The fourth summer of the Traveling Pants finds the girls spread out across the globe after their first year of college. In fact, the pants traveled among their colleges the entire previous semesters. Carmen is going to a drama camp with a college friend. Lena is involved in a summer studio session at her art school. Tibby is taking some summer classes in New York City. And Bridget is heading off to Turkey for an archaeological dig. As Pants fans know, expectations are one thing and reality another. Even the world's best jeans can't solve every problem.

Their initial summer ceremony is aborted when Lena, Bridget and Tibby realize that it just isn't the same without Carmen. But Carmen doesn't want to come home and see them, as she was miserable at college her first year and doesn't know who she is anymore. Plus, her mother has a new baby and husband, and is moving to a new house --- where nothing, it seems, will belong to her.

Carmen's friend Julia persuades her to come to drama camp, where Julia is convinced she will be a star while Carmen works on sets. However, the camp's staff sees something special in Carmen. The more recognition Carmen gets, the less Julia likes her. Carmen has to find the courage to stand up for herself again. Luckily, the pants are there to help.

Lena thinks that an intense summer studio class finally will help her forget about Kostos. It doesn't hurt that the gorgeous and talented Leo is in the class with her. Leo is intense about his art and suggests that they pose for each other (as in, nude!). Kostos then comes across the ocean to see her, and it all becomes too much for Lena to handle alone. 

Tibby loves Brian completely. As they move their relationship to the next level, however, a scare drives them apart. After she breaks up with him, Tibby struggles to recover and finds out that he started dating someone else. She wants him back but doesn't know how to go about doing so.

Bridget is hurt when Eric goes to Mexico for a summer without consulting her. He's her boyfriend, right? A visit home shows her that neither her twin brother nor her father has recovered from the death of her mother. Bridget flees to Turkey where she finds a passion for learning about ancient civilizations. A married graduate student starts what seems like a harmless flirtation with her until his family arrives. Bridget realizes that she wants her family and boyfriend back, and strives to bring them close again.

The four young women reunite at the end of the summer to travel to Greece, where something has happened to the jeans. In that beautiful setting, they are able to find some answers together and realize how much more bonds them than magical pants.

While it is disappointing to learn that this beloved series by Ann Brashares has come to an end, fans will not be disappointed by FOREVER IN BLUE, which is somehow both sad and warm at the same time. Although it's difficult to read about each of the women making heartbreaking decisions, at the same time it's comforting to see them grow up and continue to love one another.

   -