Book Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went
Author: Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay (book #2)
Publisher: the Penguin Group
Year Published: 2011

"My first impulse is not to grab her or kiss her or yell at her. I simply want to touch her cheek still flushed from the night's performance. I want to cut through the space that separates us, measure in feet- not miles, not continents, not years- and to take a callused finger to her face...
But I can't touch her. This is a privilege that's been revoked."
"It's been three years since Adam's love saved Mia after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it...
... and three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. 
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is L.A tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future- and each other."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really didn't know that this book would be from Adam's perspective, but I couldn't imagine it any other way. This book isn't your average sequel. It's about figuring out that who you are now isn't who you're going to be for the rest of your life. I love that everything has changed since the last book so it's like exploring a whole new novel. The setting was fantastic, and I loved the flashbacks  I realized that Gayle Forman is not afraid to be real (she let's her main character swear!) and I think that's important so the reader can feel a part of the book. The only reason this book wasn't a ten, is that I got upset with people constantly changing their mind, it wasn't suspense... it was annoying.
THANK YOU GAYLE FORMAN FOR BEING REALISTIC!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny ♥♪♫

Spoiler: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

This is one of the most exceptional sequels I have ever read. I was surprised that the author took such a different take to writing this book as opposed to the first novel, If I Stay. I was impressed that carrying on the story three years later and from a different perspective wasn't a challenge for her. She wrote it like a different book, but with some of the same characters we feel in love with in the first one. I also loved the way the reader is given a tour of New York with Mia. The only thing I didn't like was Adam being completely indecisive.

Characters:
Adam- I loved him from If I Stay, and I'm ecstatic that the author lets us explore more about him. His flashbacks are amazing! He is proof that fame can make you crazy and sometimes celebrities are just like us. I'm happy that he doesn't just let Mia walk away from him, but mad that he's ok with her being mad. That's just silly. He doesn't just give up on life, even though he doesn't feel great without Mia he ends up being somewhat able to function in society.

Mia- I don't think she's really changed all that much, except that's she's mad that she lost her family and that Adam asked her to stay. I think she would have done better if they had just stayed together all along. I was so upset that she didn't even really end it, she just let him assume it was done. All in all they belong together and I'm happy they finally realized it!

Aldous- I think this is the one manager that actually cares about Adam, not just about the money. But I don't know much about the industry.

The Band- I feel bad for them, they seem to have given up on Adam and I understand why Mike gets mad because Adam is being an attention hog. I think that all of them could have handled it better and that in a way they're better off without Adam. If they find a new guitar player they will be fine.

Bryn- If Adam hates her so much... why is he with her?? She seems verbally abusive in all honesty.

Groupies- I was surprised that Adam let them fill Mia's place. I think that it was just to numb his pain.


Moments to Remember:
♥Pg. 46
"She left the rehab center after four weeks, two weeks ahead of schedule. She could walk with a can, open a jar of peanut butter and play the hell out of Beethoven."

♥Pg. 109
"She was usually pretty wiped so the conversations were short;a chance to hear one another's voice, to say I love you in real time."

♥Pg. 167
"She handed me a half-gallon Ziploc. 'In case of emergency, break glass.'
'What's all this stuff?'
'Now and Laters. Starburst. Pixie Stix. If she gets too bitchy, just feed her this crap. As long as the sugar high is in effect, you and the wildlife should be safe.'"

♥Pg. 171
"'What a freak! The granddaughter of a retired Forest Service biologist who's scared of camping.'
'That's just half of it. You're a classical cellist whose parents are old punk rockers. You're a total freak. But you're my freak.'"


Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo