The list arrived after Sloane had been gone two weeks.

Since You’ve Been Gone embraced me like a hug until I was swamped, immersed in warmth and friendship. Feeling simultaneously blown away and totally absorbed, I flew through the book, devouring chunks until I reluctantly had to work or sleep.

Rich, vibrant characters and scattered humour kept the story alive, while astutely placed flashbacks emphasised the changes the protagonist undergoes.

People weren’t under any obligation to admit their shoe size, where they?

Recommended age: 13+

Title: Since You’ve Been Gone
Author: Morgan Matson
Publication Date: 6 May 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Purchased

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The Pre-Sloane Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one 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. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend.

Apple Picking at Night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a Stranger? Wait… what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um…                  — Extract from Goodreads.com