Our Year of Maybe by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Our Year of Maybe

by Rachel Lynn Solomon

“Emotionally resonant and deeply characterized.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

From the author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone comes a stunning contemporary novel, perfect for fans of Five Feet Apart, that examines the complicated aftermath of unrequited love between best friends.

Aspiring choreographer Sophie Orenstein would do anything for Peter Rosenthal-Porter, who’s been on the kidney transplant list as long as she’s known him. Peter, a gifted pianist, is everything to Sophie: best friend, musical collaborator, secret crush. When she learns she’s a match, donating a kidney is an easy, obvious choice. She can’t help wondering if after the transplant, he’ll love her back the way she’s always wanted.

But Peter’s life post-transplant isn’t what either of them expected. Though he once had feelings for Sophie, too, he’s now drawn to Chase, the guitarist in a band that happens to be looking for a keyboardist. And while neglected parts of Sophie’s world are calling to her—dance opportunities, new friends, a sister and niece she barely knows—she longs for a now-distant Peter more than ever, growing increasingly bitter he doesn’t seem to feel the same connection.

Peter fears he’ll forever be indebted to her. Sophie isn’t sure who she is without him. Then one heartbreaking night twists their relationship into something neither of them recognizes, leading them to question their past, their future, and whether their friendship is even worth fighting for.

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

5 of 5 stars

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I jumped at the opportunity to read this book based on all the amazing things I had heard about Solomon's debut, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone, and let me tell you, it was a great decision. This book was a painfully beautiful exploration of a friendship, and how quickly something so seemingly solid can deteriorate.

Sophie and Peter shared a friendship, which worked well in a bubble, but post-transplant, a lot of cracks begin to become more prominent, and I know I struggled with being both happy for and frustrated with Peter.

What could be more amazing, than to be given a chance to actually live? Peter had made peace with the idea that he would not have a long life. His world was pretty much his parents, his doctors, piano, and Sophie. He never really took the opportunity to figure out who he was or what he wanted out of life, and therefore, I was overjoyed that the transplant worked. Peter had the opportunity to go to school, make new friends, and explore his identity. He was rushing forward, but he wasn't taking Sophie with him, and that pained me.

I am going to tell you right now, there were tears, many tears. I think I cried during each and every one of Sophie's chapters. Sophie was the one I felt was being left behind. Even if I understood the why's, it still broke my heart, because I identified so hard with her. And unrequited love always, ALWAYS causes me heartache. Loving someone, who will never return those feelings is never easy, and Solomon did a fantastic job pulling me into Sophie's emotional wreckage.

The alternating point of view was a nice way to juxtapose the way Sophie and Peter were dealing with their changing dynamic and their new situation. Sophie was struggling with being left behind and not having her feelings reciprocated, while Peter grappled with wanting to explore his options, while feeling so indebted to Sophie. It was not easy for either of them, but I was glad that BOTH were having new and positive experiences.

A quick run-down of things I adored

• Great family dynamics and present parents
• Siblings
• Mark the chinchilla
• Music, music, music!
• Dancing and the dance team
• Books
• The band, Tabby, Luna, Josh, Chase and his family - I loved them all

Overall: A wonderful story of love, family, friendship, and identity, which was messy and packed with emotion.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 25 December, 2018: Finished reading
  • 25 December, 2018: Reviewed