The Mall by Megan McCafferty
Release: July 28th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Netgalley
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New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty returns to her roots with this YA coming of age story set in a New Jersey mall.
The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan. Higher education and happily ever after.
But you know what they say about the best laid plans…
Set entirely in a classic “monument to consumerism,” the novel follows Cassie as she finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself, in the most unexpected of places. Megan McCafferty, beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Jessica Darling series, takes readers on an epic trip back in time to The Mall.
About the Author
Megan McCafferty writes fiction for tweens, teens and teens-at-heart of all ages. The author of several novels, she’s best known for Sloppy Firsts and four more books in the New York Times bestselling Jessica Darling series.
Described in her first review as “Judy Blume meets Dorothy Parker” (Wall Street Journal), she’s been trying to live up to that high standard ever since.
The Mall Review:
Many thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me an advanced copy of the book for my review.
I loved this story so much! When I started reading this, I really didn’t expect it to be anything grand. An entire story that takes place in the setting of a shopping mall? But, once I started reading, I fell in love with the characters and the plot and couldn’t put it down.
Cassie is wonderful as the main character. She is a full on nerd who excels academically but fails in other aspects. I loved her friendship with Drea. They both complement each other so well and I enjoyed how confident Cassie becomes under Drea’s influence. Also, Gia, Sam, Zoe and even Helen are so memorable. Each of them add their own dynamic to the story. Even Cassie’s parents were quirky in their own manner. On a side note, I laughed out loud so much on Kathy’s obsession with Barbra Streisand. I actually felt sad that the story ended because I didn’t want to let go of all these characters.
I have not read the author’s previous novels, but I really want to now. Honestly, I just adored her style of writing! The way she sets the treasure hunt between the various locations was just genius! I was intrigued and excited whenever Cassie and Drea got a new clue to the treasure. Moreover, I loved all the throwbacks to the 90s nostalgia which I grew up with, and it made me feel nostalgic. I really wish I had an adventure like this whenever I went to the mall.
Overall, this book was funny, thoroughly entertaining and made me feel good. I definitely want to read some of her other novels.
