by Heather Demetrios (Goodreads, Website, Twitter)
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on February 3rd, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Format: eBook (397 pages)
Source: Purchased
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If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.
Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.
Some books are subtly stated as tearjerkers, like The Fault In Our Stars by John Green and A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks. Then, there are also books that hit you right in the gut, unexpectedly, and next thing you know, you're teary-eyed and sniffling, as if having chopped a whole bucket of onions... and Heather Demetrios is the source of that bucket of onions which you've stupidly decided to put your hands on.
I'll Meet You There isn't an original read if it fell in the sub-genre of Adult romance; there are a lot of romances that have featured ex-military men. However, this is a first for me to have read a Young Adult featuring a romance between an aspiring artist and an ex-marine -- which makes the story much more delicate and heart wrenching.
This book may appear really boring at first, but trust me; I'll Meet You There is so much more than what it seems to be. Heather Demetrios stole the show with this book. It may sound like any cliche YA novel, but despite how cliche it may appear, [Demetrios] created characters with immense depth that makes them appear so real and absolutely relatable, especially that the book is also written in first person, with interchanging POVs between the main characters, Skylar and Josh.
Just like most contemporary YA heroines, Skylar seems like just another underdog. She is one of the most incredibly realistic characters whom I have ever come across; young, wide-eyed and fragile. I can say that [Skylar's] personality and mine are quite similar. We both share the same passion for art, and we're both introverted. Well, kind of. But don't let those characteristics fool you -- She may be quiet, shy, and reserved, but this young lady dreams big, like most youngsters who aim for better lives.
Another thing I love about Skylar's character is her patience and determination. I adored the way she stood up for herself and for her mother, during times of need. There were times I was so infuriated by her mother, because of her selfishness, but I admire Skylar for being the rock of the family. Although, there were moments where she could not stand the stress anymore and ended up breaking down, which was a perfect take by Demetrios because it goes to show how our realistic our heroine is, despite being a character in a fiction novel.
On the other hand, Josh was close to being considered as one of the cliche brooding YA heroes, matched with a broken past, and would often act like a jerk just for show, but he stood out among the bunch. [Josh], at the young age of nineteen, had experienced way more than a regular teenager would. Not to compare his character to abused kids and teenagers because that's pretty much a whole different level, but I believe [Josh] was too young to have undergone so much trauma, despite the fact that nineteen is already considered an adult in legal matters.
I loved Demetrios' take on Josh's POV, and how everything appears to be so natural and free-flowing, similar to a raging mind. Reading about him was just so depressing and painful, especially during the times where he would experience panic attacks due to his PTSD.
In all honesty, I never expected this book to make me experience so much emotion, regarding how simple this novel may seem. However, this book was like a trigger novel for me and got me shedding a lot of tears -- that can obviously fill buckets -- both for Skylar and Josh. There were a lot of parts that broke my heart and I considered very relatable. I highly doubt that readers will be able to take this book lightly once they begin reading.
I'll Meet You There is a new addition to my favorites and is definitely a highly recommended read. Absolutely well written and beautiful, despite how simple the whole plot appears to be. Pick this up, and you'll never regret it!
I'll Meet You There isn't an original read if it fell in the sub-genre of Adult romance; there are a lot of romances that have featured ex-military men. However, this is a first for me to have read a Young Adult featuring a romance between an aspiring artist and an ex-marine -- which makes the story much more delicate and heart wrenching.
This book may appear really boring at first, but trust me; I'll Meet You There is so much more than what it seems to be. Heather Demetrios stole the show with this book. It may sound like any cliche YA novel, but despite how cliche it may appear, [Demetrios] created characters with immense depth that makes them appear so real and absolutely relatable, especially that the book is also written in first person, with interchanging POVs between the main characters, Skylar and Josh.
Just like most contemporary YA heroines, Skylar seems like just another underdog. She is one of the most incredibly realistic characters whom I have ever come across; young, wide-eyed and fragile. I can say that [Skylar's] personality and mine are quite similar. We both share the same passion for art, and we're both introverted. Well, kind of. But don't let those characteristics fool you -- She may be quiet, shy, and reserved, but this young lady dreams big, like most youngsters who aim for better lives.
Another thing I love about Skylar's character is her patience and determination. I adored the way she stood up for herself and for her mother, during times of need. There were times I was so infuriated by her mother, because of her selfishness, but I admire Skylar for being the rock of the family. Although, there were moments where she could not stand the stress anymore and ended up breaking down, which was a perfect take by Demetrios because it goes to show how our realistic our heroine is, despite being a character in a fiction novel.
On the other hand, Josh was close to being considered as one of the cliche brooding YA heroes, matched with a broken past, and would often act like a jerk just for show, but he stood out among the bunch. [Josh], at the young age of nineteen, had experienced way more than a regular teenager would. Not to compare his character to abused kids and teenagers because that's pretty much a whole different level, but I believe [Josh] was too young to have undergone so much trauma, despite the fact that nineteen is already considered an adult in legal matters.
