Someone Like You

Written by Sarah Dessen

Narrated by Rebecca Soler

A powerful coming-of-age novel about the power and peril of friendship and first loves, from the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Rest of the Story.

The world is a terrible place not to have a best friend.

Scarlett was always the strong one, but now it’s Hailey’s turn.

In the wake of Scarlett’s boyfriend death and learning she’s pregnant, Scarlett needs a friend more than ever.
 
Because true friendship is a promise you keep forever.
 
* “Dessen has written a powerful, polished story.”—School Library Journal, starred review

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062991379

Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels for teens, including Once and for All, Saint Anything, This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, and Along for the Ride. Her books have been published in over thirty countries and have sold millions of copies worldwide. That Summer and Someone Like You were made into the movie How to Deal. She is the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for outstanding contribution to young adult literature. A North Carolina native, Sarah currently lives in Chapel Hill with her family. Visit Sarah at www.sarahdessen.com.

Reviews for Someone Like You

[poppyreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember when I first read this book I couldn't put it down. It broke my heart, made me smile, and made me think about life all at the same time. This book introduced me to Sarah Dessen and in my opinion is her best book yet.

[bgmsteachers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a well written book but the subject matter may be more appropriate for older or more mature girls. This book deals with many relationships, especially between 2 best friends--a leader and a follower. One girl becomes pregnant, but the boy is killed in a motorcycle crash. There are many positive messages about actions and consequences. I want to read more by this author. She is very realistic in her portrayal of teenage issues.

[sarahmcy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A life story about a girls whos Best friend gets pregnant and the father of the baby has recently died in a motercycle crash. Falling in love with someone totally unexpected and learing what you want out of a relationship.

[lena1reed_bob · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about how Halley has to go through life with her friend Scarlett's boyfriend die, Scarlett having a baby, and Macon.

[rubyp_53 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about the friendship of Halley and Scarlett. It’s about how they stick together through so many life changing incidents. Good, bad, happy and sad times. Their friendship goes through many obstacles which tests their limits as best friends. Its written very realistically and is very relatable to things teens would go through. Great read for teenage girls.

[euphoria13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Sarah Dessen! She is definitely one of my favorite authors and i knew that i had to read all of her books, being that I've only read a couple of them. So when i saw Someone Like You at a bargain price on the Barnes and Noble website, i knew i had to buy it. I must admit, i was taken by surprise when i read this book because it wasn't exactly like how the synopsis explained what the book would be about. In Someone Like You, two best friends, Halley and Scarlett face their own troubles as the Summer ends. Scarlett comes to terms with the fact that she is pregnant and by Michael, her boyfriend who recently died in a Motorcycle accident. Halley has always been the one in need of support in the friendship, in which she could always depend on Scarlett to help her with anything. But now Scarlett is the one in need of support and Halley knows that she has to be there for her best friend, because that's what best friends are for correct?Now i was REALLY expecting for this story to be just about the friendship between Halley and Scarlett and how they deal with the situation of one of them being pregnant. It turns out i was wrong or the person who wrote the synopsis made a mistake because this story wasn't really about that. In fact i would say a good amount of the story was about Halley falling for Michael's best friend Macon. Which i must admit, Sarah Dessen did an AWESOME job describing how Halley started to develop a crush on him. Especially the fact that this all took place during school which reminded me of a few High School crushes i had.The relationship between Halley and Macon starts off pretty good but in the middle of the story it starts to get a bit rocky. At the same time Scarlett is trying to adjust to being pregnant both emotionally and physically. If you're a Sarah Dessen fan i would recommend reading this book if you haven't yet! Good book except for a few things, but still a good book.

[ohurd_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Someone Like You was a light read, but it touched on some dark, pressing, and modern topics. It is a book about teenage love and finding out what true teenage love is. Most teenagers could relate to one of the many topics that Sarah Dessen includes in her book. She provides solutions for common situations. Someone Like You is a fun storybook of advice.

[ginnypotter34 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a definate MUST-READ for any teen. anywhere. Dessen touches basis with many subjects that the every-day teen goes through. And while this may bore some people I urge you to pick up someone like you with an open mind because, heres the thing: this book take some of lifes most dramatic and complex issues and beats them down until you can see what they really are. Being able to see the truth in things is a valuable skill for life. And Dessen writes how to do just that in her book. One of the best books I read this year, Highly recommended!Chloe's blurb:"A wonderfull tale that will touch hearts for years on."

[carolina221_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

someone like you is about two best friends named Halley ans Scarlett. That summer Scarlett's boyfriend, Michael, is killed in a motorcycle. Halley soon dates Michaels best friend, Macon wich her parents don't aprove. later when Halley and Macon get in an accident her parents really freak and is not allowed to see Macon any more. Also Scalett is having Michael's baby it's up to her if she wants to keep the baby.

