The Map from Here to There by Emery Lord

Title: The Map from Here to There
Author: Emery Lord
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication date: January 7, 2020
Pages: 386
Source/format: Paperback//Library

Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Acclaimed author Emery Lord crafts a gorgeous story of friendship and identity, daring to ask: What happens afterhappily ever after?

It's senior year, and Paige Hancock is finally living her best life. She has a fun summer job, great friends, and a super charming boyfriend who totally gets her. But senior year also means big decisions. Weighing "the rest of her life," Paige feels her anxiety begin to pervade every decision she makes. Everything is exactly how she always wanted it to be--how can she leave it all behind next year? In her head, she knows there is so much more to experience after high school. But in her heart, is it so terrible to want everything to stay the same forever?

Emery Lord's award-winning storytelling shines with lovable characters and heartfelt exploration of life's most important questions.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

The Map from Here to There starts a couple of months from where The Start of Me and You left off. Paige Hancock is in her senior year and works at the movie theater in a suburban Indiana town. She finished a screenwriting program earlier during the summer. Paige has aspirations to study film in college and she wants to go to NYC or LA to study.

Max Watson, Paige's boyfriend, surprises Paige with an early arrival from Italy due to a canceled excursion. For those who need a refresher, Paige lost her ex-boyfriend in The Start of Me and You and it was a very rough junior year processing grief. Through an amazing support system, Paige has been able to live her life even during the hard times. She met Max through QuizBowl and ended up opening her heart even though she is healing.

In The Map from Here to There, Emery Lord hones in on the different relationships Paige has, just like in The Start of Me and You. It's not all about romantic relationships but friendships are also important. Lord puts a spotlight on female friendships which is rare in most young adult novels. Kayleigh, Morgan and Tess really care about Paige. Senior year is a big year for many and everyone has their own path to forge. Through college applications to partying to different family dynamics, Max's and Paige's friends are very supportive and help Paige at times when her anxiety peaks. Senior year is about wondering if relationships will be fragmented due to the distance. It's about finding who you are and doing what is best for you.

Although I love how Lord continues Paige's and Max's story, it was a slow first hundred pages with very little happening in the plot. Paige became frustrating in this novel compared to in The Start of Me and You. However, I am happy that Paige and her friends are responsible when they are drinking and they either have a designated driver or they call someone to pick them up at a party. Paige's parents are supportive of Paige when she wanted to resume sessions with her therapist. And Paige overcomes her fears. I find it odd that the book ended right when Paige goes on spring break with her group of friends. I was hoping to see at least high school graduation or the summer before college.

If you are looking for a continuation of Paige's and Max's romance story, this is not the book to find it. The Map from Here to There is focused more on Paige's journey through her senior year and how she deals with loss, a car accident, separation, finances, anxiety, etc. I do have to give Lord credit for adding a super lovable new character. Hunter Chen works with Paige at the movie theater and he adds just the right amount of humor to the novel.

Lord writes contemporary novels about real-life teen issues like losing loved ones or how to navigate life when having mental health issues. Lord discusses how teens cope with having mental health issues as well as addressing how to help those who have mental health issues through her novels. Many readers will be able to relate to Paige and what she endures every day. It's important to forge strong support systems and Lord guides readers to do just that through her characters. I highly suggest reading The Map from Here to There after reading The Start of Me and You even though some readers mention how it's fine just reading this novel as a standalone. Also, check out When We Collided by Lord.

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Title: Open Road Summer
Author: Emery Lord
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Publication date: April 15, 2014
Pages: 352
Source/format: Hardcover//From Trade

Rating: ☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own.

Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence.

This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking.

A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.

M Y  T H O U G H T S
 
Country singer Deliliah Montgomery, who goes by Dee by her friends, is touring all summer long. Her best friend Reagan O'Neill is fortunate enough to convince her father that traveling the country on tour will add to her photojournalism portfolio for college applications. Matt Finch, former member of the teen sensation Finch Four, is invited to open for Dee in order to diffuse a situation. Little did Reagan know is that she will fall in love.

Emery Lord knows how to capture hearts of her readers. The friendship between Dee and Reagan is strong. The swoony relationship between Reagan and Matt is on par. I absolutely love the banter between the two. I found it creative to title each chapter after a tour city. Lord invites her readers to partake in the tour.

Despite Reagan's mother walking out on her and her father when she was eight, Reagan tries to move on with her life. After relocating from Chicago to Nashville, Reagan spiraled downwards starting with mouthing off and skipping classes in middle school. She partook in underage drinking in high school and used to flirt with all the seniors. Reagan isn't flawless but she wants to better herself.

However, I wasn't that fond of Reagan. She said some mean things to Dee and Matt. But her actions speaks louder than words. She tried to put up these facade that nothing bothers her but it does. Reagan puts up a wall to protect herself. She often pushed people away and she claims she is not insecure which is false. In fact, Reagan is insecure about herself. She acts very immature sometimes throughout the book. Also, there is cheating in this book which I don't condone.

