“Sometimes you have to let go of the past to have a future.”
— After a significant turning point in Liz's healing process.
Archivist's Choice
Take Me There
Susane Colasanti (2008)
Genre
Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
300 min
Key Themes
See below
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During a single tumultuous week, three interconnected teens navigate the wreckage of past relationships and the dizzying thrill of new crushes, all while plotting to take down their school's reigning mean girl.
Synopsis
Rhiannon is heartbroken after her breakup with Mark and desperately wants him back. Her best friend, Nicole, is also dealing with an ex, but finds herself developing a crush on James, Rhiannon's other close friend. The trio decides to unite against Danielle, the 'mean girl' who Rhiannon believes stole Mark and who has a history of causing trouble. As they concoct a plan to expose Danielle, their relationships are tested, and secrets begin to unravel. Over the course of a single, tumultuous week, Rhiannon confronts the truth about Mark and Danielle, Nicole navigates her feelings for James amidst the drama, and James grapples with his unrequited feelings for Rhiannon. The friends learn lessons about love, loyalty, and moving on, leading to new beginnings and a fresh dynamic among them.
Reading time
300 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Relatable, Witty, Hopeful, Dramatic
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy realistic YA romance with multiple perspectives and a focus on friendship and self-discovery.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike love triangles or stories with 'mean girl' tropes.
Plot Summary
Monday: Rhiannon's Despair and Nicole's New Crush
The week begins with Rhiannon in despair over her recent breakup with Mark, her boyfriend of two years. She constantly rehashes their last conversation, clinging to the hope of reconciliation. Her best friend, Nicole, tries to comfort her but is distracted by her own complicated feelings. Nicole still talks often with her ex, Ben, who is now dating their mutual friend, Danielle. Despite this, Nicole finds herself increasingly drawn to James, Rhiannon's male best friend, experiencing an unexpected flutter whenever he's near. The three friends navigate their first day of school, each carrying their own emotional baggage and unspoken desires.
Tuesday: The Plan Against Danielle
Rhiannon, Nicole, and James meet up, and the conversation turns to Danielle. Rhiannon is furious that Danielle is now with Mark, convinced Danielle orchestrated the breakup. Nicole is equally bitter, feeling betrayed by Danielle's relationship with Ben. James, who has his own history of being used by Danielle, suggests they expose her true nature. They plan to gather evidence of Danielle's manipulative and two-faced behavior, specifically her habit of badmouthing people behind their backs, and reveal it to everyone, hoping to turn the school against her. Their shared anger at Danielle unites them in this common cause.
Wednesday: Gathering Intel and Growing Tensions
The friends put their plan into action. Rhiannon starts subtly questioning classmates about Danielle, trying to elicit negative anecdotes. Nicole, still frequently talking to Ben, tries to get him to reveal information about Danielle's less appealing traits. James, always observant, pays closer attention to Danielle's interactions, looking for evidence of her duplicity. During their strategy sessions, Nicole and James find themselves spending more time together, and their mutual attraction becomes increasingly clear, though unspoken. Rhiannon, still consumed by Mark, remains unaware of the growing romantic tension between her two closest friends, focused solely on her revenge plot.
Thursday: The Truth About Mark and Danielle
Rhiannon finally gets a breakthrough. She overhears a conversation between two other students that reveals Mark and Danielle had been secretly seeing each other *before* Mark broke up with Rhiannon. This devastating realization shatters Rhiannon's last hopes for reconciliation and fuels her desire for revenge even further. Meanwhile, Nicole and James's connection deepens. They share a moment that almost leads to a kiss, confirming their mutual feelings. Nicole is torn between her lingering loyalty to Ben, her fear of hurting Rhiannon, and her attraction to James, who has been a constant, supportive presence throughout the week.
Friday Morning: The Confrontation and Aftermath
The day of reckoning arrives. The friends decide to confront Danielle publicly during lunch, armed with the collected evidence of her gossip and manipulative actions. Rhiannon, fueled by anger, leads the charge, exposing Danielle's two-faced nature to a crowd of students. Danielle, initially shocked, quickly turns defensive and tries to deny everything. The confrontation causes a significant scene, drawing the attention of many students. While some onlookers are convinced, others are simply entertained, and the desired unified front against Danielle doesn't fully appear as expected. The friends feel a mix of triumph and anti-climax.
Friday Afternoon: Revelations and Repercussions
After the confrontation with Danielle, Rhiannon seeks out Mark. She confronts him about his betrayal, revealing she knows he was with Danielle before their breakup. Mark, caught off guard, finally admits to his deceit and apologizes. His apology feels hollow to Rhiannon. This confrontation, while painful, gives Rhiannon a sense of closure, allowing her to begin moving on. Elsewhere, Nicole and James, still reeling from the day's events, have a heart-to-heart. They acknowledge their feelings for each other, but the timing is complicated by Rhiannon's situation and their own past relationships. They decide to take things slow.
