Books › This Lullaby
This Lullaby
a novel
First published 2002 · 352 pages
A sun-soaked, witty summer romance about a fiercely guarded cynic learning to let her walls down.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like a long, hazy summer spent driving around with your best friends with the windows down. It balances a sharp, cynical wit with a deeply tender core, pulling you into the mind of a fiercely guarded protagonist who is terrified of repeating her mother's romantic mistakes. The prose is effortless and conversational, making the pages fly by as the emotional walls slowly crumble. It is a masterclass in the reluctant romance trope, wrapped in the comforting, nostalgic atmosphere of early-2000s contemporary YA. Perfect for readers who love messy, realistic family dynamics, the chaotic energy of a garage band, and the quiet, terrifying vulnerability of letting yourself care about someone who doesn't fit your carefully curated plans.
- Mood
- summery
- nostalgic
- hopeful
- breezy
- Tone
- wry
- cynical
- heartfelt
- witty
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- fear of commitment · mother-daughter dynamics · vulnerability of love · letting go of control · power of friendship
- The writing
- Accessible, conversational, and emotionally resonant with a sharp, witty edge.
- The arc
- Moves from fiercely guarded cynicism and emotional detachment to a reluctant, tender vulnerability.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love character-driven YA contemporaries about cynical girls learning to trust, set against a backdrop of summer jobs and messy friendships.
Content notes
- absentee parent
- underage drinking
About the book
When it comes to relationships, Remy Starr doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to get him out of her head. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about? From acclaimed author Sarah Dessen, this is a captivating novel about a tough-as-nails girl and the unexpectedly charming boy who's determined to soften her up, and be the man she wants.
Description from Open Library.
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