Monday, February 17, 2014

Review: Me Since You by Laura Wiess

Me Since You
Me Since You by Laura Wiess
Laura Wiess captures the visceral emotion of a girl’s journey from innocence to devastating loss and, ultimately, to a strange and unexpected kind of understanding—in this beautiful and painfully honest new novel.
Are there any answers when someone you love makes a tragic choice?
Before and After. That’s how Rowan Areno sees her life now. Before: she was a normal sixteen-year-old—a little too sheltered by her police officer father and her mother. After: everything she once believed has been destroyed in the wake of a shattering tragedy, and every day is there to be survived.
If she had known, on that Friday in March when she cut school, that a random stranger’s shocking crime would have traumatic consequences, she never would have left campus. If the crime video never went viral, maybe she could have saved her mother, grandmother — and herself — from the endless replay of heartache and grief.
Finding a soul mate in Eli, a witness to the crime who is haunted by losses of his own, Rowan begins to see there is no simple, straightforward path to healing wounded hearts. Can she learn to trust, hope, and believe in happiness again?
”add
Publishes in US: February 18th 2014 by MTV Books
Genre: Dark YA Contemp
Source: Simon via edelweiss
Series? No

Buy it: Amazon
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Indie Bound

Author stalk away: ~site ~blog

 
    I wanted to read Me Since You because I have read Laura Wiess before and I liked her dark contemporary and writing style, so of course, I wanted to pick this up. Luckily it was available on Edelweiss and I was able to grab a copy. 
    Me Since You is a dark book, about a girl and boy connected by a crime and then their friendship and budding relationship deepens as they spend time together and as their pasts line up and they are able to offer understanding and a warm shoulder or hug at moments of despair. 
    The format is pretty unique because the first part switches from first person to third and is from different pov but then it goes back to first person with our narrator Rowan. 
    I like that we get glimpses of what a normal life she lived before tragedy struck her family and brought her closer to a boy that wasn't even on her radar before. 
     We get to see the cruel and thoughtless nature of not only high schoolers but also adults as the backlash spreads from the crime videos. It is hard to accept that a crime can just be tragic, people want to point fingers and assign blame, and it can get ugly. Because there are real people on the receiving end and words can be pretty darn painful. 
    The crime and the following events are very emotional, and seeing it through Rowan's eyes was hard because of all that she and Eli have on their plates and dealing with. 
    I liked their romance and that it wasn't all consuming, but that Eli let her put her grief first, but also that they deeply shared with each other. That she had a confidant in him even when her best friend didn't understand and support her like she should have. 
    I also really appreciated the real portrayal of depression and grief. That it doesn't just last two weeks and you are over it. It is lasting, and you feel a whole spectrum of emotions. It hit me on the personal level too because of the personal connection that some of you would realize right away if you've followed my blog and know my backstory. 
    The ending was powerful, real, and laced with hope and healing, but no magic cures and realistic just like the rest of the book. 

Bottom Line: Dark and emotional book with a grieving heroine.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever been bullied online?
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27 comments:

  1. Wow, sounds like a really heavy and pretty emotional book. The title reminds me of Moyes' Me Before You though.

    I hope you're feeling better, reading that comment about how you were able to relate to this personally. :)

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  2. Completely agree! Me Since You was a very realistic portrayal of grief and depression. I was left so emotionally drained after finishing it.
    So glad to hear another positive review for it! It is getting some amazing feedback and buzz. (:

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  3. I am not really a fan of dark but sometimes it works

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  4. This sounds really good. I've been eyeing it, but haven't seen any reviews on it. I definitely hope to give this one a try :) Great review!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  5. I received this in the mail, didn't know anything about it and set it aside. You have me rethinking that!

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  6. I have only seen 1 review before yours and that was a 4 star one as well. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love me some amazing contemps and this seems like one. Plus, dark and edgy can be good things when done right and I really appreciate the sound of the romance from your review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts:)

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  7. This sound realistic and nicely written, showing hope through her dark times. I don't read too many books like this, but I know their power to touch you on so many emotional levels. Thanks for sharing, Brandi:)

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  8. Another tough read. I am glad it takes on bullying.

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  9. I saw a wonderful review about this one so I'm glad you enjoyed it as well.

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  10. I like the sound of this one. It also sounds like although it was dark, it ends in the light. Sounds like a good book!

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  11. Great review! Sounds very intense!

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  12. I love powerful and rich stories like this, I can tell you really connected with the story.

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  13. Love the sound of this one! I love a good emotional and dark read. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  14. Sounds like a heavy read. I'm curious about the crime that killed so much.

    Great review, Brandi.

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  15. Sounds amazing! I got approved for this awhile back but still haven't gotten around to read it.

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  16. The narration sounds unusual but this sounds like a good read!

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  17. Wow you know what? I never even noticed the switch from 1st to 3rd person O_O Haha I guess it wasn't an issue for me bc I really enjoyed this one! It was so very emotional and heartbreaking but I think it was a beautiful story of learning to move on, you know. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it as well! the realistic portrayal of grief was so well done I agree. It was harsh and intense and that's how grief is IRL. Wonderful review, Brandi!

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  18. What a fantastic review. Rowan and Eli sound like they have been through so much. Depression would be hard to write about and it is good to see that it was done tastefully in this book!!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  19. Glad you liked it Brandi and it wasn't too painful for you. You did a great job reviewing it!

    Yes, by a blogger actually. I'm not sure what I've done, but the best thing to do is not respond, I've found.

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  20. Hmm, you have me very curious about this one, Brandi. Great review!

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  21. Oh the feels. I heard this one was great but emotional. Happy it worked for you.

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  22. I didn't like this one quite as much as you did but i'm glad you liked it ☺

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  23. This book sounds so good and I keep seeing it reviewed everywhere getting awesome reviews. So excited to read it!

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  24. This sounds like such an emotional read, and I keep reading wonderful reviews, so I'm sold! I need to add this to my TBR. Fantastic review Brandi!

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  25. I was actually thinking about you while I was reading this. It was a really intense book, but I liked the way that it didn't rush through things, and I liked the way that it didn't throw her into a romance with Eli right away.
    I also thought that one chapter in third person was a little surprising, but I went with it...

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  26. It does sound like an intense book and one I would probably like if I was in the right frame of mind, unfortunately that probably won't happen for months :( glad to hear you loved it.

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  27. This one sounds really intense! It sounds like it's a realistic portrayal of depression. Great review!

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