Fun fact about me? I’ve been reading Sarah Dessen books for the longest time. I don’t remember what the first one I picked up was, but after it, I quickly started requesting them from the library. I saw the combination “How to Deal” movie with Mandy Moore (and still picture her as the main character whenever I read it) and I can pick up on many of the references from previous books that Dessen will include in later books (#hatespinnerbait).
Since I’m still addicted to young adult fiction, I ordered a copy of Saint Anything as soon as my library got it in. It took forever for me to get my copy (it came out May 5th and I was person 28 on the holds list), but I basically devoured it as soon as it arrived.
I knew right away that this might be my new favorite Dessen book and I needed to share it.
Why? The girl’s story doesn’t revolve around a male love interest.
Dessen generally does a good job of not having the girl’s life revolve around a boy and have there be bigger issues, but in this case? She blows it out of the park.
Before I go further, a quick summary from Goodreads: Peyton, Sydney’s charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion’s share of their parents’ attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton’s increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?
Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
So yes, there’s a boy and yes he’s involved in the book, but Saint Anything tells Sydney’s story and how she’s growing to find her place. In fact, the boy is woven in so seamlessly to the friends and family, that the love interest angle could be removed and the story would still flow perfectly.
I know it’s a little odd that I droned on about this, but it was so refreshing to read Saint Anything and it’s getting me more excited for what Dessen puts out next.
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