Lisa Super
Series: n/a
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Diversion Books
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
Seventeen-year-old Daphne Bowman, a bookish drama nerd in public school, might never have crossed paths with Oliver, the popular, outgoing mascot for his private school's football team, but one event has bound them inextricably. Daphne's older sister, Emily, and Oliver's older brother, Jason, who were high school sweethearts, committed suicide together seven years earlier.REVIEW
When Daphne uncovers Emily and Jason's bucket list—a list comprised of their "Top Ten" places to visit before they die—she knows she has to tell someone. The one person who might actually get what she's going through and who might not think it's silly that she wants to complete the list, is also someone she's never spoken to—Oliver Pagano. Throwing caution to the wind, Daphne sends Oliver a Facebook message that will come to change the course of both of their senior years—and maybe their entire lives.
Tackling grief with a wry voice and an unflinching eye, So Glad to Meet You tells the story of two people who, in searching for what they've lost, end up finding what they never knew they needed—each other.
Emily and Jason were high school sweethearts. Emily and Jason committed suicide together. For seven years, their families had been seeking answers as to why this tragedy occurred, and crumbling under their own buried grief.
One day, Daphne, Emily's younger sister, finds a "top ten" list of places Emily and Jason hoped to visit. Since they never got to complete the list, Daphne thought she and Oliver, Jason's younger brother, should finish the list for them.
Both Daphne and Oliver were deeply affected by their siblings' deaths. It fueled Daphne's drive to succeed academically, because she saw that success as an escape from the pain and darkness which loomed over her parents. Oliver was determined to not form any "real" attachments, because he saw what it did to his brother, and his main objective was to NOT be anything like his brother. It saddened me that these two were suffering alone for so long, and concealing their grief behind all these other things. I was very relieved, when Daphne and Oliver started opening up to each other, because they could understand each other's pain better than most other people could.
I thought the list was a brilliant way to bring these two together and jump start their healing. My favorite parts of the book were where when they were "visiting" one of the places on this list. The list was difficult to complete as written, because many of the places were way out of reach. Therefore, Oliver and Daphne came up with ways to experience the list without ever leaving California. I absolutely adored the way they substituted sites for those on the list, and each one of those excursions was a very important and meaningful part of their healing journey.
I will admit, it took me a long time to warm up to Oliver. Honestly, he was kind of jerk, but the more I got to know him, the more I understood, that his behaviors were part of his armor to protect himself from caring too much about anyone again.
I was quite pleased with the ending. It was obvious how much progress Oliver and Daphne had made emotionally with respect to the suicides, but I was impressed with the ways their parents were actually taking some action to promote their own healing. I would have loved an epilogue, just because of where the characters were in their relationship at the end of the book. I actually think an epilogue would have pushed this to a solid 4-stars for me. Nonetheless, I was still happy with the conclusion.
Overall: A solid debut exploring two people's journey through their grief and back to their lives.
Some of my favorite parts of the story were when they were trying to complete the list. Here are some places and things associated with the list.
* ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
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BOOK LINKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
July 17th
Pink Polka Dot Books- Welcome Post
July 18th
A Backwards Story- Guest Post
Bibliophile- Review
Literary Meanderings- Q&A
July 19th
We Live and Breathe Books- Review
Blushing Bibliophile- Review
Firstbooklove- Review
July 20th
Belle’s Book Blog- Review & Favorite Quotes
Paperback Princess- Review
Pucksandpaperbacks- Review
July 21st
Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf- Review
Merv Reads Book Blog- Review & Favorite Quotes
July 23rd
The Book Dutchesses- Review
Vicarious Bookworm- Review & Favorite Quotes
Supercalireader- Review
Do you have a "bucket list"?
Let us know in the comments!
I love books with lists that bring two people together, so I'm curious about this one. I'm sorry Oliver was a bit of a jerk. Thankfully, it doesn't sound like he took away from your enjoyment of the book.
ReplyDeleteHe was a jerk, but he had his reasons, and he grew. Growth is super important to me in books, and I was happy with where he ended up. Final impressions are also really vital too, and this book had a great ending for me.
DeleteI love grief books. I am not sure what appeals to me about them, maybe just the hope of them. I haven't heard of this one and adding it right now. great review.
ReplyDeleteI think I like them, because the characters usually heal, and it's always hopeful to see people successfully getting through something difficult
DeleteSounds like a good read, and I'm glad that you ended up really liking Oliver as the book went on. I can see why he'd be a jerk to protect himself though. I'm curious how they made the list work by staying in one state!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Overall, it was good. There were just a few small parts that bothered me, even though I understood the purpose of said parts
DeleteSounds very emotional but grief normally are something I tend to steer clear of. But this sound so good. Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteIt has sad parts, but is hopeful
DeleteIt really focuses on the families and their healing and coming to terms with their losses
ReplyDeleteI wonder - how do you choose which books to give long reviews too and which ones to include in your nutshell posts? Ah, it sounds like Oliver was the downer of the book because you couldn't like his character but otherwise it sounds like it does explore grief well. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis is a tour, so tour books always get their own review. Otherwise, I sort of review in order - 3 for nutshells and one or two longer reviews for the books. Sometimes the longer reviews are for books that inspired me to do something for, like a top 10 list or mood board.
DeleteOliver was trying to bury his grief, and it manifested in unflattering ways for him, but there was a good guy underneath that veneer, and I liked him a lot more when the real Oliver came out.
Ah I see! I was really intrigued to know your methodology. Thanks for explaining it to me :)
DeleteYou're welcome =)
DeleteSounds fabulous, and I love that you included pics representing some of the places they went. How awesome. Love the sound of this one!
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of really great things about this book, and I did enjoy it, especially the outings.
DeleteI'm glad to hear about Oliver's growth, but the whole impetus for the book, the suicides, is so unbelievably sad.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that brings them together is terribly sad, but because it is many years later and it's really a healing journey, it ends up being hopeful with some sad parts.
DeleteSam, your mood board is perfection!!! Thank you for hosting SGTMY and for your thoughtful review. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was fun trying to capture the outings.
DeleteI cannot handle any grief books right now but I am intrigued by the premise. And I love the graphic you created! I love creating graphics for books I particularly enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI understand not being in the right place for a certain kind book. I like when a book makes me want to create something to accompany my review. I really loved all the outings.
DeleteI tend to really enjoy books that explore grief and the healing process. I also need a few more debuts for one of my challenges so I think I'm going to give this one a try :)
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of things I really enjoyed about this book, and a strong ending will always make a book stand out in my heart.
DeleteI have started reading this but dropped it in the meantime because I am having a hard time connecting to the characters, especially Oliver. I stopped just after they visited Chinatown. But your review is giving me hope that the book will turn for the better. I'm going to finish reading it this week.
ReplyDeleteP.S. The moodboard that you made is giving me life.
Oliver was tough for me. I think I actually chided him out loud at one point, but he did grow. Pretty much, both families worked through some of their issues.
Delete