Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list.

On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back?

Apple picking at night?
Okay, easy enough.

Dance until dawn?
Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger?
Um…

Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane’s list. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go skinny-dipping?
Wait…what?

 

Thoughts before you started reading Since You’ve Been Gone?
CHRISSI: I was completely the other way around to Luna. I loved Second Chance Summer, but couldn’t really get on with Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour. I was excited to see whether I enjoyed this book as much as Second Chance Summer.

LUNA: Having read both Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour (loved it) and Second Chance Summer (mixed feelings) I knew I’d get lost in Morgan Matson’s storytelling but I just wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the characters in this story.

What did you think of Emily?
CHRISSI: I thought she was a likeable character who you could really see grow throughout the book. It was lovely to see her come out of her shell and become more confident.

LUNA: Initially Emily comes across as a little bland because all her descriptions were in comparison to Sloane (which is the point) but I loved how much character development there is in this book.
You really get to go on a journey with Emily.

Best bit?
CHRISSI: I really loved when Emily was completing items from Sloane’s list. There was a really nice element of humour in the story, which I wasn’t expecting.

LUNA: Honestly the whole book. Morgan Matson has this way of just pulling you into a story from the beginning. There’s a good mix of humour and sincerity in the character’s feelings, not just Emily’s. I also really like the playlists.

Worst bit?:
CHRISSI: There were a couple of really cheesy conversations which made me cringe, but didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story!

LUNA: While I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it and I wasn’t happy with the conclusion – Emily and Frank’s relationship is predictable.

Favourite character / moment?
CHRISSI: There was never a character that I didn’t like! Morgan Matson really does write some beautiful characters.

LUNA: A lot of the tasks on the list made me smile but I think the one I liked best was the “hug a Jaime” because it was when Emily really committed herself to doing them. Another part in the story I really thought worked was when Collins and Emily had their ‘honesty hat’ conversation.

I think Collins might actually have been my favourite character, he just was – you know what I mean?

Was Since You’ve Been Gone what you expected?
CHRISSI: Yes. I wasn’t sure whether this was going to make me feel as much as Second Chance Summer. It did, but in very different ways. I think Second Chance Summer had more of an emotional impact on me, but Since You’ve Been Gone still made me feel warm and fuzzy.

LUNA: Yes and I liked Emily so now I’m back on the Morgan Matson bandwagon, though Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour is still my favourite. 🙂

Would you recommend it?
CHRISSI: Of course!

LUNA: Absolutely

Previously reviewed by Luna:

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour 

Second Chance Summer