Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Early Review: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

I'll Meet You There
by Heather Demetrios
Read: October 8 - 10, 2014
Published:  February 3, 2015 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Source: Borrowed from Andi @ Andi's ABCS (THANK YOU!!)
Category: Contemporary YA, wounded veterans, between HS and college
Find: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository


If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.
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I'll Meet You There is the story of two teens whose lives are imploding. Josh Mitchell is back in the states after losing his leg in Afghanistan. The Marines were his way to escape the inevitability of a life stuck in his depressing town. He's angry and lost, and doesn't know who he is or where he's going. We hear from Josh in short but powerful stream of consciousness chapters that are interspersed within Skylar's narrative. Sky is desperate to escape the same middle-of-nowhere town to San Francisco and college in the fall. It finally appears to be happening. But as August looms closer and her reckless mother's life falls apart - what else is new? - Sky is afraid she'll never get there. 

HEART: One of my favorite things about I'll Meet You There isn't anything tangible or quantifiable. It's the fact that it's so clear when you're reading - and backed up by the author's note and the moving letter that came with the ARC - that Heather Demetrios breathed a piece of her heart into her book. This is a story she needed to tell, and her words came out of that and produced something that has resonated strongly with so many readers.  Even though it's not even really a 'thing' you can measure or explain how to replicate, I think it's absolutely palpable in this book and in the emotions of the characters. This is the wonder of words and the magic of storytelling at their most inspiring - and heartbreaking. For this reason alone, you don't want to miss meeting Josh and Sky. 

LOVE: The romance in this book is stunning. It is slow and aching and painful, but also beautiful. It felt real. Sky and Josh don't at all seem like a good match - with Josh's past and Sky's future - but I think that's one reason why I loved them. Because finding each other was so unexpected for both of them. Sky and Josh also have raw and honest conversations, and actually talk and even joke about Josh's lost leg. There's nothing at all funny about it - but it is different and new, and I love that Demetrios allows Sky to ask the questions and say those awkward things we're all thinking anyway.  

FRIENDSHIP: The story around Sky and Josh's romance is equally filled with complex relationships. Sky has two best friends - Chris and Dylan. One whom, like Sky, is desperate to escape town, while the other is a young mother and happy to stay. These three are all headed in very different directions and struggle to come to terms with that, but they all continue to support each other. One of my favorite moments is when Dylan confronts Sky for the way she's been judging the people around her, and even I felt chastised for how I'd seen the girls who stay behind. I was also surprised by how Sky's relationship with her boss at the Paradise Hotel blossoms. Marge becomes a source of stability and wisdom that Sky really needs in her life. Sky's relationship with her irresponsible mother also changes throughout this book. Though she was not at all my favorite character, I appreciated the  maturity with which their relationship was handled at the end. 

HURT: This book is filled with characters that make bad decisions and self destruct in incredible ways. I wanted to scream at many of them at one time or the other. Josh and Sky both mess up big time, but the thing is, I could always understand them too. Their pain and loneliness and fear of being stuck and desperation came to life on these pages. I am usually not a fan of drama, but I became so tied to these characters that nothing in this book felt like it was added for angst sake. I felt all their emotions along with them, and desperately wanted them to figure it out and find their way forward. 

HOPE: I ended this book with a big sigh of happiness, but I also appreciate the fact that Demetrios doesn't sugarcoat the future for her characters. All relationships take work, but when you carry as much baggage as they do, it sometimes take a little more than usual. Thankfully, both Sky and Josh have the support of others to help them. For me, one of the most hopeful elements of this story is the fact that they both realize how much they have by the end. I'm thankful that they have others to remind them of that. I wish nothing but the best for them in the future. 

This book is beautiful, heartbreaking and hopeful. These characters came to life for me in vivid color, and I felt so much for them. They are passionate and flawed and alive, and I ached for them through the course of this story. Skylar, Josh, Dylan, Chris and Marge, it was hard to let you go. 

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Standalone


28 comments:

  1. I can't wait to read I'll Meet You There. It sound wonderful!

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  2. What a beautiful review, Lauren! I just have no words to describe how gorgeous your review is! I'm waiting for this book to come out so I can own it and re-read it and share it with friends.

