Synopsis from Macmillan Publishers:

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 Mall is a young adult contemporary written by Megan McCafferty. It will be published on 7/28/2020 by Wednesday Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers, paperback, 320 pages. The genres are young adult, contemporary, and fiction. This book is intended for readers ages 13 to 18. According to the publisher’s website, Wednesday Books is “a crossover, coming-of-age imprint for the insatiable reader.” Please see below for more information about the author and publisher.

My Experience: I started reading The Mall on 7/12/2020 and finished it on 7/15/2020. This book is fast paced and a fun read. I remember when the mall used to be the hangout place for my friends and I on most weekends. I knew some friends worked at Express and Aldo. They were always looking sophisticated and well dressed. I didn’t know that there were other jobs at the mall for introverts until reading this book. Cassie was book smart and she worked in finance for a boutique. If I knew this, I could have had the entire mall experience! This story of the mall had a treasure hunt so at times it was an adventurous read. The basement was another thing I didn’t see it coming. The Mall was definitely not the only place to shop.

This book was told in the first person point of view following Cassandra (Cassie) as she and her boyfriend of 2 years Troy, both were voted in High School for Most Likely to Succeed, headed to the mall for their summer job. Cassie just recovered from mononucleosis. Then found out that “the plan” with Troy no longer applicable because he cheated. She couldn’t possibly work with him all summer. Now no plan, no bf, and no summer job. The title was the central location where the story took place because Cassie lived in a small town and the mall was the only place for anything and everything.

The Mall was an upbeat read. I need to hear Drea’s laugh so bad! Lots more going on to this mall than the one I went. I like the makeover to look our best selves, though not drastic with stink jacket like Cassie did. The driving lesson was a cute read! That rock climbing equipment Cassie mistaken for serial killer travel kit was hilarious. The story on friendship was good as well as finding oneself amid the compromises when being in a relationship. The diversity of characters was great. I like the reminder that there are layers to everyone and we don’t know who they truly are until we take the time to get to know them. An excellent read for a visit down memory lane where the mall was the center universe in the teens’ summer break. I recommend this book to everyone.

Pro: humor, diversity, fast paced, banter, friendship, relationships,

I rate it 4.5 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository or Macmillan’s website

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. (Photo and info obtained from Macmillan’s website).

More Information about Wednesday Books

Website: http://wednesdaybooks.com | Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/WednesdayBooks| Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WednesdayBooks| Twitter: https://twitter.com/WednesdayBooks

***Disclaimer: I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway hosted by the publisher, Wednesday Books. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine