I re read this one to death when I was younger. I actually still like it, but I'm also really sad because this is Abby's last book. Ever
Before I get into the reviews, BOO-BOO DIED?! Obviously this happened in Little Sister, but I'm not sure when. I searched the past few BSC books, and Pumpkin is mentioned in Mary Anne and the Middle. That's so sad. I liked that grumpy cat.
I definitely did get a lesbian vibe from Abby in this book. I think it would explain why she's so against Valentine's Day. Tbh, without that angle, I think she just sounds unnecessarily bitter about the holiday. She ate too much chocolate and forgot to give her friends gifts? That's why she hates the holiday? Come on, there's got to be more to it.
And it's understandable. I really, really hate how Claud and Stacey act in this book. She said no. Whether or not she likes guys, she is uninterested in Ross, period. I hate that the dude kept giving her gifts. I also am a little disturbed that he went to her house for some reason. Is it realistic that he'd know where she lives? I know it's a small town, but she hasn't lived there all that long and the rich neighborhood is farther away from, say, Bradford Court. Although in the later books, it seems like everyone lives close enough to bike everywhere, so idk. Tbh, I don't think she was even that rude to him. His behavior was annoying and EXTREMELY off-putting. I'm also not of the belief that people are entitled to be "given a chance" just because they like you. If the other person isn't interested at all, it's actually unfair to pursue a relationship (I 100% agree with Charlie's advice here).
Okay, rant over XD. I honestly just found it so annoying that so many people were pressuring Abby to date him. Even Anna! Wtf.
I found the Abby and Anna mixup hilarious. In a way, I don't buy it. Earlier books say you can tell them apart very easily. And what about their hair? Is Ross just that dense? Either way, that chapter was actually pretty funny.
I don't like how Kristy was saying she didn't have romantic feelings for Bart. That's not how I remember it! She definitely had a crush on him and even thought she was "in love" with him on Secret Admirer. Maybe this is a retcon, but idk. Some fans think Kristy is a lesbian, but tbh, she never really came across as one to me. Ngl, this book sort of reads that way, though.
I love the ending with Kristy and Abby getting pizza (what does Abby get on her pizza anyway?) and a horror movie. And that Abby won the box of chocolates. I'm with Kristy on this one, I would've been cracking up.
The subplot was kind of blah until the last chapter, when (and this is very embarrassing to admit) I got just slightly teary-eyed. I honestly don't think that the Thomas-Brewers should have trained a guide dog. It would be too hard for the little kids to understand, and potentially traumatizing (is this going too far?). I feel bad for Andrew, although I also found his behavior a bit annoying. I think it's because, unless I missed something, there wasn't much about him being close to Scout before. So it felt a little random. Plus, he spent some time in Chicago (I'm wondering if I would have read some LS. I'm not interested in that series at all, but there are a few plot points like that one that make their way into the main series), and when in Stoneybrook, only spends half the time at the big house. Maybe I'm just heartless, but I don't find it super believable that he bonded that much with her.
I think the part that got me was when Kristy thought of Louie. Sniff
I totally get where she's coming from.
Of course, I still feel bad for him.
A few weird things:
Abby's mom couldn't take the long commute from Long Island to New York? What? Wouldn't that be almost the same? As it is, her commute is like an hour to an hour and a half each way.
Quote from chapter 2: "Mallory, however, is no longer with us." That's what you say when someone dies. In the next 2 sentences, she explains that she went to boarding school and is an honorary member. Still a weird way to word it.
Another quote, this time from chapter 4: "'Stop right there," I said. 'E-mail and romance do not belong in the same sentence.'" Idk why this is so funny to me.
I still like this one. It gets a 7. It doesn't feel like a good "last book," though, if that makes sense. I'm looking forward to the next 3 in the series, because I've never read them before! I'll probably be reading them a bit more slowly than the rest of the series, because for the months of September and October, I'm going to read as many horror books as I possibly can! I decided I'm definitely going to read all of FF, as well as The Summer Before (tbh, looking back, I wish I'd read TSB first. I think that would have been interesting. In going in chronological order, though, so I'll read it last).