The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord Pages: 384
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA on March 31, 2015
Genres: contemporary, Emotions & Feelings, Love & Romance, Social Issues, Young Adult
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
Following her pitch-perfect debut Open Road Summer, Emery Lord pens another gorgeous story of best friends, new love, & second chances.
Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.
It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?
I loved Open Road Summer by Emery Lord so much. (but then again, who didn’t? Seriously, that book got such positive feedback it was awesome.) And I am beyond happy to say that she has done it again! All of the reviews that I have been reading for The Start of Me and You have been raving. I loved this book. I just want to hug it and have it with me at all times. Even now that I am done reading it. Emery Lord writes some of the best friendships I have ever read in young adult. I know that is a bold statement, but these are friendships that teens (and everyone) should look up to, and idolize. Paige, Tessa, Morgan, and Kayleigh are so there for one another. They would drop anything in a hot second if they thought one of their friends needed them. And they did. Over and over again. They never got sick of hearing someone complain about the same issue on repeat. They were patient, and understanding. Sure they got into little tiffs, but they always bounced back almost immediately. They were real best friends. I will never get sick of reading about this kind of supportive true friendship. I loved it. Not to mention, on top of that, the romance is great and the story makes you feel all kinds of warm and fuzzies.
The Start of Me and You takes place in a small town where one nickname or one incident can haunt you forever. For Paige that incident was when her new boyfriend drowned. Now she is always known as “girl whose boyfriend died” or Kyle’s girlfriend, even though their relationship was still in the getting to know you phase. She was forever marked. I really felt for Paige, it was such a tough spot to be in and I applaud Emery Lord for describing the situation so well. There were facets of it that I hadn’t even considered, but watching Paige live it took it to a whole different level for me. I love books that have lists, and the Start of Me and You had a list that Paige dubbed her new beginning list. I loved where her list took her. It took her to joining the quizbowl, which hello, I want to join one of those!!
I thought The Start of Me and You was a bit predictable in parts, but I enjoyed that about it because the things that I could predict were the things that I wanted to happen. Like the whole situation with her crush Ryan and his Cousin Max. This book is perfect for a feel good read. Case in point, I am still smiling as I sit here writing my review. I liked it even more than Open Road Summer. Emery Lord is on my auto buy list now because she knows how to write romances and more importantly, she knows how to write quality friendships. I can’t get enough of her. The Start of Me and You is such a great book that I am already thinking about when I can re-read it. Fans of YA contemporary romance, of great characters and great friendships need to read The Start of Me and You.
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kindlemom1
Glad that you enjoyed this one as well, it really was a cute read!
jazmen
Love a feel good read, it’s like my go to genre. Great review 🙂
Heidi
Everyone is over the moon over this book. I enjoyed her first book, but didn’t get this one, now I am regretting my decision. I love that Emery writes such great female friendships. Refreshing.
Alex @ Book Chick
I’m in love with the cover on this one! Glad you liked!
Alex @ Book Chick
Jennifer @ Dream Reads
I’m new to Emery Lord but I definitely want to check out her books now. I really love books that show great friendships because nowadays I think people don’t know how to be the best of friends, so to read about it, is a great reminder to people I think. I also like books that tackle how people tackle the death of a loved one and how to open up to life again because of how difficult that is. Adding this to my to read list. Great review!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I love a book that keeps me smiling long after I’ve finished reading it. This book has been on my radar, but now I want to pick it up more than ever!
Trish @ Between My Lines
I haven’t tried this author yet and it looks like I’m really missing out! I know exactly what you mean about wanting to hug a book 🙂 And any book that brings smiles and warm fuzzies is a must read for me!
Nick @ Nick's Book Blog
I absolutely loved this one too! Emery Lord is a star and I think she’s so talented. The friendship between the girls was my favorite part of it!
Lovely review, Michelle!
Danielle @ Love at First Page
This one is sitting on my Kindle! I’m a little worried about the whole crush aspect, but everyone has loved this book so I need to get on board! The friendships sound amazing, as does Max. 🙂 Great review, girl!
Lexxie
I haven’t read Open Road Summer yet, Michelle, even with all the good things I’ve heard about it! And now with The Start of Me and You, I know I need to check out Emery Lord for sure. It’s always a good thing to discover new authors – I have to be able to keep my kindle all filled up with books to read 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday 🙂
Amir @ Not So Literary!
I’m not a huge YA contemporary reader but I’m intrigued by this one. I also feel that Paige’s situation is realistic since she’s living in a small town where people don’t easily move on and forget, even when you want to. I also like the idea of a nerdy love interest, if he is the love interest. Awesome review, Michelle! Will definitely check this one out 🙂
Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed
I officially started this one but I’ve only gotten like 5%. Not because I don’t like it, just because I haven’t had much time to read. I’m excited for it. I really liked Open Road Summer and think I will love this one too.
Kayla Beck
I don’t read a lot of contemporary YA, but this sounds like something that I wish I could have read when I was a teen myself. Thanks for sharing!
Kris @Imaginary Reads
This sounds so so cute!!! I love the friendship element and how the things you want to happen are the things you can predict will happen. I’ll be checking this one out. Lovely review, Michelle!
Carol
I can’t wait to read this book! I wasn’t sure I waould like it, but since I trust your opinion, I am going to read it next!
Carol
I can’t wait to read this book, it sounds awesome! Thank you for the review!
Jessica@Lovin' Los Libros
Great review Michelle! I loved this one too and you’re right- Emery writes the best friendships! I also adored the friendship between Ryan, Max, and the girls. It was just cute to see the two groups merging and hanging out.
Kirsty-Marie
I haven’t read Open Road Summer yet (I know, I need to) Love that it’s more about friendship, though we are seeing more of that in books now, we still need them (and yes, it is a bold statement but it sounds like it totally deserves that statement.) 😉 Shame it was predictable in parts but when it’s predictable in the way you want it to be, then that’s alright. 🙂
Jaime Lester
I enjoy contemporary every now and then, ever since the amazing The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, but I am still incredibly picky about which ones I choose. I decided that Open Road Summer was one that I might enjoy, and I tore through that book so fast, it made my head spin. I LOVED it. So this one is an absolute MUST read for me, especially with all of the positive reviews that it has been receiving! Thank you for your great review! Looking forward to adding my own (hopefully raving) review to the pot, soon!
Olivia
I am glad to see you were able to enjoy this one! I take it that this author is a very talented author when it comes to the YA romance genre, and seeing as I find it hard to like a lot of these maybe she can pull me out of that idea.