Since You've Been Gone

Emily's best friend Sloane disappears at the start of summer break, leaving behind only a to-do list of thirteen challenges. The list pushes Emily, normally shy and dependent on Sloane's outgoing personality, to step outside her comfort zone and navigate the summer alone. Frank Porter, the class president who Emily barely knows, becomes an unexpected ally as she works through Sloane's list of tasks. The list includes activities like "kiss a stranger," "go skinny-dipping," and "steal something," forcing Emily to confront her fears and take risks she would normally avoid. As Emily tackles each item on the list, she forms new friendships and discovers her own identity separate from Sloane. Her search for Sloane continues in the background while she learns to embrace spontaneity and overcome her social anxiety. The novel explores themes of friendship, identity, and personal growth, showing how breaking free from dependency can lead to self-discovery. Through Emily's journey, the story examines the complex nature of close friendships and the importance of finding one's own voice.

Readers praise the authentic portrayal of teenage friendship and personal growth. Many connect with Emily's journey from shy to confident, with reviews highlighting how the story captures the uncertainty of teen years without feeling cliché. The list-based plot device resonates with readers who appreciate seeing Emily complete tasks outside her comfort zone. Common positive points: - Strong character development - Realistic dialogue and relationships - Balance of light moments with deeper themes Main criticisms: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Some find Emily too passive initially - Romance subplot takes time to develop Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (158,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) "The friendship feels real and messy in the best way" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes too long to get going but worth pushing through" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect summer read that doesn't sacrifice depth" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🌟 Morgan Matson wrote much of the novel while working at a children's bookstore in Manhattan, drawing inspiration from her experiences with young readers. 🌟 The author created Emily's "list of impossible things" based on actual dares and challenges she found on various teen blogs and social media posts. 🌟 The novel's Orchard Hill setting is loosely based on Matson's hometown in Connecticut, including several real locations that inspired places in the book. 🌟 Like the main character Emily, Morgan Matson was also a competitive swimmer in her youth, which helped her write authentic pool scenes and training sequences. 🌟 The pizza place featured in the book, "Ernie's," was inspired by Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, a famous Connecticut pizza institution established in 1925.