3.88 AVERAGE


Nicely done part 2 with a definite swerve from YA to NA. Glad that the author chose to skip the college years and launch right into Layla/Trip et al in their mid twenties. I loved the feel of the book - that struggle with "now that I am a grownup, why aren't I happy." I got a bit confused with Trip now. The author alludes to some issues with Trip that aren't fully explored. I can only hope that they are addressed in part 3. I also wonder about Layla's mom. There are some hints about her but again, not addressed. Layla is still maddening. I mean, even a blind person could see that Devin wasn't right for her. But while I loved part 1, I really liked part 2 but thought there was something missing. I look forward to part 3.

Remember When 2 kind of broke my heart, because Layla and Trip just didn't get their timing right. Ever.

How do I even begin to explain the brilliance of this book? I'm shit with words and even if I used every freaking word in my vocabulary, I'd still fail to encapsulate the magnitude of emotions and memories Remember When dredged up from the very first paragraph to the very last sentence.

I'm a speed reader. I can usually finish a book in half a day if there are no distractions. But I found myself forcing my eyes to move slower so I can absorb and just relax in the feels of this story. Completely narcissistic and possibly deranged of me to say this, but I swear she just put to words my entire junior high school/high school experience.
The beautiful best friend who always offers awesome beauty advice since you're utterly clueless due to your post-tomboy status? Check.
The love of English class and subsequent inhalation of each and every assigned book weeks before you're due to finish reading them? Check.
The hottest guy in the entire school being not only in your class, but becoming one of your closest friends? Check.
The ginormous crush you developed on aforementioned hot guy the moment you laid eyes on him? Check.
The manic ways you go about trying to decipher his every word and action? Check, check.
The heartbreaking reality of seeing him with The Gril. You know, the one who every guy pined after but had absolutely no chance with because she only dated older guys? Check.
The realization that you've fallen in love with him and the unshakable knowledge that it'll never be anything more than unrequited love?
The contentment you feel after deciding that having him as your best friend is better than not having him at all because he's such a lovely person?
The trepidation you feel as the end of the year is drawing closer, knowing this is the end - your days of being a carefree kid is over, the friendships you've spent years building will be tested as everyone moves on with their new lives.
The bittersweetness of trying to enjoy and savor each moment you have left while despairing over the fact that these are your final moments with everyone.
And finally, the gut wrenching finality of it all.

This book.. I can't even.. Words are not enough. You have to experience it for yourself.


“No, Layla. I won’t stop.” He moved closer, cradling my head to his chest before continuing. “I know you’re leaving and I would never try to keep you from going, and I guess I have my own path to follow as well. But don’t ever ask me to stop loving you, because I can’t. Don’t ever think I’ll be able to forget you, because I won’t.”

DNF'ed @14%
I very, very, rarely dnf books. In fact, ever since I joined back in 2013, I may have dnf'ed, I don't know, five/six books? Ten at best?
Remember When just didn't... click, for me. I've read six chapters in total and I think I have never been this close to falling asleep and drooling in front of my computer.