Sarah Dessen does it again. Louna works in her mom’s wedding planner business and it’s wedding season! You’d think that since she works in a world filled with love and romance she’s be a sucker for love but she’s a huge cynic. Ambrose is a co-worker who dates constantly and… are there sparks?? Louna isn’t going to let him close enough to find out!
Thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the Sarah Dessen universe.

A great preview of what ended up being a wonderful book. All of Dessen's books are amazing, and she never disappoints

This book was everything you'd expect and want from a fun Sarah Dessen summer romance. The concept of the wedding planner who's lost faith in love is great. I was really rooting for Louna!

Seeing as how this was only a short excerpt that I was given on Netgalley, this review will also be rather short as well.
I did end up reading the entire book once it was released, as I am a huge Sarah Dessen and have been religiously reading her books since I was a freshman in high school. While I have to say that I think that her earlier books are certainly some of her best, I have enjoyed some of her newer books as well, but unfortunately Once and For All was not one of them. It hurts my heart to say that I really didn’t like this book at all and in fact, it was actually painful to get through. But I struggled through it because I just couldn’t bring myself to DNF a Sarah Dessen book. It was one of those books that had a whole lot of nothing going for the entirety of it, and I really just didn’t understand the point of any of it. I did’t care about the plot, the characters, or the romance.

I love you Sarah Dessen, but this book just didn’t do it for me.

This was not my favorite of Sarah's books, and usually I love her stuff. The relationship between the two main characters moved too quickly to feel believable, and it kind of felt like a school shooting was the next of topics Sarah felt like she had to cover due to the tragic relevance in our society.

Sarah Dessen has become a fan favorite for many reasons, but the best being that her novels are always enjoyable. Once and For All doesn't disappoint by bringing us another strong female lead and a love interest you can't help but be charmed (and annoyed) by. This is another delightful novel that's perfect for summer.

It’s a sample that shows you what Louna’s jobis about and she’s with a bride who gets cold feet. It’s quite funny how they’re all saying how long the marriage will last considering how the bride had the worst case of cold feet and was asking about true love.

I love books by Sarah Dessen! As usual, she provided a quality romance novel suitable for all readers. Full review to come on my blog soon!

I read the first few pages of the book and I was not sold. Sarah Dessen is one my favorite YA authors, but this book did not draw me in like Along For The Ride or This Lullaby. The plot was going in the right direction, I think, but overall I did not like it.

This sounds like a good book but not in my interest. *read only on excerpt*

A great extract and it has left me wanting to read more!!
I don't tent to gravitate towards romance so much but when I do want a cute and fun chick flick I want one that wont disappoint. I was far from disappointing with this beautifully written book!

This excerpt had me excited for the rest of the book. Will definitely have to check it out when the publishing day comes.

I "picked up" this book excerpt on a whim -- I usually do not read much romance, but thought, why not? The preview was a fun little fling with characters that made me laugh (or smirk), but I am not sure I will pick up the rest of the book to read unless I am looking for a light beach read.

A tease of any Sarah Dessen book is never going to be enough! In the middle of reading the entire thing and will post a review on goodreads when I've finished. Loving every second so far.

I always heard a lot about Sarah Dessen books, so when I saw once on NetGalley, I jumped on the occasion. I began to read it, could not stop, and realized that it was a SNEAK PEEK!!!!!! So I got the whole book and devoured the rest. There are just so many twists in the story that I couldn't put it down. I now understand why so many people love this author!!

I enjoyed this sneak peek, but wish you would allow us to read the entire novel--otherwise why are we on NetGalley?

I really enjoyed this little sample of the book. I am looking forward to finishing it soon. Thank you for the preview and the opportunity to read it before its release.

Truly,
Jennifer

Louna, who works for her mother’s high-end wedding planning business, has sworn off love since her long distance boyfriend died. Then Louna’s mother hires Ambrose, the gorgeous playboy brother of a client, and Louna is charged with keeping him in line. A wager between the two finds Louna dating around and Ambrose committing to one girl for the summer. Flashbacks in the story reveal the details of Louna’s heartbreak, as she is falling for Ambrose in the present day narrative. Sarah Dessen fans will not be disappointed win this exploration of grief with her trademark well-drawn characters and dialogue.

First Look: Sarah Dessen’s Once and For All (June 6, 2017)
Scarlettleigh


Sarah Dessen
Once and For All
Viking Books for Young Readers / June 6, 2017 / $19.99 print, $10.99 digital

For those of you who grew up reading Sarah Dessen’s books—her first book, That Summer was published over twenty years ago—you know that she writes exquisite stories around present-day issues. If you need your memory refreshed, check out Class of 2012: A Superlative Sarah Dessen.

For those who missed her books, you really need to try them, especially if you’re reading women’s fiction now. Because Louna is dealing with disillusionment about love and happily-ever-afters brought about by her mother’s and godfather’s attitude toward love; her own first-hand observations as she viewed brides and grooms vow “til death do us part,” only to divorce a couple of years after their weddings; and her own tragic experience with love.


On the one hand, I lived and breathed the wedding dream, dragged along to ceremonies and venues, privy to meetings on every excruciating detail from Save the Date cards to cake toppers. But away from the clients and the work, there was a constant, repetitive commentary about how it was a sham, no good men really existed, and we were all better off alone. It was no wonder that a few years earlier, when my best friend Jilly had suddenly gone completely boy-crazy, I'd been reluctant to join her. I was a fourteen-year-old-girl with the world-weariness of a bitter mid-life divorcee, repeating all the things I'd heard over and over like a mantra. “Well, he'll only disappoint you, so you should expect it,” I'd say, shaking my head as she texted with some thick-necked soccer player. Or I'd warn: “Don't give what you're not ready to lose.”...

Because this theme is one that is often used in romance novels and women’s fiction, there’s an ageless quality to the book, making it easy to forget that you’re reading about teenagers on the cusp of adulthood. Truly, this book is a perfect introduction to a super-talented author.

I’ve written two First Looks on her books. In my First Look at Sarah Dessen’s The Moon and More, I stated:


Many of Sarah Dessen’s readers, like myself, have long left behind their coming of age years. But even if the problems her characters face are no longer relevant to my life, the lessons they learn always seem so meaningful and far-reaching. That is one reason Ms. Dessen’s books have such a widespread appeal.

But most engaging to me is Ms. Dessen’s talent in creating multi-dimensional characters—drawn with strokes of realism and authenticity.

In my First Look at Sarah Dessen’s Saint Anything, I wrote:


I rarely venture into Young Adult books, but I make an exception for the very talented Sarah Dessen. Her plots are relevant to today’s issues—you could almost borrow Law and Order’s tagline: taken from today’s headlines, for her books. Dessen’s characters are so vividly created—their actions and emotions so genuinely authentic—that it almost seems that Dessen has a psychological advantage in understanding our human condition. Her characters make sense—their actions make sense, and the emotions they feel just seem appropriate.

So, in writing the First Look on For Once and for All, it's almost like wash, rinse, and repeat, because the same goes: Wonderful characters; meaningful and far-reaching lesson; realism and authenticity and universal appeal. Of course, I sure don't mind saying these things again because this is a great novel!

If you have read her books before, then you know that some are darker than others. While the heroine’s tragic past governs her current actions and beliefs, the book has a lighthearted feel to it too. Part of that is due to the scenes written around the hero. Truly, Ambrose Little is a delight.


“People never believe me when I tell them this,” Ambrose replied, folding his arms on the table. “But I’m not trying to annoy her. She’s just very sensitive.”

“You really think that’s the issue?” my mother asked.

He nodded, somber. “Always has been.”

“I heard your mother sent you here because she was so frustrated with dealing with you.”

“True,” he agreed. “And I wrecked her car. But in my defense, she is also very sensitive. I think it’s a genetic thing.”

Oh, for God’s sake, I thought, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. Of course it was everyone else’s fault. Next he’d blame the tape dispenser. My mother, however, smiled at him, clearly amused. “Did I hear Bee say you need a job?”

“That’s what I’m told,” he replied.

“You’re told?”

“It’s actually more of an ultimatum,” he admitted.

“Apparently I am both annoying and expensive.”

Instead of replying, my mom just studied him, one hand twisting the diamond necklace she wore every day. I didn’t like the look on her face even before she said, “How about this: you work for me this summer, and I’ll take your wages off my fee, which your mother is paying.”

So, this is how it came about that Louna Barrett must deal with an annoying co-worker. At first, she honestly thought her mother had lost her mind—it was so out of character. However, her mother spills on the real reason she offered Ambrose a job: He’s causing so much havoc at home that his mother offered Natalie Barrett Weddings, her mother’s business, a bonus if Natalie would keep Ambrose busy.

Louna should get hazard pay, since she is the one that is showing Ambrose the ropes. A simple trip to pick-up flowers for a wedding turns into a kidnapping:


I was just reaching forward to change the radio station (now an addiction for both of us, clearly) when the passenger door suddenly opened again and he tumbled inside. “Go,” he said. He was holding something in his arms.

“What?”

”Go. Drive. Now!”

It was only after I shifted into reverse again, for some reason blindly following this directive, that I looked over and saw that what he was clutching was, in fact, the dog.

“Ambrose. You stole that man’s dog?”

“I prefer to look at it as a rescue” he corrected me as it wriggled wildly in my side vision.

Ambrose and Louna are so sweet together. He brings a much-needed levity into her life and she challenges him to become more responsible. Although Louna doesn’t always see it that way. On the surface, she considers him a gnat—annoying and bothersome.


Ambrose patted the seat beside him. “Come on, honey. Time for our close-up.”

I looked at my mother, who held up ten fingers, symbolizing the hundred bucks I’d been promised for going through with this. It was not enough. Still, I sat down.

“Okay,” the photographer said, squatting sown and lifting the camera. “Now, let’s have the groom open the book and hold it in his lap. Louna, lean into him and point to something on the page.” . . .

“And Ambrose, shift your hand so we can see the ring on Louna’s finger a bit better. It’s just so pretty!”

“Three months' salary,” he told her, insisting, still, on being in character. “But my baby deserved a rock!”

My mom, who was the actual owner of this ring, snorted.

William said, “You guys actually look really cute together, if you don’t mind me saying."

I was about to tell him that, in fact, I did, when Ambrose moved in closer behind me, his mouth right at my ear. “FYI, your tag is sticking out. Let me get it. It’s what a fiancé would do.”

A second later, I felt his fingers on the small of my back, smoothing down the fabric of my dress there. And the weirdest, craziest thing happened: I felt something. That unmistakable, sudden rush of feeling when your body responds to a touch in that certain, specific way.

Against the always appealing backdrop of wedding planning, you’ll be charmed, delighted, and pleased as Dessen marvelously convinces the cynics in this book that true love is real.

***

I think I am pretty much guaranteed to love anything that Sarah Dessen writes, and this was no different. I have been a massive fan of hers ever since I read Lock and Key all those years ago and in a way it got me into reading more teen romance books, so her work holds a special place in my heart. This short excerpt has really made me want to rekindle that love and pick up her latest release.