Review: When We Collided by Emery Lord

When We Collided by Emery Lord

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Received: ARC
Publication Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Point of View: 1st Person & Alternative
Recommended Age: 13+
Genres &  Themes: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mental Illness

BLURB:

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.

REVIEW:

Probably the least romantic young adult contemporary ‘‘romance’’ novel I have read so far this year.

Most of the time, I feel drunk on Vivi. Light-headed and wanting more, more, more. But then there are moments where being with her feels like a cruel hangover.

Please, do tell me more. You’re charming me to the core.

I have read every book published by this author. Open Road Summer was okay – almost good, The Start of Me and You was a pleasant read and now When We Collided. Out of the three, it’s my least favourite book by her. The crazy thing is that she does write well. But it’s always what/who she writes about that bothers me.

You know what? I feel betrayed. When Jonah and Vivi meet, things go wonderfully well. Vivi meets his family, shares beautiful moments with his little sister, Leah, and I was completely lost in the heart-warming theme of family. But the more I read about Vivi, the more I started seeing what a selfish, self-centered and unlikeable character she is.

Sixty-six is a nice number—not a mirror image or anything, but it’s round and curly and full. But, more important, my name in capital letters makes a Roman numeral: VIVI.

1 – That was really random of her

2 – WHO THE HELL CARES?

Maybe I’m asking for too much. Maybe my definition of a likeable character is too divergent. Maybe we should all like her nonetheless because, after all, a lot of what she says and does is due to her not taking her pills. Perhaps, but I’m not going to forgive her for putting me in such a bad mood.

‘‘Viv, you’re drunk. And I think we need to leave. Before any more people have almost-nude pics of you.’’

‘‘Excuse me.’’ She snaps her fingers at my sides, over and over, and I keep expecting to smell the booze on her. Her eyes go bleary, like she’s struggling to focus. ‘‘I’m not a child, and it’s my body, and I can run wild if I damn well please, and screw you for judging me. What do you care what I do, anyway? You’re so busy flirting with Ellie.’’

I almost stopped reading this book at fifty percent. I couldn’t take anymore of Vivi’s whining. She’s jealous. She’s continuously looking for fights. And, most importantly, she clearly doesn’t respect Jonah like he respects her.

Jonah didn’t bother me at all. He’s a little too lost in his Vivi-is-the-queen world, but he has such a soothing personality that switching to his chapters was the best part of my reading. He cares for his depressed mom and basically takes care of his whole family. He’s the good guy and the best brother. He’s just…

‘‘I’m so completely taken with the history of Verona Cove because it’s not like anywhere I’ve ever been, and I just want to know how it’s this way and why it’s that way. Know what I mean?’’

I wanted to say yes. I wanted to say, Yes, beautiful girl, I know. I understand you to your very core. We are soul mates.

…a tiny bit cheesy.

The author added drama everywhere. Daddy issues. Bipolar disorder. Depression. Jealousy. Fights. Make ups. Fights. Make ups. Fights. Secrets. Accidents. Fights. Make ups. Fights.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved to close a book in my life.

I’m done with the drama. (And I thought telenovelas were exhausting.)
Book Depository | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram | Google+ | Goodreads | Bloglovin’