Kit is a very diverse character. Her mom is from India and her dad is American, so we get to say how her two backgrounds form part of her life. Kit just lost her dad in a car accident and she's devastated. Not only dad, but she finds out other things about her mom that make her question the happy life she led up until the accident. Her friends expect her to bounce back and be the same "Kit", but she can't. That's how she ends in David's lunch table...
David has a type of autism. This is the second book I've read in which the MC is autistic and I learn more each time. He takes everything literally, he can't follow social queues, he always tells the truth. He's very smart, especially about math and science and struggles to stay in a 'normal' school in hopes that life after high school gets better.
Both stories are heartbreaking in their own way. David is relentlessly and often brutally bullied and abused by his peers and other students. The texts that he received made me cry. I'm happy that he was able to eventually rise above it and that his family was so supportive. On the other hand, Kit lost her dad, part of her support system, her tribe. Her friendship with David helps, but being friends with him is not easy. It takes a lot of patience, understanding and getting used to hearing always the uncensored truth.
I really liked all the characters, but I found David endearing, sweet, gentle and above all, misunderstood. Kit's agony and breakdown seemed out of proportion, until the twist at the end.
The writing is full of angst, details, sweetness, heartbreak. It's compelling, funny, sad and exquisite. I which the book was longer, that we could see more of David and Kit together, of the possibilities of them being a friends and even more than that.
Overall
What to Say Next is a heartbreaking story of loss, grief, change, and growth. It is also a story of the healing power of love, friendship and truth. It's heartbreaking and an emotional roller coaster
The audiobook was amazing. Abigail Revasch is a new narrator for me and she did a tremendous job in What to Say Next. She was able to convey so much pain and heartbreak with her voice, tone an pace. Kirby Heyborne is also one of the narrators of The Sea of Tranquility which is one of my favorite books. I think that the audibook for this book is a gem. SO GOOD!This review was originally posted on Quite the Novel Idea