This. Book. So I got an eARC from the publisher and ten minutes after I finished it, I went and bought a physical copy so I could hold/hug the book. I cannot be the only one who does this??? But I digress. Let’s talk characters first.
Characters
Amelia has so many elements of me in her that it’s hard not to relate. She clings to people who show her love because she’s not getting it elsewhere, if that’s not a mood. It first starts with her best friend, Jenna, and Jenna’s family. But when Jenna’s gone, Amelia only has her parents left and that’s awkward no matter how much they try to make it not be.
But then THE BOOK arrives. The rare edition. And she doesn’t know who sent it. Was it Jenna? Determined to figure it out, she goes to Michigan where the book was sent from and finds something she never expected (and I’m crying).
She finds love and belonging and community and a support system and people who GET her (and maybe I talked about all this in therapy. whatever.) Did I look up the bookstore in this story to see if it was real so I could go there and never leave?….maybe.
Ok, let’s talk Nolan. Ooomph, the grief. When we first meet him, you can feel it coming off him in waves. We don’t find out what happened for awhile but you know it’s big and you KNOW it’s going to destroy you when you read it. (and it did!).
There are also so many elements of him that I relate to. The guardedness, the anxiety, the shame/blame he puts on himself are all so perfectly shown on the page. But that also means those feelings punch you right in the throat.
BUT when Nolan starts to open up to Amelia and when we see him around people he’s comfortable with, it’s the most beautiful thing you can imagine. I love Nolan and Amelia so much!
Supporting characters
I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about Val and Alex. Lord have mercy, they are wonderful. Val will take none of your stuff but also make sure you are fed and have a place to stay. She will take Nolan to task for being A SAD but also love him unconditionally. She will stare down Amelia when she decides (SPOILER) to go back home but accept her back when she comes to her senses. (SPOILER END).
Alex is the friend we all want. He will tease Nolan until the day he dies but he will also possibly bury your body in the woods if you try to hurt his friend. I love how protective he is of Nolan, especially when Amelia first shows up. But I love when he opens up to her even more.
Jenna’s mother is the sweetest and most understanding and lovely and at a certain point, I wanted to punch Jenna’s dad in the neck.
WALLY!! I love him and his ability to pounce on anyone he wants. I mean…he’s a dog. What’s not to love?!?!
Story/Plot/Writing
I feel like I already covered so much of the story while talking about the characters but I want to highlight a few points I keep coming back to when I think about this book.
The book convention is delightful. While I haven’t been to a book convention, I have been to other types of cons and those scenes describe the experience perfectly. Sitting on the floor because you cannot walk another inch is definitely something I’ve done a time or two. I really liked the addition of these scenes.
Every scene with Amelia and Nolan was legitimate perfection. Even when they weren’t talking or when they were both upset, we learn something about them each time they’re together. What they’re saying and not saying to each other in those scenes is so well done. I would like a collection of short stories with just them, please!
THE WHALES! I loved this aspect of the book so much. What it means to Amelia and how it shows the depths of her mind and imagination. It’s an incredibly beautiful and poetic part of the book. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
THE EPILOGUE
I know this story is about grief and accepting that people will not be with you forever, but the epilogue is NOT FAIR. Val and Wally are immortal. It’s the rule! Needless to say, the epilogue had me sobbing for 30 minutes after I finished the book.
Overall
Clearly, I loved this book more than life and I’d like to crawl into it and never return. 5 out of 5 stars and a bucket of tears (bring tissues). Please read it! It’s just so wonderful. And it takes place in Michigan which I LOVE!
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
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Reviews with images
A beautiful story about love, loss, sisterhood and fear.
Amelia is feeling utterly lost and alone when Jenna befriends her and makes her a part of her entire world. The two are inseparable and bond over a shared love for the Orman Chronicles, and ultimately the author of this particular fantasy/adventure series. Shortly before Jenna spends a couple of weeks in Ireland and before they both head off to college together, they head to a convention where they are supposed to meet the author, but something happens causing Jenna to meet the author and not Amelia. This creates a rift between the two that Amelia cannot get over.When her best friend dies during her trip, Amelia is understandably devastated. She does not know how to live in a world where Jenna is no longer there; no longer a part of it as she was always such a bright light. But, when a special edition copy of a book in the series they love is left for Amelia at the bookstore they frequent, Amelia begins a journey by herself to find out if Jenna sent this book to her without her knowledge.Traveling to the Michigan bookstore where this book was sent from, Amelia never expected to come face to face with the elusive author or his misbehaving dog. And while he is reclusive and reluctant to allow Amelia to get to know him, the two are able to lean on each other in their own ways.This book does such a wonderful job of pairing grief and loss with magical realism. I adored Amelia and the path she must venture to find not only the answers she is seeking about who sent her this special book, but who she is supposed to be without her best friend.Watching Amelia grown and become a singular person was something to behold. On her journey she meets some new people who are absolutely integral to her coming to terms with her allowing herself to be a separate entity from the unit she was with Jenna.
Top reviews from other countries
Erin Islas
Una sorpresa inesperada
Reviewed in Mexico on August 26, 2021
Erin Islas
Reviewed in Mexico on August 26, 2021
Este libro lo descargué como ebook porque me gustó la portada, y, buscando algo parecido a “Act Your Age, Eve Brown” (un par de días antes lo había terminado) decidí leer este libro sin una idea de qué trataba, y ha sido de los libros que más me han hecho sentir este año. Me hizo llorar, me conmovió, me identifiqué con el dilema de la protagonista, me dió toda una colonia de mariposas en el estómago, y amé al interés amoroso y su historia.
La historia es cliché, y el estilo de escritura de la autora cambia un poco junto con el ritmo de la historia cuando el romance comienza a desarrollarse más abiertamente, pero no me molestó.
La historia es cliché y el romance igual, pero hay algo acerca de la historia y sus protagonistas que adoré inmensamente.
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