Review: When We Collided

Original Release Date:

April 5th, 2016

Date I Read The Book:

May 2016

My Star Rating:

5 stars

Chronology:

Standalone

Official Summary:

We are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know…

Jonah never thought a girl like Vivi would come along.

Vivi didn’t know Jonah would light up her world.

Neither of them expected a summer like this…a summer that would rewrite their futures.

In an unflinching story about new love, old wounds, and forces beyond our control, two teens find that when you collide with the right person at just the right time, it will change you forever.

My Review: (Vague Spoilers)

When We Collided is an intense book about mental illness and grief. It does manage to be lighthearted and humorous throughout, but it never ignores or makes light of the serious subject matter it is dealing with. As far as I know, it handles everything in a very realistic way.

The writing is beautiful, particularly in Vivi’s chapters, and both our POV characters have clear, distinct voices. All the characters are wonderful, especially Jonah’s siblings, who I loved. I love family dynamics in YA, while this is a romance, it isn’t the main focus. We see their dreams and hobbies, and how they help each grow as people, as friends not just as lovers. It is not so much about them “fixing” each other as it is helping each other cope and come to terms with the hands they have been dealt.

I loved the writing and the charactering, it was a very cute book and I’m not going to lie, the ending made me cry. Not hysterical sobbing, but steady tears streaming as I finished the last few chapters. I firmly feel that anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one, with mental illness, or who knows someone who is should read this book. If you like contemporaries, especially ones not solely focused on the romance, I’d highly suggest this book. But not for younger readers, it is YA, but if you’re younger than about 15 it might be too intense for you. Though it depends on the person I guess.

Favorite/Famous Quotes:

“Even the constellations can see us now: we are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know.” 
― Emery Lord, When We Collided

“Maybe we were dying planets, Jonah, being drawn into the darkness.” I hold my right palm against his cheek, and I wish I could touch him with both my hands. “When we collided, we bounced each other back into orbit. And now we have to do that—we have to return to our own paths because that’s what we gave each other.”
― Emery Lord, When We Collided

“That’s the thing they never tell you about love stories: just because one ends, that doesn’t mean it failed. A cherry pie isn’t a failure just because you eat it all. It’s perfect for what it is, and then it’s gone. And exchanging the truest parts of yourself–all the things you are–with someone? What a slice of life. One I’ll carry with me into every single someday.” 
― Emery Lord, When We Collided

“Later in my room, I lift up my dress and twist to see the rainbow splotch of lotus on my side. And it occurs to me, what if I stopped hating it? What if the tattoo and the scar and this summer’s freckles are my patina? Wabi-Sabi says rust and faded paint hold beauty. So what if I let these marks be passport stamps from where I’ve been – one’s that don’t determine a damn thing about where I’m going next?” 
― Emery Lord, When We Collided