Scan barcode
theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Okay, I'm readying myself for all of booktok to come for me after reading this review (har har, I know I'm not cool enough for booktok to read my review).
I really, truly don't understand the hype with this book. After seeing countless mentions about it and how much it made everyone sob their eyes out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I love when a book can make me cry, so I even went so far as to pick up this book while I was on my period. Is that TMI?? It might be, but hopefully, it puts things in perspective!
In case you didn't see where this is going: I didn't cry. I didn't so much as get glassy eyes or feel a prick in my forehead. There wasn't a single moment in this book that made me emotional in the slightest.
Maybe this was because of the way it started? It felt like I was launched into the middle of the story at the beginning, so I was majorly confused as to the timeline and what was happening. I couldn't differentiate between dreams, daydreams, memories, nightmares, and the present reality. Scenes would jump about and I'd quickly get lost trying to play catch-up on what was happening, rather than even really grasping the "emotions" of a chapter.
Then there's Sam. He confused me so much. His phone calls seemed like they were filled with nuance and yet none of it was ever explained. Why did he make such a huge emphasis on "I'll always pick up" and what was with all of his constant promises? He's dead! He can't fulfill that?! Also, it seemed like he would eventually explain how the call was happening - and he didn't. There seemed to be constant plot holes.
Julie was a bit of an asshole, so I didn't like her from the get-go. Sure, I get that she's grieving, but she treats absolutely everyone around her like crap and makes really cruel choices (like not even going to her boyfriend's funeral!!! Talk about a red flag). In addition to that, she takes up so much of her time on the phone with Sam just asking him how it's all happening. Okay, okay, so yes, finding out how on earth you're talking with your dead boyfriend is important, but maybe not as important as emphasizing how much you love him, how you'll care for his family, what you're doing to make him proud (oh wait, that's nothing because you're a little jerk who decided that no one else matters anymore).
Agh. I couldn't help but feel frustrated the entire time I was reading this book. I waited and hoped that I would miraculously sob in the final chapters, but those just left me feeling more dazed and confused. I wanted this book to be so much more.
I really, truly don't understand the hype with this book. After seeing countless mentions about it and how much it made everyone sob their eyes out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I love when a book can make me cry, so I even went so far as to pick up this book while I was on my period. Is that TMI?? It might be, but hopefully, it puts things in perspective!
In case you didn't see where this is going: I didn't cry. I didn't so much as get glassy eyes or feel a prick in my forehead. There wasn't a single moment in this book that made me emotional in the slightest.
Maybe this was because of the way it started? It felt like I was launched into the middle of the story at the beginning, so I was majorly confused as to the timeline and what was happening. I couldn't differentiate between dreams, daydreams, memories, nightmares, and the present reality. Scenes would jump about and I'd quickly get lost trying to play catch-up on what was happening, rather than even really grasping the "emotions" of a chapter.
Then there's Sam. He confused me so much. His phone calls seemed like they were filled with nuance and yet none of it was ever explained. Why did he make such a huge emphasis on "I'll always pick up" and what was with all of his constant promises? He's dead! He can't fulfill that?! Also, it seemed like he would eventually explain how the call was happening - and he didn't. There seemed to be constant plot holes.
Julie was a bit of an asshole, so I didn't like her from the get-go. Sure, I get that she's grieving, but she treats absolutely everyone around her like crap and makes really cruel choices (like not even going to her boyfriend's funeral!!! Talk about a red flag). In addition to that, she takes up so much of her time on the phone with Sam just asking him how it's all happening. Okay, okay, so yes, finding out how on earth you're talking with your dead boyfriend is important, but maybe not as important as emphasizing how much you love him, how you'll care for his family, what you're doing to make him proud (oh wait, that's nothing because you're a little jerk who decided that no one else matters anymore).
Agh. I couldn't help but feel frustrated the entire time I was reading this book. I waited and hoped that I would miraculously sob in the final chapters, but those just left me feeling more dazed and confused. I wanted this book to be so much more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Toxic relationship
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
This is about teenage girl dealing with guilt, grief, and loss. She's struggling with how her ways of dealing with her grief keep not fitting in with her friends and classmates who are grieving the same person, but not all quite the same loss.
I kept thinking it was going to, at some point, explain how they were able to talk on the phone. The question was raised repeatedly, but Sam doesn't know and Julie never learns how or why it worked. I wish it hadn't felt like maybe the answer would appear, and I hope that anyone planning to read it can have a better experience from knowing not to wait for that reveal which never comes. Setting aside my longing for a literal answer, the way the connection manifested felt like it paralleled (and perhaps reinforced) the shape of Julie’s grief. That resonance was important and worked well in the story. It's very focused on her and her focus on Sam for much of the book, gradually showing more of her other connections and relationships as she's able to start thinking about people other than him and about things other than her loss. The change comes slowly enough to feel real and makes for a thoughtfully done and very poignant portrayal of grief.
I kept thinking it was going to, at some point, explain how they were able to talk on the phone. The question was raised repeatedly, but Sam doesn't know and Julie never learns how or why it worked. I wish it hadn't felt like maybe the answer would appear, and I hope that anyone planning to read it can have a better experience from knowing not to wait for that reveal which never comes. Setting aside my longing for a literal answer, the way the connection manifested felt like it paralleled (and perhaps reinforced) the shape of Julie’s grief. That resonance was important and worked well in the story. It's very focused on her and her focus on Sam for much of the book, gradually showing more of her other connections and relationships as she's able to start thinking about people other than him and about things other than her loss. The change comes slowly enough to feel real and makes for a thoughtfully done and very poignant portrayal of grief.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Ableism, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
More...