Finders keepers - but maybe we can share

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

It has been several months since Ginny’s European adventure, planned by her aunt Peg and passed to her by thirteen little blue envelopes. It has also been several months since her backpack, which contained the last and unread blue envelope, was stolen in Greece. Now back to the grind of her last year in high school, Ginny’s feeble attempts to write college entrance essays are interrupted by a surprising twist of fate when a boy in London contacts her about that last envelope. Following her newfound sense of adventure, Ginny heads overseas on an impromptu trip to retrieve the last letter from her beloved aunt and finish the tasks set to her. Along the way she just may find the future she didn’t realize she was looking for.

Likes

It has been a few years since I read the prequel to this novel, Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes. I recall enjoying the book and the adventures that Ginny has due to her aunt’s notes. When I recently heard that the sequel was going to be published this year, I was excited.

Ginny is a little older and a little more sure of herself, but isn’t certain of the path she wants her life to take. She knows what is expected of her – graduate high school, go to college, have a career, start a family. i.e. settle down for the American Dream. Yet Ginny is having trouble figuring out the specifics in regards to her path to that life. This is something that many teens can relate.

There is fun, adventure and humor. All qualities I appreciate.

Dislikes

This sequel felt a little rushed and a bit forced, as if it was written just because people wanted it, not because it was something that the author couldn’t live without sharing. This isn’t to say it wasn’t a decent read…just that it didn’t quite live up to what I expected.

Other

Review is from an electronic Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley.com.