I Was Here

Cody's reaction to her best friend's suicide is understandable. They've been living apart for the first time in their lives. Meg got a scholarship to University and Cody's biding her time raising funds to eventually join Meg. In the meantime though she's been struggling with a sense of resentment over the fact that she's had to remain in their small home town while Meg's off having new experiences and making new friends.

What basically comes next is Cody's attempt to understand how and why Meg would end her life.
Understandably she (and others) feel they need someone to blame—other than themselves of course. Cody struggles with her guilt as she picks apart the last few months of Meg's life and cannot help but wonder if Meg would have confided in her had she been less rancourous. Could she have prevented what was to come?

I found myself both in awe of Cody's determination and strength, and wanting to wrap my arms around her to offer comfort.

There are a lot of lessons in this book as it touches on so many issues. It's about friendship and love, families and trust, and it's about secrets and what we are and aren't willing to reveal to those who know us best.
It's beautifully written. And it's important.

4.5 stars

Read the full review in my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literature/book-review-i-was-here-by-gayle-forman/

I Was Here is an emotional rollercoaster, which follows the main character Cody, a girl whose best friend, Meg has recently committed suicide, leaving Cody to pack up Megs’ belongings from her university apartment where she will learn about the secret life Meg has left behind. Gayle Forman did a fantastic job at creating a group of oddball characters that all seem to work perfectly together. Cody is a very relatable character and I found her to be quite charming. I enjoyed the fact that although this novel is surrounding the story of a suicide, it is also about life – Codys’ life. Although the reader is fully aware of the emotions Cody is feeling and how her friends’ death has negatively impacted her life, we also get to learn a lot about how special Meg was to Cody. There is also a large mystery factor to this novel as Cody tries to figure out why Meg decided to end her life and who may have been involved in helping her make this decision – if anyone. Behind all this tragedy, sparked a beautifully written relationship growing between Cody and Ben, as they fight their demons along side one another. Cody and Ben share such a raw emotional connection, I found myself wanting to know more about what happens with them in the future. This novel really shows the strength it takes to continue living a normal life after being struck with such a large tragedy. As I got further into the novel, emotions began to seem more real. Gayle Forman never fails to make her readers feel multiple emotions as they read her novels. I Was Here is a brilliant novel, which has a perfect mixture of tragedy, mystery and romance.

Originally reviewed on The Escapist.

***

Cody and Meg are best of friends. When Cody felt there could be more about Meg's suicide, she searched for the answers she started to question. Because how can she--her best friend--can't not know that Meg is suicidal? Since when did Meg become somebody she doesn't know?

To be honest, I was skeptical to read I Was Here because it talks about suicide and the blurb just didn't spoke to me. I don't have any expectations. All I know is it was written by Gayle Forman, one of the amazing authors out there. So I have to read it. Just in case.

I Was Here started out okay. I was afraid I wouldn't get it or connect with it. But when Cody started to get curious about Meg's death, I became curious too. I'm glad there was mystery that kept me reading and I find myself looking forward on the next pages. There was a "support group", though, that I questioned. Its purpose and people confuses me. I don't think they add up. It doesn't ruin the entire book but it made me wonder, if the support group was flawed or just the way the author wrote about it (I don't even know if it exists in real life but I don't want to find out about that. Too scary.)

I realized I haven't really known Cody as an individual character. Most of the story revolved around Meg, her past, and her death. So I'm not sure if this book is about Cody (since the ending is for her) or Meg or their friendship. Maybe about all. I think this book is about the value and importance of friendship. That you wouldn't know what you have with the other until it's gone. It's heartbreaking but an eye-opener as well. Meanwhile, the romance was a surprise for me. I didn't expect the love story and the chosen love interest. I don't like the guy but I could see it coming and I was like, No, no, no. But what surprised me the most is my reaction towards their relationship--a bittersweet romance I can't help but love.

So obviously, my thoughts on this book is divided. However, my feelings says one thing: I really liked it. The journey in reading this book made me question some things but when I look on the book as a whole, I find it beautiful, heartbreaking, and captivating. A Gayle Forman trademark that I'm sure her fans crave. The writing style is very Gayle Forman, but the book itself is quite different from her previous ones. I Was Here is another novel hard to put down.

http://michelletheescapist.blogspot.com/2015/01/blog-tour-review-i-was-here-by-gayle.html

A beautifully emotional journey through life, loss and everything in between. Gayle Forman once again grips readers with writing that can only be described as perfection and characters that are impossible not to attach too. Right down to the kittens.

I think that my favorite thing about I WAS HERE was Meg. You see, we never actually meet her – the story starts after she's died. But, Cody is written so well that seeing Meg through her eyes makes it feel like she is, in fact right there with you. This just increases my love for Gayle Forman's talent as a writer. To be able to make me attach to the main character is an accomplishment, but to make me attach to one I see through that persons eyes – that's unbelievable talent.

If you're a fan of Gayle Forman, than there is no question, you need to read and own this novel. If you are new to the world of Gayle Forman, than this is a great place to start. I WAS HERE is equal parts heart-breaking contemporary dealing with the topic of suicide and mystery, as Cody tries to figure out how she missed the tell-tale signs of depression in a person she knew better than herself.

It wasn't until I read the author's note at the end about basing her story off of a real person named Suzy Garcia when I felt the impact of this story. I wished that it stayed completely revolved around the relationship between Cody and Meg-- the added romance from Ben was like ripping Adam from If I Stay and putting him in a new town with a new love interest. It felt forced, akward, and unecessary. BUT (and this is a big but) I found the idea of tracking down the man behind the screen at the suicide "support group" to be completely fascinating. And, to read at the end that support groups like this truly do exist and helped a real person decide to take their own life makes this story so much more important. The romance made it feel trite and the story could have shined without it. I WAS HERE would have been NO DOUBT a five star book for me without it. Cody was strong enough to be on her own, but I felt like the publisher said "Gayle Forman does tragic romance, let's throw in another hot guitar player."