I loved Demetrios' take on Josh's POV, and how everything appears to be so natural and free-flowing, similar to a raging mind. Reading about him was just so depressing and painful, especially during the times where he would experience panic attacks due to his PTSD.
In all honesty, I never expected this book to make me experience so much emotion, regarding how simple this novel may seem. However, this book was like a trigger novel for me and got me shedding a lot of tears -- that can obviously fill buckets -- both for Skylar and Josh. There were a lot of parts that broke my heart and I considered very relatable. I highly doubt that readers will be able to take this book lightly once they begin reading.
I'll Meet You There is a new addition to my favorites and is definitely a highly recommended read. Absolutely well written and beautiful, despite how simple the whole plot appears to be. Pick this up, and you'll never regret it!
26 comments
To start with.....as usual a great review :)
ReplyDeleteI have got this book, but the plot did not interest me that much, so I was planning to read but not soon enough. But, after reading your review, I have to pick this up next. So, thank you.
Let me get over with my current book, I will pick this one up asap!!
Thanks you, Nita! Hope you enjoy the read!
DeleteGreat review. I’ve heard so many good things about this book. I’ll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Thanks AJ! You should, it's really good! :)
DeleteSo many people have loved this, I really do need to pick it up and read it!
ReplyDeleteYes! It's a great read. Hope you enjoy when you get to read it!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDo you put your chopped onions in buckets?? I usually put mine in a skillet.... :D Lol, I really like the sound of this! It's like they took a popular theme in adult romances and stuck it in a to see how the characters would deal with the same problems at a younger age. This is cool to me! THANKS FOR SHARING :D Gotta read this!
ReplyDeleteLmao, the unchopped onions came in a bucket! Haha! I know right? I usually read it in adult romances but this one was too heartbreaking because they're so young! You gotta read this, girl! You'll love it! :D
DeleteI seriously need to read this book, after all of the stellar reviews I keep seeing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another awesome review, Blessie! :D
Yay! Thanks, Shaunna! Hope you get to read this soon too! :D
DeleteI just had to put Exquisite Captive aside because I was bored with it; it's good to know Demetrios has other great stuff out there! Awesome review, definitely made me want to pick this one up!
ReplyDeleteMy Thursday Post
Jessica @ Ramblings on Readings
I've never read any other book by Heather Demetrios except for this. I'll try Exquisite Captive next time. Thanks for stopping by, Jessica! :)
DeleteI actually ordered this one on Amazon because of Tika's 5 star amazing as hell review, and now seeing you give it 5 stars too makes me want to read it so bad! I won't have it for like another week though :( But as soon as I get it I'm so going to start it right away, great review!
ReplyDelete~Cari @ My Addiction: Books
Awww thank you Carina! Girl when you start reading LET ME KNOW! I want to know all your reactions throughout the book. I feel like IMYT is my baby, I've been recommended it to anyone who will listen. Glad you decided to pick it up :)
DeleteOooh! Glad you decided to get a copy! You'll love this book for sure! Let us know when you get started on reading! xx
DeleteOHHH this book seemed so unexpected. I could not make up my mind if I should read it or not, but now that you've put it that way, I'm gonna get it on Amazon as soon as I can!
ReplyDeleteMaryam @ Captain Swan Bookishhh
Awesome! Hope you enjoy it like it did! Thanks for stopping by, Maryam! :)
DeleteI love your review!! I've been wanting to read this and now I'm that much more excited!! (: Great review, Blessie!!
ReplyDeletePearl @ AsteriskPearl's Book Blog
Thank you so much, Pearl! You'll love this one for sure! :D
DeleteGirl you know I will NEVER lead you wrong when it comes to a book recommendation! If I say it's good, you need to read it, then it's a must read, and I love how you always seem to listen. How embarrassing it would've been if you hated this book lol. But I'm soooo glad you loved it just as much as I did! Now time to pick up A Darker Shade of Magic! lol
ReplyDeleteGirl, you know I trust your judgments, lmao. When you rant so much about a book on Voxer, I know whether to read it or steer clear of it. I'll pick up A Darker Shade of Magic next. I'm sure I'm gonna love it too! :D Thanks boo!
DeleteI do love reads with ex-military heroes! I'm intrigued with this one. :)
ReplyDeleteSo do I! Ex-military heroes usually make the best male characters. ;D Thanks for stopping by, Grace! :)
DeleteYAY, a full rating from your side! <3 I actually really loved this book as well, that cover annoys me but I did like the concept and plot of this book, I haven't read many books on the reformed bad boy. Fantastic review overall! <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections
ReplyDeleteI actually do love the cover, haha! But glad you loved this book too! Thanks Benish!
DeleteThank you, Mischievous Readers, for taking the time to read my post/review, and I would be so glad to know about your thoughts, so please leave me a comment, I'll surely reply!
(Oh, and it's best you click the NOTIFY ME check box to receive a notification once I reply to your comment)