Sara Zarr is the author of the much-loved and rather brilliant Story of a Girl. Sweethearts is her second novel, and, in my opinion, the better of the two (which, seriously, is so impressive; her first book is amazing!).
In elementary school, Jennifer Harris was an outcast. She was chubby and usually alone, until she met Cameron. Cameron had his own struggles, and the two of them became friends. They were each other’s best friends, only friends, really, with a bond that was far deeper and stronger than those of most kids that age, who may be friends bonding over tuna fish and jump rope one day, and bitter enemies the next. Cameron was all Jennifer had, but then, one day, he disappeared.
Then she hears some awful news: Cameron’s dead.
Or is he? Years later, Jennifer has moved, gotten a new stepfather, and new identity. She’s now Jenna Vaughn, a pretty, thin, popular high school senior. And then, her world turns upside-down: Cameron may not be as gone as she thought. She gets a note from her supposedly-dead best friend.
I don’t want to give too much away here, but, seriously, wow. This is an amazing book. The characters absolutely shine. They are so fully-developed, and incredibly real. Their relationships, too; Sara Zarr has a wonderful grasp of human relationships. Her writing is really incredible. She draws the reader into the story so completely. Sweethearts totally blew me away, with Sara Zarr’s amazing ability to capture the characters, the voice, the feelings–everything–absolutely perfectly. Readers will be racing to discover the truth about Cameron and Jenna, their pasts and presents. The narrative encompasses stories from their past and from their present, sacrificing neither. The ending wasn’t what I would have preferred, but it fit the story. The only thing I would have liked to be different about this book is a bit selfish–I wish it was longer! The characters are amazing and relatble, and I love the story, and I just would have loved to read more about Jenna and Cameron. This book comes out February 1st, according to Amazon, and I highly suggest that you rush to your nearest bookstore and grab a copy as soon as possible.
January 26, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Oh wow. That book sounds awesome. I haven’t read Story of a Girl yet though it’s on my wishlist. I’ll definitely have to add this one to my wishlist too!
September 27, 2011 at 9:46 pm
The story of a gril is really good.. i loved it … and i think you will like it too.. hope you enjoy it… <3
January 26, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I loved this one. I just bought a copy of Story of a Girl, because amazingly, I haven’t read it yet! It’s gotten such positive reviews, too. Anyways. Glad you liked it.
January 27, 2008 at 9:21 am
I just ordered Sweethearts from B&N, and it came in yesterday. I’m looking forward to reading it. Glad you thought it was good!
January 27, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Absolutely love this book.
January 28, 2008 at 10:15 am
I was tempted to buy this at Borders last night.
January 28, 2008 at 5:44 pm
i can’t wait to read this book! it sounds amazing!
January 31, 2008 at 7:13 pm
[…] teen book review Bildungsroman The Well Read Child Big A little a A Patchwork of Books Kate Messner Booktopia Jen Robinson’s Book Page […]
February 3, 2008 at 12:49 am
I loved this one too. I even had dreams all night about it, I was so into the characters. :)
February 5, 2008 at 5:21 pm
[…] Sweethearts, by Sara Zarr (teen book review) (tags: sara.zarr [title:sweethearts] young.adult friendship young.love sexual.abuse popularity reinvention utah) […]
February 18, 2008 at 12:03 pm
[…] very pleased to be a stop on Sara Zarr’s blog tour for the release of her latest book, Sweethearts. She is also the author of the 2007 National Book Award Finalist Story of a Girl. Both books are […]
April 8, 2008 at 3:52 pm
This book was simply amazing. There was so much emotion throughout the whole book. The characters are easy to relate to. This is such a great book.
July 27, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I read the book the story of a girl and it was absolutly amasing..I haven’t read sweethearts yet im looking forward to reading that book
August 5, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Excellent book. Blew me away. I recommend you go out get this book RIGHT NOW. It’s that good. I love it, and will probably read it over! Wasn’t happy with the ending, but its alright. Please, go out and buy the book, you will not be disappointed!
April 6, 2010 at 9:13 am
I agree wasn’t so happy with the ending but it was am awsome book=D and I’ll definately be reading it over again.
August 19, 2010 at 3:58 pm
i hate the ending
October 12, 2010 at 3:51 pm
i hate the ending too
August 7, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Wow! I have to say, this book was amazing.