This was a story about suicide. It is not something I would usually read, but I wanted something different. This was definitely different to what I would normally read.

It was highly emotional and I felt depressed for these characters more and more as I read. There are lots of secrets to uncover and for the people left behind, the struggles they go through dealing with a friend’s suicide is huge. Do they really know who their friends are?

I understand that it is a fictional story, but based on real people and events. This made it even more real and sad. It really is an extremely sad, sad story.

This story will leave the reader asking so many questions. I know I had many. Why? What? How? I just wanted to be there for these characters and help and I really didn’t know how.

I’m still a little torn about how I actually feel about this story. It made me feel so many sad things and thoughts. But nevertheless, Gayle Foreman brought home the issues of suicide with a sensitive and educational writing style.

Book kindly provided by Simon & Schuster Australia for an honest review.

While Forman's writing voice is calming, and she's an excellent author, this book seems completely unfocused in terms of its purpose. I couldn't figure out if it serves primarily to reveal a horrifying cult-like community that teaches suicide, which seemed to be more of a little side-note; or to serve as a mystery; or as a dramatic treatise. Then again, it's perhaps a very weak tribute to Megan. The characters are soap-opera like and lacking in passion. I was not moved by them. Yet Cody had just lost her best girlfriend to suicide. How is it that she's so methodical about everything? Does Forman not appreciate the depth of girlfriend bonds? Maybe it comes later, and I wasn't interested enough to read the book in its entirety. Megan's parents seem to be the only true-to-life characters. The story seems to trivialize the impact of suicide on one's peers. I'm certain this wasn't Forman's goal, but there was a major layer missing from this one. It's as if she wasn't fully there, when writing I Was Here.

Gayle Formans books are usually hit or miss for me so I am usually hesitant in reading her newer works but I always find myself getting it. If I Stay has so far been the one book of hers that I can call my favorite while Where She Went never came close. As for the other two I was not a fan at all!
I Was Here as you can guess by reading the product description and reviews follows a girl named Cody after her best friend commits suicide. Gayle Forman captured the pain of loss in If I Stay so perfectly I figured it would be worth reading.
Cody was the main reason this book fell flat for me. She was more angry at her friends death then sad and many times she just came out bitchy. The anger seemed to stem more from the fact her friend abandoned her to go to college in a bigger town and having a life without her and leaving her in the dust. That took up most of the story line.
Overall the book was hard to put down so I did read read it in just a few days. I am glad that Gayle Foreman took the time to write about such a hard topic that is a problem in our society.

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

Cody is left behind. Her friend committed suicide and for Cody it felt out of the blue. Her friend Meg was away at college and both Cody and her parents didn't see the signs and wish they had the chance to help Meg work through whatever issues she was dealing with.

As most Gayle Forman's books go, this one is dealing with a sensitive subject - suicide. I thought it was an interesting take on suicide as the friend, Cody, tries to figure out the why and how she could have maybe prevented it.

I enjoyed reading Cody's journey, but kept forgetting that Meg didn't die from cancer or an accident and that it was suicide and it made me nervous that the seriousness of suicide may not have come across throughout the whole book. I hope that young readers don't read this book and lose a sense of seriousness about suicide.

As part of the Gayle Forman shelf, I liked it. It read smoothly and quickly, but definitely a tough subject to tackle.

This book does an excellent job of addressing the ambiguity that comes with death by suicide. I was immediately on Cody’s side as she struggled to make sense of a senseless death and found the mystery element of this story to be intriguing as Cody follows clues on the path to answers. She is blind sighted by losing Meg and will stop at nothing to find out answers. I can relate to this desire to find out the truth and loved how strong and independent Cody was along the way.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, but I had a difficult time with the romance. I dislike the idea that Cody would fall in bed with a boy that her best friend was in love with and found Ben and Cody’s romance off-kilter. It is still well written on the page, but the dynamics of the whole thing just didn’t sit well with me. However, it’s a personal preference and doesn’t have any bearing on the wonderful writing of this book.

I’m a huge fan of Gayle Forman, and this book was a beautifully written story of friendship that is incredibly life-affirming in the end.

My heart breaks for Cody dealing with the loss of her friend and trying to make sense of her own life after Meg's gone. The guilt overwhelms her with thoughts of the past few months and how they didn't talk as much. I like how Cody tried to uncover the reasons behind Meg's decision and how it leads her on her own path to figuring out herself.

I liked Cody's interactions with the people in Meg's life: her college friends, Ben, and her little brother. I liked how they all played a part in helping Cody understand more about Meg and about herself. I found my thoughts changing about Tricia over the course of the book.

Guilt and remorse are powerful emotions in this book, along with the feelings of unworthiness. In her search for the truth, Cody slips down the rabbit hole herself.

I admired Cody's perseverance and determination. Not all of her decisions were smart, but they helped her in the end. I wouldn't mind a sequel - learning more about Cody and what she does next now that she's no longer part of a pair, but on her own.

I had high expectations for this book after If I Stay and Where She Went, and I wasn’t disappointed. I Was Here definitely won’t be for everyone, but parts of it resonated with me in a way I didn’t expect. There’s a lot going on in this book, both up front and beneath the surface – about secrets, family, friendship, and forgiveness, and Forman handles it beautifully.

The romance was a huge disappointment for me, but I also felt like the focus of the main story wasn’t on that, so I was mostly able to ignore it (thankfully).

Cody’s mission to learn the truth behind Meg’s suicide really pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. Her anger and heartbreak fueled her through her journey, and the lengths she went to made me almost want to look away because the direction she went in made me so uncomfortable.

Overall, I thought this was a really strong book, if really tough to read at times, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Forman’s works in the future.

