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Once and for All  By  cover art

Once and for All

By: Sarah Dessen
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
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Publisher's summary

From Sarah Dessen, the beloved New York Times best-selling author of Saint Anything and Just Listen, comes a new novel set in the world of wedding planning!

Is it really better to have loved and lost?

Louna's summer job is to help brides plan their perfect days, even though she stopped believing in happily ever after when her first love ended tragically. But charming girl-magnet Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged now that he's met the one he really wants. Maybe Louna's second chance is standing right in front of her.

Sarah Dessen's many fans will adore this latest novel, a richly satisfying, enormously entertaining story with humor, romance, and an ending that is so much more than happily ever after.

©2017 Sarah Dessen (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Author Sarah Dessen is top-notch at fast-moving teen dialogue, and narrator Karissa Vacker is wonderful at delivering it.... Vacker nails the jaded attitude of an 18-year-old who's been raised by a busy, problem-solving mother... The emotions that play out in this Dessen romance will captivate fans new and old." (AudioFile)

“Dessen crafts a wonderful, raw, emotional story of love and relationships that will have you savoring each and every page.” (Buzzfeed)

Once and for All is Dessen's 13th novel - and they just seem to get better and better every time...her impact in the world of YA literature is undeniable.” (Bustle)

What listeners say about Once and for All

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A classic Dessen novel

Heartfelt, sweet, and thoughtful. Tackling a few serious topics this novel is throughly enjoyable. Recommended.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Heartbreak in the midst of humor...

Sarah Dessen's return after Saint Anything is wonderful. I love books about wedding planners (I have a thing), so I was excited. This one was unique because Louna's still a teenager and able to give that perspective. Her story with Ethan was heartwrenching and perfectly intertwined with the "present day" plot. I think that her growth throughout the novel and the way she finally learns to grieve was well-written.

I did not like Ambrose. He essentially manipulates her so that she will have to go out with him. Instead of asking what happened with her former boyfriend, he assumes that it was nasty. He wasn't a horrible hero, but I didn't like how he tried to get her attention and his willingness to use others in his quest to ultimately "win" her.

I'm still giving this book four stars because the writing was good and overall the plot was too. You can't always like the heroes, because no one is perfect, not even in fiction.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Horrible narrative

The narrator is bland and robotic. I couldn’t even finish the first chapter. Waste of money.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Not the usual Sarah Dessen

I'm a huge Sarah Dessen fan and have been for ten years. So I know her top notch books and unfortunately this wasn't one of them. It took me a while to get through- to the point of finishing it just because I always finish the book once I start. I didn't connect with the main character or any. Story was slow. If you're looking for a better Dessen book, try That Summer, Someone Like You or Saint Anything.

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That's why I LOVE Sarah Dessen <3

And here comes the masterpiece of he year ladies and gentlemen :D
this is why I LOVE Sarah Dessen so much .. she always manages to break my heart and saw it back again and I feel so empowered at the end .. I LOVED Louna's voice, she felt so real and close to my heart and my heart went to her every step of the way until the very end, and though I don't like weddings I did want to work along side her and Ambrose and have those adventurous weddings it seems like a blast
Thank you Miss Sarah for this marvelous book :D
if you like Sarah Dessen this is a recommended read for sure :D

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heartbreaking

Having been a long time fan of Sarah Dessen's work, I always look forward when a new book comes out. Once and for all is the first one in my memory to bring me to tears (multiple times). Despite that I really enjoyed both the story and the performance of this audio book. I also couldn't stop listening, having to know more about Louna and what came next in her story.

I would suggest this book to anyone but also warn that it deals with pretty heavy topics.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Once and for all

Eh. Not Sarah dessen's best book. It seemed like the story dragged for a little bit. I think a couple of chapters weren't needed. Narrator was decent, though she was a little robotic at times. And I didn't like her guy voices. It got a little annoying.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great summer read!

Not the best Sarah Dessen book I've read, but worth the time and $. Easy to follow and fun

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing again

Dessen has added a new breath to this story by playing with the time line in a new style. I also really enjoyed some more realistic language choices and intimate moments vs trying to shy away or downplay important moments.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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This might be my new favorite Dessen novel.

As always with Sarah Dessen the characters are great. I always enjoy listening to them on audio.

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1 person found this helpful