Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on
I had met Becca, when I read Love and Other Unknown Variables. I can't even express how much I adored that book, but I think I loved this one even more. Though both books feature friendship and first love, this book was about healing, and it was a beautiful journey. Don't get me wrong. I cried a whole bunch, I am crying now, because I "knew" Charlotte, and I felt like I lost her too, but I also wanted to see Becca return to being part of the world.
Becca was painfully shy, and liked to live her life among the pages of her books. It was Charlotte, who became one of her first real friends, and therefore, I loved that it was memories and mementos of Charlotte, which encouraged Becca to resume living. She backslid often, and wow! I cried rivers during those parts, because they were so heartbreaking, but she kept trying to move forward.
Becca was lucky to have such a great support system. Her parents were very sweet and understanding, but I think her brother, Charlie, was one of her greatest sources of strength. You see, Charlotte was Charlie's first love, so he could easily relate to Becca's loss. There were some stupendous moments shared between these two. They were pained and heart wrenching, but very lovely and heartwarming too.
She was also lucky to fall in with a wonderful bunch of kids, the "techies', at school. They were her tribe, and embraced her as one of their own. It was easy to see how alive Becca was with them, and it brought me great joy to her integrated into their group.
But, my favorite connection she made, was with Max. Dear, sweet, Max. He was one of the first people, who attempted to connect with Becca, when she returned to school following Charlotte's death. While others tried to avoid the girl-with-the-dead-best-friend, he offered friendship. He didn't come empty handed either, he sort of understood her pain. It hadn't been very long since Max had lost his own cousin, and he therefore, easily connected with her, and could relate to suffering such a personal causality. She found great solace in their shared pain, and in Max's company, as well. Their friendship grew, and it blossomed into a rather adorable romance, which I was so there for.
I must further comment on Alexander's exploration of grief and loss. She really captured the emotions associated with a profound loss. The emptiness, the desolation, the desperation -- it all emanated from the page. I could totally feel how Becca struggled with the guilt and agony of having to be in a world without Charlotte. It was beautifully done.
I absolutely adored this book! It had me laughing and crying, filled me with sadness and joy, and I loved every second of it.
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Reading updates
- Started reading
- 9 May, 2020: Finished reading
- 9 May, 2020: Reviewed