The Mall was a fun read that gave me all the nostalgic 90s feels.

In the 80s and 90s, before social media, before smart phones, the mall was the place to see and be seen. It had everything you'd need: book stores (Waldenbooks!), music stores (Sam Goody!), clothing and shoe stores and, of course, the food court (Hot Dog on a Stick!)

This is a fun story about Cassie, a girl who gets dumped by her boyfriend, which ruins her summer, and so she has to remake it, all while working at the Mall. The mall commentary was really funny but after a while I felt there was a little too much atmosphere and a not quite enough going on. That said, this was also a fun trip down memory lane!

I was super excited to be allowed the opportunity to read The Mall. As an early 80's baby the 90's are totally my jam. The Mall started off well, with lots of 90's references, a bad breakup and a little mystery. But after awhile I grew tired of the constant 90's references that seemed to be ill placed at times. And while I enjoyed the little mystery it seemed like it's purpose was to be able to work in those 90's references and not the growth and friendship of Cassie and Drea like I originally hoped. It was tough to like Cassie, she had potential for a lot of growth, but we didn't really see most of it.

It was nice to take a trip down memory lane, but I wanted more from The Mall in terms of story.

Thank you for the opportunity to review.

This YA story takes you back to the 90’s when malls weren’t dreaded and in fact we’re a place that teenagers loved to visit and socialize at. At first I didn’t think I was going to like our main character but through the summer Cassie begins to grow and realize how fortunate she is to have the friends and relationships she does before moving into her next stage.

McCafferty really captures the essence of the early 1990's, in large part because she's set the entire plot within the mall. We see all of the specialty shops, the culture of the mall. Now, since the plot is essentially a treasure hunt it has an almost magical air. Really, though, that hunt is just a framework for the character development. It's a method by which Cassie explores the complexity of relationships, the ways people change for each other, and finding the balance between healthy compromise and staying true to yourself. It makes some interesting points about toxic masculinity but the characters are a little progressive for their time. While the attitudes are understandable now, they were far less common in 1991. It makes some interesting points about emotional maturity, though it's not likely to be my first choice.

"Throwback" days on social media exist to remind us of better(?) or at least interesting times in our past. THE MALL is definitely a throwback reminder for those of us who experienced life at the mall. Meet Cassie, a teenager who knows everything there is to know about life and has hers set according to a plan....remember plans? As all plans eventually do, Cassie's hits a few bumps that quickly derail her immediate future, leaving her floundering to figure out what comes next. Over one summer between high school graduation and the rest of her life, Cassie will find out what is really important and how the best plans are those that include friends, family and fun. A really entertaining story of a young woman entry into life as an adult.

I was only six during the time The Mall takes place so I wasn't ever a Mall Rat, but I do remember going to the mall all the time for shopping, the food court and the crappy movie theatre.

The Mall brings me back to my teenage years and I loved those aspects of the story.

The Mall is a fast paced story. Good writing, fun characters, interesting plot! Highly recommend.

The Mall is a self-described "monument to consumerism." While that may be true, with the setting occurring almost exclusively in a 90s Mall, this book really felt like a monument to friendship. All the imperfect, complicated, messy, and unlikely friendships, but friendship all the same.

Cassie, our protagonist, is perfect. Or so everyone (including herself) thinks. With the plan, Cassie is sure she'll have an easy summer working at the Mall with her boyfriend, Troy, before they both head off to NYC for college. Of course, unexpected revelations and altercations completely ruin Cassie's plan, leaving her grappling for a new one and a new summer job at the last minute.

That's where Drea comes into the story, the fashionista daughter of Gia Bellarosa, the owner of Bellarosa Boutique. Bellarosa Boutique isn't quite Cassie's style, but working as the boutique's bookkeeper is the best and only option she has left. Cassie and Drea used to be best friends before they grew apart, but now that they're confined to the same nine hundred thousand square feet of the Mall all summer, maybe their friendship is in for a do-over.

As Drea and Cassie dive deep into a Mall mystery/scavenger hunt, will they finally truly get to know and appreciate each other for who they are?

I will be completely honest: Cassie is really difficult to like as a character. She's selfish, judgemental, and not at all the feminist that she thinks she is when the book begins. I almost set this book aside because of that, but I'm really glad I didn't. I'm not sure that, as readers, we are completely expected to like Cassie from the beginning, which is why I was so compelled to keep reading. This book oozed potential character redemption and development, and I was hooked to find out.

Cassie realizes that the perfect plan and the perfect life maybe isn't the most important thing in the world and that friendship, love, and staying true to yourself are what really matter. Cassie's redemption and her coming-of-age story are definitely my favorite aspects of this book. And of course, the friendships!

The nostalgia and 90s vibes are pretty good too. If you're a fan of Stranger Things season two and the flashy, neon Mall time-capsule aesthetic, you'll love this one! (I won't lie, there were several times I wished Cassie and Drea could just google-translate their clues! Modern-reader frustration!)

The Mall is a feel-good coming-of-age adventure that will drag you back to the 90s to the true and classic Mall experience. It has a more commercial feel which some readers might find off-putting, but if you're looking for an entertaining book about friendship and growing pains, this is definitely a good pick!

I loved this story so much! When I started reading this, I really didn’t expect it to be anything grand. An entire story that takes place in the setting of a shopping mall? But, once I started reading, I fell in love with the characters and the plot and couldn’t put it down.

Cassie is wonderful as the main character. She is a full on nerd who excels academically but fails in other aspects. I loved her friendship with Drea. They both complement each other so well and I enjoyed how confident Cassie becomes under Drea’s influence. Also, Gia, Sam, Zoe and even Helen are so memorable. Each of them add their own dynamic to the story. Even Cassie’s parents were quirky in their own manner. On a side note, I laughed out loud so much on Kathy’s obsession with Barbra Streisand. I actually felt sad that the story ended because I didn’t want to let go of all these characters.

I have not read the author’s previous novels, but I really want to now. Honestly, I just adored her style of writing! The way she sets the treasure hunt between the various locations was just genius! I was intrigued and excited whenever Cassie and Drea got a new clue to the treasure. Moreover, I loved all the throwbacks to the 90s nostalgia which I grew up with, and it made me feel nostalgic. I really wish I had an adventure like this whenever I went to the mall.

Overall, this book was funny, thoroughly entertaining and made me feel good. I definitely want to read some of her other novels.

this was awesome. I think this was very interesting and I hope more people talk about it because I haven't heard too much.

I inadvertently read three World War II Nazi books in a row.
So this little bundle of nonsense was just what I needed.
Don't get me wrong... its not that good. But it was just good enough, just light enough, to clear my brain.

Every now and then you need to break up the deep literary masterpieces with an angsty teen drama. And this one fits the bill.
Bad boyfriend - check
BFF drama - check
New boy drama - check
Problems at home? - check


And then cue the full house lesson learning music... she figures it all out...

I received an advanced copy of The Mall from the publisher so that I could share my review with you!

Cassie Worthy has spent much of her life coordinating the ultimate plan for happiness and success. This plan includes working at the mall for the summer, before setting off for college in the fall. She did not expect her summer to be derailed by an (almost) life-threatening case of mono, a cheating boyfriend, and the loss of her job. Her plan is in shambles and Cassie is left without purpose or direction. Needing something to keep her out of the house, Cassie starts applying for work at some of the mall’s many stores. Things look grim, until she happens upon the perfect job working at an upscale boutique. The only catch? Her ex-best friend is the boss’s daughter. If they can get over their history, they just might be able to uncover the mall’s deeply buried secrets.

You can get your copy of The Mall on July 28th from Wednesday Books!

The Mall is an ode to the teenagers who struggled (and are still struggling) to find where they fit in the world. I loved the 1990s setting of the story, which popped up in many ways! The fashion trends featured in the book were delightfully vintage, hailing back to by-gone trends. The message of the story spoke to a teenage experience that transcends a specific time, making The Mall a relatable and fun read for today!

My Recommendation-
If you love stories full of vintage flair, The Mall would be a great pick for your next read! I quite enjoyed the complex friendships and relationships between the characters, because this was definitely a character driven story for me. If you love such 90s hits as Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You, you’ll love The Mall!

This book is a hilarious throwback to 90's mall life and I was so entertained. It's a blast from the past, not only because it's a reminder to how the mall used to be, but is also a reminder of the silly high school drama that we all had.

I enjoyed the mystery element of this book, as small as it was, as well as the frendships made and lost at the mall.

I would recommend this for anyone looking to reminisce about high school summers.

Malls were already a thing of the past, but with the current pandemic, who knows when any of us will be able to stroll through one again? The Mall was a perfect nostalgia dive through a typical 90s suburban mall, and I loved it. The added treasure hunt story was a perfect addition. The characters were relatable and mostly likable (ugh, Troy), and the writing was easy to breeze through.

I was excited by the idea of a 1990s-themed book centred around a shopping mall. The story was fun and felt a bit like a 1990s television movie (young woman [Cassie] has her life planned out, everything falls apart [loses boyfriend, job, etc.], and then she slowly rebuilds a better life for herself). The references to the 1990s weren't especially well integrated, though, or they were so contrived that they began to feel a bit annoying. If you are dying to immerse yourself in 90s nostalgia, then this might be the right book for you.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I decided to DNF this book around the 30% mark. This book reads very juvenile to me, and while I understand that it is YA the writing just wasn't particularly mature or captivating.

I'm not entirely sure who the book is for; it is written in 2020 for teens and yet is full or nostalgic 90s references that I assume were important to the author as she was growing up. As someone born in 1987 I understood a lot of what the author was referring to even though I was a bit young at that time. However, I have no idea how today's teens would relate to this book at all. It's too early to reference Friends or some of the other 90s pop culture phenomenons that have come back around for today's youth. I'm sure those readers a little older than myself will find lots of fun nostalgia here, though.

