A nostalgic trip back to the 90s! I think some of the pop culture references could be lost on a younger generation but ultimately, the coming of age tale and pleasant trip back to a different time for teenagers will still resonate. I really enjoyed this as a light novel and will add it to a reading list for fun and teen issues, for students who enjoy these slightly more mature stories in my older year groups.

This book had some throwback humor and some fun moments. This book was written for young adults but I hardly think any of that actual age will find it as enjoyable or humorous because they wouldn't get 90% of the references. The characters were fine and the story was enjoyable, however it seemed like the author threw in language and sex to try to make it more of a story. It took the characters way more out of character and didn't follow who they supposedly were throughout the rest of the book. I liked the throwback and the fun that part held, however didn't love the story enough to want to read others. The ending was lackluster and it was just ok by the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a fun ride back in time to my teens when there was nothing more fun than going to the mall- eating in the food court, trying to meet cute guys, shopping at Benetton and spraying every fragrance they had at Bath & Bodyworks. Those years could only have been better had I gone on adventures like those of Cassandra. A counterfeit Cabbage Patch Doll scavenger hunt? Partying in the mall’s underground tunnels? Befriending the Sam Goody guy? Yes, please! This was a wild trip down memory lane with a cute storyline that kept me guessing and turning down plans that cool Gen-Xers like me turn down. This comes out in June. Stay tuned! Get it! Thanks to MacMillan USA and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

"The Mall" is the first of McCafferty's novels that I have read, so I am unable to compare it to her other works. What initially appealed to me was the neon cover and summary description as it sounded like a fun teen romp full of heartbreak, renewed friendships and youthful drama. In this I can say that I was not disappointed.

It is weird to me that the early 90s is considered retro now, but hey...time marches on. I enjoyed having the novel set in this time period, although the storyline could have been set in the 2000s, 2010s, 2020s, etc without detracting from the plot. Cassandra's problems were timeless, but I found the mall setting to be a quirky twist that I found refreshing. This book was vibrant and funny, and dealt with universal teen conflicts with equal measures of levity and gravity. The perfect summer beach read that I could not put down due to the ebullient entertainment value.

Loved this book. I have been a fan of Megan’s for a while so I was excited to read a new one from her. This book totally threw me back to my teenage years and going to the mall. Lighthearted and fun book

Thank you so much for inviting me to read this novel. I absolutely love the cover design and I was intrigued by the synopsis. Unfortunately, I am just not connecting with this book during this time. I read the first 25 percent before I decided to put it down. I will not be reviewing this title due to the small amount I have read. I wish this book all the best, and I look forward to working with you again in the future.

Kind regards,

Brittney

As someone who worked in the mall during the nineties reading this book was a musst! It brought back so many memories and was filled with nostalgic moments. Over all this was a good read with interesting and realistic characters. But what I love the most or all the reminders of how life used to be when malls where the place to hang and experience life. Good character development and the mystery added another level of fun. Not as magical for me as her previous series but a good read, Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

The first half of this book really lost me. I just kept wondering, who is this for??? I certainly remember what malls were like in 1991, and just name dropping Orange Julius and the Piercing Pagoda, etc., doesn't do anything for me. I can't imagine the teens I know being eager to relate to that stuff either?? They might be into 90s aesthetics but the mall?

As the book progressed, we got the two running strands I consistently enjoy in a YA novel: romantic drama and friendship drama. That's where the book came back together for me, and I really enjoyed it. And I liked that we eventually saw more of the counterculture that is what I think the teens of today would gravitate to. In that back half I was reminded why I like Megan McCafferty so much! Made me want to reread the Jessica Darling books.

A big nota bene: I can't help but hang some skepticism on the author's inclusion of The Smiths as, like, the key band in this book. Knowing now how blatantly racist/xenophobic/Islamophobic/etc Morrissey is nowadays (and has been for years) makes that an off choice when there was so much other great music in 1991 that has held up just fine. I too can't really quit The Smiths but I don't have to celebrate them in a book I write.

In the end, it's a good story about being yourself and coming into your own power, which is really what that summer after high school should be all about.

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

Grab your scrunchies, your flannel shirts, put on your Nirvana playlist and get ready to enjoy a truly marvelous book!

The Mall by Megan McCafferty is one of those books that you just enjoy reading. It’s the story of Cassie Worthy and how her perfect summer with her “perfect” guy gets destroyed in a cloud of Cucumber Melon body spray. In the aftermath, Cassie has to reevaluate everything she thought about her life and herself. This book steps away from your normal guy screws over girl, girl meets new perfect guy, girl falls in love, and they run off into the sunset. This book is not about that, it’s about friendship. Complete with a treasure hunt, revenge, Cabbage Patch dolls, and enough 90’s nostalgia to make you want to jump up and do the Macarena, this book is a fun read. The characters were charming and delightful; they made you want to hop into the book and go grab an Orange Juilis together.

My only quibble with this book is that Cassie calls her parents by their first names and very rarely by Mom and Dad, and it’s never explained why? So keep that in mind when you start the book, because it’s not explained at first who Frank and Kathy are, it had me very confused. Though once you figure it out its easy going.

I give this book 5 out of 5. It made me want to ignore the outside world, risk reprimand at work for reading at my desk (which I chickened out and did not do), and miss many hours of sleep that I desperately needed. This book was all that and a bag of chips.

The Mall brought me back to the time I grew up. Some parts are a little slow but the book does keep you interested! I really enjoyed it.

The Mall by Megan McCafferty was a nostalgic roller coaster ride of female friendship and realizing that there is more to people than their appearance. The Mall is set in the early 90s and is a whirlwind of nostalgia for anyone who grew up during that time. This book is great for the younger and older generations. Overall, it was a really cute book with lots of fun elements regarding the 90s and growing up during that period of time.

I really enjoyed the 80s/90s nostalgia and atmosphere in this book. McCafferty created a fun and engaging setting for her story that really drew in readers with its vibrancy. I enjoyed the way that McCafferty creates characters that are not perfect but feel realistic with flaws and desires. The friendships are great. I can only imagine what current teens will think of this pre cell phone era world, but this book was a blast to read.

Another wonderful book from McCafferty. I love all of her books and this is definitely on par with the Jessica Darling series. I would love a sequel and see how Cassie and Drea do in college and if they stay best friends. This book definitely made me laugh out loud and feel nostalgic for how fun going to the mall could be as a teenager.

This was so much fun! It’s THE MALL in the 1990’s! Was there anything cooler than hanging out with your friends at the mall in the (late 80’s and early) 90’s? Listening to music at SAM GOODY’S, laughing at the inappropriate gifts at SPENCER’S GIFTS, playing with the toys at KAYBEE TOYS, making fun of the guys that shopped at CHESS KING. Aahhh, good times. So, yeah, this book is a total blast and a walk down memory lane for Gen Xers. But there’s plenty to attend to today’s teens, too. Gen Z is currently into 90’s music, fashion, and pop culture as “retro” inspiration. But this book offers a lot more than just reminisces of an awesome era. It’s Cassie’s coming-of-age story in the summer before college. And, boy, this girl packs a lot of fun, angst, work, and drama into one summer.

Cassie loves a plan and her summer before college is planned to the letter. She and her longtime boyfriend will work together at the mall (Great American Cookie Company) then go off the city across the river (NYC, of course) to go to their respective colleges. Cassie’s plan got a bit off track when she was down with mono for several weeks but now she’s back. Her parents drive her to the mall for her first day of work. She is so ready to see Troy!!! Only to find out that he has a new girlfriend (who is hilariously terrifying) and is breaking up with her. Troy, would it have killed you to give a girl a call before she showed up to work? What a jerk. Not long after that, Cassie’s parents tell her they are getting a divorce. Fantastic. Summer is off to a great start. Cassie is contemplating a dive into the fountain after a day of not finding a new job at the mall when she is “rescued” by Gia Bellarossa, owner of Bellarossa Boutique, Jersey’s premier shopping destination of overpriced bimbo couture. Gia is also the mother of Cassie’s middle school friend, Drea. In middle school, Drea matured years beyond Cassie and everyone else in school. She started wearing high heels and skin-tight dresses boasting shoulder pads. Anyway, Gia offers Cassie a job straightening up the store’s books. Cassie readily accepts although she is wary of spending the summer with an old friend who abandoned her. It isn’t long before these two VERY different girls find a connection through a treasure hunt (long story) that leads them on adventures all over the mall all through the summer. It leads them to late night parties with other mall workers in the empty corridors after closing. It leads Cassie to a hookup with the guy from Surf*Snow*Skate (revenge against Troy, of course). And so many other experiences. Including a reinstated friendship with Drea that will impact them both. A super fun read with some substance.

