3 stars

Again, just like with book 1, almost 4 stars but not quite… maybe more like 3.5

I feel like something must be wrong with me because everyone else who read these books seems to have sobbed their way through them but I only even got misty eyed about 5 times between the 2 books…

This book is told from Adam’s perspective, several years after Mia got on a plane to go to Julliard and basically never looked back…. his own band skyrockets to world-wide fame in the mean time and he is in NYC one day just before he is about to go on tour and happens to have a few free hours where, by chance, he sees one of Mia’s performances and ends up reconnecting with her over the course of a 24 hour period…

I guess maybe part of the reason I didn’t connect with the characters as much as that their feelings for each other weren’t really spoken about that much until the end. It felt like this book was more about Adam trying to find outwhy she left him so abruptly, but less about their longing for each other. I didn’t intensity or sparks between them… which is something I usually really look for.

Also, I never understood why he wouldn’t go after her?? If my boyfriend left suddenly and didn’t return my calls/emails, and I felt as strongly for him as Adam apparently felt for Mia, I’d hop on a plane and deal with it. I’d want answers… I couldn’t relate to him leaving the subject alone for so many years without ever doing anything about it.

“But…” I grasp for the words like a drowning man reaching for floating debris, “… you said you hated me?”
Mia lets out a long, deep sigh. “I know. I needed someone to hate, and you’re the one I love the most, so it fell to you.” 

Also, this story was very YA and although I have read many YA books that gave me a close connection to the characters, I feel that this one could have used at least a few more scenes where Adam and Mia’s attraction to each other was explored. I knew they cared for each other, but I didn’t have much in the way of scenes that made me feel it. There was a lot of time devoted to Adam thinking about the past, but I guess the romance reader in me I wanted more Adam + Mia time.

But like I said with book 1, I think this would make an absolutely phenomenal movie. It really reads almost like one. I think it would make an even better movie that it is a book.

I loved the snippets of songs from Adam’s rock band though. They were great and really tied in beautifully with the story.

“First you inspect me
Then you dissect me
Then you reject me
I wait for the day
That you’ll resurrect me.”

It did have a HEA though 🙂

After this, I’m going to take a break from YA… I’ve read a bunch recently and as much as I love them, I think I need a hot steamy romance with a hunky possessive tortured bad boy hero next 😛

READING ORDER

Book #1: IF I STAY

My Review | Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback

Book #2: WHERE SHE WENT

My Review | Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback