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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Well Dustin Thao has done it again!! Not many books have made me cry and he is 3 for 3
You’ve found Oliver is a tale of coming out the other side of loss. It a hard but it does get easier with time. The relationships that Oliver has or creates is peaceful.
Do t want to say more, but I would recommend this book and Dustin’s other books as well.
Thank you to @netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book that I have been patiently waiting for.
I don’t know what Dustin puts in his books but I am here for it.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
I greatly enjoyed this book, and to be honest, more than “You’ve reached Sam.” In this story, we see how Oliver, a character from the first book, handles his grief after losing Sam. He has been texting Sam’s number to cope with his loss, only to one day accidentally dial the number and someone answers it. The boy that answers is Ben, and Oliver quickly takes to him as they explore friendship, and potentially even more. It was interesting to see how grief coping and self-exploration are explored. For me, this book plays into the questions we usually ask ourselves such as “what would happen if I could go back in time?” “What if I had made a different decision?” “Where should I go from here”
To be honest, I guessed the plot of the book very early on, so I was screaming at Oliver to hurry up. However, I didn’t think that Ben would actually be someone real and that at the end of the book, Oliver and Ben meet in the same timeline. It was never really explained how Oliver came up with the Ben character. Initially, I thought Ben was another person who had passed away.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, I guessed the plot of the book very early on, so I was screaming at Oliver to hurry up. However, I didn’t think that Ben would actually be someone real and that at the end of the book, Oliver and Ben meet in the same timeline. It was never really explained how Oliver came up with the Ben character. Initially, I thought Ben was another person who had passed away.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | YA Contemporary | Queer Romance | Magical Realism | Grief & Healing
I went into You’ve Found Oliver not having read You’ve Reached Sam (I know, I know, it's on the list), but I honestly didn’t feel lost at all. Dustin Thao did a great job making this story feel like its own complete experience, even if you’re stepping into Ellensburg for the first time. Sure, reading the first book might’ve added some emotional layers, especially with the connection between Sam, Oliver, and Julie, but I was still fully invested in Oliver’s journey on its own.
This is a sweet, thoughtful, and slightly magical story about grief, identity, and finding love when (and where) you least expect it. Oliver’s been texting his best friend Sam for a year, except Sam passed away. Then one day, he accidentally calls the number and someone picks up. That someone is Ben, and what follows is a gentle, emotional romance that plays with fate, time, and the idea of healing in your own time.
Ben and Oliver’s connection felt genuine and soft, like late night conversations and vinyl records kind of love. I really appreciated how their relationship unfolded. It was slow, tender, and with plenty of heart. The themes of loss and moving forward were handled with care, and while I didn’t totally love the magical realism/time travel twist (it felt a little vague and underdeveloped for me), I did think it fit the tone and message of the story well.
Dustin Thao’s writing is quite simple and clear and easy to read, but layered with feeling. It creeps up on you, and before you know it, you’re in your feelings and wanting a random number to text you too.
Was the ending a little bittersweet? Yes. Did I wish for a bit more emotional depth at times? Also yes. But overall, this was a touching story that explored grief in a unique way and still managed to give us a queer romance that felt hopeful and meaningful.
Highlights:
📱 Queer romance with real emotional weight
🕰️ Time bending twist that’s more vibes than science
🎧 A soundtrack worthy story with dreamy writing
💔 Grief, healing, and letting go (even when it’s hard)
🏡 Found family & friendships that feel authentic
The magical realism wasn’t my favorite part because it felt more like a soft filter than a fully fleshed out element. And I would've loved a bit more depth in the ending, especially for Ben and Oliver’s future.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dustin Thao, and Dutton Books for Young Readers for the eARC of the book.
I went into You’ve Found Oliver not having read You’ve Reached Sam (I know, I know, it's on the list), but I honestly didn’t feel lost at all. Dustin Thao did a great job making this story feel like its own complete experience, even if you’re stepping into Ellensburg for the first time. Sure, reading the first book might’ve added some emotional layers, especially with the connection between Sam, Oliver, and Julie, but I was still fully invested in Oliver’s journey on its own.
This is a sweet, thoughtful, and slightly magical story about grief, identity, and finding love when (and where) you least expect it. Oliver’s been texting his best friend Sam for a year, except Sam passed away. Then one day, he accidentally calls the number and someone picks up. That someone is Ben, and what follows is a gentle, emotional romance that plays with fate, time, and the idea of healing in your own time.
Ben and Oliver’s connection felt genuine and soft, like late night conversations and vinyl records kind of love. I really appreciated how their relationship unfolded. It was slow, tender, and with plenty of heart. The themes of loss and moving forward were handled with care, and while I didn’t totally love the magical realism/time travel twist (it felt a little vague and underdeveloped for me), I did think it fit the tone and message of the story well.
Dustin Thao’s writing is quite simple and clear and easy to read, but layered with feeling. It creeps up on you, and before you know it, you’re in your feelings and wanting a random number to text you too.
Was the ending a little bittersweet? Yes. Did I wish for a bit more emotional depth at times? Also yes. But overall, this was a touching story that explored grief in a unique way and still managed to give us a queer romance that felt hopeful and meaningful.
Highlights:
📱 Queer romance with real emotional weight
🕰️ Time bending twist that’s more vibes than science
🎧 A soundtrack worthy story with dreamy writing
💔 Grief, healing, and letting go (even when it’s hard)
🏡 Found family & friendships that feel authentic
The magical realism wasn’t my favorite part because it felt more like a soft filter than a fully fleshed out element. And I would've loved a bit more depth in the ending, especially for Ben and Oliver’s future.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dustin Thao, and Dutton Books for Young Readers for the eARC of the book.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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
~Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.~
Dustin Thao is back at it again doing what he does best: breaking my heart.
This novel is romantic and heartbreaking all at once. I do wish there was more closure for some of the characters, but I know why it had to be this way. Dustin Thao is a master at replicating the complexities of real life connections, and the lack of closure is, unfortunately, a realistic part of life.
Dustin Thao is back at it again doing what he does best: breaking my heart.
This novel is romantic and heartbreaking all at once. I do wish there was more closure for some of the characters, but I know why it had to be this way. Dustin Thao is a master at replicating the complexities of real life connections, and the lack of closure is, unfortunately, a realistic part of life.