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  3. Aw. Amazing review Lauren. <3 I'm glad you managed to love this book so much :D I had huge issues with it, but I can see why you liked it. <3 loving books is just the best. Sigh. Thank you for sharing your beautiful review sweetie. <3

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  4. Amazing review, Lauren! I LOVE the way you highlighted certain aspects. The first paragraph in particular - "heart" - just gorgeous. It's so difficult to explain how it is we know an author put her heart and soul into her book.. it's something felt, and we definitely feel it with I'll Meet You There.

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  5. Both you and Nick have me wanting to read this book so badly! Only a couple more weeks to go! :DD The characters sound so gorgeously realistic and after reading Exquisite Captive, I have no doubt that they will be. I am curious though, is this book NA? The characters sound a little older?

    I imagine that either way, the romance will be totally swoon-worthy... at least Nick says it was :DDDD

    I am glad you enjoyed the book as much as you did, Lauren! :)

    Lovely review!!

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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  6. You've basically said everything I wanted to say about this book, only better. LOVE this review, Lauren.

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  7. I have read so many praising reviews for this book already Lauren, but I think yours has certainly given me the extra push to pick this one asap, I love the friendships that you've described in this read and all the different feelings that it evokes with you. I will be picking this one up as soon I'm done with Forman's newest read, I have high hopes that I will end up enjoying this just as much as you did! Wonderful review! :)

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  8. I finished this one with a sigh of happiness, too. There's truth in this one, gritty and realistic, that makes the love they find all the sweeter. (On a side note, did you have a hankering to see Sky's art? I'm completely curious to see those ripped magazine creations!)

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  9. Great review! This is going on the TBR list right now! :)

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  10. What a gorgeous and thoughtful review! You articulated everything I loved about this book, Lauren. I think you're right that part of what makes it special is that you can tell how much the story meant to Demetrios, In every word and on every page, she's poured out her heart and her passion. I'm not sure how I'll do this book justice when I write my review, but I absolutely feel like you have here! You've made me want to pick it up and read it all over again.

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  11. Wonderful review <3 You structured it so well, and I really want to read it!

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  12. Incredible review, Lauren! Absolutely breathtaking! I'm so convinced I need this in my hands as soon as it releases, I'm actually pre-ordering it at THIS moment. This is a rarity for me. I don't usually pre-order books from an author I've never read before. But I have a feeling I will LOVE this. Everything you had to say about this novel appeals to me as a reader. Thank you for taking the time to express yourself so eloquently. <3

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  13. This is definitely going on the TBR list!

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  14. I have yet to read a bad review for this book…it sounds amazing, I can't wait!!! With a stunning romance and such great, realistically written character, I'm sure I'm going to love it. Great review! ~Pam

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  15. I kind of skimmed over your review. This came int he mail the other day and I have friends texting me constantly asking if I've read it yet because it's so good.

    *excited*!

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  16. Now I need to read this book! Great review :D I heard really good things about it and it's everywhere lately!

    Btw, I just started my blog and it'd be great if you could check it out :D

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  17. I love the way you structured this review. I'm trying to write book reviews on my own blog and coming here is always inspiring! Good work :o)

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  18. Your review is amazing! Now I REALLY, REALLY want to read this book!

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  19. It was *really* hard to let this one go. My emotions were entirely engaged, all across the spectrum, and I loved it.

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  20. I loved your review. This book sounds like an amazing read and I can't wait to read it.

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  21. Great review. I'm glad to know that even though it is heartbreaking, it ends on a hopeful note.

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  22. The romance sounds amazing, Lauren! I've seen this one around and every review I read makes me want to pick it up more. Lovely review! :)

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  23. I can't wait to read this book, I've heard it will break my heart but I'm excited to see and learn about something I'm not familiar with.

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  24. Thanks for this great review, I was not sheer if I should read it since past PTSD books make me feel disconnected. After reading this I will check it out!

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  25. This book was so lovely. It was definitely heartbreaking and hopeful. I loved the fact that it took place in such a rural type area though it was in California. All of the characters were so well written, it was amazing. You can definitely see Heather's heart in this book. Great review.

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  26. This book was so lovely. It was definitely heartbreaking and hopeful. I loved the fact that it took place in such a rural type area though it was in California. All of the characters were so well written, it was amazing. You can definitely see Heather's heart in this book. Great review.

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  27. This book was so lovely. It was definitely heartbreaking and hopeful. I loved the fact that it took place in such a rural type area though it was in California. All of the characters were so well written, it was amazing. You can definitely see Heather's heart in this book. Great review.

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  28. You can't ask for more than an ending that brings contentment!

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