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When We Collided Emery Lord Books

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When We Collided Emery Lord Books

I am a HUGE fan of Emery Lord. It started from the moment I read the first few pages of her debut novel, Open Road Summer and continued to deepen after I read her second novel, The Start of Me and You. I honestly didn’t think it was possible that I could become an even bigger fan, but after reading When We Collided, my admiration and respect for her as a writer and person was solidified.

Going in to When We Collided, I knew it would be a different read than her first two books. I knew that it tackled a difficult subject and portrayed a character living with a mental illness. But what I didn’t know was how deeply the story of Vivi and Jonah would move me. It’s a difficult story to read at points, but also an important one. I’ve never read anything that dives so deeply into the meaning of mental illness and how it affects not only the person living with it, but the people in their lives.

Emery Lord’s writing is evocative and all-encompassing. Her ability as story-teller is taken to a whole new level in this novel.

What I loved most about this book was that it was equal parts Vivi’s AND Jonah’s story. I adored the dual point of view and truly believe that it further strengthened the narrative of the entire book. We don’t just get one side of the story, we get two, and in this book in particular, I feel that hearing those two voices was vital to my reading experience. I got to know Vivi and Jonah so intimately through Lord’s writing and am so blown away by how she was able to craft two extremely distinct voices into a single story. The flow was seamless and the transition from one point of view to the other was effortless.

Speaking of point of view, as much as I was invested in Vivi’s story, there was something about Jonah that just spoke to me. I have a feeling it’s because we’ve both experienced the same tragedy in our lives, so I felt a kinship towards him. But, I just couldn’t stop myself from yearning for Jonah to find a way through his OWN grief. The last chapter of this book is from Jonah’s perspective and it absolutely SLAYED me. I was in tears. It was beautiful.

When We Collided will forever stay with me as a reminder that no matter how messy life gets, there will always be people I love surrounding me and ready to hold me up.

In her third book, Emery Lord created the kind of story that her fans know and love her for, but also a story that needs to be read. Her words are thoughtful, informative and passionate, and it all comes together in the most beautiful way.


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When We Collided Emery Lord Books Reviews

THE STORY | Vivi is colorful. Everyone she meets isn’t likely to forget her. She’s got an infectious, take-charge personality and this is what Jonah most likes about her. Into his unusual family that hides scars and secrets, Vivi inserts herself without blinking. She doesn’t shy away from his problems, and she doesn’t find his life too “messy.” Quite the opposite.

Vivi is afraid of Jonah’s life. In fact, she embraces the chance to get to know his large family, and Jonah, well, he’s special. What he doesn’t know is Vivi understands everything he’s dealing with. Only question is, how soon will Jonah realize what Vivi hides?

Warning! This review will have vague spoiler-y discussion.

REVIEW | Going into a novel written by an author with a book you’ve previously read and enjoyed is something of a risk. There’s always that question mark will I like this novel as well as book [x]? The example in this case is that I’d read and loved The Start of Me and You a while back. Since then, I collected Emery’s novels, but hadn’t read another by her. This all changed when finally I picked up her YA drama, When We Collided.

Unfortunately, for all my gushing of ‘Me and You,’ I don't have the same feels for When We Collided.

The story takes a more serious approach than my prior experience with Emery’s writing. Or perhaps it’s just a more bittersweet approach. I understand what Emery attempts with this novel, but I feel like it comes across as a kind of “version” of John Green’s Paper Towns. Don’t misunderstand, ‘Collided’ is quite different. But at the same time, it has the same kind of vibe as a John Green novel.

“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

That said, I like the general “idea” of the plot. The characters are quirky which means they’re also quite memorable. Sadly, beyond this, this novel and I really don’t get alone. It’s not that it’s badly written or the story is bad, it’s more personal preference and style. What is good is well done. It’s just, the ultimate conclusion isn’t my cup of tea. Yet, I do understand the importance of the end. Plus, to be fair, I “spoiled” myself on the ending which means I kind of had to “pressure” myself to push through the book. This is a place a reader never wants to be in.

Contrary to all I’ve said, When We Collided does have merit. It’s not badly written and the characters are colorful. Though the romantic in me is heartbroken, as I say earlier on, I do understand the need for the book to end in the place it does. Still, for a girl who expected this to be more akin to The Start of Me and You, this doesn’t live up to expectations.

Content There is thematic material in the novel such as depression and mental health topics. Vivi and Jonah also have a physical relationship. Nothing is graphic, but there is suggestive conversation, and a scene that makes it clear what’s going on. Profanity is frequent, and does include the f-word. The novel would receive a hard PG13-rating.
I am a HUGE fan of Emery Lord. It started from the moment I read the first few pages of her debut novel, Open Road Summer and continued to deepen after I read her second novel, The Start of Me and You. I honestly didn’t think it was possible that I could become an even bigger fan, but after reading When We Collided, my admiration and respect for her as a writer and person was solidified.

Going in to When We Collided, I knew it would be a different read than her first two books. I knew that it tackled a difficult subject and portrayed a character living with a mental illness. But what I didn’t know was how deeply the story of Vivi and Jonah would move me. It’s a difficult story to read at points, but also an important one. I’ve never read anything that dives so deeply into the meaning of mental illness and how it affects not only the person living with it, but the people in their lives.

Emery Lord’s writing is evocative and all-encompassing. Her ability as story-teller is taken to a whole new level in this novel.

What I loved most about this book was that it was equal parts Vivi’s AND Jonah’s story. I adored the dual point of view and truly believe that it further strengthened the narrative of the entire book. We don’t just get one side of the story, we get two, and in this book in particular, I feel that hearing those two voices was vital to my reading experience. I got to know Vivi and Jonah so intimately through Lord’s writing and am so blown away by how she was able to craft two extremely distinct voices into a single story. The flow was seamless and the transition from one point of view to the other was effortless.

Speaking of point of view, as much as I was invested in Vivi’s story, there was something about Jonah that just spoke to me. I have a feeling it’s because we’ve both experienced the same tragedy in our lives, so I felt a kinship towards him. But, I just couldn’t stop myself from yearning for Jonah to find a way through his OWN grief. The last chapter of this book is from Jonah’s perspective and it absolutely SLAYED me. I was in tears. It was beautiful.

When We Collided will forever stay with me as a reminder that no matter how messy life gets, there will always be people I love surrounding me and ready to hold me up.

In her third book, Emery Lord created the kind of story that her fans know and love her for, but also a story that needs to be read. Her words are thoughtful, informative and passionate, and it all comes together in the most beautiful way.