Reviews tagging 'Grief'

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

284 reviews

missusfries's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I bawled like a baby. I won’t note any spoilers but the journey you go on with Julie is so heartbreakingly familiar, and the way grief is handled is so relatable I found myself mourning Sam myself. 
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rubyduller's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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pianoplayer279's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A great book that would be a good read for someone wanting something emotional. Age 13+
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kirstenf's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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kiwij96's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I had higher expectations for this book tbh. The pacing was all over the place. The "before" sections were just a sequence of memories and dreams flowing into each other and the "after" sections we just too lengthy and it just felt like Julie was being so incredibly selfish. I understand grief and how it is different for everyone but she was honestly insufferable.
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_leona_'s review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I bought the book because a lot of people were talking about it and saying it made them cry. But honestly it didn’t make me cry that much… The main character had me annoyed at times but it wasn’t bad enough for me to stop reading the book. Also I buddy read this with a friend of mine and reading it together with someone is indeed more fun and made reading this book more interesting.
The book  was okay I did enjoy reading it, just some stuff got to me haha
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nicks_books's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bookishlucy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Julie wasn't exactly a likeable character throughout the story but the other characters and plot made up for it. I'm not sure I would've finished this book if I didn't buddy read it with someone. I didn't start enjoying the story until about 60% in. Most of my enjoyment was coming from reading it with my friend. I am glad I finished it though but Julie made it hard to enjoy the book at times lol.
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sophia_irene's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

As always take this with a grain of salt because of dissertation regency *

An extremely sentimental books where everything happens and also nothing happens at the same time— like grief in some ways. I think I personally hate Dustin Thai for doing this to Sam and for unlocking this deep fear that MY musician boyfriend who is also named Sam, will tragically die. So thanks.

3 stars because of some annoying plot holes and overall the story felt very repetitive and dragging on at certain points but also 3 stars because the ending was one of the most emotional and special moments I’ve experienced. A very surreal and yet realistic view of grief and letting go.

I didn’t cry because my Sam is currently sleeping next to me. I’ll give him a kiss when I press submit— for Julie.
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mengzhenreads's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

even though the main character was unlikeable at times, seeing her growth was really great and the ending was easily the highlight of the book. 
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