The Moon And More by Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen has always been a part of my life. I grew up reading her books and I continue to do so as I verge on that scary journey that takes me out of the Young Adult category. This particular book really stood out to me. I related to it so much and it tugged at my heartstrings for personal reasons. It has been such a long time since I've read a book that didn't revolve around romantic love and it was such a nice change of pace. I was so happy with the way the book ended as well since it didn't leave me wanting more. The unique thing about Sarah Dessen's books is that they all take place within the same setting. They don't necessarily overlap, but you can point out places and people who have appeared in her other books. They're a whole connection conversation which I will link here. It's such a fascinating read and you'll finally get that sense of peace knowing that no, you're not crazy, that bike shop appeared in one of her other books.

Favorite Quotes:

• "She wanted so much for me: the moon and more."

• "In Colby I'd found that people either wanted to stay forever (and usually did) or couldn't wait to get gone and never look back (ditto)."

• "But as was so often the case, it was the one person missing who you thought about more than the ones who were right in front of you."

• "He didn't play it cool. He didn't play at anything. He just was, and it made me want to be, too."

• "We were willing to do so much for the people we loved, even if it meant hurting ourselves."

• "Life is long. Just because you don't get your chance right when you want or expect it doesn't mean it won't come. Fate doesn't punch a time clock or consult a schedule."

• "I was never broken. I didn't need you to fix me."

• "No matter what he thought, I wasn't a problem or a mistake. I was his daughter. And despite all of this, and him, I was going to be just fine."

• "That was the problem, though. When you've never gotten love from someone, you don't know what it might look like if it ever does appear. You look for it in everything: any bright light overhead could be a star."

• "The ocean had always been my constant and usually all it took was finding it- on the horizon, over the next hill, in the far corner of a window- to feel calmer and know where I stood."