The review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs 
 Reading a Sarah Dessen book is a lot like coming home after being away on a trip. It's comforting and it's familiar. She has this thing about her writing that just makes you feel you are where you are supposed to be. I first encountered it when I read my first Dessen, Along for the Ride, then again when I read my favorite Dessen, The Truth About Forever, and every other Dessen book after. The Moon and More, my latest Dessen read definitely fit right in with the rest. 
 The story in The Moon and More is about Emaline, a girl from Colby (yes, that Colby!) that is spending her last summer in her small coastal town before heading to college. All her life she has been content with the small town life with her mom, stepdad, sisters and boyfriend. But Emaline's father wants more for her as does the new boy from New York, Theo. As college gets closer and closer Emaline's safe, comfortable world starts shifting and unraveling. Does Emaline have to stay stagnant in Colby where she knows and loves everything or can she accept the changes and still hold all that is dear to her in her heart? 
 I'm not gonna lie, The Moon and More is a quiet book. The pace is not quick, but the story is still there. Actually that was my favorite part of the book, Emaline's story. Usually I'm a romance gal. I love the romantic relationship/dating aspect of books. The one in The Moon and More though didn't do it for me. What did was Emaline and her family, Emaline and Daisy, Emaline and Morris, Emaline and Benji, and Emaline and Colby itself. Those things were the stars of the book. Emaline learned who she was by her connections to the people in her life and the small town she loved. She was able to grow and make mistakes but also know who was on her side and always would be. For once with me it wasn't about the girl and her boyfriend, but about the girl embracing change and understanding it didn't mean you had to lose who you are in the process. 
 As I said before, reading The Moon and More was like coming home. It was a quintessential Sarah Dessen book. It had a main character with a voice and a setting that you will want to hop in a car and head to immediately. One of those good summer reads. Thank you once again for giving me that feeling Ms. Dessen.