Since You've Been Gone, in addition to cuing Kelly Clarkson in your head, recounts the summer when Emily gets over her insecurities about making friends and enjoying new things. Though a simple idea, the story is well-told with relatable situations, believable dialogue, a hint of mystery, and a plethora of poor parenting examples. Emily's best friend Sloane suddenly leaves town at the beginning of the summer leaving Emily with an intimidating to-do list. Motivated by thinking the completion of the list will bring back her friend, Emily starts tackling the challenges and builds new relationships in the process. It was fun to read a stand-alone YA book (and this one was an Addicted to YA BOTM for 2014) with a very realistic story that wasn't sappy or overly angsty. The story made me nostalgic for when trying new things seemed like such a big-deal, sometimes scary and potentially life altering. Few books make me think fondly on being a teenager. I'll will definitely be checking out the author's other books.