Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went
Series: If I Stay #2
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: Hardcover, 264 pages
Rating: 3 Okay

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Summary:

It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

REVIEW
The story started off in “If I stay” (review) when Mia and her family had a car accident. And she was left alone deciding whether she should follow them or stay.

“Where she went” is the most anticipated sequel of the most heart breaking story “If I stay”.
The story is told in Adam’s POV.

This time it’s already three and half years since the horrible accident. And three and half years since Mia woke up from her coma. And three years since she left Adam alone without a proper goodbye. Making Adam wondering what had gone wrong and what happened. And because of his depression he wrote quite a lot of songs and made his band famous and became a Rock star and had a famous celebrity girlfriend. Despite it all. He is still searching for the answers of his unanswered questions. That only Mia can answer.

The story is as always heart breaking and yet heartwarming. The story is told in the same way the first novel was. Although like I said above the difference is that it’s Adam’s opinion this time.

Honestly? I don’t know where to start. I don’t know what to write. And I don’t know what to say in this book. It’s just perfect. The story is emotionally contained. It’s well written. The emotions are always there to the point that you’ll be always drawn in to the story.

It’s the same as the first book. Mia and Adam met. Then they take a tour and Adam brought us back 3 years ago from where he started another life without Mia in his side. What he’s done and all the emotions he felt for Mia as he is telling his story.

Adam is a perfect boyfriend I have to say. Not perfect “Perfect”. But maybe should I say a right example of a boyfriend? Anyways Adam is supportive and understanding boyfriend. After the accident he made sure that he is there for Mia. Supporting her in her every bits of move and taking care of her. And you wouldn’t hear any complain from him. It’s like his world is Mia. No..His world is indeed Mia. That is why I understand that he is mad at her at Mia when she suddenly left him and cut all her connections with him.
It was understandable. He did everything for her and she suddenly left him with no word.

But I also find it a bit tiring to read. All I could read about is Adam's bitterness and anger. Blaming all this to Mia. It’s three years right ? I know I so sound insensitive. But unlike the first book I think this book is full of bitterness rather than romantic. But I guess that’s what this book is all about. Since it’s about letting go and trying to move on. But it’s just tiring to read a thought where all it said or at least that’s what I interpreted is “It’s all because of her”. I know it’s hard to lose someone you love the most. Especially if you didn’t get a proper closure.

Ugh. I’m contradicting myself I know. But believe me. I don’t know whether I should appreciate the book or not. There is this side that I liked but there is also a side where I don’t like and it’s fighting that leads me what to decide. This book didn’t give me that heart warming feeling that I got from its prequel “If I stay”. It’s lacking.

Kay-c

Where She Went by Gayle Forman