I planned to read this book as soon as I finished reading If I Stay and Where She Went. I liked the style and writing of this author, and this one is written only slightly different. I had it saved in my Kindle for when I "got to it", behind a long list of Bestsellers already earmarked. Then on April 29, a friend of mine took her life. I went from thinking this book was interesting, to being scared of the topic. I was hurt, I was angry, I couldn't read something so specific to what I was feeling. And then I just started reading the first few pages one day. And then more. And then something big happened: this book made sense. Not just as a novel, but as a salve for my pain of loss. My friend won't come back, I can't read this book again for the first time, but there are quick thoughts and brief comments that I might not have even noticed before April 29. Comments that now make all the sense. The small cons: I think it actually could have been a bit longer, with more development. Maybe I just wanted more of that salve, because I know that this book reached me on a very personal level. I highly recommend it.

I thought this book was pretty interesting from the description, I don't judge a book by its cover only description.

Now when I started reading this story in the beginning I dragged on really slow about trying to figure out why her friend killer herself. I definitely thought that her going on and on about how why would her friend leave her in the dark and not say anything to anyone or get any help throughout 70% of the book was difficult for me to continue reading the story I was expecting this big thing to happen and maybe some crazy mystery or add in some suspense into the book. But that what she figured out was a little predictable and the end was kind of left me feeling a little disappointed.

I did however enjoy most if it because there were some funny scenes and I definitely wanted to know more about Ben. I did like the book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a little mystery and some light laughs.

I think Gayle Foreman is an amazing writer. The stories she creates are always emotional, all consuming and so well written. You can feel everything right along with her characters.

This book is what you would expect it to be - tragic and heartbreaking. Suicide isn't an easy thing to read or think about. I imagine it would be devastating for anyone to lose someone that way. The story centers around Cody and her quest to find out why her best friend Meg committed suicide. She had no idea what her best friend was going through.

With the help of Meg's other friends, a guy she shared a mistaken night with and files found on her computer, Cody is able to piece together what went wrong. Along the way she finds acceptance, forgiveness and something that she didn't expect. I don't want to give anything away, but I LOVED the last chapter. It was a great ending for such a sad situation. I highly recommend anything by this author.

If you've read Gale Forman's books, you're aware that her topics aren't always the easiest - they tend to employ difficult subjects thrown in the path of their protagonists, who are just on the verge of adulthood.

So - the hard thing in this book is a suicide. Cody's best friend, Meg, has gone off to college, and not even a year through, she commits suicide by poisoning herself in a motel. At the behest of Meg's parents, Cody goes to Meg's school (as far as I can tell, it's essentially a fictional version of Evergreen), where Cody meets Meg's roommates and tries to trace Meg's last months alive. She meets a guy that Meg had a thing for, which leads to one of the two sub-plots of the story. The other subplot involves a lot of the "how/why" of Meg's suicide.

I liked this book, but I am not sure it's for everyone. It's one of Forman's darker novels, in part because it focuses so heavily on Meg's suicide, unlike If I Stay, which is more of a reflection on family and life than a reflection of how the characters died. It's a hard topic, and I think it might be too dark for some readers.

Cody's character is a little one-dimensional, I think in part because her role in the book is so focused on her friend and not herself. She's almost a stereotype of a tough girl from a tough background. One thing I didn't really get about this book was why Cody's character didn't go to college - she presents as a smart person, and her reasons for working as a cleaner instead of going to college fall flat, particularly because she does address the desire. Even though she's poor, she's not naive and seems aware of the steps and paths to take to achieve college as a goal, so that's probably the biggest reason I can't give this book five stars.

Cody and Meg have been friends since grade school.
After graduation Med goes away to college and Cody stays home.
Cody is shocked and unprepared for the news that Meg has committed suicide.
She feels guilty that she did not stay close enough to help Meg .
Meg's friend becomes obsessed with her quest to find the reason behind the suicide.
It is this obsession that moves the plot a long. Forman writes well and has developed Cody
and Meg's fictional characters. Ben, who was Meg's one night stand was an interesting
part of the story. As is often the case, the story slows down in the middle. But a relationship
between Cody and Ben perks up the pace. Cody turns up some unknown secrets from Meg's life.
This book is an easy and fast read. It's not literature but it will hold your interest

I love Gayle Forman’s writing. I have read nearly all of her books and this one was my second favorite. Cody was a very real character. She was upset and grief-stricken when her bestfriend, Meg took her own life. The entire journey Cody goes on is surprising and very eye-opening. Her incredible courage and boldness was inspirational. When Cody met Ben, all I thought was he was simply going to be a minor character. Boy was I wrong. I loved the bond between Ben and Cody even if as Ben describes their relationship as “all complicated and confused in a wholly fucked-up way” but that was my favorite line in the entire book because it was so true. Meg’s death brought them together but they were both blaming themselves for something neither of them did. This book was so alluring and simply beautiful. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a meaningful road trip

She is such a way of building characters in making you feel part of the book. Like the people you're reading about are right there with you because she paints them so well.

I've recently gone through the sudden loss of a very good friend of mine so this book was very cathartic. I especially loved this statement of hers in the authors notes: " Life can be hard and beautiful and messy, but hopefully, it will be long. If it is, you will see that it’s unpredictable, and that the dark periods come, but they abate— sometimes with a lot of support— and the tunnel widens, allowing the sun back in. If you’re in the dark, it might feel like you will always be in there. Fumbling. Alone. But you won’t— and you’re not . There are people out there to help you find the light."

I picked this book as my road trip read when I drove from NY to NC for�a weekend in October (I’m lucky, I don’t get car sick). The miles flew by as I read about Cody and Meg. This book hit home with me on many different themes. Perhaps the most prominent is the suicide plot.