Friday Evening: Rhiannon's Shift
Alone after the day's drama, Rhiannon reflects on everything that has happened. The confrontation with Danielle, and more importantly, the confrontation with Mark, has stripped away her illusions. She realizes that her obsession with Mark and revenge on Danielle was holding her back. Instead of feeling vindicated, she feels a sense of emptiness, but also a dawning realization that she deserves better. She begins to see her friends, Nicole and James, in a new light, appreciating their unwavering support. Rhiannon starts to accept the breakup and contemplates what her future might look like without Mark, a future she hadn't considered before.
Saturday: New Beginnings for Nicole and James
On Saturday, Nicole and James spend time together, away from the immediate drama of school and their friends' problems. They talk openly about their feelings, acknowledging the strong connection they've developed over the past week. Nicole admits her lingering confusion over Ben, but also her attraction to James. James expresses his genuine care for Nicole and his desire to be with her. They decide to pursue a relationship, cautiously, understanding that it might be awkward with Rhiannon initially, but confident in their feelings. Their new romance marks a significant new beginning for both of them.
Sunday: Rhiannon's Acceptance and Growth
By Sunday, Rhiannon has processed the week's events. She feels a sense of liberation from the emotional chains that bound her to Mark and her desire for revenge. She realizes that true happiness comes from within, not from external validation or the suffering of others. She is still hurt, but no longer consumed by it. She reflects on her friendship with Nicole and James, appreciating their steadfastness. Rhiannon feels a newfound strength and independence, ready to face the future with an open mind and heart. She is no longer the heartbroken girl from Monday, but a young woman ready for personal growth.
The End of the Week: A New Dynamic
As the week concludes, the dynamic between Rhiannon, Nicole, and James has shifted. Rhiannon has started her journey of healing and self-discovery, moving past her obsession with Mark and Danielle. Nicole and James have embarked on a new romantic relationship, a development that will change their friendship trio. While the initial plan to take down Danielle brought them together, the true impact of the week lies in the personal growth each character experiences and the evolution of their relationships. They have all been forced to confront uncomfortable truths and make choices that redefine their paths forward.
Principal Figures
Rhiannon
The Protagonist
Rhiannon transforms from a heartbroken and vengeful ex-girlfriend into a young woman who accepts her past and looks forward to personal growth and independence.
Nicole
The Protagonist
Nicole moves from being caught between two relationships and friends' expectations to bravely pursuing a new, genuine connection with James.
James
The Protagonist
James transitions from a supportive friend silently harboring feelings to openly pursuing a relationship and finding his own happiness.
Danielle
The Antagonist
Danielle remains largely unchanged, serving as a catalyst for the protagonists' growth and revenge plot.
Mark
The Supporting
Mark's character remains relatively static, serving as an obstacle and a lesson for Rhiannon rather than experiencing significant personal growth.
Ben
The Supporting
Ben's arc is minimal; he serves primarily to highlight Nicole's internal conflict and eventual decision to move on.
Themes & Insights
The Complexity of Friendship and Loyalty
The novel explores adolescent friendships, especially when romance and betrayal intersect. Rhiannon, Nicole, and James's bond is tested by romantic interests, past hurts, and the decision to gang up on Danielle. Nicole struggles with her loyalty to Rhiannon versus her growing feelings for James, and her lingering connection to Ben. The theme highlights how easily friendships can be strained by external pressures and internal desires, but also how true friendship can endure and provide support during difficult times, as seen in James's unwavering support for both girls.
““Sometimes the people you think will always be there are the first ones to leave.””
The Journey from Heartbreak to Healing
Rhiannon's story arc is central to this theme. She begins the week consumed by the pain of her breakup with Mark and her desire for revenge against Danielle. Her initial actions are driven by these intense emotions. However, through confronting Mark and Danielle, and with the support of her friends, she gradually moves towards acceptance and self-discovery. By the end of the week, she realizes that true healing comes from within and letting go of past hurts, rather than dwelling on revenge or trying to win back a lost love. This theme emphasizes resilience and personal growth in the face of emotional pain.
““I wasn't going to let him ruin my life. I wasn't going to let anyone ruin my life. Only I could do that.””
Karma and Consequences
The friends' plot to expose Danielle is rooted in the belief that she deserves to face consequences for her manipulative and hurtful actions. While their plan doesn't unfold exactly as envisioned, the novel suggests that negative actions, like Danielle's, eventually catch up to a person, if not through direct retribution, then through the erosion of genuine relationships. Conversely, the positive connections formed by Rhiannon, Nicole, and James, despite their flaws, suggest that genuine friendship and honesty ultimately lead to more fulfilling outcomes. The theme explores whether seeking revenge truly brings satisfaction or if letting go is the better path.
