You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My expectations for "If I Stay" were admittedly low when I picked it up, as they are with most teen/YA novels, yet I was pleasantly surprised by this short yet emotionally rich novel. More like a book written about teens and less like a book written for them, "If I Stay" felt more like a Jodi Picoult novel than a Twilight type (which was something I worried about since a review on the back of my copy stated enthusiastically that lovers of Twilight would fall for this novel). Likewise, Forman does such a great job of making the reader fall in love with her characters, that it is impossible to remain detached from them and, therefore, even less likely to not get emotionally invested in the storyline. The horrifying reality of the tragedy that befalls the character gives the novel the emotional weight of a steamroller (I mean this in the most complimentary of ways), trust me, if you don't cry at some point in this novel you may be a cyborg!
Ultimately, "If I Stay" is a lovely and heartfelt portrait of a family and a novel that ends up deftly tackling larger issues like the harsh realities of overwhelming tragedy and sadness, all while maintaining a powerful message of courage and hope.
Ultimately, "If I Stay" is a lovely and heartfelt portrait of a family and a novel that ends up deftly tackling larger issues like the harsh realities of overwhelming tragedy and sadness, all while maintaining a powerful message of courage and hope.
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If I Stay - 3.5
Spoiler-Free Summary:
After a tragic car accident leaves 17-year-old Mia in a coma, she faces an out-of-body experience where she must decide whether to wake up and face a life vastly different from the one she knew—or let go. The story unfolds over a single day, with flashbacks exploring love, music, loss, and the choices that shape us.
My Thoughts (Spoiler-Free):
This book is interesting. While it’s supposed to be a emotionally powerful read I didn’t really feel it. Mia’s grief doesn’t exactly feel authentic but the musical undertones give the story a unique flavor. While the premise is compelling, the pacing can feel slow, and some characters lack depth.
Rating Breakdowns:
Plot – 7.5/10: A unique premise carried more by emotion than action.
Characters – 7.5/10: Mia is well-drawn, but some supporting characters feel one-note.
Writing Style – 7.5/10: It was okay. Not the best, I was scared from the car accident scene and how much description of the injuries there were.
Pacing – 6.5/10: Slower and more reflective; not much physical action.
World Building – 7/10: Grounded in the real world, with flashbacks enriching the setting.
Spice Level – 1/10: One scene of intimacy.
Tropes – Tragic Loss, Near-Death Experience, First Love, Found Family
Characters – 7.5/10: Mia is well-drawn, but some supporting characters feel one-note.
Writing Style – 7.5/10: It was okay. Not the best, I was scared from the car accident scene and how much description of the injuries there were.
Pacing – 6.5/10: Slower and more reflective; not much physical action.
World Building – 7/10: Grounded in the real world, with flashbacks enriching the setting.
Spice Level – 1/10: One scene of intimacy.
Tropes – Tragic Loss, Near-Death Experience, First Love, Found Family
Spoiler(ish) Summary & Thoughts
Final Thoughts
If I Stay’s premise was amazing but I feel like the story had much more potential. The characters feel flat and the story undeveloped. While it doesn’t hit every note perfectly, it explores themes of love, loss, and identity in a way that lingers. If you're in the mood for something bittersweet and introspective, this fits the bill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car Accident (great detail), Body horror (description of body, injuries etc), Child death, Death of parent (in detail), Death, Injury/injury detail (jarring description & details), medical content (surgeries, injuries etc)
Moderate: Cursing (couple mentions of the f word & s word)
Minor: sexual content (kissing, small intimacy scene, not spice)
Age Rec: 14+
Quotes:
- Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you.”
- I realize now that dying is easy. Living is hard.”
- And that's just it, isn't it? That's how we manage to survive the loss. Because love, it never dies, it never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it. Love can make you immortal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
Este libro simplemente es como para estar leyéndolo en un día de lluvia tomando un café, tiene una buena trama donde en cada escena hace que tu corazón se emocione. Que si tuvo unos detalles, pues si, uno de ellos es que a veces los recuerdos de nuestra protagonista principal, Mia, se desviaban de la trama principal. Pero en lo demás, estuvo muy bien el libro. Libro recomendado para aquellos que han tenido que tomar una decisión muy fuerte en su vida o que aun están por decidirla.
Great book-so sad but has a very positive message of love and survival and personal strength.
This book was amazing. A beautiful, powerful story of a girl who has to make a terrible choice. I loved it. Highly recommended.
Also? I *love* the cover. Just saying.
Also? I *love* the cover. Just saying.
Second reread (first was 2014 I think??). Obviously does not hit the same way it did in college - thankfully, as the relationship at the moment that I felt reflected in the book was incredibly toxic (had to figure that out the hard way). Still a good little read. Shed a few tears.