Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Sweet Dreams #33 Dear Amanda and #34 Country Girl

Sweet Dreams #33, Dear Amanda, Rosemary Vernon, 1983

Everyone's wondering who is behind "Dear Amanda," the new advice column in the school paper.  Everyone, that is, but Tina.

Tina loves playing Amanda.  She's excited about her mysterious new identity, and thrilled by the success of her column—students really are taking her advice!  But something is still missing from her life—that special feeling for one particular boy.  How can she be so unhappy when things are going so well, Tina wonders.  Is she asking for too much?  Why are other people's problems so much easier to solve than her own?

This story didn't grab me.  I skimmed through the book and was never interested.

Sweet Dreams #34, Country Girl, Melinda Pollowitz, 1983

Edie falls for Sean as soon as she sets eyes on him.  But soon after they begin dating, he suddenly drops her for another girl.  Hurt and angry, Edie thinks she'll never be able to forget him.

Then she meets Jake.  Fun-loving and caring, he makes Edie feel warm and happy inside.  They spend long, happy days laughing together and taking quiet walks in the country.  Part of Edie is sure that Jake is the boy for her, but after losing Sean, she's awfully frightened.  Can Jake's feeling for her really be as strong and true as he claims?  Can she learn to give her heart again?

This summary makes it sound like Edie's relationship with Sean was a really big deal.  They only saw each other a couple of times.  The summary hugely exaggerates the importance of the relationship.

The summary is also misleading about Edie and Jake.  Edie isn't frightened; she wants Jake to feel something for her, but she's worried that Jake is interested in her older sister.  The summary is pure fiction.

Edie wants to feel a "zing" with Jake.  My observation is that I needed to feel a "zing" as well, and I never felt it.  This story is blah.  I read most of the book, but it is not very compelling.

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