Just Listen

Reader reviewed by The Book Girl

Annabel is alone. When Sophie moved to town, Annabel ditched her only true friend for her. But now Sophie has turned on her and that leaves Anna nobody to turn to. Except Owen, who never talks to anybody, only listens to his IPod all the time. There've been many rumors about him but as they get to know each other she sees that the rumors where mostly just that. That Owen is a wonderful person who might just be able to help her put her life back together.

I love all of Sarah Dessens books, but this one is by far one of my favorite. I love how you get to piece information together through out the book instead of it just laying it out for you; Especially the part about the night everything fell apart for Sophie and Annabel. Owen is my favorite character by far. Hes so caring and honest, and I like how he never lies. The book goes into problems at school and home, including the ones with her sister dealing with an eating disorder from modeling. Everything about this book was amazing and the ending was looking brighter if not actually able to be called happyily ever after. You could tell that everything would eventually be ok.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

I happen to be a huge Sarah Dessen fan, so I might be a bit in my reviews of her books. But this really was a great book, just as great as all her other books.

This book was about Annabel, who while pretending to have a glamorous life in the commercials she does, doesn't really have the perfect life. She is plagued with a sick sister, drama with her best friend, wanting to quit modeling, and having no friends. But then she meets Owen, a loner who is dead honest and whom Annabel comes to befriend. But in time, Annabel discovers that she can never really move on with her life until she confronts the past.

Reader reviewed by Barbie

Sarah Dessen is my favorite author, and Just Listen, her latest novel is my favorite book. A girl who was raped by her best friend's boyfriend now has no friends because it looked like she was acting slutty with him. Her old best friend calls her a slut and whore and she's all alone. Besides that, her older sister is recovering from an eating disorder. Annabel, the protaganist, doesn't tell anyone what happened to her. She keeps the haunting secret in her heart, until finally Owen makes her realize that sometimes one just has to listen and the answers are inside them.

Reader reviewed by Randi

Imagine you're on tv being you're exact opposite. For Annabel being a model whos life in commercials looks like she has it made contradicts what her life is with no friends and a sister Whitney struggling with anorexia. She use to really have an amazingly life with amazing friends until a falling out with her best friend's boyfriend tried to rape Annabel, and hr best friend wouldn't believe her. Then she meets a guy who allows hr to open hr eyes and ears to hear whats really going on. In this compelling novel about a girls struggle of almost being raped you get to go through a battle within herself which finally leads her into trialing her "almost" rapist. I sincerely think you'll enjoy it.

Reader reviewed by Dominique

Annabel has had a rough summer, losing friends that had once been very close. Some of her family members have been experiencing rocky times as well, which has taken a toll on Annabel as well. Relationships between many have become fragile and Annabel finds herself putting on a smile and pretending that nothing is wrong. Avoiding confrontations at all costs, Annabel is hardly the girl that had it allpopular friends, a modeling job, and a perfect familyany more. The truth seems too hard to bear, and Annabel finds it easier to hide behind lies than to face reality. That is, until she meets Owen. Owen, the guy who always tells the truth. Owen, the guy who loves music. Owen, the guy who thinks silence is too loud. Owenthe boy who turns Annabels life upside down. The two become quick friends, and Owen helps Annabel come out from her shell and web of lies and helps her confront her problems and fears. Annabel must find herself again and do what she wants, instead of what everyone else wants for once. The truth is rarely ever easy to face, but can Owen help her come to terms with her troubles and help her find the courage to reveal the truth?

This is definitely my favorite book by Sarah Dessen so far! It was a touching, highly enjoyable read that had believable characters and emotions that Im sure some readers can connect to!

Reader reviewed by Sara

"Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least that's who she plays in the commercial for Kopf's Department Store: top student, popular cheerleader, dazzling prom queen surrounded by friends. In real life Annabel is the girl who ahs nothing: no best friend since her friendship with mean-but-exciting Sophie ended with malicious rumors flying, no peace at home while her older sister's eating disorder preoccupies the family, and no ability to tell anyone what's on her mind. And then she meets Owen Armstrong - intense, obsessed with music, and determined to tell the truth, no matter what the consequences. Can a girl who hates confrontation find a way to connect with a guy who thrives on it? And can Annabel find the courage to tell what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?"

Sarah Dessen is one of the first young adult authors I ever read and I was instantly hooked. She knows how to appeal to teen readers, finding a way to connect with everyone. Just Listen is her most recently published book and, once again, it is fantastic. Annabel is a character that most everyone can relate to. Many teen girls have been estranged from people they love at one time or another, whether it was friends or family. Annabel gives readers courage to face their fears of confronting people and solve their problems. Owen is a good love interest, giving Annabel the strength she needs and introducing her to a whole new world.

Reader reviewed by Amanda Marasco

One night Annabel goes to a party with her friends but when she's caught in a compromising position with her best friends boyfriend....well let's just say they're more like enemies now. Even though that night was horrible for Annabel. Everyone at school that matters seems to hate Annabel because of the rumors her old "friend" has spread about her. Except of course for Owen. Owen befriends Annabel when she needs it.

OH MY GOSH! This book is one of my favorite books ever! I mean seriously! I have NO complaints. The book was so realistic and touching! You can't help but relate to at least one of the characters or issues!

Go buy this book right now!

Reader reviewed by Kris

This book is one of the best ever. in fact, Owen Armstrong? my 2cd favorite fictional character ever. this is an amazing story about a girl who was hiding a secret that was gnawing away at her. in fact, I thing I started crying at least three times while reading this book. after reading this book, I honestly just had to sit back and thing about friendships that were destroyed, secrets I've kept, and secrets I know others are keeping. this book touched me which makes this one of my favorite books ever. hands down. this book is amazing and everyone I know who has read this simply loves it.

Reader reviewed by Amanda Wade

"Don't think, don't judge, just listen"  I loved that quote from the book and it's something that I wish more people would do. In 'Just Listen' Annabel was almost raped at a party she went to and her own friend Sophie didn't even try to listen to what had happened. The whole year Annabel just went through the whole year at school with all the rumors and everyone ignoring her or talking about her. She didn't say anything. I can also get that, I get why she didn't say anything not even to her family. Because she was scared, it's not an easy thing to say. And because there was all those things happening with her sisters. And she was sure that no one would actually listen.
Then she met Owen, who always told the truth. He wouldn't say things just to be mean or just to say them but if you asked him, he would tell you the truth. I really liked Owen. The way he just told the truth without hiding anything, just the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if he didn't really want to all the time was refreshing for me.
In the book there was another thing that stuck with me. It was after Owen asked how Annabel's family could tell when something was wrong with her and she had thought 'They can't'. That for me really stuck with me too because that's the same for me sometimes. Sometimes no one can tell if you have a problem, even if they're you're family.
All in all I really loved the this book.

This is a beautiful book about family, and living with the past! It's touching really. Sarah Dessen never fails to bring me to tears!