BOOK REVIEW: ‘Where She Went’ by Gayle Forman

Picking up “Where She Went” I was very excited to see where the book took me. I did not read the synopsis, so I had no pre-set standards as to what was going to happen in this book or where I would find Adam and Mia. I was sad to find that they were no longer together… and Adam was a bit of a jerk.

This book picks up three years after the much beloved “If I Stay” where we saw Mia in a horrific car accident that killed her father, mother, and brother. We find them not speaking… haven’t spoken for three years. Mia has become some excellent, exceptional cellist and Adam has become a platinum selling rockstar. Adam has also turned into a pill-popping, anxiety ridden, hater of his trade. One lonely evening after a mid-interview meltdown Adam comes across a concert in Manhattan where Mia is playing a concert. This leads to a night of gallavanting around the city to all of Mia’s favorite places. It’s almost unreal to the two of them. Like they are in a little bubble that is all there own and when the sun comes up there bubble will break.

The whole time this is taking place I was not sure what was going to happen. I wasn’t sure if there was going to be a happily ever after or if we are going to go down in a burning flame as our world is yet again crushed. I’m not about to spoil the ending for you, but this was definitely a good read and a very unexpected ending.

While I enjoyed “Where She Went”, I feel I have to admit I loved “If I Stay” far more. The writing in “Where She Went” was perfect and the storyline was great, showing that not every story is perfect with no bumps. Things happen and sometimes those things are devastating. “Where She Went” shows you how people deal differently with a complete change in their lives. Some rise above while others falter. If I gave “If I Stay” a 5 out of 5 stores, I’d definitely have to give “Where She Went” a 4 out of 5 stars. A close second to the original.

Great storytelling by Gayle Forman and a look into some of my favorite characters from a book. A devastating love story. Definitely check it out.