Did anyone else have an online blog as a teenager and fill it with angsty rants about how you hate everyone and wish you could die? Yeah, I had one of those. I was never actually suicidal but I had many friends that would make comments that terrified me. The scariest part of someone committing suicide is wondering what you could have done to prevent it, if anything. It was always in the back of my mind… Am I being a good friend? Is so and so feeling okay today? Should I do something to try and cheer them up? Luckily, I got through middle and high school unscathed and none of my friends were depressed to the point of suicide. The truth of the matter is that it’s not your fault and people who are depressed need professional help. It’s not your fault if you do not see any signs. People are secretive and good at hiding their emotions. The best you can do is be there and offer up any suicidal prevention information you have available. At the end of the day, it is that person’s decision and only theirs. You can only do so much. I think this is something that many people struggle with and I love that Gayle decided to focus on it.

So, uh, yeah this book got me thinking. A lot. Another theme that really hit home with me was how Meg’s family felt like home to Cody. When I was growing up, I spent more time at my best friend’s house than I did at my own, similar to Cody.�My best friend’s�family truly felt like an extention of my own family and I’m forever grateful for them. My family didn’t have the money to go on vacations but yet I was able to attend quite a few trips because my “second family” paid for me to tag along with them. Cody similarly did the same thing with Meg’s family; she would travel with them every holiday season. It was nice to have a contemporary YA novel where the protaganist isn’t wealthy/middle-class. I also really enjoyed watching Cody’s relationship develop with her mother. The older I’ve gotten, the more I get along with my parents. I didn’t really tell them much of anything when I was in high school and now I call/text frequently for advice and updates. Sometimes it just takes some space and time away to really appreciate what you grew up with.

I hate to say this, but one thing really bothered me. This may be a bit of a SPOILER so read on with caution. I hated that Cody “fell in love” with Ben. First off, it was the typical player falls for a good girl story. I’m so so so tired of reading romances with that stereotype. Secondly, it felt wrong for her to fall in love with the guy that broke her best friend’s heart. I know that you can’t control how you feel, but it bothered me from a moral standpoint. Similar to the Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. I loved that book, but I couldn’t get past the romance, it went against my beliefs. However, I do think it is a good thing to keep an open mind and read about things you don’t necessarily believe in, but it was hard to let my opinions go. Perhaps part of it had to do with the fact that it was “instalove.” If there had been more of a connect and build-up, I think I could have adjusted better to the idea.

Gayle’s writing is superb as always and that more than makes up for the tired romance. Overall, my favorite part of the novel was the friendship that Cody and Meg had shared. It was something that I very personally relate to and enjoyed reading about. I also LOVED when “I Was Here,” was placed in the book. The title worked perfectly and really tied the novel and its themes together. Overall, I really enjoyed reading through this novel, but it wasn’t without its flaws. If you can get past the romance, you’re in for a thought-provoking, engrossing read. Enjoy!

Powerful and sad. A great book that tackles a really heavy topic. I loved the structure of this and felt I really got to know Meg through Cody's search. I really enjoyed this one though it was difficult at times because of the tragedy it follows. In the end though, I was left, not satisfied of course, since the tragedy can't be resolved, but Cody's growth and discoveries as well as the little bit of traction she gets on the "case," left me feeling something positive.

At first I was not happy about the length of the novel, under 300 pages, but as I read it I felt that it was just the right amount.

I was nearly in tears by the end (and even the beginning of it) of this novel, books about suicide are hard for me to read which is why I only keep reading ones that are done respectfully, like this one.

The main character Cody was easy to relate to, she was someone who has not had things handed to her, and she understands the importance of family. I was totally sold on the love interest Ben, but by the end he grew on me.

I recommend this novel if you enjoy Forman's writing, however, be warned the subject is heavy.

I am not one to read reviews usually, however, I am researching for a project so I decided to read reviews for some of my favorite books to see what other people had to say.

In reading the reviews for "I Was Here" one of the common comments I am seeing is that compared to the "If I Stay" series and "Just One Day" series, both of which I love, this book is lacking some of the teary eye romance and that Cody and Ben seem distant and they didn't feel like they really got to know the characters. But as I see it that is the point of the two of them. They don't open up to others, it's as if they truly don't know how. Both of them have had to deal with less then stellar parents as roll models and have the type of personalities that just naturally keep there true self locked up inside. They both seem to recognize that they are not like everyone else and also recognize they don't understand themselves either so they keep it hidden not only from everyone else but themselves as well. And some how they find each other and manage to see themselves in the other. While trying to cope with the guilt, the loss, the confusion, the mystery, and the abandonment of Meg's death they are also having to deal with these new terrifying feelings they have for each other that they just don't understand. And the fact that they are feeling these feelings simply adds to there already overwhelming guilt.

Perhaps I am reading to much into their characters but I have known people that could be Cody and Ben and they are so much more complex than what they appear on the surface. The personality, the demeanor, the actions, even to lack of all these things speaks to the type of person that Cody and Ben represent. Sometimes the love story is not meant to be like Romo & Juliet where the love and romance is so obvious one can not miss it, sometimes the love that is hidden, unexpected, or disguised in what was thought to be unlovable can be the most treasured when found.

Sometimes a true love story is not in plan sight, it is one that has to be worked for or one found in a place thought to be empty... Creating a diamond out of a piece of coal, creating a beautiful sculpture out of scrap metal & trash, or find love in a heart that was thought to be stone...

I Was Here has multiple levels to it if you are willing to see them, whether she meant them to be there when she wrote the story or not they are there for those willing to look for them...

To be honest, it’s rare that I meet a Gayle Forman book that I don’t love. If I Stay? Loved it. Where She went? Broke me. Just One Day? Amazing. Just One Year? A different kind of love. So I had very very high hopes for I Was Here. And I admit I was a little nervous since it is Forman’s first standalone since her debut which I thought was just okay. But after reading I Was Here I was put at ease. The book was excellent and quintessentially Gayle Forman.

