Dont Judge, Just Listen

By Alyssa Gillin

In Sarah Dessen's Just Listen, Annabel Green is living in a perfect world, or so it seems. She has an amazing modeling career happening for her and she lives in a beautiful house that her own father built. Nothing is as perfect as it seems. Even though Annabel lives in a glass house, it is easy to hide secrets.

Annabelle's family has been corrupted. Her mother hasn't been the same after her grandmother's death, her sister is suffering from an eating disorder and their parents choose to dismiss it as nothing, and Annabel is currently in her own world. After the rough ending of her friendship with her friend Sophie, she hasn't been the same. Until, she met a new friend named Owen. Owen and her hit it off immediately and over time he teaches her to not judge, just listen.

I think this story was amazingly executed. it shows teenagers and young adults that no matter what you are going through, it can get better. It also teaches us to not judge anyone by their cover. You have to sit down, listen and get to know someone. You never really know someone until you truly know them. This book showcases the whole story about getting to know someone. Two different people that have different hobbies came together and eventually became lovers. It was truly a heart lifting story. Owen, the leading male protagonist in the story, helps her through her problems with her ex-friend, Sophie.

I would definitely recommend reading this story. Its not the usual sad romance story, it hold more of a pac to it. You can find it Just Listen at your nearest book store or library.