Sweethearts

DONT BUY, The start of this books is great, i loved it but then it went in a stupid direction, it shouldnt be called sweethearts because it has nothing to do with it, this could have been a great storey but the author must have been punched in the head before finishing it because its stupid, stupid ending, i wish i could have back all those hours i wasted reading it. She pumps it up, you think there going to end up together or something, but then you get nothing, a waste of money, time.

Nine-year-old Jennifer Harris, cursed with a lisp and baby fat, is friendless until she gets up to the courage to talk to Cameron Quick, a poor, awkward boy who is also a social outcast. They are instant soul mates until Cameron mysteriously moves away without saying good bye. Eight years later Jennifer Harris has become Jenna Vaughn, a skinny, popular high-schooler with a hunky boyfriend. Yet she is still haunted by the memories of her childhood friend. When Cameron suddenly reappears at school, Jenna finds it increasingly difficult to keep up her new image and at the same time hide from her past and the horrific secret they share.

I compulsively read this book until I finished but didn't know what to think afterward. Initially I felt a little let down by the melancholy mood it left me in. Though this is ultimately a hopeful story about love between two teens, it's definitely not another teen romance novel. I knew this going into it, but I didn't expect it to be quite as heartbreaking. That being said, Zarr writes excellent characters in whom you become emotionally invested. Her deftly woven flashbacks of the unspeakable experience they shared do make it a real page turner. Zarr's portrayal of the power of childhood relationships and the permanent marks they make is spot-on. I felt both for the characters and for myself. It brought some of my childhood and teenage wounds to the surface - close friendships that never saw closure; memories of childhood bullying and social exclusion that still hurt. For better or for worse, this is realistic teen fiction at its best

I've had my eye on a few Sara Zarr books for a while- her intriguing real life issue synopsis have always sort of drawn me in. I picked up Sweethearts after a friend of mine kept nagging me to read it, she claimed I'd enjoy it. Sweethearts is a hard book to write a review for, I found that I have this sort of Love/Hate relationship with it.

Jennifer and Cameron used to be best friends; they were both social outcasts, which is ultimately what brought them together. They didn't care what anybody else thought about them as long as they had each other. But then Cameron stops coming to school, and Jennifer learns from the bullies at school he's passed away and now Jenna doesn't have anyone to fall back on. A year later, in a new town and at a new school Jenna, has reinvented herself and now even has a boyfriend. But a sudden visit from once upon a time best friend Cameron may just threaten everything.

We get to know the younger Jennifer and Cameron little by little in this book through flashbacks that revolve around a pivotal event that shakes both characters emotionally as children in the book. Sweethearts was a bit of a mystery in the beginning, we're trying to uncover the detail of their traumatic experience and why it had such a dramatic after effect. When we do finally find out what went down one day all those years ago I found it to be extremely disturbing and sad, and I finally understood why both Jennifer and Cameron reacted they way they did and why Cameron left.

After Cameron's absence, Jennifer drops a significant number of pounds, changes her name to Jenna and moves schools. She succeeds as the new Jenna- and is living the life she always dreamed off hanging out with the popular crowd, having a hot boyfriend, Ethan and is finally being the person she wants to be...but at what cost? When Cameron pops back into her life Jenna reverts back to her old ways, she turns towards binge eating disorder to deal with her overwhelming emotions.

Jenna constantly struggles with who she was then and who she is now and it's a very interesting to watch. The years of torment and bullying affect her on a daily basis, even though she is safe from it all now. The relationship between Jenna and Cameron is also very emotional to watch, they were both involved an in traumatic experience, one neither of them have properly recovered from. It's quite obvious these two characters are sort of meant to be together, in all their dysfunctional wounded ways which is what sort of annoyed me at the end when they didn't.

I think the ending is really what ruined it for me, I felt it was properly finished, like I hadn't had my closure with the characters, but I think this was due to the fact that the characters never got closure with each other. Jenna and Cameron just sort of leave each other's lives again.

Sweethearts is a very interesting story, it shows the strength of friendship and how the past truly shapes us into the person we will be in the future.

