This Lullaby & Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Published: May 27th, 2002 by: Speak 

Genres: YA, Contemporary, Romance

Format: ebook Source: Library

My Rating: 3 Stars 

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When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn’t mess around. After all, she’s learned all there is to know from her mother, who’s currently working on husband number five. But there’s something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy’s rules. He certainly doesn’t seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can’t seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy’s starting to understand what those love songs are all about?

 

My Thoughts

I can totally see why a lot of Dessen fans love this book. I, however, wasn’t that thrilled with it. My lack of enthusiasm comes from not liking Remy. Like, at all. And then there’s Dexter. I’m not a cynic, but he is just too darn cheery and forward for me. He reminds me a lot of Theo from The Moon and More. I wanted to love this, but there was way too much playing hard-to-get from Remy. She is not one to be falling in love, if her mother is to go by. Dexter comes in and is relentless. That’s really all there is to it.

The Lullaby aspect comes from her absent, musician father – who wrote her a song. She’s really messed up when it comes to opening up to love because of her parents. Her mom is on hubby number 5, so you can understand her hesitance. Which is all that I understood from this story. Everything else was pretty much boring work. Remy just isn’t a Dessen protagonist that I love. Clearly I’m on my own here, but you may totally love this book. Everyone else does. Recommended.

 

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Published: September 1st, 2000 by: Speak

Genres: YA, Contemporary, Abuse, Realistic Fiction

Format: ebook Source: Library

My Rating: 4 Stars 

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Wake up, Caitlin

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He’s magnetic. He’s compelling. He’s dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else–her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

 

My Thoughts

Show of hands, who remembers Rogerson from Lock & Key? He was just the looser sitting around at Perkin’s Day at the time. I should have known he’d have his own story. Listen up, this book is for all parents/guardians to give to their teen daughters, and advise them that whatever is in this book, is WHAT NOT TO DO. There is lots of abuse, and even though the abuser gets abused too, it is no excuse. He, of all people knows how it feels to get hit for no reason. OMG, this story almost caused apoplexy. I loved it because it is not what the title suggests. Dreamland is for Caitlin and her runaway sister, Cass. The fallout behind Cass causes Caitlin to want to break free and do what she wants. Yet, we have another parent invested too much in the absent child, and not enough in the present one. Caitlin meets Rogerson and she starts abusing drugs and alcohol, and then that first slap comes. Then the punches. And Caitlin can’t walk away or tell anyone. She fears making him angry. She wants her mom to “SEE” her. Her best friend notices the most changes in her, but Caitlin refuses to bend. It. Is. Disturbing. 

I love that Dessen wrote a book that centers around a teen in an abusive relationship. Remember, this is what not to do. I could say Caitlin pissed me off, but she was just a lost girl and I don’t do victim blaming. Hell, there are grown women who can’t get out of abusive relationships, and Caitlin is only 16. Caitlin’s emotions were very realistic, and I was very much scared for her. If you are able to tackle hard subjects like abuse – both drugs/alcohol & physical – then you may want to brave this book. Another Dessen favorite for my contemporary YA shelf. Recommended!

 

Also by this author: Saint Anything | Lock and Key | What Happened To Goodbye | The Truth About Forever | Keeping the Moon | Along for the Ride | The Moon and More