Product Description

On the outside, Macy Queen is cool and calm. On the inside, she's breaking. Silently struggling with her Dad's death, and spending the summer apart from her oh-so-perfect boyfriend, Macy is smiling her way through - she's 'fine'. It's only when she meets a group of new friends - and artistic, sexy Wes catches her eye - she realizes she can wear her heart on her sleeve sometimes. Because life doesn't stop when someone disappears - and even though she's lost so much, can Macy see what she has to gain? Hugely engaging and with great emotional depth, Sarah Dessen's rich, warm, atmospheric writing makes this the perfect summer read for teenage girls.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6552 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
With her sixth novel, award-winning author Sarah Dessen offers up another generous helping of finely crafted storytelling about real teens dealing with real life. In The Truth About Forever, when asked how she is coping with her father's death, invariably 17-year-old Macy Queen's answer is "fine", when nothing could be further from the truth. In actuality, she is drowning in grief while maintaining a flawless façade of good grades and unblemished behaviour. Though she feels lost when her boyfriend heads to "Brain Camp" for the summer, she finds herself a job with the quirky Wish Catering crew, and meets "sa-woon"-worthy Wes, whose chaotic lifestyle is in direct opposition to her own. As the two share their stories over the summer, Macy realises she can no longer keep her feelings on ice. Though it feels like her future ended with her dad's death, Macy learns that forever is all about beginnings.

Dessen charts Macy's navigation of grief in such an honest way it will touch every reader who meets her. All of the Dessen trademarks are here: a girl in transition, a wonderfully fleshed-out cast of secondary characters, and of course, the luminous, powerful writing itself. The Truth About Forever will more than satisfy Dessen's legion of fans, and will win her countless more as well. For ages 12 and over. --Jennifer Hubert, Amazon.com

Review
A compelling story and beautifully written. Give this to a teenage girl and don't expect to see her until the last page has turned (Time Out )

A poignant coming-of-age story . . . this is perceptive and powerful storytelling (Big Issue )

Dessen gracefully balances comedy with tragedy, and introduces a complex heroine worth getting to know (Publishers Weekly )

Sarah! I love all of your books, you've inspired me so much (MySpace user )

I don't know how to explain how amazing your books are (MySpace user )

Review
Sarah dessen writes beautifully structures and profound novels about the problems that beset outwardly comfortable families

Customer Reviews

Sarah Dessen Strikes Again!
'The Truth About Forever' is a brilliant teen fiction book, that had me hooked right from page one.

Macy is a seventeen year old girl who is still coming to terms with her Father's death the only way she knows how - by making herself perfect. She has a perfect boyfriend, perfect grade scores, and a perfect appearance. The only thing she is lacking is true friendship and feeling.

Macy unexpectedly meets a new group of people (including Wes, an artist), starts a new job, and soon realises that there can be more to life than perfection. She also realises that grief is dealt with in many ways, and that the only help you need is the truth.

Sarah Dessen's characters are always true to life and believable, and this just makes the story that much better.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has read 'Just Listen' (also by Dessen), or who is a teen fiction reader in general. You won't be disappointed.

Another great book from Sarah Dessen!
I love this book and Sarah Dessen, her books are fantastic and "The Truth About Forever" is no different. The issues tackled are real and Dessen writes with fresh honesty, nothing is held back from her writing which is why I love the books. "The Truth About Forever" is great because it tackles issue that teenagers go through, and they come from a teenage point of view. When you read this book ,or any of Dessen's books, you really feel like you are the central character, and you feel the emotions they do. As you journey through Macy, the main character's, life you get caught in her world, this book is an emotion rollercoaster. You journey though as Macy copes with her father's death, being apart from her boyfriend then there break up, as she makes new friends and above all, realises who she really is and finally realises she doesn't have to be perfect.
This book is a gem and a perfect read for anyone who loves Sarah Dessen's previous books

Do not stop, do not collect $200, JUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!
The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen, is a masterpiece and worth every second of your life. The only times I would advice one to put this book down is if a) the house is burning down b) you've set something on fire, or c) you're invaded by a herd of Dinosaurs.
Macy Queen, the main character, is spending her summer looking after her genius-boy boyfriend, Jason's job while he's off at Brain Camp. She's bored (not to mention very unhappy) out of her mind sitting at the Help Desk, watching her mother prepare for various cocktail parties to boost sells on her new town house ideas, and silently grieving over her dad's recent death.
But things start changing when Macy joins the Wish Catering Crew, where she meets Delia, Kristy, Bert, Monica, and finally, Wes. Each and every one of her new friends help to show Macy--even if they don't know it--that she IS allowed to give in to her emotions, and that there are no rules to forever, as long as you make it the way you want it to be.