This book kept me hooked the whole time, I wanted the two misfit kids to get together so badly...then the ending totally let me down. It really didn't explain anything!! Just kinda gave you a so is life "The End" ending. I literally flipped through the blank pages saying "Is that it???" At first I said to myself "she must be writting a squel" But sadly I soon found that answer is no. So this book leaves you hanging...

3.5 Stars - While reading this book I didn't know what to feel. I was confused throughout and maybe that was partially from the fact that our main character Jennifer - now Jenna was confused and troubled from beginning to almost the end.

We see her and her best friend Cameron at nine years old struggling with bullies and their home lives. It was hard to see both struggle, but the bond they had just was something that people are lucky to find once in a lifetime. When Cameron moves away she's left alone to fend for herself. She's told some tragic news and her life becomes even more depressing. I felt that even at that young age Cameron and Jennifer were somewhat of soul mates and they needed each other more then even their parents understood.

A few years later Jennifer's mother gets married and they move. She takes this time to reinvent herself. She changes everything about her, even her name to Jenna to make sure she never has to live the way she did during her grade school years, but Cameron is always there in her memories.

Now in high school she has great friends, a boyfriend, and lives in a nice house. Everything she could ever want. No matter how much she changes in others eyes, she can't keep herself but thinking about that little 9 year old boy, Cameron and just what that friendship meant to her, what he meant to her. He was really the only person in the world who knew, understood and loved her for who she was inside and out.

On her 17th birthday Jenna always remembers back to that birthday she can't soon forget, one that would forever change her and Cameron for the rest of their lives. Later that night she shocked to find a note from Cameron, whom she hasn't seen or talked to since they were 9.

The majority of this story is told in present day showing her feelings for her mom, step dad, friends, boyfriend and Cameron with flash backs to grade school and that birthday that changed everything. We see Jenna struggle to cope and figure out whom she is more so then who she's transformed herself into.

This was a story that was layered by the relationship past and present between Jennifer/Jenna and Cameron and the fall out of the bullies and events from so long ago. Jenna has changed but she's still the damaged person from the past and with Cameron there she's bound to have to face some truths.

I haven't read anything by Zarr before and I can say that I'm sure to pick something up by this author again. It was well written with unforgettable characters. If you haven't read this book yet and are looking for something non paranormal... since I know many of us tend to read more of that these days, then you should look into this book. Enjoy!

For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - [..] - A Life Bound By Books

Nine year olds Jennifer and Cameron are the outcasts at their school. Jennifer is overweight, shy, and withdrawn, and Cameron, who comes from an abusive home is just well--different. Both are endlessly teased, and they somehow find each other and form a deep connection. Until one day Cameron doesn't show up at school, and the teacher says he moved. To say Jennifer is hurt because he didn't say goodbye is an understatement. She's crushed and just doesn't understand. Then one day the bullies at recess tell her that Cameron died. When her own mother doesn't tell her differently, Jennifer is devastated and decides that the only way she can survive is to bury the person she is with him.

Eight years later, Jennifer is now Jenna, and she's completely reinvented herself. She's in great shape, goes to a different school, and has lots of friends, including a boyfriend Ethan, the handsomest boy in school. Externally, she seems happy and seems to have the perfect life. Internally, she struggles to keep "Jennifer" inside and is haunted by a terrifying experience that occurred at Cameron's house on her ninth birthday. On her seventeenth birthday, she discovers that Cameron did not die and that he's in her town. Memories and suppressed feelings come flooding back as she struggles to cope with this news.

Has their connection remained strong after all these years? Why didn't he try to contact her before? Why didn't her mother tell her the truth? What exactly happened at Cameron's house so many years ago? Do Jenna and Cameron still have such a strong connection after all these years? Will Jenna leave Ethan for Cameron? Can she keep Jennifer inside? Sara Zarr's second novel Sweethearts answers all these questions through a profound and gut-wrenching story.

Zarr does an exceptional job of drawing you in and make you FEEL Jenna's emotions. As I was reading, I felt a lump in the pitt of my stomach as Jenna relived the horrifying day at Cameron's house. I felt anger, confusion, heartache, and fear as Jenna struggles with Cameron's return and all of the emotions that come flooding in with it.

From the very first chapter I was hooked as I read the following passage:

"Other memories stick, no matter how much you wish they wouldn't. They're like a song you hate but can't ever get completely out of your head, and this song becomes the background noise of your entire life, snippets of lyrics, and lines of music floating up and then receding, a crazy kind of tide that never stops." (p. 5, Advanced Reader Copy).

In addition to resounding passages like this one, Zarr is careful not to make Jenna "too adult." She expertly reminds us that Jenna is seventeen through carefully crafted scenarios that take us inside the head of a teenager. Jenna grapples with friendships, her weight and self-image, boyfriends, the pressure to have sex, the pressure to drink--things that many young adults can identify with.

It's evident that Sara Zarr poured her heart and soul into this book, and I can't even remember the last time I read a book that resonated with me as much as Sweethearts did. If you liked Story of a Girl,you will love Sweethearts.

Originally posted at The Well-Read Child.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this one, and I might not ever be. Though interesting, the premise was strange and I'm unsure what I gained from reading this.

The concept of this book was lovely and I enjoyed the plot of the story the entire way through.

Jenna--Jennifer--was an intriguing character, who had changed drastically from elementary school to become a seemingly self-assured and confident teenager. She was perpetually worried about people finding out how she'd been in elementary school, which I didn't really understand, but the barrier this created between her and other people was interesting.

I loved her relationship with Ethan and with each of her friends, who definitely felt like they were each people instead of wooden characters meant to fill the cafeteria tables. Her mother and step-father also were fascinating.

Cameron felt a little ethereal. I enjoyed his backstory and how he had come to be in the town, but I spent half of the book wondering when this was going to turn into a vampire book so I think I might have missed the point.

My biggest issue with this book was the whole incident with Cameron's father that took place. I can't really give any spoilers here, because it was left too ambiguous and I'm not quite sure why it was such a big deal and what exactly happened. Am I just insensitive? I'm not sure. I feel like if I'd grasped that more, I'd add a star to this review, but not knowing this really made me struggle to understand the intensity of Cameron and Jenna's relationship.

But overall, there were some really strong moments in this book, such as Jenna emphasising how hard it is to remember things and how important it is to her that she not lose her memories of that what once was important. Zarr's characters were extremely strong for this type of book.

I recommend this for someone looking to read about friendship and perseverance in growing as a person.

Jenna Vaughn, a senior in high school, seems to have it all: her cute (first) boyfriend Ethan, lots of friends, and good looks. However, no one knows about her past and childhood memories from elementary school. Jennifer, as she went by, was an "ugly, fat loser with no friends" - that is, except for Cameron Quick. They were inseparable best friends and always there for each other. Until one day when Cameron suddenly disappears, and everyone says he's dead. So eight years later, while Jenna has moved on with her life and trying to live a normal one, Cameron suddenly shows up out of nowhere. And brings with him the memories of their secret, shared childhood. Jenna must face the past, confront her mother, and make room in her life for Cameron.

First off, I solely bought this book just from looking at the cover. I mean, yum?! That pink-frosted cookie looks delicious and I like how plain, yet elegant the cover is. So kudos to that.

This was an awesome book filled with emotion and beautifully written. I loved Jenna's character, and really got into her - she kind of reminded me of myself in ways. And Cameron? Aww, I just loved his character. He was such a sweetheart (ha, no pun intended! :P) and portrayed in the novel nicely. He and Jenna's chemistry seemed so real, unlike some books, when it seems almost forced. Theirs came naturally and I believed every page of it.

Each person in the book had a distinct personality, and I was able to tell each character apart. I particularly liked Alan, the step-dad, the best. I don't think anyone would hesitate to have a father like that. And the author wrote about the family members so descriptively, that it seemed like I was in the same room with them.

