Name: Jyc's review of Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Item: Saint Anything
Rating: 3
Author: Jyc

Sarah Dessen

Includes an excerpt from an upcoming novel by the author entitled 'The moon & more.'

Saint Anything

aurora

Sydney's charismatic older brother, Peyton, has always been the center of attention in the family but when he is sent to jail, Sydney struggles to find her place at home and the world until she meets the Chathams, including gentle, protective Mac, who makes her feel seen for the first time.

When Sydney's older brother is sent to jail, Sydney struggles to find her place at home and the world until she meets the Chathams, including gentle, protective Mac, who makes her feel seen for the first time. The plot contains mild profanity.

a novel

★★★ // i’ve ways liked sarah dessen’s writing style. she writes these characters and situations so vividly. this one lacks punch, though. it was a light read and is actually cute when it wants to be. has a tendency to be preachy and is far from subtle.

Rachel Kanyid

5/5!
This is definitely my favorite of Sarah Dessen's books since Just Listen!
LOVED it.

Ivy X

I forgot how much I loved Sarah Dessen's books. I related to Sydney in so many aspects in how she dealt with her friends and her family. I wanted to cry for her so many times and I related to that unfair feeling she would always get when her parents acted as if she was the "bad" kid like her brother. At the same time, I was frustrated at how her mother was dealing with the situation of her son being in prison because it was like she was deluding herself into thinking that it was a good thing. I loved Sydney's dynamics with her friends and I fell in love with Layla and Mac just as much as Sydney did. I also loved how supportive the Chatham family was to Sydney. This book just gave me all these feels and I loved it.

Jeannette Ordas

I was really excited to read this Sarah Dessen book and it delivered a decent summer read. 3.5 stars.

jess

first sarah dessen book and it was about as good as i expected. now, i am not a fan of romance, but it was very well-written.

Tracie McMurray

I really liked the different relationships explored in this novel. Dessen managed to represent all kind of tension that exist between teens and their family and friends.

Ally Gagliardo

It took me a long time to get into this book. I actually started it last year, read 5 chapters and gave up on it. But I decided to give it another go and I'm glad I did. It was definitely slow, but it was good. Sarah Dessen never fails to give great character development. You really feel like you know and love all of the characters in the book. After about the 10th chapter, I couldn't put it down!

Emi Gilmore 

This wasn't as good as I remembered it being. Also it made me want pizza but I'm broke so half a star off for that.

Julie D.

Anna Campbell

** spoiler alert **
           I liked learning about a family affected by MS, and another by the guilt of a drunk driving accident. I hated the character of Ames and enjoyed watching that play out. But the book wasn’t amazing.

Kayce Champion 

** spoiler alert **
           This was my first book back into the Sarah Dessen world. I haven’t read any of her books since I was a teenager and I remember always enjoying her stories and how they developed. She made me appreciate realistic fiction growing up. 

That being said, I do enjoy Sydney as a main character. Being described as a wallflower can be a huge miss for me especially if done unrealistically. But it makes sense. Her brother had a larger personality, was older, and got himself in a whirlwind of trouble. She didn’t want to make any waves. 

I loved how frustrating her parents are. It’s part of the element of being a teenager, right? From Sydney’s perspective, she does nothing wrong. She does her schoolwork, follows her 6 o’clock curfew to be gone on the weekdays. She even follows some of her mother’s ridiculous ideas, such as letting her brother’s creepy friend, Ames, watch her while Sydney’s parents visited her brother in prison. 

Not to mention I thoroughly enjoyed all the side characters. Layla was a favorite. I enjoyed her free-spirit in comparison to Sydney. Mac, her brother, being protective and honest. They both gave Sydney something she lacked at home and with her family and I liked that. I was confused about Rosie. She is described as secretive but she doesn’t show up much and her secret is told by Layla? I guess that was a character that got lost in the whirl of the plot. 

The Chathams made me feel homey and safe. And I like that Sydney grew to know all five of them in different ways. The mother (her name escapes me) was a favorite. Just because she always offered Sydney another perspective. 

I could relate to Sydney about carrying the guilt of others. It is something that is touched on. I wish we could’ve gotten the conversation she had with David Ibarra, but I guess it’s better to leave it as it was, to give hope to what could have happened. 

I like it. Sarah Dessen was one of my favorite YA authors growing up and she still gives me the nostalgic feeling of being transported into the small towns with stories and characters that range in likable to disgusting. It’s not the most descriptive, plot-rich story but books don’t always have to have that to be enjoyable. Sometimes it’s nice just to have something light and fun. This book was that for me.

Jessica Guht

I've noticed that what I love most about Sarah Dessen's novels are the little moments between the characters. She really romanticizes small actions that carry a big impact and it's makes me want to be more observant to actions of myself and those around me.

Kaley Catron

This book surprised me. I really should be stricter about my ratings but until I learn to do that, this book will stay a five star rating compared to my other Sarah Dessen reads. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, it didn't make me cry like I've heard it has made others cry (book tube unboxing videos) but it was much better than I was expecting, the main character wasn't a complete idiot, the best friend and the love interest ROCKED. I must say I'm impressed.

