Can you plan happiness? It’s been a year since Paige’s first boyfriend died in a swimming accident and it’s time she rejoined the real world. So she makes a plan: 1. Date a boy (long-standing crush Ryan Chase seems like the perfect choice) 2. Attend parties (with best friends by your side: doable) 3. Join a club (simple enough, right?) 4. Travel (might as well dream big) 5. Swim (terrifying. … (terrifying. Impossible) But when she meets Ryan’s sweet but so nerdy cousin, Max, he opens up her world and Paige’s plans start to change. Is it too late for a second chance at life? Brimming with characters so real you feel you could pick up the phone and call them, The Start of Me and You will prove that it’s never too late for second chances. Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven and John Green. Chosen by bestselling author Amy Alward as part of the 2017 Zoella Book Club!
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In comparison to every book that I read this summer, this is by far my absolute favorite. Now I am a sucker for a romance novel, but the second that I turned onto the first page, I immediately fell in love with all of the characters and their quirks. Now it is not as light as some people might think when it comes to a romance. The main character struggles with the passing of her boyfriend and her ever-growing fear of water while trying to maintain her relationships with her friends and the struggles of high school. But this is the first book in an epic amount of time that made me laugh when I read the jokes, made me cry when I happened upon the bits of depression, and made me smile when I ate up the sappy love of the two protagonists. It was so absolutely delightful that I actually read it twice within two days. There are no words that can express my love for this book as well as the author for bringing it to the cozy space on my shelf.
I could not put this story down as I was so mesmerised by the writing style and the characters. I completed it in one day. The story is both entertaining and funny also.
4.5 stars
I decided to try this book by this new-to-me author out after reading a review from Raya over at Raya’s Reads. I’m sure glad I did. This story is very sweet, but not in a sickly overdone way. The characters are people I’d love to hang out with and grab a coffee.
Paige has been through a lot, having to deal with emotions no teenager should have to deal with. How does a young woman overcome losing her boyfriend she’d only been with for a few months when adults don’t know how to deal with such things? Let’s be honest, most people don’t meet their future spouse when they’re 15, but if you lose someone at that impressionable age you always wonder what could have been.
Everything is a slow build in this book, but the story doesn’t move slowly at all. We move from Max and Paige not really knowing one another to working together in Quiz Bowl to being friends very smoothly. It doesn’t happen instantly, but steadily and organically. As Paige and Max become friends, their friends also become friends. There are a lot of real feelings, ups and downs, fun times and rough times. Through it all, Paige realizes she’s come to rely on Max and she confides in him even more than she confides in her best friend Tessa. Not that Paige doesn’t have an amazing friendship with Tessa, Morgan, and Kayleigh. These girls have stood together through thick and thin. I love that the author kept these girls tight through it all.
Max is a wonderfully supportive friend. He always seems to care about those around him, even when he has his own issues. That’s also his problem, he doesn’t stand up and ask for help or support when he needs it because he is such a helper. When his feelings get hurt, they get hurt deep. As much as he has cause to be upset, he takes it a bit further than need be because of all of the things he kept inside.
This is a coming-of-age story that’s not your typical coming-of-age story. The characters (and reader) learn a lot along the way, but as the reader I didn’t feel like any lessons were being shoved down my throat. Everything really happens organically and naturally. (Now I seem to be repeating myself, but it’s so true!)
I’m not sure if all editions of this book have the same content, but in the Kindle edition I read there is some bonus content after the main story is over. Do not miss it! It’s a lot of fun and witty and gives some cool insights about this group of friends.
I’ll definitely be seeking out more from this author. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its characters.
This review can also be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2019/08/01/the-start-of-me-and-you/