Perfect Fifths

February 2, 2009
McCafferty's mixed follow-up to Fourth Comings
begins with Jessica Darling running through an airport to catch a flight to her friend's wedding, only to trip over ex-boyfriend Marcus Flutie, fresh off the plane from New Orleans, where he was building houses. Jessica is reluctant to start things anew with Marcus, who had in an earlier book proposed to her and still longs for her. McCafferty does a terrific job of recounting her protagonists' pasts while keeping the story feeling fresh, and Marcus's friend Natty Addison makes for a charming foil, though the narrative really lags during part two, with 80 pages of nonstop dialogue—and a series of 54 haikus doesn't do the book any favors. Fans of the series might be hooked, but newer readers may find the intimacy irritating and even boring. McCafferty writes strong characters with rich, believable inner lives, but the attempts at formal cuteness don't allow the book to properly flourish.

August 1, 2009
Adult/High School-In this final title in the series, Jessica Darling is now a professional at age 25. The series began with her as a sophomore, continued through her high school years, then college (and her long relationship with Marcus Flutie), and ends with her as the founder of a program in which she travels the country working with teens to encourage their creative expression. This episode begins with Jessica frantically running through the airport to catch a flight to her friend's wedding. She literally runs into Marcus, misses her plane, and spends the rest of the day (and evening) reconnecting with her old love. McCafferty employs some surprising literary devices, including an entire chapter told in haiku. This series has had a loyal group of followers, and though many were disappointed in books three and four, fans will be satisfied with this last installment. Though a bit predictable, the breezy style, great vocabulary, and wry humor make it an enjoyable, quick read. For libraries that have the previous four books, this is a must purchase and for those who do not, this book will stand alone and find a wide audience."Jane Ritter, Mill Valley School District, CA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.