[arenstro22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

(Basis of How To Deal movie) Girl trying to be independent in high school, facing life issues. Boys, friendships, family. Coming of age.

[ctmsalco · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Halley and Scarlett have always been best friends since the day they met. Raised from two completely different backgrounds, these girls have helped each other through thick and thin. This year in no exception. At the end of the summer, Scarlett, as well as the rest of the community get rocked by a tragic motorcycle accident killing Scarlett’s boyfriend. She later finds out that she is carrying his baby, and her whole world starts crumbling down. While all of this is happening, Halley is fighting her own battles with her rebel boyfriend Macon, who influences her in negative ways. However, it’s Halley’s turn to be strong for Scarlett as she endures one of the toughest years in her life.The characters in this book are simply amazing. Sarah Dessan did a beautiful job creating the plot and incorporating the characters into it making it seem as though it truly did happen. Since the whole story line was very upbeat and exciting, it was easy for me to keep turning the pages until I got to the end. Her details are very realistic and vivid, making me feel as though I was there in person.Like so many of her books, Dessan sends yet another powerful message to her readers. In this book, through the characters’ struggles, she makes a point about how important friendships really are. When Halley is struggling between right and wrong with Macon, Scarlett was always there helping her along, even if Halley never listened to her. Same goes with Scarlett’s pregnancy and how Halley helped her through it all. The power of friendship played a prominent role in this book, and made it a very thought provoking novel.Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is an enjoyable, light read that is sure to please many.

[mollyboehme · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is in my top three favorites of books by Sarah Dessen! This story, following Halley and Scarlett, starts off with the heartbreaking news that Scarlett is pregnant with a baby whose dad recently died in a crash. This story focuses on the friendship between these two girls and how they have to grow to overcome their obstacles. These best friends have to deal with their very different mothers, mood swings, and high school all while supporting each other through the pregnancy.

[yearningtoread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Someone Like You by Sarah DessenPages: 281Release Date: August 15th, 1998Date Read: 2011, November 9th - 11thReceived: OwnRating: 4/5 starsRecommended to: 16+SUMMARY -The summer Halley turned sixteen, everything changed. When her best friend Scarlett calls her at camp, Halley knows something is wrong. Michael Sherwood, Scarlett's boyfriend, was hit in a motorcycle accident. He died instantly. And there is more to it - Scarlett is pregnant. Scarlett, the one who has always been strong enough for the both of them, now needs strength from Halley. And with her mother controlling everything and strange Macon Faulkner (Michael's best friend) pursuing her, how can she help her best friend the way she needs to?MY THOUGHTS -This being only my second Sarah Dessen book, I was unsure of how I'd like it. I mean, sure, it was going to be good in the sense of well-written, good characters, etc. That much can be expected. But on a personal level, how would I enjoy it?Well, it turns out that, on a personal level, I adore this book. It struck me because, not only is it redemptive, but the pregnancy part was so...sweet. The sweet that only exists in a mother toward her unborn child. It was truly beautiful!CHARACTER NOTES -I love it when characters do stupid things and you see them walking right into a trap - they get hit hard - and you still love them through it all. Halley, Scarlett, Marion, Julie - they are (almost) all like that. At one point or another, they all drove me to wishing I could rip my hair out, but even still I wanted to stick by them.Halley did some pretty dumb things, lemme tell you. But you have to learn somehow - and a lot of the time it's the hard way. The reason I respect Halley is because (A. Everyone makes mistakes; and (B. Her choices/attitude in the end were good and right and, might I add, just perfect for the story. She learned, and that's what matters. That's what I love.As much as Halley was a great MC and POV, Scarlett proved to be my favorite. She rocked this story with her personality and emotional draw. But especially, she made the incredibly wonderful decision to keep the baby, despite all odds and all opinions. (Not a spoiler, I promise.) The way she brightened people's days...the way she held true to speaking truth to Halley when her friend was struggling, made her a heroine in her own right.Oh, and Vlad the Impaler, sorry, Warrior was the BEST!STORY NOTES -Well, who knew contemporary fiction could be soooo freaking intense? Sheesh!! The whole time, it seems, I held my breath in anticipation, shock, awe, or happiness. So many emotions, so much going on.This story ranges from romance to passion to mistakes to anger to love to being young. It has a little something for everyone to take away from it. It will break your heart - make you cry - mend it again - still make you cry.And everything is as you would want in the end. Far from perfect, but beautiful in the imperfections. All my questions were answered, even things that I thought for sure there wasn't enough time to pull off. But there was, and it was beautiful.SUMMING IT UP -Real. Like the hard-core real that is life. I will most assuredly read more of Dessen's work - I look forward to it!For the parents -A few references to sex, and also condoms. Scarlett is sixteen and pregnant. Abortion is touched up on, but Scarlett does the amazing hard thing and keeps the baby. Quite a bit of kissing. Halley and Macon get very close to having sex one night, after he pressures her over the course of time. She starts to feel sick and breaks it off. The details in this 2-paged scene are more emotional, rather than physical, and how she shouldn't be here. Recommended 16+

[karriethelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Very realistic friendship between two girls and how their relationship changes when one of the girls gets pregnant.

[ctmsalmo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

 I gave Someone Like You three stars because although characters and plot were fantastic, there wasn't any real good hook. The suspense in the end with Scarlet, really was the highlight of the book for me, and felt like is was cut off short. Rather the opposite with Macon though, I felt he dragged on too tong with Halley. She didn't seem like the type of girl who would be attracted by him. Someone Like You, although, will be kept close to heart by every teenage reader.

[nm1fall071n1abraham · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Someone Like You is a really good book, i enjoyed it because it talked about a lot of real issues. It talked about the desisions kids our age make. And how real the problems are, also it talks alot about family problems and how to handle them.

[krissajean · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this book, the characters were believable, the story was vexing, and the message was great. I recommend this book to any one that likes drama, highschool, and romance.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a touching story about an enduring friendship between two girls, Halley and Scarlett who support each other through a range of teenage issues including boyfriends, sex and pregnancy. The characters are well developed and there is a nice mix of humour and seriousness. This book will have wide appeal for teenage girls.

[karrieskorner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Very realistic friendship between two girls and how their relationship changes when one of the girls gets pregnant.

[dfb_maggieb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I first read The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and I really like the style and plot of her books. So when i read Someone Like You, I wasn't disappointed! Someone Like You tells the story of two best friends, Halley and Scarlett. It's about their journey to stick together, while Halley tries to help and support Scarlett because Scarlett is carrying her died boyfriends baby. Halley has to try and juggle supporting her pregnant best friend, while trying to hold her new relationship with Macon.

[silenceiseverything · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So today I picked up four different books, read three pages of each, and then put them all down in a huff. I HATE reading slumps. Nothing about the books I picked up seemed to interest me and that's how I get right before a particular brutal reading slump in which I can't read any book for days. What's the best way to curb a slump? Well, by picking up a Sarah Dessen novel, of course. Since Someone Like You is the only Sarah Dessen book I haven't read so far, it seemed like the obvious choice. I love Sarah Dessen's novels because they're just straight-forward, simple, sweet love stories (whether it be boy-girl love, sisterly love, friendship love, she's pretty much done it all) and her books are all comfort reads. While I've gone through various degrees of like with all her novels, I've never really disliked one. Someone Like You is no exception. While I didn't dislike the book as a whole, I really did dislike Halley (more so than Auden from Along for the Ride whom was the first Dessen protagonist I disliked). My main issue with Halley was that she was the kind of girl that would happily be known solely as someone's girlfriend; the type of girl who would happily ignore everything and everyone just for the guy. Also, the kind of girl who tries to hook a guy who is clearly not into her like she's into him. And that's one of my pet peeves in young-adult literature. I absolutely hate it when the girl is pathetic. Yeah, yeah, you can say "Well she's just a teenage girl in love and they're sometimes pathetic." I guess, but that doesn't mean I want to read about it because that's just not enjoyable for me. Halley did get better in the end, but by then I was just too annoyed with her as a whole. I also disliked her boyfriend in the book, but I think I was supposed to dislike him (which was a shock considering I usually fall right in love with the guys in Sarah Dessen's novels right along with the main characters), so I can give her a pass for that one. Now the good: I loved and adored Scarlett and her relationship with Halley. I'm an absolute sucker for a good friendship story. There's nothing I can do about it (not that I would want to). That's one thing that I can say about Halley. She never left Scarlett in the dust for the guy (well there was that one time, but that's okay since it fit with everything else about Halley). I also loved Halley's relationship with her mother. I was enthralled with her inner struggle to break away from her mother's boundaries yet feeling guilty about it. In fact, I could've read a book solely about Halley's relationship with Scarlett and her mom without feeling like I missed anything. Someone Like You was definitely not my favorite Dessen. I just really can't get pass an unlikeable heroine that I'm supposed to root for. However, I did like most of the novel and I adored the other characters. But most importantly, Someone Like You curbed my reading slump and just really assures me that when I feel one coming on, I need to grab a Sarah Dessen novel and quick! Then all will be right with the world.

