I was really looking forward to diving into The Mall by Megan McCafferty and it did not disappoint. The mall was like a time machine ride into my childhood. Bring on the bright colors and scrunchies and afternoons in the mall. This book was so much fun and there was moments I cringed and busted out laughing.

It's the early 90's and Cassie Worthy is ready for New York City. She and her boyfriend have their life plans down and are ready to take college by storm. The summer before college, life happens and Cassie is suddenly forced to make some adjustments. Before she can finally start college, she must endure one last summer in her small town and working at a mall with people she hopes to never see again.

I enjoyed this book. Heading into summer, this was a perfect YA fiction to read. While I am not a young adult myself, I still found the story to be intriguing and fun. There was a bit of mystery and drama in this coming-of-age book. I related to Cassie and her need to get out of her small town. I enjoyed her development throughout the short timeline.

I did think the book was a bit rushed. There were parts that felt underdeveloped. Aside from Cassie's relationship with her on-and-off again best friend, her connections with other characters seemed a bit shallow and only there to add some fluff to the plot.

Overall, it was a good YA about discovering who you are, but it was missing something that really got me connected to the book. I was hoping for a bit more depth when it came to self-discovery, but the mall mystery on summer vacation was entertaining enough to keep me reading.

I absolutely ADORED this book! Set in New Jersey in 1991, this book gave me such nostalgia for my teenage years spent traipsing through the mall on the weekends. In this book, Cassie has just gotten over a terrible case of mono and is ready to start the summer working at the Great American Cookie with her boyfriend before they head off to college together. Wellll....things don't exactly work as planned, and Cassie finds herself jobless and boyfriendless...how could things have gone so wrong? And what will she do next? In step some old faces and some new ones, all determined to make this a summer that Cassie will never forget...complete with a mystery!

This book was so enjoyable! It definitely has a YA feel, but anyone who grew up as a mall rat in the 90s will likely be able to appreciate the whimsy fun vibe.

What a pleasant read! It's 1991, and Cassie Upworthy is excited to spend the summer working at the mall with her boyfriend, before they both attend college in NYC. When Cassie's life goes off-script, she has a summer to remember. This book was a breezy, perfect summer read, with a treasure hunt, romance, a rekindled friendship. I did not graduate in 1991, but I think everyone can relate to this coming-of-age story. I hope this becomes a movie, because I loved the friendship between Drea and Cassie, and the references to the time and place were fun even though I'm sure I missed a lot of them.

I'd say put this in your beach bag, but hey, even if you can't go anywhere in 2020, this is still a fun escape!

Ahhh I absolutely LOVED this book! All the stars!

The Mall is a quick and fun YA romp through one summer spent in the mall during the golden age of malls: the early 90’s. From crunchy sky high bangs, to a men of 90210 rating system, this book had all the nostalgia I was looking for. The love story was really cute, and the revenge plot was so satisfying! I highly recommend this one!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this one early. I’ll be posting an Instagram review closer to pub date.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press & Wednesday Books for a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts! An expanded review will be posted on my blog at mariankrick.com on 7/30/20 as part of The Mall blog tour. Hope to see you then!

My Rating: 4 Stars

What initially attracted me to this book is the author. I discovered the Jessica Darling series one Summer while I was home from college. Every week I would drive to the next town over because they had every book in the series and I would return my previous read for the next book in the series. I fell in love with Megan McCafferty's realistic portrayal of a suburban teen just trying to figure life out and get by.

Not to mention my book crush on Marcus Flutie, but that's completely off topic.

So I was excited to check out this book for a couple of reasons: I like the author, the cover caught my eye, and the fact that the story is set at a mall during the 90's. I was born in 1992 so it's not like I can relate or felt nostalgia reading this story, but I still felt like it was totally delightful.

See, recent high school graduate Cassie Worthy has a plan. She and her boyfriend Troy will be working at the mall all Summer, saving up money for when they head off to NYC in the Fall to their separate but equally prestigious universities. But Cassie's plan falls to the wayside after a messy breakup, To avoid telling her parents the truth about why her relationship with Troy is over, she continues to go to the mall every day, eventually finding a new job, a new friend, and a Summer mystery.

I liked Cassie a lot. She actually reminded me of Jessica Darling a bit. I think it's because they're both a bit cynical, or maybe a better word is realistic.

