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Susane Colasanti is an author of teen novels.

Early Life

Colasanti has stated that she was bullied in junior high and high school, and this provided the basis for her novel Keep Holding On. The first story she ever wrote was in the first or second grade, titled "The Rabbit and the Carrot." Before becoming an author, Colasanti was a high school science teacher.

Published works

Susane Colasanti is the author of seven books for teenagers: When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting For You, Something Like Fate, So Much Closer, Keep Holding On and All I Need.

Colasanti is currently working on her eighth novel of an undisclosed title.

Reviews

All I Need

It always comes down to timing — with love, jobs, even what books we feel like reading.

Like so many, I wish I could be down the Shore now, but on a week when work commitments make that impossible, reading about Sea Bright as the backdrop for a young adult novel was good timing.

There’s a sweet earnestness to All I Need, which is neither for the cynical nor those who can’t remember the exquisite pull of first love. In the case of Skye and Seth, it may also be a last love.

They could be that rare couple who meet as teenagers and stay together. The book’s device is to tell the romance from Skye’s perspective and, in the next chapter, from Seth’s. All chapters are song titles, from “Bring on the Night” (The Police) to “I’ll Be Loving You Forever” (New Kids on the Block).

Susane Colasanti, who grew up in Peapack-Gladstone, does a good job of getting inside the head of a girl about to start her senior year of high school and a boy about to go to college.

Lately, young adult novels may have eclipsed memoirs as the must-write book — but like books of any genre, they must be written well to hold readers.

The lightness of this story springs from the fact that Skye is looking for the sort of loving relationship her parents enjoy. If that’s sappy, so be it. There’s nothing preachy about the book, and there are worse things than having a teenager aspire to a healthy relationship.

Here, Skye watches her parents just before the annual end-of-summer party:

“My parents are sitting together on a blanket. They’re staring out at the ocean. Mom leaning against Dad, still happy to be married after twenty-one years. That’s all I need. To find a soul mate to share my life with. To have a love so epic it will never die.”

She grew up cosseted in Newfoundland during the school year and in one of the fancier houses in Sea Bright in the summer. Through most of the book, Seth’s parents are separated. He’s from West Orange and his dad’s place in Sea Bright is more of a shack.

Skye and Seth meet on the beach at twilight; young and gorgeous, they fall in love immediately. But they have to part and don’t get to say goodbye.

They pine for each other possibly the way only teenagers can, though they do get on with their lives. Skye has two best friends; one forever on a diet and an aspiring fashion designer, the other a more caustic, budding filmmaker.

Seth and Skye both become briefly involved with others. He is at Penn, where he has to work to help pay for school. It wasn’t as if the mansions at the beach compared to his ramshackle place hadn’t already taught him the stark realities of money. But being at an Ivy League school, where roommates and friends don’t have to work, accentuates his lack of funds.

Seth and Skye get back together, and though she never flaunts her money, she naturally has it easier. When Skye visits him at school, she takes a taxi from the train station; he always walks and one day thinks:

“Whenever I walk to campus from the train station, an intense feeling floods over me. It’s like this strong sense of coming home. Crossing the Walnut Street Bridge to Center City is powerful, too. If freedom, excitement and possibility all got together and decided to become an emotion, that would be the feeling I get. By the time I hit Rittenhouse Square, I’m buzzing over the potential awesomeness of it all. Growing up in suburbia will do that to you. One whiff of city life and you’re like an uncaged animal running wild.”

Skye, meanwhile, has to navigate that heinously stressful college application process. Her parents, liberal and trusting as they are, are not thrilled that she spends hours each night talking with Seth and traveling whenever she can to see him. There’s some friction, but nowhere near the drama that can explode between parents and teenage daughters.

Though they endure bumps along the way, you know Seth and Skye will make it for all the right reasons. It helps that their timing was excellent — as was Colasanti’s, for setting a novel at the Shore, just when so many of us long to be there again.

-The Star-Ledger

An unlikely young couple finds true love during summer break—but can it withstand their different lives?

Skye spends her summers vacationing on the Jersey Shore in her family’s large beach house, positive that nothing interesting will ever happen. Unexpectedly, she meets Seth at a party on the last night of the summer, and the chemistry is immediate and intense. A plan to exchange contact information goes awry, and they part not knowing how to find each other. Fate reunites the couple the next summer, and they decide to make their relationship work. Well-to-do Skye and Seth, a boy of lesser means, must find common ground despite their very different lives: Seth worries endlessly about money and paying for his Ivy League education, while Skye is still working through high school dramas. As Seth and Skye feel their way through the trials and tribulations of young love, the world marches on around them, and the two of them shakily navigate how to find their place together in it. Romantic and swooning plotlines filled with chance encounters soon dissipate into the real-life logistics of making a relationship work. Readers shouldn’t fret: The romance ramps back up to a swelling crescendo, sure to leave enthusiasts sighing and reaffirmed about the power of true love.

Grab your blankets and sunscreen now: This is an ideal summer beach book.

- Kirkus Reviews

Keep Holding On

"Emotionally satisfying from beginning to end." - Kirkus Reviews

"A fast read that will give readers plenty to think about." - Publishers Weekly

"Noelle’s situation will resonate with teen readers." - VOYA

"Colasanti proves her facility with not only a powerful story, but also the poetic techniques that elevate a novel to an important work of art." - YA Book Shelf

So Much Closer

Brooke, 17, is dissatisfied. Her relationship with her mother is strained, she is smart but feels no motivation to succeed in school, and she pines for a boy with whom she has never even spoken. When she discovers that Scott is moving to New York City, to the same neighborhood as her estranged father, Brooke decides that a change in her own life is also necessary. What follows is the bittersweet tale of her transformation from a suburban Jersey girl whose life is defined by her infatuation into a New Yorker who has new friends, plans for her future, and a better relationship with both of her parents. While not everything works out exactly as she had hoped, and not everything is fully resolved by the close of the book, Brooke’s story ends happily and with love. Parallels to Sarah Dessen are inevitable, but the narrative voice Colasanti has created is thoughtful and likable in its own way. The protagonist is enviably pretty, intelligent, brave, and, because of her workaholic father, has the freedom and money to run around New York City. But she is also self-deprecating and flawed. Colasanti has once again formulated a teen romance that feels realistic, which will make this novel a hit with readers.

- School Library Journal

Colasanti was a high-school science teacher for 10 years before embarking on such popular novels as When It Happens (2006), Waiting for You (2009), and Something Like Fate (2010). Perhaps this accounts for the ease with which she captures teen language and behavior. Her latest is a bouncy, captivating example of the teenage romantic comedy. The fact that there’s a troubling backstory (heroine Brooke is a still-traumatized survivor of parental divorce) adds to the credibility of Brooke’s emotions and gives extra zest to her first-person narrative. The novel follows Brooke as she moves from South Jersey to a challenging high school in Brooklyn to be near her crush—who tells her, in their only conversation before school ends, that he is moving to Manhattan. Brooke’s hobby of origami is an enchanting metaphor throughout for her working with what’s at hand and coming up with something original. Colasanti fans, as well as those of Sarah Dessen and Lauren Barnholdt, will love this. A fun exploration of a city and a teen’s dreams.

- Booklist

This is my favorite Susane Colasanti novel, hands down, no contest. I have adored all four of her previous novels. She is one of my favorite authors. I also think she is probably the most inspiring person I have ever met. Her inspiration and passion comes through in everything. You can feel her energy when you meet her in person, you can feel it when you read her blog, and especially in her novels. You can just feel it.

So Much Closer swept me away from the first chapter. I could not put it down. Brooke's story captivated me. I connected with her. I haven't connected to a character on a level this intense in a very, very long time. Every page that I read there would be a quote, or several, and I would think "she is practically speaking to my soul!" I loved the passion for the New York City. I feel that same passion for that place. I remember being seven years old the first time I visited New York. I was walking with my mom on a street in Greenwich Village; I looked up at her and simply stated, "I belong here." My love for New York City has never died and with each visit I fall more in love with it. I can't imagine the energy and pure excitement I would feel, just like Brooke did, by just living there. Susane is the perfect person to write about the vibrancy of New York because she feels the energy, too.

I admire Brooke for her bold choices and following her dreams. Brooke changed me. I have pretty much always been ambitious, but after reading Brooke's story, I want to be more so. I want to be more everything. Every single day I want to work on achieving my dream. I want to focus on the things I KNOW I am meant to become and meant to do. I needed this inspiration. I needed the characters in this novel.

I was smitten with John from his first appearance. He made me smile, laugh, he pulled on my heart strings. His shirts were amazing. I know my friend Tricia and I will be making replicas of his shirts for our own wear. John was amazing. Sadie is just plain fabulous. 'Nuff said. Warm fuzzies? Totally brill. They would make me completely happy. Scott was written perfectly. The relationships were true and real. This novel has easily become one of my all time favorites. I actually want to read it all over again right this second.

This novel was flawless. From the breathtaking front cover featuring the High Line to every word written beautifully inside to the fun stripes on the spine. Flawless. This novel was flawless.

I would also love to try a hand at origami. I've always thought it was interesting. Brooke and Susane have inspired me in so many different ways. Beautiful. Truly beautiful.

- Just Read Books

Brooke has had a crush on Scott Abrams forever, but he barely knows she exists. When she finally gets up the courage to tell him how she feels, she's shocked to discover that his family is moving from their New Jersey suburb to New York City. Brooke is devastated—until she comes up with the perfect solution. She'll move in with her dad, who lives in the city, for senior year and track Scott down. And her plan works perfectly—she's practically Scott's neighbor in New York—until she discovers that Scott has wasted no time in getting himself a girlfriend in their new neighborhood. But luckily for Brooke, the city is packed with opportunities and she's not about to give up on having the year of her life.

So Much Closer is a fun, romantic, and endearing novel with a terrific setting. Colasanti describes New York vividly, with an eye for the unexpected details that really make the Brooke's neighborhood come to life with energy, and invites the reader right in. Brooke is a very dynamic narrator, and her narrative is very fun, relatable, and authentic. She's naturally smart and talented, but she's never been pushed to do well or pursue academic goals, which is frustrating to those around her. She's full of contempt for the school systems she has been through, but when she gets to the city, becomes friends with John (a cute guy who is driven but struggles academically), is pushed by good teachers, and inspired by her environment, she begins to grow and realize her foolishness in wasting her talents. This is a great coming-of-age story as Brooke not only finds Scott and figures out what it's like to get what you want and discover that maybe it’s not all that you had hoped, but as she also deals with her parents' divorce and her feelings about it and finds her passion in life. So Much Closer is an unexpected, funny, and real novel that is charged with energy and life. Once again, Colasanti doesn't disappoint.

- The Compulsive Reader

Susane's fifth novel is a funny, relatable, daring book about a girl who does whatever it takes to get what she wants. I was already in love with the book after reading the first chapter, but after the third, I knew I was in heaven. I related to Brooke in so many different ways, it was exhilarating. We have similar home lives, outlooks on life, and even similar dreams to chase after. In my review of Susane's fourth novel, Something Like Fate, I said that the book made me want to change my life. While that was true, So Much Closer has motivated me in even more ways.

The story is fast paced, with many well-rounded characters. I loved how different John was, especially his awesome shirts. He has such an interesting outlook on life and a huge love for his city, New York. I loved every scene he was in.

I truly cannot think of a single thing in this book that I did not enjoy, and that is usually a hard thing to say! I think I might even go read it again...

- The Truth About Books

Brooke has loved Scott for years, but it isn't until the end of their junior year that she gets up the courage to tell him. This is going to be it—they'll have the entire summer together and then senior year as well—except before she gets the chance to make it all happen, she finds out that Scott is moving to New York City. The combination of always having dreamt of one day living in the city and knowing deep down that her and Scott were meant to be together drives Brooke to a radical decision—to drop life as she knows it and go live in the city with a father she has refused to talk to since she was a child. Despite the obstacles piled up against her, Brooke is determined to make her dreams come true. So when she gets everything she's always wanted, she doesn't understand why it doesn't seem to be enough. But she's going to learn that sometimes, you don't know what it is you truly want until it finds its way to you.

I loved this book. Brooke is a fantastic character, someone who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. In the first chapter alone I knew that she was the kind of person I could see myself wanting to be friends with and it made the book that much greater to read. But even better, she also had flaws which made her an incredibly well rounded and believable character throughout. The summary, which admittedly had me slightly concerned (the line about her following him to the city inspired a double-take), is in reality about SO much more. Anyone who has read Susane's other books won't be surprised by this—she has a way of writing stories that seem to focus around finding true love but always include so many other things, primarily finding yourself and who you'd like to become. In So Much Closer, Brooke finds out a lot about herself, about her relationships with family and friends, and about what she's really looking for out of life. She meets a few wonderful people along the way who help to open her eyes and are there to remind her to always look up. There were just so many parts throughout the entire book, lines and quotes and passages, that had me going "yes, this is what it's about." I loved that. I loved the fact that I wanted to highlight all these little things so I'd be able to go back later (although I obviously couldn't do that since it would be defacing the book—sigh). I guess that means that I'll just have to go back and read it again. Honestly, I can't wait.

- The Book Girl Reviews

Brooke knows that Scott is the ONE for her…he just doesn’t know it yet. So when he moves from their suburban town to New York City, she follows him. Living with a father she hasn’t spoken to in six years and starting at a new school are hard, but things get even worse when she learns that he already has a girlfriend. In So Much Closer, Brooke discovers a new side of herself that will draw readers in to her and the magic that is this novel.

