Getting Over Garrett Delaney [Hardcover]

Abby McDonald (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 24, 2012

Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly one-sided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to '80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for a total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized self-help guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Gentle and humorous, GETTING OVER GARRETT DELANEY is sure to be a hit with fans of Joan Bauer and Meg Cabot.
—VOYA

In this entertaining antiromance, McDonald turns the tragedy of unrequited love on its head as she traces her heroine's determined and often comical efforts to find herself and become more independent.
—Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Abby McDonald is the author of three other young adult novels: Sophomore Switch; Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots; and The Anti-Prom. Originally from England, Abby McDonald now lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (January 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763655074
• ISBN-13: 978-0763655075
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #995,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Abby McDonald grew up in Sussex, England and studied Politics, Philosophy & Economics at Oxford University. She began writing at college, and graduated to work as a music journalist and entertainment critic; drawing on her loves of pop culture, film and feminism, and interviewing acts as diverse as LeAnn Rimes, The Kings of Leon, and Marilyn Manson. She is now a full-time novelist and screen-writer.

Her debut book for teens, 'Sophomore Switch', was published by Candlewick Press in 2009. It was a Kirkus starred review, ALAN pick, and has been translated into German, Dutch, and Polish. A second title, 'Boys, Bears & a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots', followed in April 2010, and a third, 'The Anti-Prom', will be published in Spring 2011.

Abby also writes for adults. 'The Popularity Rules' was published in the UK by Arrow Books in 2009; it was a Glamour Magazine 'must-read' pick, and received a 4-star review from Heat magazine. Her second adult title, 'The Liberation of Alice Love', was published in July 2010, to glowing reviews in Closer and NOW magazines. Both titles will be published in the US in 2011 by Sourcebooks.

After spells in Montreal and London, Abby recently moved to Los Angeles, where she is enjoying blue skies, drive-thru everything, and an abundance of frozen yoghurt. She is twenty-five years old.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#40 in Books > Teens

#40 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully funny! February 25, 2012

By The Compulsive Reader VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sadie has known that she and her best friend Garrett are meant to be together for two years now--she's just waiting for Garrett to realize it. But when he gets into a prestigious writing summer camp and all she has to look forward to is a job at a local coffee shop, Sadie decides that enough is enough. She is going to get over Garrett once and for all. With some help from friends new and old, Sadie puts herself through a twelve-step recovery process. But can you fall out of love with someone and still remain friends with him?

Getting Over Garrett Delaney is a delightfully funny read, and Sadie is a charming, plucky narrator. The heart of the story takes place in the coffee shop, Totally Wired, that many characters work and meet at, which is a fun and energetic setting with lots of eccentric characters. It's the stage for a lot of drama, the beginning and end of many relationships, and the site of a support group that Sadie leans on. Her twelve-step program is witty and simple, but it is pretty solid advice on McDonald's part. Sadie's personal growth is really the best part of this book--she slowly begins to embrace her own identity by shedding her carefully Garrett-tailored image, and deciding that it's okay to like popular books and movies because she likes them, not because they're things she feels she ought to like for their literary or culture value. She discovers that while it's important to be open-minded and try new things, you shouldn't change your tastes and preferences for the sake of a boy, a good lesson that bears repeating. There's just enough romance in this one to satisfy readers, but the dominant themes of friendship and independence prevail. McDonald has written a fun and humorous book that will be well-received by YA readers.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bella Swan, please take note: This is what Girl Power actually looks like December 7, 2012

By Jennifer Grey

Format:Hardcover

Abby McDonald earns my undying love for being the first author to acknowledge in writing what many of us have quietly known for years: While in the course of attempting to get over a man, you should never - upon pain of weeks spent huddled in a ball in a darkened room, weeping - listen to the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs' Maps. The rest of this excellent narrative of a teenage girl finding out who she is without the guy she's loved for years is really just the cherry on top. Marvelous in every way, and just about oozing girl power.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kicking his butt for good March 7, 2013

By Megan

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's rare that you find a book like this. I stayed up the whole night finishing it! I think this relates to many kids including myself. We all have boys like this- they're so stupid not to realize what's in front of them.players, go for the idiots. This book is about finding yourself and finally kicking away the boy that has dated other girls ripping your heart each time. It's hard but then you realize if he hurt me so much why do I still like him? However Sadie is a bit more gracious then me. I immediately go fir revenge. This comes together as a book about not letting that boy control you. You are truly getting over --------- by just reading this book.