A review by bekacrook
Next To You by Hannah Bonam-Young

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

5.0

Hannah Bonam-Young knows how to write complex, realistic and loveable characters with interesting and often difficult backstories. Lane and Matt were wonderful together, they had such a strong foundation of friendship and they both put in the work towards developing themselves in order to be the kind of partner the other needed and deserved. They didn't just go for the quick fix either, Lane reached a pivotal moment for her and changed when she was ready and gave herself the time to do that and it wasn't unrealistically fast. Matt was so patient and so kind but also needed to do some work on himself to make sure that he got a partner who wouldn't let him give all of himself away. Together they were beautiful. I loved reading their journey together and their relationship was the backbone of the story but there was enough of a plot happening to keep me interested and entertained. 

The grief was palpable throughout the book and I liked that it was shown in different ways through the different characters: Lane, her mum and sister as well as Matt's mother and the impact this had on his family both growing up and now. The difference cultural views surrounding death also really emphasised why they had grieved differently. 

Honestly just a brilliantly written book. 
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