““What goes around comes around. It always does.””
Self-Discovery and Identity
Each protagonist undergoes a significant journey of self-discovery within the short span of a week. Rhiannon learns to define herself independently of her relationship with Mark and to find strength within herself. Nicole confronts her conflicting feelings and makes a choice about her romantic future, understanding what she truly wants. James, too, steps out of his supportive, background role to pursue his own desires. The intense experiences of the week force them to examine their values, desires, and who they want to be, leading to a clearer sense of their individual identities outside of their established social roles.
““This wasn't about Mark anymore. It was about me.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Multiple Perspectives
The story is told through the alternating viewpoints of Rhiannon, Nicole, and James.
This device allows the reader to gain a deep understanding of each character's internal thoughts, motivations, and emotional struggles. By shifting perspectives, the narrative provides a more comprehensive and nuanced view of the same events, highlighting how different characters interpret situations and feel about each other. It effectively builds suspense regarding the unspoken feelings between Nicole and James, and emphasizes Rhiannon's initial obliviousness. This technique also underscores the theme of subjectivity in relationships and perceptions.
The Revenge Plot
The plan to expose Danielle's manipulative nature drives much of the initial action.
The friends' collective decision to expose Danielle serves as a central inciting incident and a primary driver for the plot. It brings the three protagonists closer together, providing a common goal that unites them amidst their individual emotional turmoil. While the revenge itself doesn't yield the absolute satisfaction they anticipate, it acts as a catalyst for deeper introspection and pushes the characters to confront uncomfortable truths, both about Danielle and about their own relationships and desires. It also provides structure to the rapid progression of events over the week.
Limited Timeframe (One Week)
The entire story unfolds over the course of a single, eventful school week.
The confined timeframe of one week intensifies the emotional stakes and accelerates the character development. It creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, pushing the characters to make decisions and confront their feelings quickly. This compressed timeline emphasizes the idea that a short period can be transformative, highlighting the rapid changes in relationships, perspectives, and personal growth that can occur during adolescence. It also makes the romantic developments between Nicole and James feel both fast-paced and impactful.
Unrequited/Hidden Love
James's unspoken feelings for Nicole and Nicole's dawning attraction to James.
This device creates significant romantic tension and internal conflict, particularly for Nicole and James. James secretly loves Nicole, while Nicole is initially caught between her ex, Ben, and her growing feelings for James. This 'will-they-won't-they' dynamic adds a layer of emotional complexity to the plot, as they navigate their feelings while trying to support Rhiannon. The eventual revelation and acknowledgment of their mutual feelings provide a satisfying resolution to this particular storyline, illustrating the rewards of honesty and taking a chance on love.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“It's funny how one person can change your whole world without even trying.”
— Liz reflecting on her feelings for Jason early in their relationship.
“Grief is a strange thing. It makes you do things you never thought you would.”
— Liz grappling with her actions and emotions following her brother's death.
“Maybe the bravest thing you can do is ask for help.”
— Liz considering therapy or confiding in a trusted adult.
“The past isn't just something you remember; it's something you carry.”
— Liz feeling the weight of her past experiences and trauma.
“Sometimes, the most beautiful things are the ones you don't expect.”
— Liz finding unexpected joy or connection in a difficult period.
“You can't fix someone else until you fix yourself.”
— A realization Liz has about her attempts to help others while neglecting her own issues.
“Love isn't about finding someone perfect; it's about finding someone who makes you feel perfect.”
— Liz's developing understanding of her relationship with Jason.
“The hardest part of losing someone isn't saying goodbye, it's learning to live without them.”
— Liz reflecting on the enduring pain of her brother's absence.
“Hope is a fragile thing, but it's also the strongest.”
— Liz clinging to hope during her darkest moments.
“Everyone has a story, and sometimes, those stories are tangled together.”
— Liz realizing the interconnectedness of her life with those around her.
“It's okay not to be okay, as long as you don't stay there.”
— A comforting thought shared or realized about the process of healing.
“The best kind of adventure is the one you didn't plan for.”
— Liz experiencing new things and stepping out of her comfort zone.
“Sometimes, the only way to move forward is to look back, just for a moment, and then let it go.”
— Liz confronting her past memories before making a conscious decision to embrace the future.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Rhiannon is primarily driven by her devastation over her recent breakup with her boyfriend, Andrew. She is desperate to win him back and believes that orchestrating a plan to take down their mutual 'mean girl' acquaintance, Tiffany, might somehow facilitate his return to her.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
