Review by missknown - You've Reached Sam

missknown 's review for:

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

3.25

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: Complicated

The story is pretty straightforward. The very first chapter tells you exactly the story you are about to read. I'm used to the first chapters being duller since they focus on presenting the characters, settings, relationships, and the story that is about to unfold. Although I wasn't ready to be slapped in the face by all the feels.

Julie is undeniably the full protagonist of this story. And more than having to deal with her grief and her ability to keep in contact with Sam, she also has to deal with other people's grief and how they expect her to act. All eyes are on Julie, and that also adds to everything she is already feeling.

I was expecting at some point to have a little mystery unfold, but nothing happened. That is one of the criticism I have about You've Reached Sam. Nothing really happens. On one hand, the story doesn't need anything to happen. The focus is on Julie as she deals with Sam not being around anymore. But on the other hand, at times, the story gave me the impression that maybe something was being kept from the reader. Although that proved to be nothing.

Letting go isn't about forgetting. It's balancing moving forward with life, and looking back from time to time, remembering peoplein it.

In between the lines, I find the story to be about not letting go and how that affects grieving the loss of someone very dear. The narrative creates that situation in a magical way with Sam and Julie connected through their phones. However, the problems that arise are real. Not everyone grieves the same way, and not everyone can let go of someone they love. And they might not have the opportunity to talk with the dead on the phone, but that doesn't mean the outcome won't be the same.

For most of the story, I was a mere spectator of Julie's life. Until the last page, I watched the story unfold, lost in my perspective of it all, and then the inevitable ending. Suddenly, my eyes start to water without any warning, and I'm left in a mess. Yet, despite all the sadness, the book is hopeful in a way. After all, life still goes on even when some people are not around anymore.

Content Warnings