[ctmsolgi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

 Sarah Dessen has yet again grabbed and held my attention and has held it throughout, Someone Like You, a realistic fiction book based on two best friends, Halley and Scarlett, sticking together through thick and thin. Halley and Scarlett are in high school, but they have been best friends ever seen Scarlett moved in next door to Halley when they were younger. They are raised completely different. A therapist strict mother and a relaxed talk show host father are raising Halley. However Scarlett is taking the mother role in her house by watching and taking care of her single mother, Marion who smokes and drinks. Scarlett has always been there for Halley no matter what, from mending a broken heart to giving her positive support for school. This time is different though; it is Halley’s turn to be the supporter to Scarlett through her unexpected pregnancy with the father being dead. Along the way, Halley gets a bad boy boyfriend, Macon, who keeps her out too late and persuades her to do the wrong thing, which gets her into big trouble with her mother. Halley learns her way to tell the difference from what is right and wrong and to stick by her best friend side no matter what. I absolutely loved this book, from details to drama, grabbing my attention from all angles. This was a quick read fro me because it was a page-turner! I wanted to stay up late reading to find out what happens next. I wanted to find out if Scarlett would keep the baby or if Halley was going to stay with Macon even after being in trouble so many times. Not only wanting to find out what happens next made it a quick page-turner but also the details Sarah Dessen used. Throughout the entire book she had descriptive detail that made a fantastic love story playing in my head. I also felt like I was there with the characters observing and hearing everything! Sarah Dessen even teaches you a very important lesson through Halley and Scarlett’s experiences. She taught that you have to do whatever it takes to help and support your best friend. Even if it means that you have to become friends with someone who don’t like at the beginning or getting yelled at by your friend because you told her the truth. It is all worth it for a best friend, “Because a true friend is a promise forever.” It is a well descriptive love story that is a quick page tuner that you will instantly fall in love with.

[ynaffit27 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very realistic book about relationships with family, friends, and peers. Sara Dessen hits every feeling, emotion, and actions right on with real life, especially as a teenager and with a first love. I loved the style of writing and the dialogue. I think the ending was great and everything else that happened in between fit perfectly. Great read!

[andersonj_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found that this book was very interesting and did a good job relating to the hardships and triumphs that teenagers go through. This is a bok about a teenager who becomes pregnant. The father of the baby had recently died in a motorcycle crash. It is the story of her and her best friend and their struggles.The story deals with peer pressure, friendship, teen pregnancy, parent-daughter relationships, love, strength, the important things in life, and the struggle to find out who you are. The author makes it easy to relate to the characters in one way or another. The book had few slow parts and was always interesting. I recommend this book. 288 pages

[simplykelina · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have read a few other Sarah Dessen books, but never really jumped on the bandwagon of loving then. I went into Someone Like You with low expectations. I ended up enjoying this so much more than I thought I would.This books deals with friendship, love, loss, and teenage pregnancy. I really enjoyed the friendship between Halley and Scarlett. I hated the relationship between Halley and Macon. It was a very problematic relationship, so I was very happy when he did not turn into a hero throughout the story. Overall, I enjoyed this much more than I was expecting. I really loved the ending!

[afrank9 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

slightly disappointing, but still pretty good

[kittykay_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Someone Like You was my first Sarah Dessen, and when I turned the last page, I knew it wouldn’t be the last. Dessen’s writing was great and created a vivid portrait of teenage years, and her characters were true to life.What I loved about Dessen’s story was the balance between good and bad, happiness and sadness. Nothing is black or white. Scarlett’s pregnancy wasn’t described as a joy ride, nor was it as a completely horrible event. Instead, it offered a realistic view of the event through teenagers eyes. The same goes for the other storylines of the book, or its characters. They are all painted in shades of grays, some lighter and some darker, but none in a one-dimansional way. I did find most of the second characters more interesting than Halley, the narator, but her personnality offered a more neutral view of the events around her, so I thought she was a good narrator.There were many things to like about this book, but what I really loved was Dessen’s use of words. Halley’s life and difficulties were more standard to teenage years than Scarlett’s, but they were also an occasion for some beautiful writing. Dessen uses the Grand Canyon as a metaphor to describe Halley’s relationship with her mother, and how she is suddenly pulling apart from her as she becomes her own person. This part of Halley’s story really hit home as it reminded me of my relationship with my mother at the same age, and I can’t remember the last time I read words that described growing up so well :"When I pictured myself, it was always like just an outline in a couloring book, with the inside not yet completed. All the standard features were there. But the colors, the zigzags and plaids, the bits and pieces that made up me, Halley, weren’t yet in place. Scarlett’s vibrant reds and golds helped some, but I was still waiting."

[sarahbatte · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is for older kids but a really good book and an excellent author. This is a coming of age story that has alot of adult issues. I read this when I was 16 and reread it to refresh my memory.

[cali_48 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book! it is a great story about friendship and it is very easy to relate to! i love sarah dessen!!

[kaliwrites · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember when I first read this book I couldn't put it down. It broke my heart, made me smile, and made me think about life all at the same time. This book introduced me to Sarah Dessen and in my opinion is her best book yet.