Book Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope

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.

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The Last Little Blue Envelope picks up almost a year after 13 Little Blue Envelopes left off. Ginny is attempting to write college application essays when BAM she gets an email from a mysterious British fellow who apparently has the 13 missing envelopes. And then, in perfect Maureen Johnson fashion, hilarity ensues.

If there is one thing that Maureen Johnson excels at in her novels it is humor. Her books are so darn funny!!! Allow me to prove this to you with the following excerpt:

"Cheer up," he said, putting an arm around her shoulders. "It's me you're with. Would I ever lead you to do something stupid? Best not to answer that. Just follow me down this dark path over here."

Just follow me down this dark path over here?!?! Yep, hilarious. XD The thing that makes this quote even funnier is that when I read it to my mother (after she asked me why I was cackling like a crazy person....) she proceeded to tell me that she could imagine one of my guy friends saying that. Apparently I have some frightening friends.... Anyway I can assure you that this book is a riot.

The one thing that detracts from The Last Little Blue Envelope is the characters. I wasn't that big a fan of Ginny in 13 Little Blue Envelopes and she still wasn't able to win me over in this one. She just spent a lot of the book pining away for Keith and ultimately being kind of a pushover. And speaking of Keith I REALLY don't like that guy. He was sooooo mean in this book! It was somewhat rationalized meanness but honestly he was just not nice. It made me sad. :( Oliver was a bit better but he totally gave me the creeps in the beginning. I mean a guy who holds your mail ransom? Yeah, creepy would definitely be the right word. However he did redeem himself in the end! The one character that I did thoroughly enjoy was Ellis, Keith's girlfriend. She was so quirky and wonderful and all I can say is girl you need to find yourself a better boyfriend because KEITH IS A JERK!!! You deserve better. Oh and lets be best friends yeah?

I LOVED the ending to this book. It wrapped up the whole 13 Little Blue Envelopes saga perfectly. If you want a funny, contemporary. moving, and slightly romantic read then The Last Little Blue Envelope definitely fits the bill. I just wish the characters were more loveable. :/ Overall the book gets 3 and a half out of 5 ice cream cones.

After reading these books I now want to travel all over Europe. Whose with me?

Julia :)