Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelope #2) by Maureen Johnson

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions

Review:

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes has been one of my favorite books for years. When I heard Maureen was writing a sequel I was beyond ecstatic, but also nervous. Could a sequel possibly be as wonderful as the first book? Would I be sorely disappointed? I don't know why I had those worries, because The Last Little Blue Envelope was just as fantastic as the prequel, if not better.

This book opens up a few months after Ginny has returned home and is trying to figure out what to write for her college admissions essay. The final blue envelope is lost somewhere in Europe....or so she thinks! One day, Ginny receives an email from a mysterious lad in England named Oliver, claiming he has found the final envelope. Never one to shy away from adventure, Ginny packs up her bags and flies back to her second home- London. What transpires on this trip is nothing that Ginny could have expected.

I was so happy that many of the characters from the first book were re-introduced. People like Ginny's uncle Richard, plus the guy who stole her heart on her last journey-Keith, and more. We also got to meet some new characters as well. Most importantly, Oliver and Ellis. Oliver was a mysterious guy and I never knew what to expect from him. Ellis was such a fun loving and sweet girl, and a terrific friend to Ginny.

When Ginny sets off on another whirlwind trip around Europe, we meet a lot of new intriguing people and so many new places are mentioned. The setting is my favorite aspect of the book, next to the characters, and I am always anxious to see where Ginny will go next and to try and visualize the sights in my mind. Ginny's adventures are always full of excitement and this one was no exception. From page one, Ginny was sucked into a trip that could rival her first.

The Last Little Blue Envelope's plot was constantly surprising me. I never knew what was going to happen next and how things would turn out for Ginny in the end. Things were not all fun and games, and Ginny had some disappointments by the end.

By the time I turned the last page I was a tiny bit sad, could this be the last of Ginny's adventures? I certainly hope not, because the ending left me wanting a little more. The Last Little Blue Envelope is truly a rival for my favorite out of the two because it was just that good. Maureen Johnson can bring a smile to my face no matter what and I was often laughing at the situations Ginny and the gang got involved in.

If The Last Little Blue Envelope succeeded in doing anything, it made me want to drop everything and take a trip around Europe as soon as possible. If you were a fan of the first book, I highly recommend picking this up, it did not disappoint. And if you haven't read Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes- what are you waiting for?!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

April 26, 2011/HarperTeen/304 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two

Source: Netgalley

Other books in the series: Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes