Saturday, March 14, 2015

ARC Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord


Title: The Start of Me and You

Author: Emery Lord

Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: March 31st, 2015

I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but sometimes I'll glance over at the cover of a novel or read the descriptive copy and I'll just know, viscerally, that I'm about to fall in love with literature all over again. It's not that there aren't more beautiful covers or better written descriptive copies out there; it's just a gut-reaction that hasn't led me astray. I felt it, first, in the fourth-grade while browsing through a Scholastic catalog for the upcoming book fair and stumbled upon The Cry of the Icemark, a fantasy novel which was read and re-read throughout the formative years of my young adolescence. I felt it again when I gazed at The Scorpio Races, trying to find a Stiefvater novel which would make me love her as her fans did. I experienced that pure love-at-first-sight longing with Fire, a novel I'd never seen or heard of but which remains my all-time favorite to this day. Even on Amazon, as I click on titles to pre-order, I knew, inexplicably, that Isla and the Happily Ever After would become my most beloved Stephanie Perkins novel yet. Most importantly, though, despite not having falling head-over-heels in love with Open Road Summer the way I know countless other readers did, I could not resist The Start of Me and You. It makes no sense, these random novels from different genres and authors, most of which I'd never typically pick up, yet gravitate towards only to fall madly, deeply, in love. The Start of Me and You is one of those unbelievable love stories for me; it fits into all the curves and prickly corners of my heart and thank you, thank you, thank you Emery Lord for writing it.

Lord's sophomore novel takes place roughly a year after Paige's boyfriend of mere months, Aaron, jumps of a cliff during a Boy Scout meet and accidentally drowns. Unlike a typical grief novel, however, Paige's pain following Aaron's death has far more to do with her own coming to terms about death and its sudden, fleeting quality than it does about him. Of course Paige mourns for Aaron, but mostly she grieves for the fact that his life was cut short; that he died so young and full of life. For nearly a year, Paige has suffered PTSD, fearful of drowning and unable to stop dreaming of it. Moreover, Aaron's death has affected her entire community, making her mother far more overprotective than before and thrusting Paige into the spotlight as a recipient of countless condolences. Commencing her junior year, however, the last thing Paige wants is to be the same, mopey person she's been for the past year. Lord's grief novel isn't about the immediate pain afterwards but rather about the lingering effects of mourning; the way it creeps into your thoughts without debilitating you, the way you try to move on and finally begin to succeed, the way you realize there are so many other types of grief in life beyond what you've already experienced. In order to truly become a new person, though, Paige carefully outlines a set of goals for herself to accomplish, one-by-one. Whether it be something as simple as attend a high school party or join a club, or something more difficult like date someone again (preferably her crush from sixth grade, Ryan Chase), travel, or finally get back into the pool, she's determined to make this year better than the last.

What I loved about The Start of Me and You, from the onset of the novel itself, is that it's set up as an introspective novel. Paige's voice jumps out from the beginning itself--raw, natural, and real--and as she changes, the self-assurance and happiness she finds leaks into her narrative and into our hearts. From just the beginning chapters, I knew Paige was the type of heroine I'd become friends with in a heartbeat; loyal to a fault, flawed but kind hearted, and a nerd to boot. Moreover, this story is, first and foremost, about her. For romance lovers, I hate to say it, but the majority of this novel is not a love story. It's a Paige story.

Paige's three best friends--Tessa, Kayleigh, and Morgan--play such a pivotal role in her life and I want to applaud Lord for writing authentic female friendships. Each of Paige's friends have their own strengths and weaknesses, their own struggles to resolve alongside Paige's, and they each bring a unique perspective to her life. Moreover, just as Paige changes over the course of the novel, her friends do too, each dealing with their own issues but coming out stronger and more beautiful than before. I admire the strength of their bond, their frank conversations, and even their disappointed musings as they discover that yet another cute teenage guy is a misogynist. What's more, Lord doesn't hesitate to dedicate chapters solely to these girls. In fact, I'd have loved this book even without the romance element; the rock-hard friendship between these girls was all I really needed.

Yet another aspect Lord nails is the familial relationships. Paige's divorced parents aren't her greatest allies; she doesn't get along with her overprotective mother and having to follow rules her friends don't have to abide by is difficult. What makes Paige's life at home all the more strange, though, is the fact that her divorced parents have been dating one another--for four months! Paige doesn't want to see her parents unhappy--after all, they got a divorce for a reason--and she can't see their new arrangement working out at all. In fact, it seems as if she and her younger sister are going to be caught in the middle of it all. But Cam, Paige's thirteen-year-old sister, is ecstatic about their parents reunion and Paige feels more alone than ever. The only person she can talk to is her Grandmother, suffering from Alzheimer's. Paige's relationship with her Grandmother--the strength she finds within her Grandmother's stories and the comfort she feels from her presence--are some of the most touching aspects of the novel. It's painful to see that her Grandmother often doesn't remember discussing Paige's life with her and watching her patiently re-tell the same fears, hopes, and dreams she had unburdened only a day prior isn't easy. But Paige's Grandmother doesn't enforce rules, like her parents, and isn't blinded by hormones, like her sibling. It becomes evident that Paige's Grandmother is, above all else, an inspiration to her; someone who encourages her through blind faith in her abilities. I love that Paige has someone like that in her life and that she is not only moved, but strengthened, by her Grandmother's past experiences and courage. For me, the fact that Paige is so heavily influenced by such an incredible female role model is such an important part of this novel.

Nevertheless, the aspect of this novel that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout those last few chapters is, of course, the romance. Paige has her sights set on Ryan Chase, recently single, but winds up befriending his cousin Max, who recently moved into their school district. Becoming friends with Max means being a part of Ryan's life too and as Paige's crush persists, she finds herself calling Max one of her best friends. Max and Ryan quickly integrate with her already close-knit group of girlfriends and Paige goes beyond to befriend her Quiz Bowl team, among which Max is the captain. The jump from strangers to best friends is slow-going between Max and Paige and, often times, Paige's crush on Ryan is infuriating. While Ryan is an incredible person, anyone can see that Max is the one who is perfect for her. But their love story is an entirely well-worth slow-burn. Paige shifts her attentions from Ryan to Max well before the end of the novel and though their journey isn't as straight-forward as you'd think, it's all the more rewarding despite that. More than a romance, though, Paige's friendships with Ryan and Max, particularly, allow her to let other people in and open her heart. Max understands her in ways even her best friends don't and their tight bond makes you wish for a male best friend of your own. Moreover, their love story is made all the more special by the fact that Max and Paige are the "plain" counterparts to their best friends, Ryan and Tessa, who are bold and beautiful. Paige never even considers Max crush-worthy because he doesn't have the classic good looks or charm Ryan possesses, so the fact that these two fall in love for all the right reasons and none of the artificial ones makes my heart melt.

The Start of Me and You has so much to offer to the YA community. From inspirational teachers to through-thick-or-thin friendships, from figuring-their-life-out parents to encouraging family members, from new beginnings and blossoming friendships, from feminist discussions to an authentic display of grief, from students determined to pursue their own interests to Jane Austen references...there's something in this book for everyone. It can be nerdy and light, funny and warm; it can be fearful and shaky, tentative and shy; it can be grief-stricken and sensitive, brave and bold. It's unlike anything you've read before and yet, it's all you could possibly want from this genre. Again and again and again and again.

18 comments:

  1. Never read anything by this author but your enthusiasm made me very excited to read this book!! *-*

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  2. What a lovely, thoughtful review. I adored Emery Lord's first book, and am looking forward to getting my hands on this one. I'm a big fan of well-written female friendships!

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  3. Oh I love it! I love that feeling, when you know you'll love a book just by looking at its back. I'm so happy that this one was like that for you. I have seen it around, but currently I'm staying away from contemps so I will try it sometime. Great review, Keertana :)

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  4. I never read Lord's first novel, but that's great you gave her another chance and really loved this one. Plus, I like to hear this isn't a full on romance story because it does seem like one...makes me want to read it MORE.

    -Lauren

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  5. This is a gorgeous review Keertana, I'm so glad to see that this book resonated so well for you. It's always great having that feeling that a book is totally going to be your sort of book even before you pick it up. Although Open Road Summer didn't work out for me as much as I was hoping it, I loved Lord's writing, and have high hoped that this one will be a success for me too! :)

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  6. I love this review!! Although I didn't love THE START OF ME AND YOU *quite* as much as you did, I can see your love for this book simply radiating out of your words in this review. I have to say, the familial aspects were done so, so well. Lord just has a way with adding little aspects of life that make it so relatable. And yes to slow-burn romances! I like how the love interest kind of shifts. Beautiful review, Keertana! Happy to see this was a fav for you. :)

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  7. I used to pour over the Scholastic catalogs too, Keertana! I would get so excited when the orders would come around. I'm happy to hear you loved this one so much. I do appreciate female relationships positively portrayed in stories because it doesn't happen often, yet it's so important to have those in real life. Wonderful review, Keertana! :)

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  8. I'm really excitedd and hopeful for this book and seeing your love for it just gets me even more excited! I *mostly* loved her debut (my fave bit was how it reminded me how much I do love the contemporary genre).

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  9. This sounds wonderful and the second glowing review of this book. I so need to get this one and see what else this author has written.

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  10. "Paige's three best friends--Tessa, Kayleigh, and Morgan--play such a pivotal role in her life and I want to applaud Lord for writing authentic female friendships."

    YES KEERTANA!!!! That was definitely one of the highlights for me as well. It easily could have gone another way and we could have watched the friendships devolve into petty fights over guys, but that didn't happen and I wanted to hug Emery for it. Women can be friends without a whole lot of drama getting in the way:) Gorgeous review as usual!

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  11. I wasn't a huge fan of ORS either, but based on reviews I think I will like this one much better. Paige already sounds like a character I will connect to much more easily... though her stubborn crush on the non-love interest will probably frustrate me a bit. :P
    Happy (but not surprised) that there's a strong friendship element; I can't to meet her whole gang.

    Wonderful review, girl!

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  12. Darn it, Keertana!

    I don't like stories that deal with death and grief (well more appropriately, I generally avoid them unless I have that moment like you did with this book) but the way you present it, makes me feel like I'd be an idiot if I don't at least consider it!

    I love love love when friendships are explored and I am curious about her parents and seeing if they actually work things out (I am a sucker for second chance romances).

    I also love the sound of the romance between Matt and Paige.

    I would literally pick this book up in a heartbeat were it not for the death that lingers over the course of the book which says a lot about why I need to put on my big girl pants and read this.

    asdkjda

    akjsdk;aa

    Okay.
    Okay.

    I shall figure my own internal struggle out.

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful review, Keertana! I am so glad you loved this book so much! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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  13. See? This is why I feel like Contemporaires will be reigning this 2015, because there are so many books THIS good coming out! I just love the idea that she's mourning for the fact not only that he's gone but also that he died young, the idea that life is so short and it gets cut at the least opportune times. Everything about it just screams awesome and philosophical and absolutely heartclenching. I want it!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  15. This is a beautiful review, Keertana! I love how you talk about this being Paige's book and that it is a look at her PTSD and continued coming to terms with his death a year later. I connected so much to her and her journey in this book, and even though I was frustrated with her continued looking at Ryan, I was cheering for her as she learned to see what she had right in front of her. An amazing guy Max who fit her just right (I love that Ryan is equally a great guy, just not for her). But she also has friends who support each other, and a family who loves her, despite their issues. I agree that this was much stronger than ORS. I'm thrilled to see so many connecting to Lord's words.

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  16. What a beautifully written and thorough review, Keertana! I’m familiar with this gut-reaction and it happened with me several times.

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