Title: Since You’ve Been Gone

Author: Morgan Matson

Media: Audible Audiobook

Length: 12 Hours 49 Minutes

Narrated By: Suzy Jackson

Overall Rating:      4 flames 

Synopsis: 

Emily is about to take some risks and have the most unexpected summer ever in this new novel from the best-selling author of Second Chance Summer and Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour.

Before Sloane, Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, and she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend – someone who yanks you out of your shell. But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list with 13 bizarre tasks that Emily would never try. But what if they can lead her to Sloane? “Go Skinny Dipping?” Um…

Since You’ve Been Gone is an adorable novel about the strength of best friends and the newness of first love. I love listening to YA Romance on audio because it feels more like I’m watching a movie than reading and it helps me get lost in the story.

Emily is the girl on the sidelines while her best friend, Sloane, is always the center of attention. Emily has never felt like she needed anyone else, but when Sloane disappears she slowly realizes she’ll need to put herself out there in order to make new friends and to enjoy life in general.

I found myself identifying with Emily throughout this novel. I was definitely the quiet girl with the loud and exciting friends in high school. I really enjoyed this story and the narrator, Suzy Jackson, did a phenomenal job. As with all audiobooks, the narrator is essential and can make or break the feeling of the story.

This book has points that are reminiscent of Anna and the French Kiss (high praise), though I wouldn’t say it was nearly as good. I haven’t read anything by Morgan Matson before but I can certainly see myself seeking her out in the future. I don’t think there’s much else I can say other than it was a cute, contemporary YA romance that I would recommend and probably read again.