Review: When We Collided by Emery Lord

When We Collided by Emery Lord
pub 4/5/16 by Bloomsbury Childrens
YA - Contemporary
Received ARC from pub

When We Collided isn’t your typical love story. It contains such an important message for teenagers and adults alike and it doesn’t surprise me one bit that it’s Emery Lord spreading the word.

Her latest book is about two teenagers, Vivi and Jonah. Vivi is visiting Verona Cove, California for the summer with her mother. Jonah is a townie, middle brother to a big group of siblings and they are all grieving the death of their father. When Viv and Jonah cross paths, sparks fly and they provide the perfect balance for the other. Viv is all impulse and excitement. And her personality is exactly what brings light to Jonah’s world. But that’s not to say he’s a downer. He’s a really great guy who loves his family and struggles to do right by them. Also, he’s an amazing cook (it’s the family business and seriously, I wish he’d cook for me!). Their relationship is a roller coaster of highs and lows, mostly because of Viv’s ever-changing moods, and when the lows take a more dangerous turn, Jonah tries his best to reach Viv who’s been keeping a secret from him.

Like I said before, this is such an important story to tell and I absolutely appreciated the candid way in which topics like depression, mental illness and grief are discussed throughout the book. It’s just so honest and moving. A lot of the time Viv reminded me of that frustrated feeling you get when you want to help someone you care about so badly but deep down you know they have to be willing to help themselves first. And I pretty much wanted to give Jonah (and his wonderful family) a big hug every other chapter. I didn’t realize just how invested I was in everyone and everything until the final scene which was pretty much perfection (it brought unexpected tears to my eyes!).

Do I recommend? I do! I look forward to a new book from Emery Lord every year and this reminded me exactly why that is.