I got it as a gift, and read it in one day!
August 18, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I loooooooooove this book , & i read it in one day from how good it was . The only thing i dont understand is why Cameron & Jenna(Jennifer) didnt end up together. I know they didnt look at eachother that way (or so she said) but she also said she did at times ? It doesnt really matter that they didnt end up a couple but why (at the end) they say they didnt visit eachother more or why they didnt write letters to eachother often . I would imagine if they would at least try to be together again (as friends)
September 15, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Incredible! Best book I have read in a very long time. The characters were so real it was almost scary. The ending was sad, but it was what had to happen. I couldn’t put down this book, and I very highly recommend it.
October 2, 2008 at 8:39 pm
<333 this book. its so awesome!!! im sick of all the gossip girl based books and others like it, or the wanna be vampire writers. this went back to love and friendsship *melts into a pile of mush*
December 25, 2008 at 12:39 am
wow, this book is- like everyone said- amazing.
its real, and cameron seems too be someone, everyone girl wants.
i read the whole thing in only a couple of hours!
great!
January 7, 2009 at 8:35 am
This book was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I had to read it for school, Thinking it would be just another book I had to read. It was the best book I have ever read! I highly recommend it!
February 8, 2009 at 2:26 am
I cried at the end *sniffle* i completely agree its a good break from gossip girl and the it-girl, and the cliques and all the other stuff. absoultely amazing made me feel so in tune with the chracters
November 3, 2010 at 8:07 pm
i agree i cried too n it helped me also!!!!!!!!! thanx sara zarr!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 2, 2009 at 5:01 pm
it was a great book
March 22, 2009 at 2:39 pm
i love sweethearts! its the only book ive ever read all in one day. i realated to it so much, and it actually helped me out in a way i never thought it would. sara zarr put my own words in writting.
March 24, 2009 at 7:41 am
were i can see a free read for the book tittle sweetheart??i’m so interested to read it
December 10, 2011 at 4:56 pm
You should check with your local library. It probably has Sweethearts.
May 2, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I’m glad to hear this… I’m doing a book report on it =P
November 3, 2010 at 8:08 pm
me too thats y im on thiz site
January 5, 2011 at 6:17 pm
me tooo
June 15, 2009 at 11:58 am
i read this in one day…it was just simply amazing! i loved it! always will…probably will be one of my favorites….
July 20, 2009 at 4:12 pm
i read this book once and i loved it i cant wait to read it again ……. if i can find it somewhere. it is one of my favourite books!
August 5, 2009 at 3:17 pm
hey i havent read this book yet but wath does the tittle go with the theme and story nosense what so ever horrible book and maybe author
April 6, 2010 at 9:24 am
Oh come on its an awsome book really I encourage you to read it you won’t regreat it believe me I don’t like to read much but this book I picked it up and just couldn’t put it back down I finished it in a day seriouly its awsome you should like totaly read it=D.
November 3, 2010 at 8:11 pm
i agree you should read it!! i tried to get all my frends 2 read it . i cant wait to read it again!!!!! it was amazing!!!
August 7, 2009 at 2:57 pm
wow. i just finished reading this. i read it in 4 hours. what an amazing story and amazing characters. i didn’t like the ending just because i wanted to see jenna and cameron reunited and together. but, wow. all i have to say. LOVED IT
September 5, 2009 at 3:45 am
I JUST finished this book and had to see the reviews. This was indeed my favorite book. It felt more relative than any other book I’ve read. Sorry to say, I like it better than twilight! I wish it had a sequel!!!
April 6, 2010 at 9:18 am
Yeah it was an awsome book I wasn’t so happy with the ending but it was great but I dont’t I mean I wouldn’t say that I liked it better then Twilight I still think its the best(Twilghit)=D.
September 9, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I know exactly what you mean. As soon as it was over I was like NOOOOOOOOO! I literally read it in a day and a half and I don’t even read that much!
October 18, 2009 at 2:42 pm
i love this book! it is amaziinngg <3 one question- what actually happened when *jenna* had to tear out the screen in cameron's room? what was the dad going to do to them? hmmm…? anywho- yea- i loved this book
November 4, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Sweethearts was an amazing book. It really touched me. It’s such a cute story about two friends who are just so close and who love each other. I definitely would recommended this book!