Open Road Summer is the perfect name for Lord's first book. Its about firsts and that's why it's so special for Lord and for Dee and Reagan. Open Road Summer peels back the layers and the nitty gritty of what it means to be in the spotlight. One doesn't have a say or a life that they want. The record company and the publicists call all the shots. The media twists words and Photoshop photos to their liking. After all, it's for the business.

Open Road Summer is a solid summer read and for those who enjoyed reading For the Record and This Song Will Save Your Life.

When We Collided by Emery Lord

Title: When We Collided
Author: Emery Lord
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication date: April 5, 2016
Pages: 352
Source/format: ARC from publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them.

Vivi and Jonah couldn't be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the answer to everything. But soon Vivi's zest for life falters, as her adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her safe, but there's something important Vivi hasn't told him.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Vivi fell in love with Verona Cove when she moved there for the summer. She wasn't looking for love but love found her anyway. Verona Cove is a small beach town in California and with about 3,000 residents. Because Jonah promised little Leah she can paint pottery if she did all of her chores, the two end up at Fired Up. It so happens that Vivi works there over the summer. And this is where the story starts!

When We Collided is honest and poetic. Emery Lord has a gift for capturing moments in a snapshot. Her descriptions are beautifully written and the imagery is strong. Life isn't perfect and Vivi and Jonah are able to complete each other despite their flaws. The slow build up from stranger to friend is remarkable. Vivi is vivid and so full of life. She is adventurous, humorous and free-spirited. Jonah is responsible and reserved. After all, he is one of the caretakers for his younger siblings. Vivi falls in love with the Daniels family but is smitten with Jonah.

I enjoyed reading the dual POV novel. Lord writes the POVs wonderfully. I love how she transitions the dialogue so we see both Vivi's and Jonah's POVs. The way Lord tackles family dynamics is fantastic. Jonah comes from a family of five siblings. But his father passed six months ago and his Mom hasn't been the same after the death. The older children have to step up in terms of responsibilities in order to support the family whether it be working or babysitting the younger siblings. Vivi is an only child and lives with her artist mother. Jonah's POV is my favorite. Lord writes his voice perfectly.

There is so much emotion and grit in this novel. The ending made me cry; it's a bittersweet ending. Lord has touched upon bipolar disorder in a way where everyone can understand. When We Collided is not a mental illness novel. It's a coming-of-age novel about finding who you are and how you can still persist even though you have some struggles and difficulties in your life. When life is tough, you keep moving forward.

When We Collided is a MUST read! It's heartfelt and it's almost impossible not to fall in love with Vivi, Jonah and Jonah's family. The characters are real with flaws and all. If you're looking for a YA contemporary dealing with loss, friendship, love, acceptance, finding yourself and mental illness, When We Collided is the book to pick up! Vivi was here!

Collide by Howie Day pairs well with When We Collided.

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

Title: The Start of Me and You
Author: Emery Lord
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication date: March 31, 2015
Pages: 384
Source/format: ARC from The Quiet Concert

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

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?

My Thoughts

Paige Hancock is still trying to keep her mind off her boyfriend who died a year ago. Because she lives in a small town everyone refers to her as the "Girl Whose Boyfriend Drowned." Paige is trying to see past the death and to move on with her life. Her friends Kayleigh, Morgan and Tessa provide healthy female friendships to keep Paige afloat. Life doesn't get easier when her divorced parents are starting to date again. At least there is Paige's crush, Ryan Chase, to look forward to. Well that is until she meets Max Watson.

I love Paige's How to Begin Again list of tasks she wants to do. The list not only keeps her focused on her future but it also keeps her mind off of Aaron. Paige needs to move forward and not backwards.

Emery Lord's writing is addicting. The romance is perfect in The Start of Me and You. There is no instalove. The romance is a slow burning one which is definitely my type of romance even though it took awhile for Paige to realize her true feelings. I enjoyed reading the bonding over literary references and Do-Si-Dos that she and Max shares. Lord explores different family dynamics including families with divorced parents and parents who are hardly home. The friendships Paige has with her core group of girls is remarkable. She has a powerful sisterhood and each female has each other's back. They are supportive of each other which is important in positive friendships. The friendship she has with Ryan and Max is different but is equally as important. 

The English curriculum is on point in this novel. It definitely brought back memories from when I was a high school junior. Ms. Pepper wants her students to learn and to also get more out of life. She prefers her students to engage with others and to step out of their comfort zone. QuizBowl is one activity Paige decides to engage in during her extra time and it is definitely a good decision. Without Paige stepping out of her comfort zone, her friendship with Max would not be the same.

The ending is perfection! I wouldn't have it any other way. I won't spoil the ending here but let's say that if you are looking for a cute romantic contemporary, you definitely want to read this book. You won't regret it!