The Start of Me and YouAuthor: Emery Lord
Published by: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
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?
Well wasn’t this a lovely book! You know how it’s so hard to tell now whether a YA book would be appropriate for the younger crowd? The Start of Me and You certainly is. In fact, it’s a book I’d love for all girls starting in the pre-teens to read. With that being said, this is a wonderful book for all ages.
Paige is starting her junior year of high school and is tired of being in a funk and known as the “girl whose boyfriend died,” so she makes a list of things to do that will help her move on and push her out of her comfort zone. I enjoyed her journey and how much growth she experienced.
Everything felt so young and innocent. That’s not a bad thing. I just mean that it’s clean with no sex, drinking or drug use. Definitely opposite of the high school experience I had – haha. But really, the issues and conflicts were handled very well. Actually, there’s a lot of positivity in this book.
I absolutely love the huge emphasis on friendship, especially with the girls. They are truly supportive and build each other up. Actually, there weren’t even any mean girls; even the more popular ones were likable. It wasn’t just the girls though. The friendship Paige and her friends built with the guys – Max and Chase – is wonderful too. Which led to the romance that was beautifully executed.
Overall, The Start of Me and You is a fantastic read that will leave you with all kinds of good feelings.
One of my favorite books is Anna and the French Kiss, and that’s exactly how I felt (it was sweet and innocent) when I finished that book. It’s been a long time since I felt like that, I might have to check this one out 🙂 Plus my daughter is always asking for recommendations..LOL I have to have something to give her..lol
I really do love the cover of this book, the actual story not so much. It didn’t interest me that much <3 I'm happy that you enjoyed it more than me though, fantastic review!
I have this one coming up for review and I am excited to read it. Even more now that you say it is a great read with lots of feels.
Great Review!
I’ll have to remember this one when my daughter enters her pre-teen years. The friendships in this one sound positive and nice. 🙂
I agree, this is perfect for all age groups. Max just made this read for me.
So happy you enjoyed it!
That does sound great for younger readers. I think prob a little too on the young side for me but I have loved a couple on that end of things too. Hmmm.
Oh and I bet they will want to read it since it looks like an older book too. Sounds great and one I should recommend to some MG peeps.
I had totally passed over this book. You\’ve convinced me that I must read it. I love YA books that stick to their roots. A lot of them seem to be aiming more at adults than teenagers–17-year-old characters, adult scenarios, blood and guts. I love those books. But in the end, we also need books for teens who are 14. Or 15. I also love that there isn\’t any drinking, drugs, or sex. I have no moral qualms; it\’s just, MY high school experience was super vanilla, so it\’s sometimes difficult to relate to books where sex is a typical thing and everyone does pot. Because that was so far from my life. We need all kinds of portrayals!
Lovely review.
C.J.
It might be too young and innocent for me. But I heard this is one of the must reads for YA readers.
A clean young adult??? WHOA! That’s hard to find these days lol :p I have admired this book from afar, but have yet been tempted to read it. Gonna add it to my TBR and pick it up when I can 🙂 Thanks for once again making the TBR longer! LOL
I love how fresh and young this sounds, such a change from the darker YA contemps. Lovely review Cristy
I loved this story!!! You are so correct about this being perfect for the YA audience! I made my library order this one in because it is so nice to read a GREAT story with GREAT friendships. I especially loved the emphasis on building your identity as a teen.
Who would have thought “dark” Christy would have liked this? 😉
Yay for no mean girls. haha. This is definitely something I’d want to read, after seeing so many good things about it. And I like books that give a lot of importance to friendship. Great review! <3