I Was Here is about Cody and Meg, inseparable best friends. Well until Meg decides to take her own life and leaves Cody behind to pick up the pieces. Beating herself up over not seeing the signs that her friend was in trouble, Cody goes to Meg’s college apartment and finds out about a life her friend had she knew nothing about. With the help of clues left behind by Meg, her roommates, and the mysterious bad boy Ben McAllister, Cody unravels the facts behind Meg’s suicide and things she never really knew about her best friend.

I guess what I really loved about I Was Here was the fact that the story was more about the friendship between Cody and Meg and how guilty Cody felt after her friend left her behind. It was more about Cody figuring out how to handle her grief and live a life without her friend that was like a crutch to her. Is there romance? Sure. And trust me, I loved that part. But the story really isn’t about that. It’s about how you can never really know someone even when you think you do. It is about dealing with feeling like a failure for your friend and how to have the life you once wanted but was too scared to go after. It’s about life going on.

And can we talk about Ben McAllister for a second?? Wow does Forman know how to write an interesting boy. Honestly I’m not sure I was supposed to love Ben the way I did, but man it is impossible not to. He is arrogant and cocky and has this swagger about him, but he is also sweet and supportive in a strange way. Basically he was sexy as heck and I love him and his banter with Cody. I also liked his background/story we were given. Basically I had no control in liking him. I did have a minor issue with one part of his and Cody’s story, but I loved everything else so much I let it go.

All in all I Was Here was exactly what I have come to know and love from Gayle Forman. It had all the elements I wanted and just a little extra. The story was plotted well and had great characters and I most definitely cried a tear or two. It pulled my heart strings in the best kind of way. Can’t wait to see what is next Ms. Forman.

While handling an emotional subject well, this one lacked the emotional depth needed to carry it off. Thought provoking although the characters were hard to connect with. This book is well written and had a lot of potential, but ended up moving too slowly. A decent, quick read, but not nearly as good as If I Stay. There were also several geographical errors -- or I missed something while listening (which very well could be the case)!

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK Children's and NetGalley.)

This was an okay story, but I did feel that it dragged a bit.

Cody was an okay character, but I found it took me a long while to really understand her and to relate to her. At times I just wanted to shake her and ask her what the hell she was doing, and I didn’t really feel like got her at all until the end of the book, and only then because we got a bit of a sentimental epilogue.

The storyline in this revolved around Cody trying to discover what led her friend Meg to suicide, and more specifically began digging into her online life and emails to try and find clues as to what was going through her head at the time. I understood her need for answers, but when she started taking things too far, and putting her own life in danger, I did start to question what she thought she had to gain.

There was some romance, and it wasn’t bad. I did like the way the romance played out, and I liked that history didn’t repeat itself as such, but I also questioned whether Meg would really approve of Cody’s choice of boyfriend!

The ending to this was okay, and we got a sentimental epilogue that was nice. I did like this more than ‘If I stay’, but not a lot, and mainly for the last chapter+epilogue.
6 out of 10

This book discussed the very dark subject matter of suicide, in the most realistic way possible, and from the point of view only of those left behind. These characters were real to me from the first page. I absolutely loved this book, and I managed to read it nonstop between work and sleep, in 2 days. I literally couldn't put it down until I had no other choice, switching back and forth between my audiobook & my Kindle.

Definitely recommending it to others. Love Gayle Forman!

Going into reading this book I was not sure what to expect but once I started reading it I enjoyed it very much. I never got bored with this book and enjoyed reading about Cody's journey for answers. There were many sad moments throughout her journey and many surprises and shocks to Cody and the Garcia family. The way that Cody was able to find answers and not stop until she did shows how much of a strong character she is and how much she cared about her best friend. We learned so many things about Meg's private life that no one would have known about if it weren't for Cody. There were many parts of the story that surprised me and outcomes that were different than what I expected them to be but overall I really liked the book.

This book was good up until the point that the "rocker guy" who got involved with Meg quickly dumped her after sleeping with her. Yet Cody, her so called "best friend" does the same thing, yet he stays with her?? Call it whatever you will, but virginity DOES not make a man fall in love with you, and I hate when youth fiction makes this ideal. Twilight, 50 shades, the plain virgin white girl gives herself to a hot "rebel" type guy and its happily ever after. Meanwhile, poor Meg, who was NOT a virgin before sleeping with Ben, gets tossed to the side like yesterday's trash. No wonder science has made a correlation between sexually active females and depression. With that being said, if Forman took that stuff out and just stuck to the topic of suicide and depression (and the impact it had on Cody, because why was Ben so all of a sudden "concerned" about Meg's suicide??), then this would've been an enjoyable book to read. Ugh, just terrible!

I Was Here by Gayle Forman was not what I expected. I had so much insta-love when I read her previous novel, Just One Day back in 2013; I thought I would fall madly in love with everything she writes. However, after reading the almost heavily emotional I Was Here (and I say almost because I felt very disconnected from the characters), I’m not so sure this book was my cup of tea.

Even though I read a lot, I’ve never read any novels that deal directly with suicide and the aftermath. With that being said, since that this is my fist adventure into the written world of death, loss, and grief on this scale, I guess I’m a little bit disappointed that I wasn’t more invested in the characters, their emotions, reactions, and how they came to terms with the sudden loss of Meg. Don’t get me wrong, I Was Here is a well-written novel. The words flowed, they kept you glued to the pages, but somewhere in between all of that I felt something was missing.

Slight Spoilers…

Cody was an okay character. For the most part. There were times when I wanted to strangle her for certain behaviors that I thought could possibly get her hurt or at least in some serious trouble. And I’m thinking this is where the book lost me and I started to enjoy it less. Cody seemed naïve in some parts and then the complete opposite in others. When Cody discovered the online forum Meg often visited and possible got encouragement to commit suicide, her reactions and then decisions turned me off. Most of it was dangerous. Slightly stalkerish. Obsessive. I know she wanted answers, however I think the way she decided to get them was neither healthy nor rational. It’s the internet. No one really knows who they are talking to on the other side of the computer. She could have been corresponding with a complete psycho and been none-the-wiser. This whole “mystery” left a very sour taste in my mouth.

