Seventeen-year-old Julie Clarke has her entire future mapped out: leave her small town, attend college in the city, and spend a summer in Japan with her boyfriend, Sam. These plans vanish when Sam dies in a tragic accident. Consumed by grief, Julie calls his cellphone one last time just to hear his voicemail recording. Instead, Sam picks up the phone. This supernatural connection grants them a second chance to speak, but Julie must keep their conversations a secret while struggling to let go of his voice.
Readers who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction with magical realism elements will find this story centered on the mechanics of loss and recovery. It is written for those who want a narrative focused on the difficulty of moving forward after a sudden death. The book provides a look at how memories can both comfort and trap a person. Readers walk away with a perspective on how to balance the desire to hold onto the past with the necessity of living for the future.
Inward-looking; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2021
- Language
- EN