Cassie is set to finish out her final summer before fulfilling her dream of moving to NYC for college. Her intellectually appropriate boyfriend, summer job at the mall with said boyfriend, and lack of a driver’s license were all part of the “plan” until it all came crashing down. Instead, Cassie’s summer becomes focused on finding herself, reconnecting with people from her past, and going on a summer-long treasure hunt all of which are centered around the ultimate 90’s Mecca for teens— the mall. Full of nostalgic references of Marky Mark, 90210 and more, The Mall is a quick read that will have the reader reminiscing about their own coming of age summers.

2.5 stars

It's easy to draw in a reader like me to a book like this. I lived through the '90s, after all, spent a lot of quality time at the mall, and worshiped many of the cultural references that can be found on literally every page of this book. So what went wrong?

This novel reads like someone played Mad Libs and made a rule that the only word/s they could choose were overwrought '80s and '90s references. Sam Goody? Check! Every 90210 cast member? Check! Cabbage Patch Kids? Clearly. Velvet scarf? Obviously! Zines? Riot Grrls? Pearl Jam AND Nirvana?! Everyone makes an appearance! Ugh. As a drinking game, this novel would admittedly be a blast.

I'm frustrated that there are so many missed opportunities here. Think about all of the meaningful content that exists in malls. What could be greater than Season 3 of _Stranger Things_?! There is no excuse for these remarkably underdeveloped characters, this frivolous reference dumping, and a plot that goes...exactly where the reader expects.

Fundamentally, the references are written for a 40-year-old, but the novel doesn't even have a teen audience. It's more like a first-year creative writing workshop submission. I do not get what happened here.

I received an advanced readers copy exchange for an honest review.

This one was cute. I related a lot to the time and place so I enjoyed that. I don’t know if it would be as relatable for younger people not familiar with the pop-culture or mall culture. But I liked it. Pleasant and whimsical. 3.5 rounded up

I adored The Mall. It took me back to my teenage years after high school when I worked in the local mall...all the stores, the food court, the friendships within the different stores. Cassie is getting ready to start working at the American Cookie Company with her boyfriend Troy for the summer, when he tells her that he has been seeing someone else--and that someone else attacks Cassie with cucumber melon body spray! When Cassie is forced to find another job in the mall, she runs into her ex-best friend Drea and Drea's mom, Gia. Gia offers Cassie a job at the highest of mall jobs--Bellarosa Boutique. Along the way, Cassie rekindles her friendship with Drea, lets go of and gets over Troy, meets a cute guy at the Sam Goody, and realizes that she does not have to give up everyone and everything just because she is going to college in New York City. I loved that Cassie comes to realize, also, that it is okay to be a strong, feminist woman without losing those who have helped you find your way there. Such a cute book!

The 90s! I mean whats not to love? scrunchies, twin peaks, bomber jackets, love love love. This story made me laugh and so much.

I really wanted to love The Mall because I love the Sloppy First series, but I found it just okay.
I was a baby in the 90's so I'm a little younger than the demographic that would read this book, but the main character was very well written and I felt like I was just wandering around a mall.

The downside is that well, the book is spent wandering and roaming around the mall and that got a little boring for me.
Still a good read, just not something I loved and longed for like the author's previous books. Or maybe I'm just too old now, or not old enough? idk, but The Mall would be a better movie!