This book felt very plot driven, which I appreciated. I think that was absolutely necessary because the whole story takes place at the mall. They really had to keep the story moving or else I think we would have gotten bored as readers.

I adored the 90's pop culture references and the description of the mall. I felt like that was a really fun part of the story. I liked how all the teens who worked at the mall seemed to know each other and partied together after hours. I thought it was so fun how Cassie's coworker/best friend Drea seemed to know so much about the inner workings of the 900,000 square feet of the mall. Basement parties? She'll take you there. The roof? She knows how to find it.

My only critique is that because the story was so plot driven, I felt like the characters could have used some more depth and description. They felt a little hollow. Example: Cassie's parents. We didn't really know anything about their personalities except for their jobs and the fact that they were getting divorced. And Cassie's crush Sam Goody... we learned little snippets about him here and there but it felt like a very shallow description.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. I actually want to re-read it soon because of the enjoyable story and setting. If you like feeling nostalgic for the 90's or enjoy this author, definitely check this book out when it's released!

Loved this book for the nostalgia factor and the fun little treasure hunt. Disliked it for pretty much everything else. I recognize I'm not the target audience for this book, but maybe my teenager would like it.

This book was so dang cute I couldn’t put it down!

Cassie is a high school senior that has never allowed herself to have too much fun because all she can think about is getting out of her hometown and to New York for college.

As one of the two smartest kids in her grade, she has been dating the smartest boy for 2 years and they have planned out their future. While she is out of commission for a month recovering from mono, her boyfriend starts going out with another girl. Then, when she returns to work, she loses her job.

She tries to get a job everywhere in the mall but no one will hire her until she ends up at Bellarosa, a clothing store owned by her former best friend, Drew’s, mom. And the madcap fun ensues.

The flashback to the mall life Of the 90s and the fun story line makes this a book not to miss!

The Mall is a good read for teens.
As an adult fan of ya, this isn't for me.

The writing is well done though and I would recommend it to my teen.

This book brings back so many memories for me. Early 1990's, during a time of big hair, the obsession with 90210, and the local mall was the epicenter of the social scene. Cassie's story mirrored my own in a lot of ways, so I could really identify with her.

I was excited when NetGalley approved me for this book (in exchange for an honest review of course). I’m a 90’s kid, so I thought I was really going to love this book, but I very sadly did not. It was hard for me to place what exactly I didn’t like about this book. I read it fairly quickly. It was an easy book to binge. I loved the mystery of the treasure. I also loved Cassie’s journey of figuring herself out. But there was just something I didn’t love about this book.
After reading some GoodReads reviews, I figured it out. Many others had the same problem that I did. Apparently, this book was written in cooperation with an entertainment company. So, it’s not clear if the concept of this book came from them or if the book was mostly written by them. As the reviews on GoodReads said, this story was missing heart. And that was my problem. I don’t know how to explain what that means to me. But I just didn’t love this story. It was a fun read, but mostly forgettable. I didn’t hate it by any means, I just didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.

When a summer job turned treasure hunt in the mall turns into a way of self discovery for Cassie Worthy a high school graduate. Cassie had a plan and it should have worked but she got sick, missed high school graduation, then her boyfriend dumps her and she loses her job in the mall. What else could go wrong?

Take a step back into the 90's and take a ride down memory lane. A fun story and had me laughing. A journey of self-discovery and you will be exposed to some band you might think of trying. I enjoyed this book.

Maybe it's because I'm a 90's kid and all of the references brought back the most awesome pang of nostalgia - but I LOVED this book! Was it deep? No. Did I get some hard-hitting lessons about life? I did not. But did I have so much fun and was it exactly the book I needed at the time? ABSOLUTELY! Plus, like I said, the nostalgia hit me hard. I think this is a book that teens could easily read and enjoy. I think the characters are relatable and this would be an awesome choice for teen book clubs! What a great opportunity to discuss a time before cell phones, and the internet, and TikTok!

Definitely worthy of a purchase for YA collections.

