Getting Over Garrett Delaney

by Abby McDonald

Overview

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 novel.

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly onesided. 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 total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized selfhelp guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763655075
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	01/24/2012
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.20(d)
Lexile:	HL710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

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.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

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

Editorial Reviews

Garrett Delaney is everything 17-year-old Sadie has ever wanted in a boy, but their relationship has never risen above “best-friend” status. Over the past two years, Sadie has become tired of playing second fiddle to a “parade of girls Garrett falls for with heartbreaking regularity.” Now that he’s away at writing camp—and smitten with yet another girl—she decides it’s time to get over him for good. The only problem is that, without Garrett in the picture, Sadie isn’t sure who she is. In this entertaining antiromance, mainly set in the coffee shop where Sadie works, McDonald (The Anti-Prom) 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. Predictably, Sadie’s quest is riddled with self-doubt and setbacks, but she has plenty of advocates to catch her when she wavers. Her supporters, an eclectic group of female buddies and co-workers who have had relationship woes of their own, add color and wisdom to the novel, reinforcing the theme that love (and getting over it) is rarely easy. Ages 14–up. Agent: Stimola Literary Studio. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

A story about creating one's own identity is as common as a cup of joe but this is a bolder brew than most. The natural sweetener: Love is on the horizon for Sadie. In a comedic and candid first-person narrative, Sadie recounts how she has been "madly, hopelessly, tragically in love with Garrett," her BFF, for two years believing that, eventually, the Gods of Unrequited Crushes would smile on her. But Garrett's confession of love never comes, and Sadie is shaken by the taunt of one of Garett's exes: "you're his own personal groupie." Heartbroken, Sadie takes a job as a barista and comes up with a 12-step program, which cleverly punctuates the book, to wean herself from Garrett. But withdrawal is realistically tough, and Sadie hits rock-bottom when, in a hilariously manic scene, she sprawls face-down on the floor at work just to take a call from him. Sadie needs a support group. Enter the Totally Wired crew, a colorful cast worthy of the big screen, to help. The book is chock-full of high- and low-brow references, and a new world opens up to Sadie as she explores unfamiliar ideas and activities. Plain Janes and lovelorn teens will appreciate the sound self-help tips and be inspired by the stronger, deserves-better Sadie who emerges, ready to give love another chance. (Fiction. 12 & up)

Kirkus Reviews

This book is a hilarious, honest, and thoughtful look at being a girl, falling in love and trying to find the right balance between believing in love and sacrificing too much for it.
—Justine Magazine

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

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

A comedic and candid first-person narrative... Plain Janes and lovelorn teens will appreciate the sound self-help tips and be inspired by the stronger, deserves-better Sadie who emerges, ready to give love another chance.
—Kirkus Reviews

Teen girls will relate to the all-consuming love portrayed here, will root for Sadie, and may appreciate the reminder to put self before boyfriends.
—School Library Journal

McDonald moves with sure-footed grace through Sadie’s heartbreak and recovery, adding in the perfect pinch of schadenfreude for readers when Garrett finally realizes what a great girl he’s been missing all along. Sadie’s self-work is quietly inspirational and satisfying, offering genuine hope for the unrequited romantic.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher