Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood of Traveling Pants)

I was sorry to see the series end, and I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but it is still a good read.

if you read the traveling pants books you will know that the forever in blue is the last of the sisterhood. this one is the last book and i have to say i'm having mixed feelings about it. if you read the other 3 books you HAVE TO read this book.

Like everyone else, I eagerly anticipated the fourth and final installment to this series. Like the first three, it's a page-turner. However, I definitely felt this book rates far behind the others. None of the books are incredibly realistic, but this one was more unrealistic than usual, because not only was it unrealistic in terms of real life, it also did not follow the rules of the "Pants" world previously set and created by Brashares.

Carmen's story was probably the most unrealistic storyline, with her sudden personality change and abandonment of Win. I too wanted to see what would happen with Lena and Paul, but Brashares seems to have forgotten she ever put that into book 3. Tibby's story was perhaps more true to form, and while it initially had me turning pages to see if she was pregnant or not, I lost interest in her once the mystery was solved.

Also, the freedom with sex and promiscuity seemed a bit over the top, especially with Lena. For a girl who took her time opening up to Kostos both physically and emotionally, she sure was quick to be vulnerable with Leo. I understand a rebound, but it was just a bit much. Similarly, watching Bee fall so hard for a married man was disappointing. She's bold and carefree, but not a homewrecker.

The ending was cheesy and too easy. One reviewer mentioned this before, and it's true: a lot happens in this book, and all four girls basically end up with (or without) what they had at the end of book three. Seems a bit pointless in conclusion.

Finally--I'm sorry, was this supposed to be about pants? I forgot all about them. And apparently, it seems, so did the author.

This was the book made to tie up loose ends. Everyone came to a conclusion about their life and the pants. The whole thing was sort of boring. Yes I liked the book, but in a way everyone was the same as they started. I suppose the point of it was to show how they had grown up and still stayed the same. Maybe it was that there wasn't enough excitement or maybe it's that I'm tired now but i thought it wasn't as good as the other books.
-cdm

I have enjoyed this entire series...takes me back to my Judy Blume days. The girl in all of us can identify with these characters as they grow, change, and try to not lose themselves or each other in the process. The earlier on you learn that nothing means more than your girl friends...the better off you are! I think the quotes between the chapters are insightful, and I enjoy finding their relation to the story as I read on. That brings a literary aspect not often found in young adult novels. I appreciate that this book and its prequels can be light and real at the same time. A book about pants sounds like fluff, but you feel with these girls as they deal with real issues both internal and external. Real doesn't have to be dark...bittersweet seems more fitting. These books capture the laughter through tears that is what sisterhood is about. I highly recommend reading them all.