Monday, February 10, 2014

Review: Me Since You by Laura Wiess

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: 18th February 2014
Pages: 368
Book Source: MTV Books & NetGalley

Synopsis: Laura Wiess captures the visceral emotion of a girl’s journey from innocence to devastating loss and, ultimately, to a strange and unexpected kind of understanding—in this beautiful and painfully honest new novel.

Are there any answers when someone you love makes a tragic choice?

Before and After. That’s how Rowan Areno sees her life now. Before: she was a normal sixteen-year-old—a little too sheltered by her police officer father and her mother. After: everything she once believed has been destroyed in the wake of a shattering tragedy, and every day is there to be survived.

If she had known, on that Friday in March when she cut school, that a random stranger’s shocking crime would have traumatic consequences, she never would have left campus. If the crime video never went viral, maybe she could have saved her mother, grandmother — and herself — from the endless replay of heartache and grief.

Finding a soul mate in Eli, a witness to the crime who is haunted by losses of his own, Rowan begins to see there is no simple, straightforward path to healing wounded hearts. Can she learn to trust, hope, and believe in happiness again?


My Thoughts:
I've had a love affair with Laura Wiess' understated but beautiful turn of phrase since reading Ordinary Beauty.  I don't know why this talented author isn't more widely read. 

Me Since You is not an easy read but it's raw and real. It has that rare quality that transforms someone's reality into a story you identify with. It makes you feel ... a lot. 

It deals with depression and suicide and the aftermath for family members ... the shock, grief, anger, guilt, the what-ifs. It's about the ripple effect, the pain multiplied by the media and quick-to-judge people, grief in all its ugliness, and Rowan and Eli and healing and love. 

A few things I just have to mention ...

Rowan writes to her Dad in a grief journal; it tore me up, it doesn't get more real than this.

the romance is understated, whilst important it does not dominate, there isn't a cliche in sight.

Nadia, Rowan's ex-best friend who wanted her to "speed-grieve" needs a *bitch slap*

When you read a few books consecutively with similar themes of loss and grief, obviously you compare; Laura Wiess is an author whose writing transcends age and Me Since You is a story that should be read. 



Connect with Laura Wiess





10 comments:

  1. Oh wow!!! I think I will def. be reading this!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. emotionally intense but a favourite, definitely recommending this one. Can't wait to hear what you think Julie!

      Delete
  2. I'm really into having a good cry when reading a book these days…I think its good for the soul. I like the sound of this author and the cover of this title is just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will love Laura's writing Karen, I just know it! Read it soon so we can chat about it :)

      Delete
  3. I love your review for this. I have read it and felt the same way (have yet to review...) It was intense but good x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad Nomes, I'll keep an eye out for your review. I'd love to get more friends reading Laura Wiess!

      Delete
  4. YA is not my go to genre but I agree Laura Wiess does it well. I remember Such a Pretty Girl. Adding this to my Wishlist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marce, I haven't read Such a Pretty Girl, I'll check it out :)

      Delete

Thanks for taking the time to leave some comment love, I'm a 'comment back' kinda girl. Don't forget to check the 'Notify me' box