on May 11th 2004
Also by this author: That Summer, Saint Anything, Just Listen, What Happened to Goodbye, Lock & Key, Along for the Ride, Someone Like You, Once and for All, The Rest of the Story
(228 pages) • Goodreads • Amazon • Barnes & Noble
Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along
Some summer many years ago, I think. I remember bringing a few Dessen books to Maine with me throughout the summer and I’m pretty sure this was one of them. This is the book I remembered the most details about out of all of her books, actually. I remembered the main character working at the Last Chance Cafe and how much I loved Colby, NC. This is the first Dessen book I read that is set in Colby, so it kind of held a special place in my heart. I pretty much forgot all of the other details though.
Dessen reread 2015! I was thinking of what audiobook I should start next and decided on this one because I finally tracked it down. I just kept remembering the one book with the restaurant setting and was determined to get to it next. After reading the synopsis again and not seeing a hint of romance, I was kind of excited to see how a book with friendship as the main focus would be. I’ve read plenty of books with friendship as a strong theme, but I feel like it’s usually coupled with family issues and/or romance. This one seemed to be straight up friendship feels.Ah, this was so good. I’m surprised to see that most people don’t count this as a favorite or even like it that much. Colie was an interesting character and I totally forgot about all of the bullying she dealt with. I absolutely loved the friendship storyline in this book. It completely took center stage, which was amazing. The romance was very understated – almost as a last, finishing touch – but was really cute too. Isabel and Morgan were unique and fun characters, full of life lessons for Colie. I loved the Last Chance and wish even more time was spent there. Overall, such a great read. I would love a follow-up on this book – just a few pages to see what happens next for everyone. How is life for Colie when she goes home? What about Norman? I NEED MORE.Yep! I think I would read almost all of her books again at some point. I think this one is easily in my top five favorites, too. I need a Last Chance Cafe in my life. I think if you’re looking for a story about friendship and figuring out who you are, this book is perfect for you.
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