The Mall by Megan McCafferty is a great dose of nostalgia for those interested in reading about that, and an interesting book revolving around the early 1990s and the golden age of “the mall” and suburbia for those who never experienced it directly. I grew up a little bit late for that era, but I still remember the mall of my childhood and the fond memories hanging out there in middle/high school and how different it is now. This book focuses on Cassie, a senior who just graduated and is ready to leave her town and head to NYC for college. Cassie is going through a lot: a breakup, losing a job, family issues, and the general weird feeling of transition that comes after finishing high school and waiting for that next phase of your life to start. I felt the “transitional” element of this story and how it took place the summer after high school is something universal that high school seniors can still relate to.

However, this book didn’t fully work for me. I wasn’t sure at times what was going on with the background romance. Although Cassie is nice on the surface, some people won’t like how she handles her relationship with “Sam Goody” (I was one of them). He is such a nice guy, but it takes her weeks to even learn his name. I also think readers will love her friendship with Drea, but there was a lot going on there that had issues as well and could have been explored further. Overall, this book was a good read and it made me nostalgic for sure, but I wish it had explored some of the characters and relationships a bit more. Still a solid read that I would recommend to YA readers who are into the late 80s/90s pop culture or who are about to go to college.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

WOW, what a blast from the past! The 90s are my absolute favorite decade, and this really took me back. McCafferty completely nailed the entire vibe of being a teen at the mall in the 90s, and I loved how nostalgic this one felt for so many reasons. I also really enjoy my own name as the name of the main character / protagonist - I know it's something small, but it adds an extra layer of enjoyment for me as a reader, so thanks for that!

When I was in college, I got a hold of the Jessica Darling series and promptly devoured it in two days. There was a trip to Bangor main to get the last two books in the middle of a blizzard and an all-nighter involved. Since then there have only been a couple books I've read like that, Aristotle and Dante and The Mall.

There isn't anything urgent about this book, it's not like Harry Potter where as you read you need to know what happens, but the style and voice of this book made me want to know how Cassie's story played out. 

This book takes place in 1991 but has the same feel as the third season of Stranger Things where Steven works in the mall-- nothing about these two stories are similar, but I think that's the only piece of current pop culture that takes place at the mall that gives off that same kind of energy. I was very small in 1991, so I don't remember it, but there is a real energy about this book that has the late-eighties big hair vibe while also having a Pearl Jam/Nirvana vibe. It's really cool. There's an air of nostalgia for the mid-nineties/the early 2000s when I hung out at the mall with my friend. I think if you're old enough to remember how big of a deal going to the mall was, you'll find enjoy this book.

This is a story about figuring yourself out. About what it's like when "the plan" doesn't go as planned, and learning to grow into yourself, especially after high school. I feel like we as a collective group have read a million books with these themes but what makes this unique is not only the mall aspect but how we watch Cassie grow within the pages. 

The 1990s were a strange time, so much in American politics was changing and it's shown in this book in minute ways I found really interesting. We kind of see Cassie change in the same ways. 

I love  Megan McCafferty, I'm so glad she decided to write something more like the Jessica Darling series.  This book was incredibly fun and a quick slightly quirky read I highly recommend. I know the release date has been pushed because of the pandemic, but when it does hit shelves, pick it up. It'll be a fun escape.

The Mall is the perfect YA summer read. It's set during the summer holiday after senior year where Cassie Worthy navigates the bittersweet and often confusing bridge between adolescence and adulthood. And want to know the best part? It's set in the early 90s, how cool is that?! 

I honestly loved reading this book. It was funny, entertaining and exciting. The plot keeps you interested, the characters make you laugh, and you can't help it but root for them. It's not easy to find a YA novel that you don't want to throw across the room in frustration. Cassie is flawed, don't get me wrong, but this is what makes her human and relatable at this age. She's not supposed to know all the answers and act all grown-up. She's your typical 18-year old and this is what so refreshing to see.

The book got the perfect setting. If you're tired of reading about teenagers Instagram-ing, self-ing and texting all the time, this novel is a breath of fresh air. Not many of the readers would remember the 90s and exploring it through the lens of Cassie makes the novel even better.

And now let's get to the most interesting bit of The Mall - the little mystery that ties the plot together. I'm not going to give you any more details on this as I don't want to spoil it, but little things like this made this novel so different from the rest of YA fiction out there.

I've read many YA but I can't say that I remember them, while I do believe that I'll remember The Mall.

You're in for a summer adventure and I can't be any more exciting for you!

I have kindly received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange of a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Mall is not only the setting in which this novel takes place but also a character.

