When It Happens [Paperback]

Susane Colasanti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

Reminiscent of the movie Say Anything, a debut novel for all those searching for The One!

Sara and Tobey couldn?t be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara?s other goal is to find true love, so when Dave, a popular jock, asks her out, she?s thrilled. But then there?s Tobey. His amazing blue eyes and quirky wit always creep into her thoughts. It just so happens that one of Tobey?s goals is also to make Sara fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and Tobey?s real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–In the first chapter, readers find out that Sara is entering her senior year hoping that she'll find true love. She is encouraged when Dave asks her out. He is part of the in crowd, and she begins to hang out with his friends, at the expense of her relationships with her girlfriends. Next, readers hear from Tobey. He has slept with a couple of girls, but is uncomfortable with that kind of relationship. He thinks Sara is his real thing, and he asks her friend Laila to help him win her over. Tobey and Sara become partners in music class and find they have much in common. Dave, on the other hand, is a disappointment to her. When he pressures Sara to sleep with him, she finally realizes that she confused her attraction to his good looks and connections with honest feelings. Through alternating chapters, readers get the perspectives of Tobey and Sara about their developing relationship. The easy style of the writing reflects how teens speak, and some of the characters' language is realistically gritty. This is a fun romance with lots of dialogue that, due to the many popular-culture references, will become dated quickly.–Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 9-12. Told from the alternating perspectives of its two main characters, both seniors in high school, this story owes much to (and occasionally references) the 1989 teen romance film Say Anything. To brainy and beautiful Sara, Tobey is nothing more than a slacker band guy with no future prospects. This is unfortunate for Tobey, who has dedicated himself to winning her affections--a special challenge given the presence of Dave, Sara's stereotypically gorgeous, popular, and (of course) rotten boyfriend. It's a well-known and well-loved construct; unfortunately, Sara is not quite as likable as readers might wish, given her rigidity and often unkind behavior. Tobey's appeal is real, but is spoiled by occasionally loutish sexual thoughts (fantasies involve "his headboard . . . bumping against the wall") and by the ease with which he discards his worldview to impress his crush. Unlike Say Anything, this love story doesn't come together, but the premise will inevitably draw a crowd, and there is real charm in the vibrant supporting characters and their authentic, humorous dialogue. Holly Koelling
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Speak (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142411558
• ISBN-13: 978-0142411551
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #437,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Before becoming a full-time author, Susane Colasanti was a high school science teacher for almost ten years. Susane has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree from New York University. She lives in New York City.

Susane's sixth teen novel, KEEP HOLDING ON, will be released in June 2012.

You can connect with Susane at susanecolasanti.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, November 30, 2006

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When It Happens (Hardcover)

When her senior year starts, Sara's attention is focused on college and on Dave. Dave is a new student and a popular athlete, and Sara thinks he may just be a candidate for the "something real" she wants to find. Tobey, however, is focused on his music and on Sara. He wants Sara to fall in love with him (as he is in love with her, despite the fact that the two are not close), but unfortunately he's got Dave as competition.

Despite Sara's attraction to Dave, Tobey and Sara are obviously meant to be together. They're almost unrealistically compatible, having even the little things--such as how they eat their onion rings--in common. Even more importantly, they both want the same thing. They're both searching for "the one," a soulmate, what Sara calls "something real"--could they find it in each other? Even if they do, there are still some obstacles. Tobey and Sara want different things from their futures, but can they overcome that?

WHEN IT HAPPENS is a wonderful story told in the fresh voices of Tobey and Sara. It's a romance, certainly, but there's more to it than that. Tobey and Sara are fantastic, likeable, and believable characters, with lives outside of each other, which adds an extra dimension to what would otherwise just be one of a million cheesy romance novels, but is instead a wonderfully written and almost too-good-to-be-true story of two teenagers looking for love.

Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars must read, May 16, 2006

By 

Tasnim Majumder (New Youk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When It Happens (Hardcover)

When It Happens is a book you must read. This book will take you to a journey that you will never forget. As you read When It Happens, you don't have to rip your hair out thinking what the other person is thinking about, because Susane Colasanti wrote this book from the two main character's perspective. The characters are so well developed that it is hard to believe the book is fiction. If you are a girl this book will give you a sneak peek to boys mind, and if you are a boy this book will show you a part of woman you have never seen before. I love this book so much that my mom had to take it away from me because I wouldn't go to sleep. The reason I am writing this review is because I don't want you to miss anything. So have fun reading!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars When Sex Happens, August 5, 2006

By 

Crease in the Page (Hills of Northern California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: When It Happens (Hardcover)

The writing style of this author is not particularly good. The plot line is not at all creative. However, I'll give the author credit: her writing does create a strong sensory appeal, by using descriptions of sounds and sights and smells.

The subject matter of this book concerns me. The whole focus in the second half of the book is sex--will they have sex? Or won't they? The book gets very lusty. I don't care if you're an adult or a teen; should sex be the central focus of a romantic relationship? Aside from physical attraction, the two main characters have a relationship based on things like enjoying the same music and liking mustard on their burgers. That's deep. I wonder what the title is referring to--when what happens? A good relationship? Or sex? Sex might be a valid topic for teens, so maybe the sex subject isn't what bothered me so much. Sensuality combined with shallowness is what got to me. Yuck.

I wouldn't offer this book to my kids as a reading option.