Departures is really 2 books in one. To be quite honest, I chose it because of the cover and it being a suitcase.  Sometimes choosing a book by its cover gets me in trouble. However, in this case it worked out and I quite enjoyed the book(s) and I read it very quickly!

The first story is about Christy and her family going back home to the midwest from California for her grandparents 50th wedding anniversary.  Christy wonders if Matthew, the boy she had a crush on before they moved would be around.  Her mother tells her that he would be and then is shocked when he calls her grandparents house to see if she wants to hang out.  He takes her on a tour of the area, bringing back random memories from school and birthday parties as they go.  It turned out that one of Christy’s friends had told him that Christy liked him years and years ago, but Matthew never reacted to it.  Another old friend, Melissa is in the picture and Christy thinks that Matt may rather be with her, and isn’t sure if she still has feelings for him after all.  Christy then tries for find ways to make sure that she and Matt are alone without Melissa, but once Matt confesses that he likes Christy (and may go to college just an hour away from where she lives on a full scholarship), Christy decides that they should take things slow.  There are other books with Christy as the main character (LOTS actually) so I am curious to see if this relationship is expanded upon in any future works or not!

The second story is about Sierra and her friend Jana, who are going on vacation to her parents cabin along with her brother Gregg and his friend Tim.  In fact, Sierra and Christy are in the airport at the same time and their paths cross!  When their first plane gets canceled due to an airline strike, the kids get their tickets exchanged to a different flight.  In Minnesota with a lot of time to kill, they decide to spend some time at the Mall of America before heading back for their flight.  Only to find out that the flight they were booked to no longer exists with the airline!  They are then forced to stay overnight and get a flight out the next morning.   Jana is excited to see the neighbor boy, Danny, once they arrive at the cabin.  Except that then she and Sierra both start developing feelings for Jana’s brother’s friend Tim!  Jana is torn between Danny and Tim and Sierra is upset that Jana is moving in on Tim when she likes Tim AND Jana has Danny!   The crew go river rafting, cliff jumping and have a fun summer. Although… we never really know who Jana decides to go for!

About The Book

This special collection contains two rare novellas from the summer before Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen met. Rediscover the stories that led Christy and Sierra to discover the gift of true friendship.

Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen cross paths on their way to summer vacations that reveal what a gift it is to have a true Forever Friend.

Now Boarding at Gate 10
After her high school graduation, still aching from Todd’s departure, Christy joins her family on a trip to Wisconsin to visit relatives. While there, she reunites with Matthew, an old friend from junior high. When Matthew starts to show a romantic interest in Christy, she realizes this summer vacation could change everything she thought her future would be.

In the Event of a Water Landing
Fifteen-year-old Sierra Jensen can’t wait to spend her summer vacation with her friend Jana at a pristine lake in Montana. But when they arrive, it becomes clear that Jana’s only interest is acquiring a boyfriend. Sierra just wants to hang out with the guys as friends, but Jana turns every encounter into a possible romantic relationship. As their friendship begins to suffer, Sierra wonders if it’s possible to find a Forever Friend who will listen to you, laugh with you, and keep your confidences.

I received a free copy of this book to read and write a review from Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging For Books program.  All opinions are 100% mine and I was not asked to write a favorable review.

 

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