March 5, 2010 at 4:40 pm
this book is amazing i cryed so much
March 22, 2010 at 6:43 pm
I read Sweethearts in only a few hours! it was so amazing and sad. It made me cry quite a lot.
April 6, 2010 at 9:09 am
Wow…I loooooooooved=D this book it was of the hook and I read it in a day and I don’t read much I had to read for school cause I,m doing a bok report on it I didn,t thik I wolud like it but like I said I looooooooooved=D it and I don,t really like reading much(it was that good)anyways you should so totaly get it and read it believe me ypu won,t regret it.=D
April 18, 2010 at 3:38 pm
This Book Was Grand
June 19, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I was very disapointed by the ending.
July 7, 2010 at 6:23 am
i liked the story!!! i want to buy it!!! very nice!!! i want to know whats the next, until the end!!!
July 17, 2010 at 9:19 pm
one of my favourite books!
October 22, 2010 at 8:29 am
what happens at the end ?
August 19, 2010 at 3:59 pm
this is my fav book, but i hate the ending……..i wanted jenna and cameron to be together
September 13, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I saw this book on my summer reading list and decided that i wanted to read it…ad it is by far one of the best books i have read…i think the reason teens like it so much is because it is realistic and they can relate to it. i could not put this book down..and highly recomend it to EVERYONE!
October 10, 2010 at 3:48 pm
iblike how it twist thats reallly cool
December 14, 2010 at 3:33 am
I liked the book too! And the characters, especially Cameron, were deep, and inviting. But, I just, I dont know, I really wished that once he came back around they had more of a “relationship.” Its like they saw each other, but then, they didn’t really bond that much when they were older. And i really thought they needed to be together and at least kiss! but, they didn’t. Im sorry if I gave some stuff away.
January 31, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Actually, This book hits REALLY close to home for me. My friend was the one to one day go “MEGAN! MEGAN! remember how you told me about that guy? well look at this book!” and I was astonished to see how similar mine and Jennifer/Jenna’s lives were. I- like her- was struggling with the past memory of my best friend/ first love that one day up and left, leaving me to think he was dead. He was the only one to understand me, my chubby, insecure and lonely self. Its been years of me trying to get over it, I became a different person. A happy, more outgoing person, but the memory of him still came often, and he even returned a few times, only to leave again for god-knows what reason (which I have also been really confused about) leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions.
Well, that was me at 13, and now im 16. I’m in a different town, I have a loving family, friends, and normal teenage girl problems like exams and ex-boyfriends. There was a time where I wished that I could share my life with him, little thigs that would pop up, and I would think “he would laugh at that…” but not anymore really. I think I can say that I’ve moved on with my life, even if he is someone that impacted me in a big way, and I’ll never forget him completely.
Hah, sorry for giving you all my life story, I know you didnt ask for it, I just felt the need to share the reason why this book impacted me so much :)
May 6, 2011 at 10:22 am
This book is just great i love it :) i havent fished reading the ending but i hope its a good one.I dont have alot of time free but i try to make sometime to read the book because its really good. what can i say i just LOVE IT ! <3
May 6, 2011 at 10:23 am
This book is just great i love it :) i havent fished reading the ending but i hope its a good one.I dont have alot of time free but i try to make sometime to read the book because its really good. what can i say i just LOVE IT ! <3
May 25, 2011 at 3:44 pm
i just finished reading the book (SWEETHEARTS) a few days ago and i could honestly say that the book was not my favorite i have read better books than this, i mean i liked some parts of the book but she could have done way better writing it….. Just saying, and if you are the kind of person that likes to read romantic stores and stuff i think the perfect author is Nicholas Sparks, Hes an amazing writer!!!!!
June 30, 2011 at 9:01 am
This is such a great book… it made me so upset when he left!! THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOGETHER! I reread the last three chapters like 5 times, hoping for a different ending to pop up.. it didnt work
great book <3
November 17, 2011 at 6:53 am
Frein…
[…]Review: Sweethearts by Sara Zarr « Teen Book Review[…]…
January 17, 2012 at 11:31 am
loved this book
July 26, 2012 at 1:56 pm
i luved it its like a OMG/emotional parts but i really enjoyed it nd i wish the book never had ended there were parts that made me want to cry but i think that what cameron showed was ture luv ! <3
p.s im 12
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April 13, 2017 at 12:47 pm
the book was awesome