Brittney Wilson

Sydney has always felt invisible. Peyton, Sydney's brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving all the attention and, lately, concern. His reckless behaviour culminates in a shock accident, and a jail sentence, which casts Sydney adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. Enter the warm, chaotic Chatham family who accept Sydney without question. It's here that she meets Mac: gentle, watchful and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time. 'Is there anyone who can write about what matters was most to teens as well as Dessen can? I sincerely doubt it.' Jodi Picoult

Georgia Carr

I really liked this. It's been a while since I read any of Sarah Dessen's work. I think I fell into the trap of thinking her love stories are nothing but predictable and cutesy. I was so wrong. Yeah, you know who the love interest is gonna be as soon as they're introduced, but nothing happens between them until at least half way through. This book's about family and friends and secrets, and I really appreciated the maturity of the themes. Just Listen is one of my all time favourite novels and Saint Anything is really good too. Definitely worth the read :)

(view spoiler)[AMES IS SUCH A CREEP. EW. DID NOT LIKE HIM ONE BIT. But Mac... *heart eyes* (hide spoiler)]

Lila Harrison

Jen Estrella

“The future was one thing that could never be broken, because it had not yet had the chance to be anything.” 

Saint Anything alternated between light and dark tones, but it was not so ambitious as to venture into something that it’s not. With an engaging story, a relatable set of characters, and a straightforward narration, Sarah Dessen was able to again create a tale that will tug at anyone’s heartstrings, this time with romance on the side.

Oh, I almost forgot. I kept trying to figure out what the title was about. When I found out, I thought it was amazing. *winks*

Oh and one more thing... 

that cover is glorious.

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and - lately - concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident? Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac: gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

María Belén

Finally! I struggled a bit with it but I've finally finished it.
I only read one book by this author before: Just Listen, and I barely remember what was it about so I was a little hesitant about reading Saint Anything. Anyway, it wasn't as bad I first thought it'd be. The first half of the book was actually pretty good, mainly beause of Layla, Mac and their friends. Now Sydney, I just couldn't connect with her. I didn't like her, she was so passive, she did a lot of thinking but little acting. And her parents, God I hated her parents. Her father was almost useless, and her mother was so in denail it bordered on stupidity. The last half of the book was only bearable thanks to every other character that wasn't Sydney or her parents. The story itself wasn't that bad, although it wasn't anything super original, I think it could've worked if the main character had had some evolution or character development. 
What I really liked about this book were Layla, Mac, Eric and Irv. They are sweet, funny, well written characters and their scenes, specially Eric's monologues, made me laugh and I enjoyed reading about them. 
All in all, it's an okay book and it can be quite enjoyable if you look pass the boring main character.

I had gotten into Sarah Dessen a few years ago, took a break, got into Nicholas Sparks, took another break and am back at it again and it just didn't have that same spark as her other books.

It had some pretty good ideals and lessons, but it seemed to drag on. Many of the side plots I found my self skimming over, especially the whole band part.

The Mac and Sydney relationship seemed boring and seemingly forced, and Layla was great at the beginning but didn't really evolve from there. I really enjoyed Mrs. Chatham and I found myself getting really emotional whenever there was a problem with her.

I completely could not stand Sydney's parents. The father literally did nothing the entire book and then he saves her at the end. The whole plot with Ames I feel could have been better constructed, it seemed very rushed and I wish Dessen hadn't dragged it out.

Her mother though...her mother made me want to rip the book in two. She actually went so far as to blame the Iberra kid instead of Payton, which upset me to say the least.

I enjoyed the evolution of Sydney and Peyton's relationship, but the whole Iberra guy and her going to apologize as well as it being open ended bugged me.

Overall, not worth staying up all night to finish it, but glad the cover is pretty ♡

Ruth Parker 

This was a nice easy read and I enjoyed Sarah Dessen’s writing, with believable and likeable characters. But not much happened during the story. I kept waiting for more. Instead it was just a slice of life with no big events really taking place. 
This was my first Sarah Dessen and I will read more... but I want more next time!

Michelle Boyea

Incredible book!!! I love Sarah Dessen as an author and I have never been disappointed by any of her novels. This book had a new plot line that was different from others that she has written. I love the way Sarah Dessen writes of situations that teens can face as they are growing up. She writes about the tough issues and presents it in a way that you can relate to the main characters and not feel alone. Which is what is needed. 

I borrowed this book from the library but now I'm going to buy it off Amazon. Thanks Sarah Dessen!!!

Rose

"I was used to being invisible. People rarely saw me, and if they did, they never looked close." 

Just like her book Just Listen, Saint Anything has struck a cord inside of me. This book has nearly brought me to tears and gave me a different way to look at things. 

A good book, in my opinion, always has a way of making you understand things and realize things. Saint Anything has done that for me. I walked in their shoes and it's different, like a breath of fresh air. 

The characters all have their challenges. It shows how someone's actions doesnt hurt them but everyone around them. 

I still cannot express how this book has made me feel.

Megan Leprich

Completely different than anything she's written and oh so good. cannot wait for her next one!

b.andherbooks

This is only the second Sarah Dessen novel I've read (The Truth About Forever was my first) and I have to say the main characters are pretty similar in both of these stories. That said, I thought Saint Anything was excellently plotted, the full cast of characters was well-rounded, human, and relate-able, and I was riveted throughout the story. 

I did have to peek ahead while reading regarding the "Creepy Guy" because the tension was killing me and I did find myself yelling at the book regarding this (TELL SOMEONE! KICK HIM IN THE NUTS!). Good job Sarah Dessen. However, how that plot point was resolved did bug me a little (view spoiler)[Ames the creepy guy finally takes the creepiness to the physical attack level and if Sydney's dad hadn't been there I'm pretty sure she would have been raped. Holy traumatic Batman, but this incident is basically brushed off with little ramification to either Sydney or Ames. She decided not to press charges?! Come on. (hide spoiler)]

Also, I loved Mac and Layla, and their entire clan. I want to be in that family. Give Layla a book too please.

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