Have you ever lost someone and wished you could talk to them one last time? You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao explores this very concept in a heart-wrenching yet beautiful way. This young adult novel follows the journey of Julie, who loses her boyfriend Sam in a tragic accident. But after finding his phone on the nightstand, she discovers that she can still leave him voicemails - and he'll hear them. Join me as we dive into this emotional rollercoaster of a book and discover its unique themes, writing style, and what makes it stand out from other YA novels.
Book Review of You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
What is the book about?
Dustin Thao's debut novel, You've Reached Sam, is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of love and loss. The book follows the protagonist Julie as she navigates life after her boyfriend Sam unexpectedly passes away.
As Julie grapples with the pain of losing the person she thought was her soulmate, she discovers a voicemail on Sam's phone that he left for her before his death. In the message, Sam tells Julie to move on and live a happy life without him.
This discovery sets off a chain reaction in which Julie decides to fulfill all the dreams and aspirations that they had planned together before Sam's untimely demise. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery while grieving for Sam at every step.
Thao does an excellent job of capturing emotions through his writing style that is both raw and relatable. He adeptly weaves themes of grief, love, and hope throughout this poignant tale that will leave readers reflecting long after they finish reading it.
The author's style
Dustin Thao's writing style in You've Reached Sam is captivating and immersive. From the very first page, he draws you into the story with his vivid descriptions and relatable characters.
One aspect of Thao's style that stands out is his use of dialogue. The conversations between the two main characters, Julie and Sam, feel natural and authentic, making it easy for readers to connect with them on an emotional level.
Another element of Thao's writing that I appreciated was his ability to balance heavy themes with moments of levity. While the book deals with grief and loss, there are also many heartwarming scenes that leave a smile on your face.
Thao also employs flashbacks throughout the book to provide insight into Sam's life before he passed away. These glimpses into his past not only add depth to his character but also serve as a reminder of what Julie has lost.
Dustin Thao's writing style in You've Reached Sam is engaging and heartfelt. He has crafted a beautiful story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page.
The book's themes
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao is a touching and heart-wrenching novel that explores some of the most difficult themes in life. The book is centered around grief, loss, and moving on after losing someone you love.
The story follows Julie as she deals with the sudden death of her boyfriend, Sam. She struggles to come to terms with his passing and finds solace in leaving voicemails on his phone number just to hear his voice again. Through flashbacks, we get a glimpse into their relationship before he passed away.
One of the main themes explored in this book is the power of human connection. Julie's relationship with Sam was full of love and support which helped her come out from her shell. She comes across various people who help her cope up throughout her journey.
Another theme explored in You've Reached Sam is learning how to let go while still holding onto memories. As humans, it can be hard for us to accept change even when it's inevitable - especially when it comes to saying goodbye forever.
You've Reached Sam tackles difficult topics with sensitivity and grace. It shows us that even though dealing with loss can be incredibly challenging, there are always ways we can find peace within ourselves through meaningful connections and cherished memories.
What I liked about the book
One of the things I liked about You've Reached Sam was how it seamlessly blended genres. At its core, the book is a contemporary romance, but it also contains elements of magical realism and science fiction. This unique combination made for an intriguing read that kept me on my toes from start to finish.
Another aspect that stood out to me was the character development. The two main characters - Julie and Sam - were complex and flawed individuals who felt real and relatable. Their emotions were raw and genuine, which made their journey all the more impactful.
Additionally, Dustin Thao's writing style was beautiful and poignant without being overly flowery or pretentious. He had a way with words that conveyed emotion in a subtle yet powerful manner.
I appreciated how the book tackled heavy themes such as grief, loss, love, sacrifice, and moving on in a sensitive yet honest way. It never shied away from exploring these topics while still maintaining an uplifting tone overall.
All in all, You've Reached Sam left a lasting impression on me thanks to its genre-bending plotline, well-crafted characters and emotional depth.
What I didn't like about the book
While I enjoyed reading "You've Reached Sam" overall, there were a few things that didn't quite hit the mark for me.
The pacing of the book felt uneven at times. The beginning was slow and it took a while to get into the meat of the story. However, once it got going, it felt rushed towards the end with some plot points feeling unresolved or hastily wrapped up.
I found some of the characters to be underdeveloped. While our main protagonists Julie and Sam had depth and complexity to their personalities, other supporting characters fell flat and lacked dimensionality. This made it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level, which resulted in less investment in their individual journeys.
Without giving away any spoilers, there were certain aspects of the ending that left me unsatisfied. While I appreciate stories that don't necessarily have neat and tidy conclusions, this one seemed abrupt and didn't feel earned based on what had come before.
Though my criticisms are minor quibbles in comparison to how much I enjoyed reading "You've Reached Sam".
You've Reached Sam is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking book that explores the themes of grief, loss, love, and self-discovery. Thao's writing style is captivating and emotive, making it easy to become invested in the characters' lives. The complex relationship between Julie and Sam adds depth to the story as we see how their love for each other drives them to make difficult decisions.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a touching story about life after death and finding hope in unexpected places. It is a poignant reminder that even when someone we love has passed away, their influence can continue to shape our lives for years to come. So if you're looking for an emotional rollercoaster ride with relatable characters who will stick with you long after you turn the last page – then You've Reached Sam should definitely be on your reading list!