This is probably the last Sarah Dessen novel I remember enjoying, at least on my first time through the books. I don't think it holds up quite as well to adulthood, but it was never a favorite so perhaps my feelings haven't changed. I still think this book is quite good and a worthwhile read, but she definitely h.as better.

The best parts of this book remind me of The Truth About Forever, especially so because I just finished it earlier in the month. It feels like a very similar story with a very similar protagonist and I'd recommend picking up that one first because it's the better book (in my opinion, of course).

The worst parts of this book drag a bit. Not terribly, I was never bored, but I did find my attention lagging at points. The friendships were fine, the romance was good, the growth of Auden's character was well done, but none of it was anything special for me. It just felt like a good book, worthwhile if you're a fan of the genre, but probably not one I'd go out of my way to recommend.