Title: I'll Meet You ThereSeries: Standalone
Author: Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Date Published: February 3, 2015
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.
My Thoughts:
Wow! This book has just pushed its way into my heart. I was so touched, and so moved by everything. Not just by Josh's story, but by Skylar's, as well.
I know this is technically classified as a Young Adult novel, but I would dare also say that it is New Adult too. The characters experienced so much growth and change in this story. Sky and Josh were both on the verge of starting a new life and a beginning. They weren't sure which direction to go and/or what do. At times, it seemed like they were torn.
Skylar. There were a few times while reading, when I was transported back to when I was a teenager, twenty-something years ago, and had just experienced what she did. Having my mom choose someone else over me. Taking care of my mom, who had seemed to revert back to her youth. Working full time to help make ends meet. I hurt for Skylar, and it brought me some relief to know that someone else had experienced what I did and knew my pain, even if it was simply a character from a story. It just felt so real. I often wondered what would have happened to me if I had made the same choices that Skylar did.
I loved Josh. I loved reading from his point of view, even if it did make me cry. Again. (You probably wouldn't have guessed this- but I am not normally a crier. But, man, I sobbed). I was so grateful to Heather Demetrios for allowing us inside of his head and into his thoughts. He went through so much, and had so many demons. After I read the last page of I'll Meet You There, I couldn't help but wonder what he decided to do with his life, and what became of him. I can only imagine the struggles he would always battle.
I also adored the side characters- Marge, Dylan, Chris, and even Blake. They all had their quirks, but they all brought so much to the story, and spoke to me in some special way.
I would definitely recommend I'll Meet You There to anyone, no matter what genre you read. I know I want to read everything that Heather Demetrios writes now.
I know this is technically classified as a Young Adult novel, but I would dare also say that it is New Adult too. The characters experienced so much growth and change in this story. Sky and Josh were both on the verge of starting a new life and a beginning. They weren't sure which direction to go and/or what do. At times, it seemed like they were torn.
Skylar. There were a few times while reading, when I was transported back to when I was a teenager, twenty-something years ago, and had just experienced what she did. Having my mom choose someone else over me. Taking care of my mom, who had seemed to revert back to her youth. Working full time to help make ends meet. I hurt for Skylar, and it brought me some relief to know that someone else had experienced what I did and knew my pain, even if it was simply a character from a story. It just felt so real. I often wondered what would have happened to me if I had made the same choices that Skylar did.
I loved Josh. I loved reading from his point of view, even if it did make me cry. Again. (You probably wouldn't have guessed this- but I am not normally a crier. But, man, I sobbed). I was so grateful to Heather Demetrios for allowing us inside of his head and into his thoughts. He went through so much, and had so many demons. After I read the last page of I'll Meet You There, I couldn't help but wonder what he decided to do with his life, and what became of him. I can only imagine the struggles he would always battle.
I also adored the side characters- Marge, Dylan, Chris, and even Blake. They all had their quirks, but they all brought so much to the story, and spoke to me in some special way.
I would definitely recommend I'll Meet You There to anyone, no matter what genre you read. I know I want to read everything that Heather Demetrios writes now.
5 Stars
edited: While writing this review, I was listening to Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More album, and this song (After the Storm) made me think of Josh.
Everyone seems to love this, I need to add this to my list stat. Wonderful review :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kimba! I was leery of reading this at first because so many books don't live up to the hype, but I truly enjoyed this. :)
DeleteGreat review Anna! This really was a good book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen! I'm glad you liked it too. I know I'm gonna want to reread it at some point.
Delete