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary YA novels, which delivered exactly what I expected from them. However, with Susane Colasanti‘s new novel, So Much Closer, readers will get a whole lot more than they expect if my opinion means anything. With a premise that has the main character dropping everything in her life to follow a boy who barely knows her, perhaps you expect that Brooke isn’t a strong female role model. I worried about this possibility too, but once I started reading this novel, I felt a lot differently about her and immediately became a fan of Colasanti’s writing.

As a character, there are a bunch of things about Brooke Greene with which I identified and appreciated. First, she has an inner confidence that I think a lot of teen girls lack, especially when it comes to guys. I mean, how many girls are prepared to tell their crush of two years that they’re meant to be together? In addition to her confidence, I am a big fan of her voice (who wouldn’t enjoy a teen who helps set up for a school event in an effort to be ironic?). Moreover, Brooke is one of the few angry / somewhat angsty teens that worked for me, perhaps because these feelings built up over the course of the novel, so it was easier for me to sympathize with them than it has been in the past. Finally, I loved that Colasanti created Brooke as a really intelligent teen because she’s one of the few YA characters written from this perspective that I’ve ever read.

As can be expected, Brooke isn’t the only character in this novel, and she most certainly isn’t the only one readers will grow to love. Two of the secondary characters who you’ll like most are Sadie and John. Sadie wears cat’s eye-shaped glasses, encourages Brooke to become a peer tutor, and teaches her about warm fuzzies and random acts of kindness. John makes Brooke laugh and helps her explore New York City. And of course, NYC is a character all its own, one that Brooke has always loved from afar and wanted to know better. Living there during her senior year of high school, the city helps her grow as a person just as much as her new friends do.

In addition to great characters and understanding of the teen voice, readers will appreciate Colasanti’s postmodern allusions to and inside jokes about pop culture. Between Scott and Brooke, The Office is a TV show that unites them…once Brooke has a weekend marathon that is…and permits several inside jokes that the audience may or may not understand. Next, John’s enthusiasm for the movie Office Space creates some ironic humor for those readers who have seen it. Both of these examples–and others–demonstrate Colasanti’s belief that culture creates and solidifies social bonds. At the same time, however, they help to solidify the bonds between the novel’s characters and readers, who may have to have their own weekend long marathons or are already familiar with these references.

Whether you love character and setting-driven novels or are a fan of pop culture, So Much Closer will open you up to a whole new world of YA possibilities and make you want to get so much closer to the rest of Susane Colasanti’s oeuvre.

- YA Book Shelf

Sometimes Brooke just knows things, partly thanks to her excellent memory. But sometimes she just knows for reasons that have nothing to do with that.

That’s the way it is with Scott Abrams. Brooke is certain that they are meant to be together. The only problem is Scott doesn’t know it yet. And also that he doesn’t really know Brooke. His moving away to New York City the summer before senior year doesn’t really help either.

It’s risky and kind of crazy, but Brooke knows that this is her chance. She can follow him, she can tell him they’re meant to be together. It’s her last chance. It has to work.

New York isn’t what Brooke expected and neither is Scott Abrams or any of the people she meets at her new school. Brooke moved to New York City for Scott Abrams. Will she wind up staying for herself?

So Much Closer is Colasanti’s fifth novel and her own personal ode to the city that never sleeps.

This is a story about a girl who pinned all of her hopes on a boy and has to figure out what to do when that boy might not be the right one. It’s a story about New York City. It’s a story about finding out that the things you want aren’t always the best for you.

There are a lot of romances out there and a lot of books about New York City. Colasanti looks at both with fresh eyes to create a story that is as vibrant and as vivid as its setting. So Much Closer is a splendid book filled with quirky characters, an evocative story, and writing that is funny, sharp and absorbing.

- Miss Print

I've always wanted to read one of Susane Colasanti books, but never seemed to get around to actually reading one of them. All the stories sounded fantastic and finally I picked up one of her books. It sat on my bookcase for a bit, but once I picked So Much Closer up and started to read it I could not stop. So Much Closer was all it took for me to love Susane Colasanti's writing. Now I know for sure I will be reading every single one of her books with no hesitation.

Where do I even begin to tell you how beautiful this book is? So Much Closer is about a girl named Brooke who seriously believes she is in love with Scott Abrams and that they are meant to be together. She has this feeling she calls The Knowing and The Knowing has never been wrong before so why would it be wrong now? The only problem is they never actually had a conversation and um he's moving to New York City. Bad luck eh?

The moment I started this book I loved the main character Brooke. Brooke is a really well developed character who you learn as you read doesn't trust people well and she has her reasons. She doesn't really give a crap about school or her grades which you learn why towards the middle of the book. There is a lot to Brooke you don't realize. She's a bit cynical from the start, but as she learns to trust certain people and realizes there's more to life than just Scott Abrams she becomes this amazing person who sees the world differently.

Scott Abrams is the guy of Brooke's dreams. She is madly in love with him and in some ways I could understand why. The more Scott is around the more you like him. He's cute and all but he wasn't really an amazing character. And once certain things between him and Brooke occur he kind of just falls flat as a character, which in all honesty was perfect because it leads up to an amazing ending and amazing things for Brooke. Not that Scott is a bad character because he's not I like him he's just not one of those characters who you learn a who lot about personally. And to be honest Scott got pushed aside because of John who had my heart the moment he was introduced. I mean how could you even think about Scott when such a guy like John was around?

John, oh John. This guy was defiantly my favorite character aside from Brooke herself. He has so much energy and he just blurts out the truth all the time and I love him. He is a huge part in the reason why Brooke finally sees certain things clearly and she becomes just a better person because of him. Any time John was around in the book I would always smile because his dialogue is the best. I did feel sorry for him while I read in some moments because of him not being able to keep his thoughts collected and the fact he works so hard to try and do so good, but his disease prevents him from being able to achieve what he can. John is a smart guy you really start realize the more you read about him. I loved reading as Brooke really started to see John for who he was because I was seeing the same thing along with her.

John wasn't the only character to really transform Brooke from who she was when we first meet her. Sadie who at first you have to wonder if she will be that annoying character actually turns out to be the awesome person you wish could be a friend of yours. At first Brooke finds Sadie seriously annoying and way to persistent, but then once she actually lets her guard down and hangs out with Sadie the two become inseparable. I loved it when Brooke would realize that even though she has a hard time trusting people there are still some people out in the world that you can let in completely 100% and trust.

I wasn't sure how I would like this book to be totally honest. I'd never read anything by Susane Colasanti before so I was just going off the lovely cover and interesting summary. I regret not reading this book sooner that's for sure or any book by Susane Colasanti for that matter. I loved this book and could not put it down. I had to keep reading until the very last page. I really wish I had another book by this author that I could read right now because I fell in love with the way she wrote and described everything so vividly. I felt as if I was in New York City seeing and admiring everything that Brooke was. This book was just beautiful and even though the reason Brooke goes to New York in the first place is for a boy she ends up right where she is supposed to be finding her path in life and true friends that will have her back for a lifetime. So don't go into this book just thinking its all about romance, because its not. It's about self discovery and learning to trust people, to trust yourself to achieve all that you can.

So Much Closer was a really beautiful story that started and ended with perfection. You will love reading about Brooke and her journey in New York City. I know I loved it and So Much Closer is getting 5 out of 5 stars from me. If you have this book sitting on your bookcase read it. If you don't own this book yet go and out and buy it now. This is a book that needs to be read. I can't wait to pick up another book from Susane Colasanti.

- Novel Nerd

Something Like Fate

Lani, a reserved, grounded Taurus, and Erin, an outgoing, mercurial Leo, are best friends who couldn’t be more different. Then Lani meets Jason, who has just started dating Erin. Lani and Jason have so much in common it’s like they’re joined at the soul, and they fall for each other quickly. To avoid the school rumor mill, they keep their love a secret through the summer, even after Erin goes away to camp and Jason breaks up with her. Lani gets wrapped up in her summer relationship with Jason, but not to the point where she loses herself. When Erin finds out the truth about what Lani and Jason did over the summer, she is furious with Lani, lashing out publicly, and leaving Lani fearful that her senior year will be fraught. Lani recounts both the thrill of romance and the terror of losing what little social status she has in an intelligent, fast-paced present-tense narration. Despite her suffering, she is determined to hang on to her fated relationship with Jason, which will resonate with readers attracted to bittersweet and tear-jerking romances.

- Kirkus Reviews

Colasanti turns a tired cliché–falling for your best friend’s boyfriend–into an honest portrayal of romantic turmoil and backstabbing. Lani, 17, a well-meaning Jersey girl, is president of her school’s environmental club and a firm believer in horoscopes, fortune-telling, and fate. When Erin, her friend since childhood, begins dating Jason, Lani finds that she is attracted to him, and it turns out that they have incredible chemistry. With Erin away as a leader-in-training at summer camp, Lani and Jason start a secret romance that Lani knows is wrong, but she wonders if fate is pushing her and Jason together. When Erin finds out about Lani’s betrayal, she outs her friend as a manipulative backstabber. It’s not every day that one reads about a sympathetic boyfriend-stealer, but it’s hard not to root for Lani when she and Jason so clearly belong together. This novel will be an easy sell to reluctant readers and chick-lit enthusiasts.

- School Library Journal

Lani and Erin are older teens who share an interest in fortune-telling. Erin is less serious than Lani, who backed out of the popular crowd because she is more interested in things like environmental action than parties. Although the two girls have a deep bond that began in childhood, Lani’s true best friend is Blake, who fears his father will discover that he is gay. Erin is delighted when she starts dating Jason—one of many crushes she has shared with Lani—but when the three start hanging out together, Lani realizes that she and Jason are meant for each other. Colasanti provides credible and engaging character development for each cast member and interactions that spark just the right amount of tension to make this a romantic page-turner. A bit of steam is lost in the final pages, but a number of issues receive insightful inspection along the way: the meaning of friendship, whether fate plays a role in whom we love, intolerant parents, and coming to respect others' needs and feelings.

- Booklist

Lani is just your average girl, but not. Erin is Lani's soul sister; a girl who she has an unbreakable bond with. Jason is Lani's soul mate, and the boy who she is determined not to let come between them. When Erin starts dating Jason, Lani couldn't be more happy for her. After all, that's what best friends do. But from the moment Lani and Jason meet there is no denying the out of this world connection they have. He's the only one, other than Erin and her friend Blake, who really gets her on that deeper level. Too bad there's that unwritten rule girls just know from birth: never date your best friend's boyfriend. Ever. But how can you survive knowing that you've found the one you're supposed to be with, but it's impossible to be together? Can anyone resist the pull of their one true love, even if giving in means hurting your best friend?

The thing I think I love most about Susane's novels is that it feels like you're reading a letter from your best friend who you haven't seen in a while. Like it's been so long that you don't even really know them anymore, but from that first sentence it's like you never spent any time apart. Her characters really speak to you on that intimate level, where you feel like you know their life story. Lani is such an awesome girl. She's passionate, she's not afraid to go after what she wants, she's as loyal as can be, but she also makes mistakes. It was so much fun to hear her story. The other thing I love about Susane's novels is that there is somehow always a deeper meaning within the stories. When you pick up one of her books you can totally expect to learn about a girl who can learn to overcome her fears and the obstacles keeping her from what she wants; a strong girl who always learns how to get past the obstacles within herself. There's also the fact that her books always highlight the dark and the light in every story. In Something Like Fate, Susane told the story of a love that prevailed despite the obstacles. But she didn't shy away from the heavier aspect of Blake's story. This contrast just makes the story that much better. The final thing I love about Susane's books is that they always leave me thinking. Each of her characters bring something new to the table, something that makes you want to better yourself. I love the weird reflective mood I always get in when I finish one of her novels; how I can't immediately go back to everyday things until I take a while to think about what just happened. Needless to say I absolutely loved Something Like Fate and all of her books come highly recommended by me!

- The Book Girl Reviews

When Lani's best friend Erin begins dating Jason, Lani is happy for her. He's not the type of guy Erin normally goes for, but she seems to really like him. However, as Lani gets to know Jason, she begins to feel this amazing connection to him. He's unlike any guy she's ever known...but he's taken. Then Erin goes away for the summer, and Jason and Lani are free to hang out without Erin knowing, but Lani can't do that to her best friend. She and Erin are supposed to share a bond that runs deeper than any romantic relationship...right?

Something Like Fate is a bittersweet and wise book about the trickiness of relationships between friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, and teens and parents. Colasanti's protagonist, Lani, is responsible and goal oriented, but she has a passionate side, and her avid beliefs in fate and the truth in horoscopes make her a unique and memorable character. Her feelings for Jason are strong, but her loyalty to Erin is stronger, which is reflected in her conflicting feelings and ever-increasing confusion throughout the book. Though Something Like Fate isn't quite as layered as her previous novels, Colasanti keeps the plot busy with Lani and Jason's complex relationship and Lani's friend Blake's own issues with his father.

As her relationship with Erin and her other friends becomes more and more complicated and eventually sours, Lani continues to act mature and be an admirable character, despite her pain and feelings of betrayal. The book ends realistically and there is plenty of room for optimism for Lani, Jason, and Erin. Something Like Fate serves as a funny, insightful, and sometimes painful reminder that friends can and do grow apart, and that clinging to past bonds can get in the way of future relationships.

Cover Comments: I've always been a big fan of Colasanti's covers and the couples on them. This one is a little different (there's a third person!) but I do like it. I think it'll grab a lot of people's attention just because of the implications of the couple(s)...and I do like the bright colors and the fact that it is set in an ice cream shop (which is significant in the book)!

- The Compulsive Reader

This is my first Colasanti. I'll admit it. As big of a YA fan as I am, this is my first book by her. Boy have I been living in a hole. After reading this, I want to see what else she's done!

