Saturday, July 23, 2011

Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went
by Gayle Forman
Publication Date: April 5th 2011
Publisher: Dutton
Pages: 264
ISBN: 9780525422945

Where to Buy:
Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance. -Goodreads
I have really been looking forward to reading Where She Went. I had read, and loved, If I Stay earlier this year. I was a little worried when I started reading the book, because so many people have raved over it, and I was afraid I would be disappointed. I wasn’t disappointed at all, it was awesome.

The story is told from Adam’s point of view this time. I’ve loved Adam since I read If I Stay, but in this book he’s turned into this huge mess of a broken man. Sometimes he was a bit much to take, even though I know he was this way because he was so heartbroken over Mia. He really, really loved her. Mia was great in the book as well. It was really different seeing her from Adam’s point of view. I expected her to be broken as well, considering what all she had been through in the previous book. I actually expected a little more emotion from her, but she seemed to be at terms with all that had happened.

I liked the alternating viewpoints of the past and present. It definitely made the book more intense because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but then I’d have to read about something related that had happened in the past. The writing was beautiful, just as the previous book was. The plot was engrossing and quick paced. I had the book finished in one sitting. The ending of the book was absolutely perfect. I also liked the lyrics at the beginnings of some of the chapters as well, and I found myself wishing that it was from a real music CD. I would totally buy it!

Overall, I loved this book. It is definitely the perfect sequel to If I Stay. If you read it, I hope you enjoy it as well!

Happy Reading!

Have you read this book already?? What did you think of it?

13 comments:

  1. I remember being completely shocked by this Adam, but I think we all were because from the first book we were used to this lovely calm boy and suddenly he's all angst, fury and bitterness with some cussing to throw in there, and your left wondering wth happened to him! I think though, it might have to do with the fact that we saw him from his gf point of view who was naive in a way, and so gave us this picture of him that was't really him. Loved the book though :)

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  2. I did just finish this and, like you, was worried this would be overhyped. But I really, really enjoyed it -- so intense and powerful, beautifully written. Love how we're on the same reading page :)
    Mary @ Book Swarm

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  3. Such a great book! Awesome review!

    -Meredith

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  4. Kristan read it last week and loved it. Almost more than If I Stay! Because Adam was just so raw and unpredictable. (Although the ending was a little too tidy.)

    The rest of us are eagerly awaiting our turn to read it, so thanks for the review to get us excited!

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  5. Oh, I have to read this! I loved If I Stay: it's one of my favourite books! :)
    Great review!

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  6. I can't wait to read this book! If I Stay was so amazing to me, it made me cry so many times. I can't wait to see what happens with Adam and Mia!

    Jamie @ Bookerella

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  7. I read If I Stay recently and absolutely loved it so I'm definitely planning to buy this one soon. Thanks for the review!

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  8. I fell in love with If I Stay and Where She Went was the perfect sequel and ending!!!!

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  9. I still haven't read If I Stay yet! It's been on my wishlist for so long but I never managed to get a copy. Glad you enjoyed this, it's good to know the sequel is just as enjoyable - I really need to get started on this series!

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  10. I feel shameful for saying that I haven't read If I Stay yet. However, I'm glad that the companion book is shaping up to be just as amazing as the first.

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  11. I was thinking of not picking this up since I loved the ending to If I Stay too much. But maybe after reading this review I'll give it a shot.

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  12. I think one of my favorite parts of this book is the fact that it is told from Adam's POV. He was such an amazing character. I loved him in If I Stay, but I REALLY loved him in this one! :) Great review!

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Thanks for stopping by! :)