Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Book: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Published by: Dutton Juvenile, April 5 2011

Genre: Young Adult

Format/pages: Hardcover 264 pages

Format read/Source: Bought Hardcover

Date read: April 10 2011

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

Publisher’s Description:

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 Julliard’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.

Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

My Thoughts:

If I Stay is one of my favorite and most recommended books and I was thrilled to find out that there would be a sequel. I think If I Stay was perfect on it’s own but was excited to read more about Mia and Adam. Naturally Where She Went was at the top of my wish list this year. My anticipation level was off the charts seeing the early reviews that have been trickling in for months now. Finally, I was able to devour the book and found that the sequel more than lives up to If I Stay.

When I first read the synopsis I was stunned at the turn of events facing Mia and Adam. The story is set three years in the future but catches the reader up on past events through flashbacks. In this book Adam gets to share his side of the story. Adam’s head is a dark place to be. He is devastated after losing Mia and putting his sorrow into his music. His music career takes off and he is winning awards and selling tons of albums but he’s still consumed with thoughts of Mia. Most of this book takes place when Adam and Mia have a chance encounter in New York.

The mood of the book is somber and dark as that is Adam’s state of mind. Adam’s depression comes through loud and clear. The author conveys Adam’s point of view as effectively as Mia’s. In a way I felt Adam’s story was even more compelling. Some of the scenes are gut-wrenchingly awkward and painful to read. The author presents a realistic look at a break-up post-mortem and all the hurt feelings, numbness and guilt that goes along with it. Along with the painful moments though, there are some incredibly touching and sweet scenes. This is an emotional read that you will want to read in one sitting.

I recommend this book for those who have read If I Stay; it is a very satisfying sequel. The writing is gorgeous and full of emotion. I would love for this series to be a trilogy.

For more information:

Amazon | Goodreads | Gayle Forman’s website

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