It’s the summer of 1991 and brainiac Cassie Worthy has her entire life planned out, from which colleges she and long-time boyfriend, Troy, will attend in the fall to the careers they both intend to pursue. Her future seems picture-perfect, organized to a T. Cassie just has to get through her summer job at the local mall and then the next glorious chapter of her young life can begin. But then everything falls apart when Troy dumps her for another girl and Cassie must ask herself: what now? With her epic life-plan suddenly turned upside down, Cassie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, finding new love and repairing old friendships along the way.

Chock-full of 90210 references and set against the backdrop of a local New Jersey shopping center, Megan McCafferty’s newest young adult novel, The Mall, is a modern tribute to the flashy aesthetics and fun times of ‘90s American mall culture. Being a younger reader not alive during the ‘90s, many of the pop culture references, admittedly, went straight over my head. Without any fond childhood memories of the time period, I didn’t harbor any innate attachment to the setting. However, the central narrative of pre-college jitters transcends time for the most part.

Although, I found it difficult, at times, to become invested in any of the characters or their relationships due to their lack of dimension and the hyper-quippy dialogue. And while I expected the story to strictly follow Cassie’s post-breakup fallout, it takes an abrupt turn by adding in a Cabbage Patch Kids-themed treasure hunt and sudden trouble at home as well. Combined, these three plotlines don’t always align seamlessly for a larger thematic payoff. Overall, even though The Mall wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, some readers may still enjoy it as a light summertime read laced with ‘90s nostalgia, humor, and a touch of romance.

Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was given an ARC copy of the book from NetGalley.

I was intrigued by the concept of the story taking place in a mall during the 1990's. I really enjoyed the story about a girl working at the mall during the summer before she goes off to college. It was great nostalgia from when I was a kid. The author does a great job combining interesting characters with a great time period. The treasure hunt at the mall was a good addition to the story. The story shows that sometimes life doesn't always go the way we plan, you just have to roll with the punches and everything will work out for the best. I also loved the nostalgia throwback to the music and toys from the 90's. The ending was good and I wouldn't mind reading a sequel.

I'll admit that it pains me a little bit that I can't give this a higher rating. I'm a huge Megan McCafferty fan and was absolutely obsessed with her Sloppy Firsts books. I read them as an adult (when I was about 23) and though I wasn't a big fan of YA, I found them so relatable, funny, and just real. I was super excited for The Mall and though I did enjoy reading it, it didn't even come close to living up to Sloppy Firsts for me.

As you may have guessed, the book's main setting is a mall. The book takes place in the early 90s and is absolutely packed with nostalgia. I loved this as I was definitely a 90s mall lover, hanging out there with my friends any chance we got. There are lots of blasts from the past in The Mall from B. Dalton bookstore to Kaybee Toys and other long-forgotten stores. I loved the 90210 references and comparisons to characters and summer jobs, Marky Mark talk, etc.

Cassie has just graduated from high school and is working at the mall for the summer. After a rough bout with mono and a breakup with her boyfriend, she's focused on just making some money for the summer before she's off to NYC for college. When she's forced to find a new job in an effort to get away from her ex-boyfriend, she is hired at a posh clothing shop with an old childhood friend.

Honestly, I just felt a little meh about everything and thought the plot, dialogue, etc. was a little boring. Cassie is a fine, fairly likable main character, but she lacks a lot of depth and it's hard to really get a feel for her (does she really have no friends??)... She made me miss Jessica Darling! I also feel like the book is stuck in a weird spot... The 90s nostalgia is going to appeal to people in their 30s and 40s, but are young people really going to enjoy it/understand it?? I think the plot will appeal to young people, but most adults will likely find it lacking.

That said, I'm still a huge Megan McCafferty fan and will read and support everything she writes. And now that I'm done with The Mall, I think it's time I re-read the Sloppy Firsts series!

This was the first book I have read by this author and after reading this book it most definitely will not be the last. I instantly felt as though the clock had turned back time and I was back in the 90s granted I was only 4 in 1991, I still felt many of these connections and nostalgia that I remembered from that time.

I was instantly drawn into the cover of this story and seeing it set in a mall (one of my favorite places) I couldn’t wait to see what this story would hold. I really enjoyed the protagonist I felt as though the character development was great. She really grew as a person over the summer leaving her ex boyfriend in the dust, finding a new(old) best friend all before she leaves for NYC for school.

The plot and events moved along nicely and I enjoyed the shorter chapters. I found myself late into the night saying oh I can read just one more they are short. I personally enjoyed the side treasure hunt with cabbage patch dolls - again loved all the 90s reference.

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great feel good read. I read this book pool side and enjoyed every moment of it. I will definitely be recommending this book to friends. I give this book five out of five stars. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the advanced copy.

I grew up in the nineties and this book had all the details of mall life spot on. The teenage realtionships, friendships and squabbles were also true to life. The mystery of the missing money gave the plot some structure but the main part of the plot is Cassie's growth in her transition from High School Student to College and in her new and renewed friendships.

This book made me cringe, laugh and cry. I would read more books by this author, and would love to see how Cassie gets through College.