One thing that kind of got on my nerves, though, was how much Jenna would freak out when she ate something unhealthy. Since she was fat when she was little, Jenna now eats healthy and rarely eats junk food. However, about three or four times in the book, when she would give into temptation and eat dessert, afterward she'd get so upset with herself. It's okay to eat sweets every once in awhile!

Goodness, the emotion in this book was so realistic! Jenna's mom basically missed out on her daughter's whole childhood since she was rarely at home. So, when the mom starts taking care of Cameron and is always concerned about him, Jenna's reaction was so appropriate. She felt kind of jealous, left out, etc. And I could feel those mixed emotions for her, too! My heart ached for her, and I was very absorbed in her story.

The ending was sort of unclear. I still had a few unanswered questions, but nothing major. Overall, it was a great book and I'm glad I took the time to read it. I'll have to read something else written by Sara Zarr, soon.

Zarr writes with such eloquence and emotion it would have been difficult for me not to feel a connection to her characters and the stories she builds around them. A shorter book by the numbers, it carried with it as much bang for the buck as a story of much greater length. What I appreciated about her writing is that it made me see and feel without being too flowery in it's prose. On top of that she's created a great plot in which she's infused the story of Jenna and Cameron's relationship with a mystery from their past. She kept me wondering and searching; giving us little bits and pieces here and there until the very bitter end where all was ultimately revealed. Admittedly, I did have some idea of what certain circumstances related to the mystery might have been but there were an equally number of surprises that when revealed I really enjoyed. What this equaled to in the end was that I was able to take the journey with these characters as opposed to knowing it all before they did and that made for an excellent read.

Jenna and Cameron are two youngsters bound to each other by their outcast status. Clinging to each other through life's horrible circumstances (most specifically Cameron's family issues) they are quickly and mysteriously separated when he vanishes. At this point Zarr delves into deeper exploration of each of the characters on an individual level as well as in the ways they eventually interact with each other.

Jenna's mother soon remarries and the family is relocated where no one is familiar with her past thus she becomes a girl reborn. No longer the social pariah she was in younger years her new found popularity provides her the much longed for, and missing, comforts of friendship and acceptance. Despite having built new relationships, she still longs for the deeper connection she had with her best friend Cameron.

Cameron, on the other hand, is a child of bad parenting. Having returned to where Jenna lives after having been missing for so long we learn of the many changes in his persona as well. He's distant and self-sufficient, secretive and hardworking. He's alone in the world, but for his rekindling friendship with the one person in his life he could ever trust. Jenna.

A dynamic story of friendship, love and family Zarr paints a very strong picture of dysfunction on several different levels. She digs deep into motivation and morality to create long lasting relationships. I was rooting for Cameron and Jenna to come out the other end successful and together. You'll have to read it to find out if they did though!

Sweethearts is a delightful realistic fiction novel written by Sara Zarr. It is a wonderful, exciting, and heart-felt story about a young girl and her past.
Since the day Cameron Quick disappeared, Jennifer Harris has moved away and changed her identity. Years have gone by, but the two of them have never forgotten their remarkable past. Later, Cameron returns, just when Jennifer is doing fine on her own. After this, nothing is ever the same and never will be. From the day Jennifer met Cameron, her life changed. Forever.
In this extraordinary novel Sara Zarr demonstrates true love, friendship, and memory. The way Zarr's writing flows is astonishing. This book has full-bodied characters; they seem so real! It is amazing how much they all care for one another and never lose hope. This book will change you. It makes you realize how good life is and to never go through life quickly, because there are so many beautiful moments, that need to be acknowledged. These moments can be felt as you read Sweethearts. As soon as I read this, I recommended it to as many people as I could, and plan to read many more books by Sara Zarr in the future.
Sweethearts is an excellent choice for young adult readers and has won many awards such as the ALA Best Book for Young Adults. I enjoyed it so much that I read it in less than 4 days! I'm sure you will too. This is one of my favorite books of all time and once you start reading it you won't want to put it down! It will keep you guessing because of all the exciting and unpredictable parts. Sweethearts is an outstanding novel by a great author and I enjoyed it very much.