I am a Gen X (Yes, I am that OLD, well near the end of Gen X). I grew up at the mall, I worked at that mall in my early to late 20's, I even managed a few retail stores. This book is for Gen X and older Millennial's, other generations might struggle with the pop culture references (I totally got them all, not sure if I should be ashamed of this or not) but don't let that sway you form this fun book.

Megan McCafferty gets teens! Anyone remember, Jessica Darling or her Bumped series? Both great YA reads and this book - is superior to those, or maybe nostalgia just got the best of me. I think it's safe for me to assume that McCafferty is Gen X because she captures the essence of what that generation was/is. If you're Gen X and miss those days this is a read for you.

Our main character is Cassie and she has just graduated High School. It's the summer right before she heads of to College,(the last essence of your childhood) and Cassie has spent most of the summer fighting off mono, but she's better and ready to make the best out of her last fee weeks before she heads off to College but life has other plans for her and those old plans include her ex-best friend.

At first, things are tense and odd between then but then they put their heads together and go on a scavenger hunt, with clues left behind from years ago. Boys enter the picture and drama, drama, drama happens.

Characters make self discoveries and you get to reminisce about your old mall haunts such as Sam Goody and Spencer's Gifts. A few laughs will pass through your lips as you recall 90's fashions and you'll be inspired to pull out (if you aren't like me and still listen to it) 90's music. Remember Cabbage Patch Dolls and Video Arcades? You will after reading this book and so much more!

This is a wonderful throw back, that had me going down memory lane and helped me laugh during the time high stress time of Covid-19. It's about a simpler time and a lost generation sandwiched between two who don't like or understand each other (I am talking about you millennial's and boomers) .

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It’s 1991 and Cassie Worthy is excited to spend her final summer before college working at the mall alongside her boyfriend, Troy. She has just six weeks before they move to New York to begin the Plan they’ve agreed on. But things in life don’t usually adhere to a plan. Cassie is about to have her entire life turned upside down.

What I Didn’t Like:
-Writing style. I have never read another McCafferty novel (at least not that I remember) but this one had some severely awkward moments. There are things written in all caps, a huge emphasis on Drea’s laugh, and on calling Zoe a ghost. It’s uncomfortably awkward to know that we’re essentially making fun of these characters for something.
-Who is this for? Because the book itself reads like it will appeal to teens around eighteen (same as Cassie) but it’s PACKED with references they’re not going to get about being nostalgic for the early 1990’s.
-Cassie. In general, I didn’t like her. She’s snobby, self-centered, and an all-around bad friend. She judges others really harshly and bails on her friends. She never bothers to learn “Sam’s” name, doesn’t tell Drea the truth, and thinks a makeover can fix everything.

What I Did Like:
-Friendship. Yes there’s boy drama and sex in this YA book but that’s not the message. At the end of the day this book is about Cassie learning to be a good friend and learning what that really means, which is a great message.
-Early 90s nostalgia. I hesitate to mention this because (as I mentioned) the target age audience won’t care about that. But this is packed with references to music, shows, actors, and more that you’ll remember if you remember the early 90s.

Who Should Read This One:
-But if you are someone who WAS alive in the early 90s and you are interested in taking a trip down memory lane AND don’t mind a little teenybopper-ing, you may enjoy this one even more than I did.
-If you’re a teenage reader who likes reading about the 90s or is interested in that time, this one is fun and has a good message you may enjoy.

My Rating: 3 Stars. I feel like this one paints itself into a very specific niche when the references and the audience are at odds with each other.

This book was very cute, I was born in '91 so I definitely did not get all the references but I got enough of them that the ones I didn't get did not affect my reading experience. Sorry my grammar is all wrong on this but it's been two very VERY long weeks, and this book really helped me relax. I loved Cassie, she was sassy and fierce and really grew on me, even though I myself am completely different from this character. I really enjoyed Cassie's romps through the mall, each clue was fun and unique. It felt very real, and I loved every single character, both good and bad, they felt very real. The descriptions of the mall made it easy to imagine and I really hope they put a map in the beginning of the mall, I think that'd be so cute in the final version. The story lost my interest a bit in the middle but after another chapter or two it picked up again.

Overall this story is a solid 3/5 stars for me.

(P.S I will post on Instagram when it gets closer to publication date).