As for the other characters, they were okay as well. What I liked most were Meg’s college roommates. I found myself wanting to know more about them than Cody and was often excited when she would visit them. Cody’s love interest, Ben, was also just okay. I found it very weird and almost too much for my liking. I get that Forman was trying to form a bond between the two, but a part of me thinks it was too much, especially considering the time frame and Ben’s previous involvement with Meg. In fact, I was saying “eww” instead of “aww”. Yeah. Kinda weird.

Overall, I Was Here is not a bad book. In fact, the writing is classic, thought-provoking, lovely Gayle Forman. I would recommend it if you enjoyed her previous works or novels that touch on very difficult subjects. However, if you are wanting something a little more fast-paced and less heavy, then this might not be the book for you.

Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Controllers
Reviewer: Me

This is a story about a girl who thinks the only choice she has in life is suicide. Her family and friends are left behind to try to live and understand why Meg would want to end it all and not reach out to her loved ones.
What they don't realize is that she did reach out but not to them or someone they would hope she would have. Her best friend Cody will not accept that Meg just killed herself without finding the reasons why. She goes on a fact finding mission and confronts the person responsible and in the process finds love & understanding for the first time in her life.

Friendships are a lot like the weather, hard to control, challenging to adapt to, frequently mysterious and ever changeable. Cody and Meg's was like that. Best friends since kindergarten, Cody was practically raised by Meg's parents because she had almost no idea who her own father was and her biological mother, Tricia, has never been capable of much more than putting a roof over her head and being snarky in between her flings with loser boyfriends.
The girls planned on going to Seattle and rooming while in college, but Meg got a scholarship to a different school and Cody stayed behind because money was tight and her grades weren't good enough for financial help. Communication between them started to drop off and the only time Cody went to see Meg, it felt odd and she came home early. Then Meg killed herself with a rare and highly toxic cleaner in a locked motel room. She set up a final email to go to Cody, her parents and Ben, the guy she had been involved with, telling them what she was going to do and ending with: “This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. It's not your fault.”
Despite what Meg wrote, Cody can't help being angry and self-blaming. When she reluctantly agrees to go and get Meg's belongings from the house she shared with several other students, She begins what turns out to be a very torturous and involved role as amateur detective. The more she hears and the more she's able to dig out of what emails she finds on Meg's laptop, the stronger her conviction grows that there were others involved and bigger secrets that anyone knows in Meg's death. Her unlikely co-conspirator, Ben, starts out as someone she hates because she believes he was responsible for sending Meg over the edge. However, the deeper she digs, the less sure she is about her initial feeling and there's that subtle spark, the one that makes her realize that he feels much the same way she does and every time she's with him, things seem just a bit better.
Their journey to find what really happened is both physical and emotional, making for a terrific read. Yes, there are a lot of F-bombs, but they shouldn't deter either school or public libraries from adding this to their collections. It does for teen suicide what Laurie Halse Anderson's The Impossible Knife of Memory does for the devastating effects of PTSD on those close to the one who suffers.

Ugh this one is way different than Forman's other books. This book is very slow for one thing. The other thing is it does a lot of telling instead of showing. Which I think is funny because when I went to LeakyCon 14' that was one of the main things they talked about.
I thought this was going to be an uplifting book. But what I got was one that was very slow, boring, and well just not something I can recommend to other readers. The characters in this one felt under developed especially Meg. Who the book was basically about.

This book just didnt work for me. It goes from bad to worse when the MC finds that someone else got Meg to kill herself and decides its a good idea to go after said person. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't allow my child to read this. In what world is it ok to do this? I mean in some books its ok. But, in this more reality read it felt like a very dangerous and stupid act to do.

Go Into This One Knowing
deals with suicide, bland, MC tries to hunt down dangerous person.

I very much enjoyed this book as a whole. Forman knows how to craft an emotionally heavy book dealing with sensitive subject matter.

Cody is such a great main character. She’s strong and independent with a killer voice! It’s heartbreaking, sometimes, to be inside her head as she learns about this other side of her best friend, but it’s done incredibly well.

Cody keeps the story from potentially being dragged down to the despair of the subject matter.

The elements surrounding Meg’s decision to commit suicide make this book into a mystery of sorts. It kept me turning the pages to uncover the truth.

As much as the book focuses on learning the truth, it’s a story about Cody coming to terms with Meg’s death and the implications of suicide and having suicidal thoughts.

I found the pro-suicide chat room that Cody gets herself wrapped up in to be particularly interesting.

One aspect I didn’t think was needed was the romance. (No spoilers on specifics.) The romance didn’t seem to fit with the story being told. So much in fact that when reading, I actually had to stop and go back to double check after they kissed the first time because it seemed so entirely out of place.

The story could have been told without pushing the relationship into that zone. Not all young adult stories need to have a romantic elements to work.

Overall, I’m a huge fan of Gayle Forman’s work.

She’s one of my absolute favorites in the YA contemporary genre. I love her writing, her characters, the whole bit. I’ve read every single book of hers!

Out of all of her books, this one ranks in the middle of the pack for me. I didn’t connect with some of the characters as much as I did in her other books (outside of Cody who was amazing), and I wasn’t a fan of the romance in this one. At all.

For now, If I Stay remains my favorite book of her, followed by Where She Went.

But still, this is a good book worth reading. Check it out!

Readers need to be in the right mood to truly appreciate this book. It is very deep and has an important message, though it is also saddening and is definitely far from an upbeat story. There is much sadness along with a touch of mystery and a pinch of love in I Was Here. There are important revelations on life and mental illness and family and friendship. In order to derive the most from this book, readers should be in the mood for a serious story with important messages to portray. If this is your current situation, then Gayle Forman has written a gem in I Was Here.

