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livinliterary's review against another edition
4.0
This novel may seem like a typical summer romance, but it's actually a substantive if uneven exploration of how two seemingly broken teens fall in love despite their struggles.
Well written and emotional, When We Collided is a worthy read that proves a great conversation starter, but the love story feels too rushed, too much like "instalove.”
Well written and emotional, When We Collided is a worthy read that proves a great conversation starter, but the love story feels too rushed, too much like "instalove.”
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
One thing I realised when reading When We Collided is how rare it is to have a confident main character. Vivi’s confidence isn’t absolute, as we soon learn, but it made me think how we probably warm a lot quicker to characters with obvious flaws. I might have been annoyed at Vivi but the tells are there that her exuberance may be a symptom; from the start, she is throwing her pills off a cliff.
It looks at depression from different angle. Jonah’s mum displays what most people would think of when talking about clinical depression, she barely leaves her room and isn’t there mentally for her family. Jonah is grieving too, but he is holding things together, taking on the responsibility of a parent. People, on the whole, are more forgiving of depression triggered by grief but there is still the desire to hide it from other people.
Vivi doesn’t have an “excuse” and I think that is a good point to make. Jonah’s family can understandably be broken; people expect something to have caused depression, helps them to understand it. But Vivi doesn’t have a reason, she is just ill. As you might guess from her personality, she suffers from bipolar disorder, previously referred to as manic depression. Her moods go from extremes from the numbness of depression to her high energy manic periods.
This book gets really good when things start going wrong. Vivi sweeping in and mending Jonah’s broken heart seems too good to be true, and it is. Jonah is under a lot of strain and Vivi is on a collision course with the slightest upset ready to send her hurtling into an episode. There is some powerful writing as emotions are stretched and the truths come out.
Jonah’s side of the story also portrays the amount young carers take on and the strain they are under. There are teens out there looking after their siblings or parents, for whatever reason, and it’s a hell of a lot of responsibility at a time in their lives when they should be having fun.
It looks at depression from different angle. Jonah’s mum displays what most people would think of when talking about clinical depression, she barely leaves her room and isn’t there mentally for her family. Jonah is grieving too, but he is holding things together, taking on the responsibility of a parent. People, on the whole, are more forgiving of depression triggered by grief but there is still the desire to hide it from other people.
Vivi doesn’t have an “excuse” and I think that is a good point to make. Jonah’s family can understandably be broken; people expect something to have caused depression, helps them to understand it. But Vivi doesn’t have a reason, she is just ill. As you might guess from her personality, she suffers from bipolar disorder, previously referred to as manic depression. Her moods go from extremes from the numbness of depression to her high energy manic periods.
This book gets really good when things start going wrong. Vivi sweeping in and mending Jonah’s broken heart seems too good to be true, and it is. Jonah is under a lot of strain and Vivi is on a collision course with the slightest upset ready to send her hurtling into an episode. There is some powerful writing as emotions are stretched and the truths come out.
Jonah’s side of the story also portrays the amount young carers take on and the strain they are under. There are teens out there looking after their siblings or parents, for whatever reason, and it’s a hell of a lot of responsibility at a time in their lives when they should be having fun.
jessethereader's review against another edition
4.0
This was just the book I needed right now. BRING ON ALL THE CONTEMPORARIES. I had to take a star off, because the relationship that takes place is totally instalove and I didn't enjoy the overall drama that came along with the relationship. Other than that I adored these characters and the journey they go on together in this book. Full video review coming soon!
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
What a BE-A-U-TIFUL book!
When We Collided was about Vivi and Jonah and their super cute ass relationship. They met up both brokenhearted and one thing lead to the next. They never thought that they could find love again but without knowing or looking for it.. they found it in each other.
Swoon.
These two were my everything! They were just what the doctor ordered too! With Vivi and Jonah in the mix you are taken on an emotional roller coaster ride hoping that they end up together in a happily ever after kind of thing.
Vivi was so freaking lovable and cute! God, she was adorable. She was funny, outgoing, nice, and loved Jonah's siblings instantly. This lead to her hanging out more and more with Jonah.. and then eventually falling in love with the poor fool. However, I didn't like how she changed into a bitch at one point. It was really frustrating to read.
Jonah and his family were equally adorable. They go through some heartbreaking moments that make you want to shed a tear or two. However, they are coping and trying to move on with their lives together. It was beautiful to read about and it made me so freaking happy.
Overall, the book was good. Great even. Vivi was a whirlwind of a character while Jonah was the sweet, loving, and caring one. They were great in my eyes and I loved watching their relationship blossom. Even though Vivi went crazy for a second of two. I will definitely look forward to my next book by Emery!
When We Collided was about Vivi and Jonah and their super cute ass relationship. They met up both brokenhearted and one thing lead to the next. They never thought that they could find love again but without knowing or looking for it.. they found it in each other.
Swoon.
These two were my everything! They were just what the doctor ordered too! With Vivi and Jonah in the mix you are taken on an emotional roller coaster ride hoping that they end up together in a happily ever after kind of thing.
Vivi was so freaking lovable and cute! God, she was adorable. She was funny, outgoing, nice, and loved Jonah's siblings instantly. This lead to her hanging out more and more with Jonah.. and then eventually falling in love with the poor fool. However, I didn't like how she changed into a bitch at one point. It was really frustrating to read.
Jonah and his family were equally adorable. They go through some heartbreaking moments that make you want to shed a tear or two. However, they are coping and trying to move on with their lives together. It was beautiful to read about and it made me so freaking happy.
Overall, the book was good. Great even. Vivi was a whirlwind of a character while Jonah was the sweet, loving, and caring one. They were great in my eyes and I loved watching their relationship blossom. Even though Vivi went crazy for a second of two. I will definitely look forward to my next book by Emery!
trinitynoel's review against another edition
3.0
honestly kinda wattpad-y with the writing and storyline, but overall a pretty good read.
lexierae830's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a very heartwarming book that captivated what’s it’s like to have bipolar disorder. I originally read this due tot he representation, as someone who has bipolar disorder, and I was pleasantly surprised with how the author captivated the mental illness. The mania portions were hard to read but it all made so much sense. Definitely would recommend to others to have them see what bipolar disorder feels like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
isabelle_rosewrites's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ashcash04's review against another edition
3.0
This was an ok read, but it definitely was a good story. Vivi was just out of this world different and I think that was a success but also a downfall. I really appreciated that the characters weren't stereotypical and normal. I loved that they suffered hard ships and their dysfunctional families. I've never personally experienced mental illness, but I thought the author did a really great job portraying it and how you never know how it can manifest itself and it isn't always obvious, job well done.
The reason this only gets 3 stars is because I just wasn't invested. I respected that the characters were so different and no cookie cutter, but Vivi was just so out there I couldn't relate. The story was great, but at the same time I wasn't excited to finish it. It lost me at about 60-70% through and the last 30% I just skimmed through. I just didn't feel like finishing it and actually took a break and listened to two audiobooks before picking this back up. I think this is one of the few situations where I think it had more to do with me than the book/author. I think she did a great job with the book, I just wasn't crazy about it.
The reason this only gets 3 stars is because I just wasn't invested. I respected that the characters were so different and no cookie cutter, but Vivi was just so out there I couldn't relate. The story was great, but at the same time I wasn't excited to finish it. It lost me at about 60-70% through and the last 30% I just skimmed through. I just didn't feel like finishing it and actually took a break and listened to two audiobooks before picking this back up. I think this is one of the few situations where I think it had more to do with me than the book/author. I think she did a great job with the book, I just wasn't crazy about it.