What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando

Altebrando's debut YA novel The Pursuit of Happiness came out a few years ago, which I loved. Part of me thought I may have had stumbled upon the next Sarah Dessen. After reading this second novel and feeling equally satisfied, I'm now positive Altebrando is going to be the next big thing.

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Despite what its commerically decorated cover seems to imply, What Happens Here is not just about the crazy shenanigans of two best friends living in Las Vegas. It's about the closeness of friendship and how something unexpected and terrible can tear it apart. It's about dreams and how life sometimes makes them impossible to achieve. It's about falling in love and growing up. It's about moving on learning to heal.

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This book is about Chloe who has grown up with her best friend Lindsay her entire life. She and Lindsay are next door neighbors just outside of Vegas, and have big dreams to someday travel the world. Inseperatable and as close as best friends get, they talk about everything together. While Chloe has regretfully "gone to Vegas" already (that's their code for having lost their virginity), Lindsay is thinking about "getting it over with." Chloe tries to explain how Lindsay will regret it if she does, but in the end has no say over the matter. Leaving Lindsay angry and left behind, Chloe vacations in Europe for two weeks with her parents with limited home contact. There she she meets a boy and has the time of her life. Then, something terrible happens, changing Chloe and Lindsay's friendship forever.

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Some of the reviews I've read of this book give away the "shocker" of the story, so be careful while searching for more information. I don't want to give away what happens, so I'll only say so much here.

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Basically, I loved this book. Part of it took place in Europe, which was awesome. I felt like I was there in each city as Chloe hopped from one country to the next. The descriptions were vivid and non-typical, which made Chloe's experiences feel that much more authentic. Sometimes I even felt jealous of her from a teenager's point of view. For example: When Chloe meets a cute boy on her tour and ends up kissing him atop the Eiffel Tower. Can you imagine doing anything more romantic at sixteen? I can't! And the book is all written in first person, so you're inside Chloe's head the whole way through.

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I just really loved this book. If you're fond of Sarah Dessen's writing or YA literature in general, check out Tara Altebrando. She deserves more readers!