Review: You've Reached Sam

  

I wasn't initially planning to write a book blog at first, at least, not until Christmas came and I could write a blog on a Christmas themed book.

But, after reading this book, it hit hard, that I couldn't put off writing a blog any longer. It just needs to be read.

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao follows 17 year old Julie as she grapples with the sudden and tragic death of her boyfriend, Sam. IN the midst of grief-stricken sadness, she calls his cellphone one last time to listen to his voicemail. When Sam picks up the phone, she realizes that she's been given something many people pray for : a chance to say goodbye. 

THOUGHTS:

To say that I am moved would be a complete and gross understatement. I mean, as a person who has suffered the loss of a loved one at a very young age, the book hit a bit close to home, falling  a close second to Cynthia Hand's "The Last Time We Say Goodbye." 

I felt represented, reading the words of Julie as she spent the first few days after Sam's death, trying to forget him, trying to get rid of him. I've cried with her and felt her pain as she goes through the various flashback and memories of the different times that she's spent with Sam and how she is willing to cling to those memories, even when she says she's trying to forget them. Even as Julie finds herself at rock bottom with writing and college applications, she holds on, both to the memory of Sam and onto life, just to go on.

At first, one would think that Julie is being a bit too desperate when she is finally able to call Sam, but from a teenager's viewpoint, it's completely normal. She has loved Sam wholeheartedly and the last time that they had talked had only resulted in an argument and bitter feelings. The guilt, the anger, the desperation, it's all so touching that I would give Dustin Thao a huge kudos for being able to portray Julie's thought process so beautifully and effectively.

I don't say this to every book, but, it's awesome. So awesome, I can't portray it in words.

REVIEW:

4.9/5

I would be very honest that I read the book because of it's hype on Bookstagram. It had been  haunting my timeline for literally months before I finally gave in to my temptation and got my hands on a virtual copy of it. And I would really actually love to say that the hype was worth it down to the last alphabet. It's truly mesmerizing in the most heartbreakingly mesmerized way. The book revolves around a small town and it  WILL give you the small town vibes and I'm not complaining. It just adds to the beauty of the book all the more.

I would recommend this book to everyone who's been dealing with the loss of their loved ones. The book's all about acceptance, and I think this book would be able to provide a grieving process for them.

I would recommend this book nonethless, it's so good, I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting!