Nick and June Were Here

by Shalanda Stanley

[Sam@WLABB]

Warning: This was not a fluffy, simple, two-teens-in-love story. This was a story of a love that survived and flourished despite some really difficult circumstances, and about the tough choices one must make for those they love.

• Pro: My emotions were all over the place reading this book. Both Nick and June had serious issues to deal with. Nick was trying to escape a life of crime, and June was dealing with her recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. These were the really painful parts, but the parts, when Nick and June were able to just be NickAndJune were beautiful.

• Pro: I personally thought June's hospital stay was well done. Her sessions with the doctor and the steps taken to diagnose her, rang true for me. In general, the mental health issues were handled thoughtfully and with care.

• Pro: I guess the main focus was the love shared between Nick and June, but familial and non-romantic love was also explored, and it was done quite beautifully.

• Pro: It's impressive, that this didn't turn into some over the top drama. If you look at all the pieces, it totally could have, but Stanley carefully crafted the story, and each element was used judiciously, resulting in something that was really meaningful and pleasing.

• Pro: Every character was well drawn. It was easy to feel something for each and every one of them, and my heart especially ached for Nick, June, and June's parents.

• Pro: At one point, I put up an update about how I felt this story couldn't end well, and I was sort of right. It wouldn't have been realistic if it did, but what Stanley gave me, was an ending that was real, but hopeful.

Overall: An achingly beautiful love story between two people, who had so many obstacles in their way, but were determined to love each other in defiance of it all.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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