Lani is the kind of girl that you just miss in high school. She heads the One World club, bent on recycling and saving the planet; she has a great relationship with her BFFs Erin and Blake; and she has a great senior year slowly approaching her. Lani also is dealing with a newly found obsession involving horoscopes, tarot readings, and every form of fortune telling that’s become mainstream – including the Magic 8 Ball. Her life is pretty good.

Until Erin gets a new boyfriend. At first, Lani likes Jason. But when they first meet, Erin and Blake sitting around them in the pizza place, she feels a connection, something that is undeniably there, between her and Jason. Lani begins to sit with Jason at lunch – all under Erin’s good graces, of course – and they begin to foster a friendship that goes beyond what either of them expected.

He feels and thinks many of the same thoughts as Lani. He gets Lani in a way that no other guy had before or that she imagined a guy could understand her. The moment that she knows that Jason has a connection with her that’s deeper than a mere friendship, that she can’t deny the idea any longer, is when he shares her knowledge of the color rule: the idea that each bottled water brand’s flavor is based on a shape and color. Poland Spring is a red circle. With this knowledge, Lani finds herself venturing into uncertain territory. With Erin going away to camp over the summer, it’s just her and Jason. Can she help the connection she has with a guy that is just too good to be true, or will the thought of hurting her best friend Erin be too much to bear?

A cheating novel is okay in my book. The one thing that troubles me in romance novels the most is the plots revolving around babies, so this was not a major concern of mine involving the novel. Granted, it’s towards teenagers, so I did hope Colasanti would write it in a way that wouldn’t be like “Go cheat on your best friend”. Thankfully, Colasanti managed to do that.

The plot of the novel was actually well done, much more than I thought it would be, anyway. Lani is a sympathetic protagonist. She has a great first person voice that speaks to teenagers very well. Some of it may come off in a bad way to more adult readers, but it’s genuine message is very appropriate for the audience. The biggest plus you have within the plot is that Jason breaks up with Erin a third of the way through the book, so you don’t have a full-on cheater’s festival going on. Lani’s feelings of guilt are always present in some way, making it clear that keeping with a guy she’s growing to love isn’t coming without consequences.

Colasanti's characters are done in much the same manner. I’ve already stated how well I like Lani, especially her many little quirks. I also appreciated her genuine kindness; her positivity makes for a breezy read that is a welcome break from many darker YA books. Jason is also put together well, and his role as a hero was never questionable. His feelings came off pretty well when they were revealed, and he and Lani’s relationship as a whole had the 'summer love' feeling that feels good to read about.

Erin was also done extremely well – her actions towards the end of the book, while verging on ‘Super-Bitch’ in tendency, were understandable and classic high school, and really spoke volumes for how important communication and delicacy are in friendships and love lives. Blake, Lani’s main male friend, who just so happens to be gay and my favorite character, was left to rot. Frankly, with as well as Colasanti pictured the other characters, it disappointed me that Blake was sidelined until the very end of the book. Lani has fleeting thoughts involving his summer job, but Colasanti never brought him in enough to make him feel as important as he was to Lani.

After reading this, I feel like I’ve been missing out. Colasanti handled a tough relationship with class and teenage sensibility that ultimately worked out in a really positive manner. After all of the positive things, I have to say I'll be looking out for more from her. Something Like Fate is a keeper for sure - simply for the sweetness and fun characters that inhabit its pages. Rating: Five Stars

- Dreaming In Books

For some odd reason every one of Susane Colasanti's releases match with how my life is going when I read them. Her previous release, Waiting for You, left me crying like a little baby because I could relate so much. I could relate to Something Like Fate somewhat but thankfully not completely. Susane is truly such a talented writer and her characters are so three-dimensional. I felt Erin's pain and Lani's shame and confusion. Of course I must mention how mouth watering Jason is. *drool* He's the perfect guy and I found myself giggling at his sweet moments. The way that Susane Colasanti made Lani and Jason react to each other, their connection, it was like nothing I'd ever read before. I literally had chills.

Yes, there have been a number of similar books in the YA world, but Something Like Fate stands on its own. Colasanti did not make her ending sugar coated. She showed the reality of how evil people can truly be and how they act when angry. And also how people react to pressure. I was hoping that Susane would take this deep and she didn't let me down. She is a beyond talented author that I hope is nowhere near done writing novels because I am now a devoted fan.

- The Book Obsession

Waiting For You

Marisa spent freshman year grappling with anxiety disorder and depression. Now the amateur photographer is heading into sophomore year with some coping skills and waiting for love to find her. While her best friend is IMing older guys and her once-“normal” parents are separated, Marisa thinks she’s finally found romance with popular Derek, her first boyfriend. Why, then, would she rather hang out and discuss her problems, especially her relapsing depression, with her “totally geeked out” chemistry partner, Nash? Maybe while Marisa’s been waiting for love, it’s been in front of her all along. The story isn’t new, but Colasanti keeps it fresh by speaking to teens in their own language. Marisa’s realistic, first-person narration ably captures the importance of typical adolescent problems. The author also offers a hint of mystery (although readers will soon figure it out) with a late-night radio show featuring Dirty Dirk, an anonymous student who reaches out to Marisa. Chick lit for girls who think.

- Kirkus Reviews

Though Marisa struggles with an anxiety disorder and depression, she starts the school year wanting “everyone at school to know I am not a freak anymore.” Her life becomes more exciting when Derek, the popular boy she has a crush on, asks her out. But when Marisa begins suspecting Derek's relationship with his ex, her obsessive negative thinking returns. Colasanti (Take Me There) expertly handles the plot, keeping it ambiguous whether Derek is cheating on Marisa, or if he is being honest when he tells her, “You're accusing me of something I didn't do.” The author also nicely contrasts Marisa's exciting but shallow relationship with Derek with her much deeper connection to nerdy Nash, to whom she opens up about her problems. There is no doubt who Marisa will eventually be with (and readers will easily ID the mysterious Dirty Dirk, a DJ who provides advice and hope to students via podcasts). Colasanti presents an authentic picture of how complicated it is to be a teenager, especially one in love.

- Publishers Weekly

Marisa and her best friend Sterling have a ritual. “We get together before school starts, when all of the electric energy of possibility is zinging around, and make a pact on how we want our lives to change…. There’s only so much waiting a person can endure until they start thinking that maybe nothing exciting will ever happen to them. Like, ever.”

For Marisa, she would like nothing more than to start fresh. In her first year of high school, she was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and did some bizarre things as a freshman. She hopes that the summer and a new start will be like hitting reset in her classmates’ minds. She doesn’t want to be seen as weird. Now she has her anxiety under control and is trying to take charge of the rest of her life as well.

But what happens when things beyond your control happen? Marisa is shocked when her perfect family life is rattled by talk of her parents divorcing. Her little sister is more than obnoxious with her strong political and health beliefs. Not to mention Sterling keeps falling for older guys…on the Internet. And then there are the boy situations. Derek is cute and seems to be flirting with Marisa in art class. But he has a girlfriend. Then there’s Nash, the boy next door --- literally --- who is beyond geeky. Marisa only wants to be friends with Nash. Instead, Derek intrigues her, and so does a mystery DJ who has the school enthralled with his nightly online broadcasts and his interesting commentary. (Think Christian Slater in the popular ’80s film Pump Up the Volume.)