I definitely didn't like this as much as Forman's other books.

It was a lot harder for me to relate to the characters, although I thought it wrapped up the relationship between Cody and Meg in a nice way. On the other hand, the romance felt completely out of place and unnecessary.

My first foray into the world of audio books. I found the narrator excellent at making it clear who was talking, which was helpful to me as an audio newbie. The subject matter was a bit dark dealing with the suicide of Cody's friend Meg, but it unraveled slowly to keep the listener engaged.

I thought this book was one of the best I have read in a while. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't life changing, or anything like that but it was interesting enough that I finished it in one day. I didn't particularly like the romance added in, especially due to it's connection to Meg, however in general I found myself intrigued by the "why" behind her suicide. I have read Gayle's other books and really like how she takes what seem like normal, uninteresting characters and still spins an amazing story.

A journey of loss, love, friendship, meaning, and so much more. I Was Here by Gayle Forman lets us enter Cody's world as she goes through losing her best friend and in a way herself too. There were so many emotions. By the end I needed tissues. As you read you uncover this whole world which you'd hope wasn't real and sadly it is. Knowing what inspired author Gayle Forman to write this book made it so much more real and meaningful. I love reading the about the author section and acknowledgements.

"Anything that kills hope is a sin."

My Summary:

Can you truly know a person especially your best friend?

Cody and Meg's future has been set but not everything goes according to plan. With the unexpected suicide of Meg, Cody's world goes crashing down.

Cody doesn't understand how she didn't see the signs. Now, she has to find out why Meg did it. Even meeting Ben McAllister, the guy who broke Meg's heart in the process but what she didn't expect is that he could possibly break hers too.

As Cody unravels Meg's story, she ends up discovering hers.

My Thoughts:

I have been such a big fan of Gayle ever since If I Stay so when I heard that she was writing another novel I was beyond excited especially when I found out that it was sort of a mystery suicidal kind of thing which weirdly piques my interest.

When I met Gayle last year, she was a ray of sunshine. She was so fun! She was even dancing with us while she signed our books. So I'm super amazed on how she could harness that dark intensity inside of her that made her write this book. I'm not sure I could do that. It's so scary to let dark thoughts infiltrate your mind. It sucks you in and opens the door of never being able to get back up which is something I don't want to happen.

This book is about Meg and Cody who are best friends since they were in kindergarten. They were inseparable until college happened and Meg went to college somewhere else and Cody stayed. They start to fall apart. I can totally relate to how distance changes you. You start of always texting and calling until eventually the communication gets less frequent. It's hard reading it with Meg and Cody. I've never had a best friend since kinder so I can't relate to that intense connection. I'm in college now and even communicating with my high school friends is a struggle.

The most heartbreaking part is that Cody blames herself for Meg's suicide. I can't even pretend to understand how Cody feels because I don't know what I would do if I lost my best friend. I don't even want to think about it. I like to sometimes [more like always] think that all my love ones are immortal...

She leaves this super formal suicide note that if my best friend did that to me, I would also blame myself. She then finds out the Meg actually adopted two almost dying kittens and nursed it back to health. How could someone like that want to die? Meg is such a fun loving girl. It makes me really sad. It's such a depressing thought but as I was reading I was actually living in Cody's head. The burden she's feeling is so heavy that I want to be there for her and give her the biggest hug ever.

Sometimes we do things thinking that we can undo them but what we don't realize is that there are just some things we can't undo. This is hard to accept but it's reality. Cody's mission ends up finding the real reason why Meg committed suicide. She stumbles upon sites that actually promote suicide. It sickens me. They don't understand the danger there support could be. It's so twisted how they think they're actually helping someone by supporting their suicidal thoughts. It makes the hairs on my whole body raise.

We have Ben McAllister. He isn't the kind of guy I fell in love with instantly but rather gradually. My feelings about him are pretty shaky because of his "interaction" with Meg. I was first kind of annoyed at him due to his flirty nature but when I got to know him, I slowly liked him.

Ben together with Alice, Richard and Harry (who reminds me so much of Felicity from Arrow) helped Cody get through it. Cody doesn't have much friends so I'm glad she has them. No man is an island after all.

I'm usually the type of girl who craves romance in a book but for the first time ever I was so engrossed in the whole journey of Cody that when the declaration of love came I got caught of guard. Don't get me wrong though. Ben is a hottie!!!

People need to read this. We need to be aware that even our small actions can affect others. We need to know that we can't keep blaming ourselves for every bad thing happening and most importantly, we need to forgive and let go. Forgiveness is God's miracle drug.

Another amazing book from Gayle Forman. Don't miss out.

Happy reading!!!

This was just an okay read for me mainly because the book is about Cody's journey to find out why her best friend Meg killed herself but to care about the journey I would have to care about Meg and I never felt I got to know her. None of the characters really stood out for me to feel attached to. This would have been better if there were flashback scenes of Meg and Cody and examples of their friendship. Not my favorite Gayle Forman book but I'll still read any book she writes.

I really liked this one. Although Cody comes across as brash and self-centered, her behavior is understandable given her situation, especially as a teenager. I think the author did a wonderful job of conveying the main character's voice given the death of her best friend. Highly recommend to teen readers.

I got this book after I read the back description and thought it looked good. I took it on my vacation during the summer. The beginning can be a bit boring but once you read enough pages into it, you can't stop. I spent one of my limited days of paradise reading the book first page to last. I read this book in one day and I couldn't stop. I loved it so much. It deals with the realities that many teenagers go through today. I highly recommend reading it. It is one of my favorite books of all time.

