This Lullaby

Remy Starr manages relationships like she manages everything else in her life - with strict rules and careful distance. The daughter of a one-hit-wonder musician who died shortly after her birth, she's witnessed her mother's multiple marriages and learned to approach love with skepticism. When Dexter, a chaotic and optimistic musician, crashes into her organized world, Remy finds her carefully constructed walls beginning to crack. Despite her determination to keep their relationship casual and temporary, she discovers that some connections refuse to follow the rules she's created. As Remy navigates her final summer before college, she balances her mother's latest wedding, her brother's engagement, and her own conflicting feelings about love and commitment. Her relationships with friends, family, and Dexter force her to question everything she believes about lasting connections. This coming-of-age story examines the tension between control and vulnerability, exploring how past experiences shape our willingness to risk being hurt for the possibility of something real.

Readers praise the realistic portrayal of relationships and the main character Remy's growth throughout the story. Many connect with her skepticism about love and her journey to overcome past hurts. The dynamic between Remy and Dexter particularly resonates, with readers noting their authentic interactions and chemistry. Common praise: - Complex, flawed characters that feel true-to-life - Smart, witty dialogue - Balance of humor and serious themes - Strong female friendships Main criticisms: - Some find Remy too cynical and cold - Plot moves slowly in middle sections - Side characters could be more developed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (157,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews) One frequent reader comment highlights the book's approach to showing rather than telling: "You experience Remy's walls coming down instead of just being told about it." Several note this as their favorite Sarah Dessen novel.

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🎸 The lullaby mentioned in the title refers to "This Lullaby," a song written by Remy's father shortly before his death, which became his only hit. 📚 Sarah Dessen wrote this novel in 2002, making it her fifth published book in what would become an impressive career of over 14 young adult novels. 🎵 The portrayal of musicians and band life in the book was partly inspired by Dessen's experiences in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a college town known for its vibrant music scene. 💑 The novel's exploration of relationships was praised by Publishers Weekly for avoiding typical teenage romance clichés while maintaining authentic emotional depth. 🏆 "This Lullaby" received multiple accolades, including being named a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and an ALA Teens' Top Ten Pick.