As Marisa tries to sort out all the craziness in her life while still keeping her head on straight, she begins to realize that perhaps she was waiting for the wrong things. Maybe she needed to open her eyes to appreciate what she had all along.

Waiting for You is Susane Colasanti’s third young adult novel. As in her previous books, When It Happens and Take Me There, Colasanti does a great job of creating realistic teen characters. The dialogue and language make her protagonists fresh and current. Her take on romance is sweet and optimistic, and slightly reminiscent of a teen movie. Not only does Waiting for You pay homage to Pump Up the Volume, it also mentions the seminal teen television show My So-Called Life. Colasanti clearly knows how to write in an engaging, light manner that teenagers will enjoy.

- Teen Reads

Marisa is determined to make sophomore year great—she’s going to make everyone forget how spacey she was last year when dealing with her anxiety disorder. She's made a pact with her best friend Sterling that from now on, they will live in the Now, and they will find boyfriends—there will be no more waiting.

But the new school year also brings some surprises as well: Marisa rekindles her friendship with her childhood buddy, the extremely nerdy Nash, and attracts the attention of charming and flirtatious Derek. Her unshakable parents are acting completely odd, and Sterling can't stop falling for older guys over the internet, a scary prospect. Marisa learns that sometimes things in life don't go the way they were planned—but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Waiting for You is a book that will really hit home with a lot of teens. At the center of the story is Marisa's struggle with waiting for that perfect someone who will love her for her, no matter what; a longing that is familiar to many. But rather than allowing the book to focus on that one want, Colasanti crafts a multi-layered read that digs deep into the details and captures the subtle nuances of friendship, school, and day-to-day life. Marisa is an engaging and refreshingly honest narrator with an authentic voice who sometimes gets too wrapped up in herself, but her genuinely kind qualities more than make up for it.

One of the best aspects of Waiting for You is how Colasanti weaves each of the situations and plot twists throughout the book seamlessly together to reinforce her main idea: the perfect guy isn't always what you expect him to be like, and not all great relationships can last forever. Waiting for You is a humorous, poignant, and quietly powerful book that will inspire readers to live their lives in the Now instead of waiting for something better.

- The Compulsive Reader

Marisa has had a crush on Derek for a long, long time. He's perfect: friendly, cute, popular. The only problem is that he has a girlfriend. Then there's Nash, her longtime, geeky neighbor. Sure, he's super shy, but he's also extremely sweet and smart.

So when Derek breaks up with his girlfriend and starts paying attention to Marisa, she's ecstatic. Soon it's official - Derek and Marisa, the couple of the school. But then things change between Nash and Marisa. They start to talk more and find themselves becoming good friends. And then there's the fact that the once geeky Nash isn't so geeky anymore. In fact, he seems to have gotten...a style!

When Marisa has Derek, the guy she's always wanted, doesn't that mean she should be happy? And when she's not happy, does this mean that maybe she and Derek aren't meant to be?

Susane Colasanti writes a must-read for all teens. Not only does this book delve into young love, but it also deals with family life and the problems that are common today. This book is a rite of passage for all teens going through the dramas of high school: family problems, friend drama, crazy siblings, cute boys, and surprising finds.

Waiting for You, the third teen read from Colasanti, is recommended to all. This book will bring laughs, tears, and awkward moments that will be sure to please everyone who reads it.

- Teens Read Too

Waiting for Waiting for You almost killed me, but it was worth the wait. When I finally managed to get my hands on it, I barred everything from my mind and was engrossed in the book. It was everything I expected it to be and beyond that. I have to confess, and I’m sure every single one of you females will agree that we’ve had our share of “crushes” on the most popular boy in school. He was inevitably the object of our affection, coveted secretly, but unattainable. Yet we would do anything for him to look our way and give us a smile if not his undivided attention. Reading this book was like being taken back into time – back to high school, which was fortunately filled with happy memories. Mostly. Since Ms. Colasanti has been a high school science teacher for over a decade, I’m sure she has been privy to all the goings on. From the mood swings to the keg parties and she manages to bring all that and more into her book.

Her characters mirror what your average teenager would feel at this age. The angst of finding someone to belong to, someone who understands you, someone who likes you the way you like them. Someone to love, and be somebody’s beloved.

Without giving away much, all I want to say is that Nash, Marisa (which just happens to be my favorite name), and Derek (which just makes me think of Patrick Dempsey) could be you and your friends. I’m sure there is one of each amongst us. We might even be one of them. But the point here is that she manages to put that into words, yes words- the most important thing. To put emotions into words is really difficult, I should know, I’ve tired and failed miserably many times. Just goes to show how incredible she is and that she had me hanging on to every word of every page making me relive every emotion, every feeling that I’ve felt in the past 5-ish years.

Going into the book, I expected it to be good, as I knew she wouldn’t be capable of producing something that wasn’t. But the outcome - when I was done with the 322 pages of it - I didn’t expect tears. Nor did I expect to have this sense of calm come over me. A peace I’ve never felt before. Like something inside of me understood that it was okay to wait. It was okay to not have someone, there was always tomorrow. I had heard ‘Love blossoms from friendships’. Yesterday I was a dreamer. Today I am a believer.

- Alley of Books

It's the beginning of sophomore year and Marisa could not be any more ready for change. Preferably in the form of her and her best friend, Sterling, getting boyfriends. She also wouldn't mind keeping her current status of Not Depressed going, especially after how messed up she was last year. The changes she didn't expect? Starting to hang out with her childhood friend, Nash, again. Problems at home. Disagreeing with Sterling. And finding out that her dream of 'the perfect boyfriend' may not have been what she thought it was... This is a story of growing up, learning how to deal, and hoping that maybe, just maybe the One will be waiting for you. Waiting for You is another incredibly adorable success by Susane! I can't express how much I completely adore her writing style. It feels so real and honest. The characters are amazing. Marisa was a completely relatable character; after all, who doesn't get a little superficial when they're young and looking for 'the whole package?' Nash. Let's just say that I am definitely waiting for my own Nash to come along. Dirk, who seems to have all of the answers even as he searches for them himself. He's also very funny. My favorite part of the book was the phone call between Dirk and Kelvin. I was definitely giggling through that one. I love how Susane never has the typical 'all american family' involved in her books. Everything is more real than that, with divorce and not having their living conditions as great as another. It makes the story and the characters more approachable and understandable. While this was not my favorite book by Susane, that book would definitely have to be When It Happens, I still absolutely loved it! The one sided PoV made me a little sad, because even though I don't usually like to read multiple PoVs, to me, Susane's main characters each need to tell their own story. There's just so much going on that not one person can cover it all. Love that too, by the way! Although I totally get that if Nash told his story, there would be no more mystery involved ;-). All in all, completely worth the read!

