time! Full of 90’s tv show references, music and fashion. Not to mention a scavenger hunt around a mall with an old friend all while avoiding an ex and his new girlfriend and a new crush—who at first wasn’t what you expected. All the makings of a wonderful YA novel and it didn’t disappoint! The growth this girl achieved by the end was inspiring and it made me feel all the feels! ☺️

I would definitely recommend this to my 90’s friends and those who enjoy lighthearted YA reads.

Thank you to netgalley, Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press and Megan McCafferty for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Mall A Novel

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