Series: If I Stay #2
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: August 5, 2011
Source/Format: Bought || Paperback
It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA 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. (from Goodreads)
If I thought If I Stay was an emotional read, Where She Went dragged my emotions through the wringer. It's completely heartbreaking to discover what has happened to Adam, and to Mia too, after three years have passed. Gayle Forman managed to completely reel readers in with her words yet again. Even though Just One Day remains my top Forman novel, this one comes a very, very close second.
This story is mostly Adam's story, and what a sad, sad tale it is. He's morphed drastically from the passionate, purposeful guy he was in If I Stay, and become a shadow of his former self -- lost, heartbroken and utterly torn apart. There were things I didn't like about him all that much, but even so, I understood that they were only reactions to what had happened between him and Mia. His most redeeming qualities all revolved around her: his loyalty, his unchanging devotion and the incredible song lyrics that came to him after the break-up.
When Mia reappears in his life on a random night, readers sense that something big is about to happen. And many things do: a reconnection, a recollection, and a lot of revelations. The way Forman sets it all up is quite similar to the first, as we are treated to flashbacks from Adam's life from before this night with Mia. It's a great juxtaposition, as we learn what Adam's true condition is and what he has been experiencing ever since Mia let go of him.
Forman draws Adam and Mia's story to a close in Where She Went, and it's one of my favorite book endings ever. Once again, Forman triumphs by telling this story with the simplest, but most heartfelt of words. Indulge in reading Where She Went, as it's certainly another winner in my book, and the perfect companion to If I Stay.
YES YES YES. When I began this book, I knew that it would be an emotional one, but I didn't know exactly HOW emotional. I think those feelings were intensified for me because I was listening to them AND reading, but my goodness gracious, this is just a favorite for me. I think this will be one that I re-read over and over even without re-visiting If I Stay anymore because I love how raw and emotional and powerful it is and I love the way it makes ME feel as I read and listen to it. Glad you love this one, Alexa! Such a great book. I'm such a sucker for a male POV.
ReplyDeleteIf I stay had me sobbing and I haven't yet gotten up the courage to read where she went yet! I'm scared!! I've heard nothing but good things though... so soon! I will read. I'll prob bawl my eyes out again. gah
ReplyDeleteI so loved If I Stay but oh DEAR Where She Went just destroyed me. I'm actually pretty sure Where She Went is my favorite Gayle Forman book, though (I've read the two duologies). Either way, I'm glad the feels did it for you AND that you loved this book. I may have to pick it up again soon, just for the swooning and the sadness and the crying. >.<
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