- The Book Girl Reviews

Marisa's story is a classic dilemma. Nerdy boy likes girl, girl likes popular boy, will things ever work out for the two?

Marisa and Nash have always been neighbors but have grown apart over the years. Nash is the nerdy boy who is obsessed with robots and science and Marisa is the girl who would love to be popular but can never quite fit in. Marisa's problem is that she has an anxiety disorder that made most people think that she was crazy. This year, though, Marisa and her best friend Sterling make a pact that Sophomore year will be the best yet. They both plan to reinvent themselves over the summer and start fresh. Things seem to be going great for both of them, especially when Derek, the boy of her dreams, seems to take an interest in Marisa.

While things get better and better for Marisa, her friendship with Sterling seems to be deteriorating. Marisa won't spend time with Sterling because she is too busy with Derek but Marisa won't let Sterling find her own boyfriend. Sterling has a tendency to go for the older guys that she meets on the internet and Marisa is worried that something might happen. All Sterling wants is someone like Derek is to Marisa and she can't seem to find it anywhere but the internet. More and more Marisa blows off Sterling to hang out with Derek and Sterling finally cracks. She can't stand being put second in Marisa's life and she won't put up with it anymore.

Things couldn't be better for Marisa but she can't seem to stop thinking about Nash. Nash also entered into a new relationship and instead of being happy, Marisa seems to be a tad bit jealous. When Derek starts hanging out with his ex-girlfriend, Sierra, things get even worse. Not only is Marisa having trouble with friendships and relationships, her family life seems to be getting worse. Her parents, who have always been the type to show their affection, don't seem to even notice each other anymore. What could possibly be going on with them?

Waiting for You is a classic coming-of-age story about friendship and first love. Not only does Susane Colasanti manage to create a great love story, she manages to incorporate that maybe the guy of your dreams is right in front of you and you are just too afraid to look. Susane Colasanti was able to show in this story that love isn't necessarily about looks and what other people think but about how you feel. Waiting For You is one of those books that makes you want to keep reading and find out if everything works out in the end. It will inspire you to live your life in the Now and let the future come at you as it may.

- Katie's Book Blog

I initially became interested in reading Susane Colasanti's books when I found out one featured a character battling anxiety and depression, a topic that hits very close to home for me. Unfortunately, I was at the mercy of my library's limited selection and another library's waiting list. I enjoyed her other books immensely but could not wait to have Waiting for You in my hands. It finally arrived!

Though Marisa spent most of the previous year struggling with anxiety and depression, she's ready to start over. She wants her sophomore year to be about living "in the Now." She also wants a boyfriend. For a while, things seem to be under control. Marisa has her anxiety and depression in check. Her family is stable, and her dad is super-supportive. Her best friend Sterling is awesome. And her crush Derek finally asked her out.

Unfortunately, things start to fall part rapidly. Her parents are separated. Derek is still spending a lot of time with his ex-girlfriend. She and Sterling aren't seeing eye to eye. All of these events trigger Marisa's anxiety and depression, filling her head with negative and obsessive thoughts that she can't control. Marisa finds comfort in her long-time friend Nash, who is a little too nerdy to be boyfriend material for Marisa but is easy to talk to and very understanding. She also feels hopeful as she listens to Dirty Dirk, an anonymous DJ who broadcasts podcasts calling out the indiscretions of students and teachers while offering advice to listeners (a tame version of Pump Up the Volume).

While Marisa's true love was easy to spot a mile away and Dirty Dirk's identity wasn't hard to figure out, I found this to be a great read. As always, Susane Colasanti tackled universal issues without sugarcoating them. The dialogue was real. The pain was real. The characters were real.

I especially liked the way she wrote about Marisa's anxiety and depression. It's difficult to explain to people who've never experienced it and don't understand the out of control feelings, but Colasanti nailed it. In addition, I loved the nods to John Mayer and his lyrics. "I have a theory that the answers to all of life's major questions can be found in a John Mayer song."

I agree. And the ones that aren't might very well be found in one of Colasanti's novels.

- Hers for the Reading

Waiting for You was amazing! I was hooked from the very first page. Colasanti writes novels similar to those of Sarah Dessen that allow any reader to relate to the main character. Although Marisa has an anxiety disorder, I still felt like I found a part of myself in her.

During the beginning of the story I found myself hoping Marisa would eventually snag Derek, but once she did he completely changed. I think that any guy who says "hey sexy" first thing isn't the best choice in boyfriend. Maybe that is just the hopeless romantic inside of me hoping for the guy who says "hey beautiful" instead.

I was also fooled about who was Dirty Dirk. The whole time I thought it was easy, Dirk is a nickname for Derek, duh. However, it wasn't! Surprise! I loved everything Dirk's character stood for, he reminded me a lot of Miss Unpleasant from Paisley Hanover. I wish I had an anonymous person at my school podcasting about all of its dirty secrets.

Waiting for You is a great novel for any teen. There are characters from every range on the spectrum, and the story moves quickly so there is never a good place to put the book down. I give Waiting for You a 5+/5.

- For the Love of Books

Susane has yet again created a beautifully written book. This novel is cute, funny, emotional, just everything you can hope for a novel to be. This novel is also probably the truest book I have ever read. The characters and the plot seemed so real and I related so much. I felt like Susane was outside my window watching me and wrote the novel about my life but changed the names. I found myself crying at times because this book honestly helped me solve some problems I was dealing with. Marisa's character was just a normal girl and I really liked that. She is just the average girl that experiences love then heartbreak and problems at home. Marisa is now up to one of my favorite characters in a book. Nash is just the sweetest guy ever. I wish there could be a guy like Nash out there. And finally Derek....*silence*.... All I'm saying is he is a perfect example of why I think all popular guys are jerks. But the characters in this book were so well written that I could see myself actually being friends with Marisa and Nash being my best guy friend. So I recommend this book to every girl out there. Everyone can relate to this book one way or another and everyone will be having these problems. So this book is amazing and I love it, obviously. I give it a 5 out of 5. Yeah, it's that good.

- The Book Obsession

Take Me There

Rhiannon has just been dumped by her boyfriend and desperately wants him back. Nicole is struggling with her past, crushing on her math teacher, and trying to remember why she broke up with her boyfriend, Danny. James and Rhiannon are only good friends - or are they?

At first glance, this book looks like any other teen relationship novel, but the story goes beyond and the characters slightly past the surface into a week full of both routine and transformation in the lives of three teenagers, their families, and friends. This story of romance and friendship, new love and old wounds is told in three distinct voices, gracefully woven together. Colasanti ably captures the teenage voice through language that is real and not forced. Her easy writing style will speak to teen readers. This book is a quick read but not empty fluff. Although predictable, the different threads are nonetheless satisfying, with a mix of self-discovery, self-deprecation, humor, and teenage angst. Teens will relate to the circumstances and connect with the realistic, sympathetic characters. Parents and teachers mostly remain in the shadows, but their presence - or absence - is felt in the lives of the characters. Likewise other secondary characters and story lines are less developed, but they still add to the overall picture. Some name dropping and popular culture references may limit the shelf life, but readers who enjoyed Colasanti's When It Happens (Viking, 2006/VOYA June 2006) will not be disappointed. 4Q 4P (Better than most; broad general YA appeal)

- VOYA

In this novel about the drama and trauma of teen relationships, Rhiannon loves order, math, and Steve, but Steve dumped her for the manipulative, skanky Gloria. James loves serenity, designing software, and his friendship with Rhiannon. But his home is chaotic, and Rhiannon doesn't know how much he cares for her. Nicole loves her math teacher, her friendship with Rhiannon, and her ex-boyfriend Danny. But Nicole has a secret that threatens all of her relationships.

Over the course of a week, Colasanti's story, told in alternating chapters, describes how the three teens cope with the same events, each other, and their own issues. Each character's voice is strong, and the dialogue is stolen right from the corridors of a contemporary high school. Readers, especially girls, will appreciate the very satisfying resolutions of all three characters' issues: Rhiannon gets revenge and recognizes the depth of her friendship with James; James receives a surprising gift; and Nicole acknowledges the consequences of her father's abuse and her conflicted feelings for Danny.

- Booklist

This tale has likable and realistic teen characters. It takes place over an event-filled week, with Rhiannon, Nicole, and James telling the same story from their individual perspectives. Rhiannon is devastated by her recent breakup with Steve. Nicole has broken up with Danny for no apparent reason, and he is determined to win her back. James, who has always been Rhiannon's best friend, is finding his feelings for her undergoing a dramatic change. Many humorous events occur, including Rhiannon's surefire plan to get Steve back that backfires. Readers will be intrigued by how the same incidents can be seen in so many different lights. They may also gain perspective on how one action can have very different consequences for people. The story also addresses several difficult and all-too-common problems that many teens face. Nicole realizes that Sheila is being physically abused by her boyfriend and is able to get her some professional help. Nicole has her own dark secret - her father is sexually abusing her. It's through her interactions with her friends that she is finally able to acknowledge the abuse and start to get on with her life. Teens who are dealing with their own problems will benefit from the hopeful resolution of this story. While this book's main appeal will be with girls, guys will enjoy hearing the male perspective.

- School Library Journal

Rhiannon has just been dumped without a reason. She's miserable beyond belief. Nicole has just dumped her boyfriend with a reason. She's confused beyond belief. And James...James would do nearly anything to get Rhiannon to stop mooning over her ex and finally notice him as more than her buddy. Over the course of a week, many things will happen to these three friends. There will be confessed secrets, messages on sidewalks, delivered flowers, a ton of photocopied notes, one awesome speech, and lots and lots of karma. But in the end, will they discover what they truly want?

This realistically honest book told in three different points of view will blow you away. Colasanti has such a real talent for capturing the personality of teenagers, it's like she is one herself. Her plot is unique and her delivery attention grabbing. Insightful, humorous, moving and never dull, Colasanti's characters will feel like they're your best friends by the time you have finished this delightful novel.

- The Compulsive Reader

Rhiannon has just been dumped by her boyfriend for no apparent reason. She is beyond devastated. She just doesn't understand why Steve would just break up with her. The worst part is she wants Steve back, but it seems he doesn't feel the same way about Rhiannon. Nicole is her own kind of person. No one's like her, but they all admire her. She has just dumped her boyfriend and only she knows why. Danny was the sweetest boy that Nicole had ever met, but then things started getting too serious for her and she just had to end it. Quickly moving on she soon has a new crush. James is a computer geek who's Rhiannon's best friend....but he so wishes it were more. His best friend just happens to be the same Danny that Nicole just dumped, and he knows that Danny still wants Nicole back.

Set during one hectic week of these three friends’ lives, Take Me There is the ultimate teen novel. What starts as a horrible week ends up turning into one heck of a roller coaster ride. Told from all three people's perspective we learn all of the dastardly deeds and heartbreaking moments each character experiences.

This was one of the cutest books I've ever read. Each part of the story was told three times, but by a different character which made the book really interesting. It also allowed the reader to learn secrets about the other characters and made previous events that had happened make sense. This was the first time I've ever read a book told like this, and I loved it. I also really enjoyed how all the characters seemed so real. Nicole is the best friend who will always help you up when you're down, but will never accept your help, and Rhiannon is the smart, organized, super nice girl in all of your classes. As for James, I totally have a crush on him. He seems like the sweetest guy who any girl would die to have. There is nothing that I didn't like about this book, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good, heartwarming read. I definitely look forward to reading more of Susane Colasanti's novels.

- And Another Book Read

When I first started reading Take Me There by Susane Colasanti, I thought maybe I’d stepped into the middle of something. Like maybe I was reading a sequel. So I stopped and went back to her first book, When It Happens. Which, it turned out, had nothing to do with her new book, but was a delight to read anyway.

After I finished When It Happens, I immediately returned to Take Me There, this time realizing that Susane was bringing us into the middle of a story on purpose. This is something you should know, so that you aren’t confused when you pick up the book yourself. Because you are so going to.

Susane’s novel about a group of kids at a Manhattan high school is told from three different perspectives: there’s Rhiannon, who has just been dumped by a guy she thought loved her; James, Rhiannon’s best friend since forever; and Nicole, newer to the crowd but essential just the same.

Each of the three voices is distinct, but they don’t clash. They work together. And in each section, we find out something new about a situation we’ve already read about from another perspective. It’s a creative format, and Susane does a great job making sure it all meshes.

As for the storyline … well, I don’t want to tell you too much. Just that it starts with Rhiannon in tears over a guy. Sounds typical, but what happens as the book progresses isn’t typical. There’s so much more to the story, there are so many more stories to the story, and it’s just plain good reading.

If, after you finish Take Me There, you are still in need of a Susane Colasanti fix, I highly recommend When It Happens. Now, get thee to a bookstore already! Sheesh.

- YA New York

When It Happens

"Realistic dialogue, multi-layered characters, musical references and issues that matter most to teens make this story happen. Like Sarah Dessen, Colasanti knows how teens operate." - Kirkus Reviews

"Colasanti obviously remembers the kind of love that makes your insides churn, belly flips and all. Her take on young romance is insightful, fresh and fun, her characters fully formed and likable." - The Washington Post

"The easy style of the writing reflects how teens speak. This is a fun romance with lots of dialogue." - School Library Journal

"Colasanti's sweet debut...realistically captures the thrill of first love." - Publishers Weekly

"Teen readers will enjoy the dynamics of Sara and Tobey and their friends and identify with their bantering. It is a fully satisfying story that will please young adult readers looking for a little romance." - VOYA

"The story of a true and meaningful connection between souls that transcends the social strictures of high school." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"It's like Twilight without the vampires!" - The Guardian