This Lullaby

Reader reviewed by Wiesteria

Remy knows from her mothers many failed marriages that
happily-ever-after does not exist and that the best relationship is a
temporary fling, which is exactly what she needs for the summer before
college. Until Dexter literally crashes into her. He is everything she
dislikes in a guymessy, gangly, and a musicianbut he is also
relentless and she cannot shake him off.  Suddenly none of her previous
relationship rules applies and Remy finds herself wondering if the
summer fling she so wanted is even possible anymore.

Remy is a character that, if done incorrectly, can become extremely
irritating. She is confident, accomplished, and has seen it all. People
refer to her as a cold-hearted bitch, which she takes pride it in. You
can call her cynical, but she no doubt sees herself as realistic. Such a
self-assured character is very difficult to portray and Dessen does it
well, by not going too over the top with the cynicism and blending in
some vulnerability that readers can identify with when they read about
how witnessing failed relationships has shaped Remys view of life. She
is a three dimensional character who, though is perfectly in control of
her life, is too afraid to take the risks necessary to connect with
other people. Dexter, on the other hand, is her complete foil, which is
probably why she finds it so hard to handle him. He is assertive,
impulsive, andunlike herbelieves in fairytale stuff like destiny. He
is not good-looking in the traditional sense, but his charisma is
overwhelming and seeps out of the pages. He dives headfirst into love,
something that Remy does not dare to do and that is what ultimately
makes her so attracted to him. Their relationship has an incredibly
awkward and tender feel to it, and Dessen skillfully uses it soften up
Remys otherwise harsh personality.

But this really is not a love story in the sense that the
relationship really is not the focus. While Remys relationship with
Dexter certainly is the catalyst for her character development, This Lullaby
as a whole is about Remy growing into herself, about her learning to
relax and take life as it is rather than continuously shielding herself
from it. Dessen has the setting down pat: the summer before going off to
college. This, in anyones life, is a monumental moment. It is a time
of change, a time of goodbyes and a time of anticipation. Remy, who will
be traveling all the way across the country, is leaving behind all that
she has known and even if she claims to be glad about it, the
uncertainty is still there. She struggles with her identity, of her
place in her mothers marriage, of her place as her brothers confidante
now that he has a girlfriend, and of her place with her own friends who
are surprised at the change she undergoes after she meets Dexter.
Ultimately, the romantic relationship matters little compared to whether
Remy can come out as a stronger person in the end.

This Lullaby is a slice-of-life story, a story of growing up
and learning that love exists, but requires a bit of pain and a lot
compromise. The writing flows and draws you in extremely quicklyI was
lost the minute I read the first line. Remys voice is dominant
throughout the entire book and resonates strongly within me, even though
I myself am not a control-freak with a chip on my shoulder. Her
insecurities and worries are understandable for someone with her
childhood and you just cannot help but root for her. This is a perfect
example of what good YA fiction should read like. It is a shame that
Sarah Dessen is one of the few authors who can pull it off.

Reprinted from my blog: www.reviewsrantsandramblings.wordpress.com

Oh, this book was so good. The name Remy is freaking adorable, and then I see the name Dexter and I'm thanking Mrs. Dessen for even being alive. She always seems to write the most beautiful novels, with the same formula. But that's okay, it works. And she wrote the character Dexter, and I can only hope somewhere out there he is real!

I have read all of Sarah Dessen’s book and they are all amazing and deserve a read from everyone.

This Lullaby just kept surprising me and surprising me. Through every twist and turn I thought I knew what was coming next, but then SURPRISE, no I didn't. The characters really got to me and I WISH with a power in me that even wishing wells would be surprised about, that this would turn into a sequel.

But, have no fear, because I think Sarah Dessen liked her characters for than usual as well because...they do come back! Yay! Not quite in a series, but in Just Listen they're hidden in there.

So once you're done with this book but are still suffering from your book hangover, read Just Listen.

I highly recommend this book. It is incredible which is no surprise. Sarah Dessen never seems to disappoint.

I don't really read contemporary or general fiction type of books as i'm more of a paranormal kinda girl but whenever i see one of Sarah Denssen's books, i pick it up. her style of writing is different and not predictable and i love it.

Remy likes control and order in her world and when lanky, i'm in a band Dexter bumps her, she has some difficulty getting her bearing.
I didn't expect the outcome of this story and i liked it. The characters all have their on little story to tell just by their actions and i would have liked this to be a series.
One thing i got out of this book is this; don't be so scared of change, sometimes change is good.

I like all of Sarahs books and this one is no exception.

Reader reviewed by Kristen

Well, you've undoubtfully read many reviews and different versions on the plot of this book. So I'm just going to express my opinion of it. I loved it! It was so down-to-earth when it came to relationships- between your boyfriend, your friends, or your parents. And Remi's fear of love in a real relationship is something many of us can relate to. I know I can. And the fact that they made a movie based on this just blows me away! You might have seen "How To Deal". Well that movie was made from this and another Sarah Desson book.(Which by the way is also really great!) Sarah Desson is a terrific writer- I haven't read one of hers that I didn't like yet! And I'm sure you'll like this as well.

Reader reviewed by safia

Remy, who is 18 and ready to go to college, has a rule about relationships. Ditch them when it gets ready to be serious and involving long term commitment. She's seen her mother, on her fifth marriage, failing at love. And her father, who she's never met, has a song 'This Lullaby' saying that he knows he has let her down. So Remy is a skeptic about love. She skips from guy to guy never stopping to love or have a boyfriend for long. Until Dexter.

He's not like any other guy she's dated. He breaks all of her rules and manages into Remy's heart. He's also in a band...

Sarah Dessen is a great author. After loving her other books, i had really high expectations for 'This Lullaby'. And i say it wasn't as good as her other books. The beginning didn't really captivate my attention, though i gradually began to love the characters and fall into Dessen's mesmerizing trance.

A tough girl, a hot guy in a band, and a few heartbreaking scenes. A good novel to read and several lessons on love to be learned.

Reader reviewed by Cassie

Remy is known as the tough girl.  Sure, she can plan her mother's 5th wedding easily.  But when it comes to commitment, not her forte.  Remy Starr's mother Barbara Starr, romance novel author, has been married oh, 4 or 5 times.  This makes Remy believe love is not real, but that doesn't stop her from dating every guy in the book and breaking up with them out of nowhere.  So, what makes Dexter so different?

This book demonstrates an excellent message.  This Lullaby talks about leaving before you are left, but then a nice twist with learning to let people in.  I would recommend this book for ages 13-16.  Thsi Lullaby is a one of a kind novel.  Sarah Dessen is an excellent author and I can't wait to read more!

Reader reviewed by bookmac

Remy doesn't believe in love... ah! She is hardly even phased when she finds out that her boyfriend cheated on her, the only reason she was even slightly upset was because she didn't want people feeling bad for her.

She has a big group of friends, all varying in personality. Over the summer she meets this guy who might actually prove her suspicions of love, wrong. It all started when she went to ask her mom's fiance (yes, the fifth one) a question at his auto/car shop. This guy, Dexter comes has been eyeing her the whole time shes standing there, until he finally approaches her. he says he feels that there was just a certain chemistry he felt between himself and Remy. Of course she didn't feel it... or did she? Is she just denying it to herself?Remy discovers a deep secret about herself.

I thought this book was very well written and explained. The characters' feelings were displayed well and realistoc (in my opinion) for the character's age. The difficult situations Remy finds herself in, are leaving her confused, and in the end she has to do what is best for herself and stop trying to please and help everyone else around her. she has to live her life.