I wanted to like this book, but I was severely underwhelmed by it. The romance might have been the worst part. It so unrealistically portrayed and than it is honored like something that will heal a person's grief. Not to say that love doesn't have some effect on people who are in pain, but I hate when it is used as "band-aid" for grief in these kinds of stories. Also, our protagonist is barely a character that I couldn't even understand her romance in the first place (besides the typical "animosity = love" trope Hollywood is so bent on portraying).

Anyway, the story was not for me.

I didn't know what this book was about when I started,reading it. I only knew it was written by the author of If I Stay. In the beginning it was hard to read. Suicide is such an emotionally charged event it's a difficult topic. By the end didn't want to put it down. After reading the epilogue, I understand the authors purpose in writing this. A really good portrayal of how depression works and the need people often feel to hide it. I hope our society can move towards accepting and talking about depression so we can embrace and support all those who may desperately need it

I really thought I would love this book. If I Stay is one of my favorite books despite it making me cry uncontrollably every time. As it turns out, I'm glad I got this book from the library instead of buying it. There's no easy way to say it so...this book was boring. It pains me to say it. There wasn't enough character development for any of the characters. The "big mystery" was a let down. I saw the romance coming and I thought to myself "why?". It wasn't poorly written, it just didn't make me feel anything. Cody seemed to have zero emotion. Playlist For the Dead by Michelle Falkoff has a similar plot (best friend commits suicide) but was much better written, in my opinion. I'll continue reading novels by Gayle Forman, but I certainly won't be rereading this one I hate to say.

This book hits too close to home for me. I won't go into all the details but I had to stop reading it half way through because I have the same situation with my best friend Melanie. I couldn't handle finishing this book. I love it though. I see so many people complaing that this book is not real to live. Well guess what I hope non of you ever have to find out how real it is. If you are willing to throw away your rose colored glasses then you would see how heartbreakingly beautiful this book is.

I'm not really sure what to rate this, I am thinking 3 1/2. it's not my normal type of read but I got really into the story.

I read people say in their reviews that they wished the romance was left out of this book. I can see that but I disagree. The story line was so heavy and dark that I felt like the little bit of romance added a little light to the book.

After reading Forman’s debut novel, If I Stay, and its sequel, Where She Went, I knew Forman was not afraid of tackling difficult subjects and handling them with care, which is why I was interested to see her approach to one of the most upsetting and relevant topics in our society today, teen suicide. Though the subject matter is far from pleasant, it only takes a glance at the headlines to confirm that this is a very real problem facing teens. It is my hope that I Was Here and books like it will help kids experiencing thoughts of suicide realize they are not alone, and raise awareness in the people who love them.

I Was Here follows Meg’s best friend, Cody, as she learns to navigate life without her other half following Meg’s suicide. We never meet Meg except through Cody’s memories, and while there is an element of mystery and suspense as Cody tries to make sense of why Meg would kill herself, I Was Here is ultimately a book about grief, and how to move on after unspeakable loss.

It feels strange to say I enjoyed a book centered on such a grim topic, but I did. I Was Here constantly walked the line between hopeful and tragic, light and dark, guilt and healing. Cody could be a difficult narrator at times, partially because she was in such a painful emotional state and partially because Cody was naturally standoffish, but the other characters provided balance and occasional humor, which I appreciated.

As in all of Forman’s books, there is a romantic element to I Was Here, but it took a backseat to Cody and Meg’s story. I enjoyed watching Cody and her reluctant love interest come together, and fans of subtle, slow-burn romance will appreciate how their story is woven into the main narrative of trying to put together the pieces Meg left behind.

The mystery – why Meg killed herself when, to Cody’s eyes, she had shown no indication that she was suicidal – takes both Cody and the reader down a disturbing rabbit hole that is both illuminating and horrifying. I was concerned at first that the book may attempt to distance itself from its subject matter, taking the easy way out, but I shouldn’t have worried. I Was Here faces its demons head-on, even when Cody would prefer to stay steeped in denial.

Even though the book winds up where most people probably assume it must, the journey Cody takes to get there is in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, and at the end, I came away satisfied. I’d recommend this book to fans of Forman’s previous books, as well as anyone interested in a raw, thoughtful story of depression, loss, grief, and healing.

I Was Here was an amazing story and a fast-read. Even though the topic or issue with suicide in this book was really heart-felt and somewhat "dark", I really appreciated the way the author managed all the situations. I can truly see the experiences and thoughts that our main character, Cody, had to face. Her emotions and perspective really reflects those of other teenagers.

I personally think that it is a book most people will enjoy. It doesn't leave you emotionally exhausted but it still gives a thorough emotional ride. I actually didn't think I would get to like some of the characters, but at the end I really did. They are all fine examples of real people and the problems each of them faces are a good eye opener.

I didn't love this book, hence the 3/5 stars, but it was a good read. It did not take the twist I thought it would and I was happy that it has a romantic element to it. I would recommend it to someone looking for a quick read that has a good mystery to it but it wouldn't be my first recommendation for you.

I saw a lot of reviews not caring for this book. I loved it and was hoping there would be a second with Cody and Ben. It's a book based on real life stuff that is really sensitive to some. I thought the characters were very well written and enjoyed getting to know them.

As a big fan of Forman's other work, I was excited to read this book. I really did enjoy this book. Forman did a wonderful job of describing the after effects that suicide has on the friends and family of the deceased. The characters were like able and I found myself unable to put the story down.

When I started reading and realized that teen suicide was the theme, I expected a preachy novel but was pleasantly surprised to find a realistic, thoughtful plot that explored the aftermath of an unexpected suicide. Well worth reading.

This book deals with a sensitive topic that most people can relate to. This book is hard to review because it made me feel different things at the same time. This is one of the few books that made my eyes water. The thing that seems wrong to me is that the best friend that's still alive falls for her best friends crush and then she goes out with him. Appart from that a very interesting read that will make you look at others lives differently.

I chose this rating because the book was extremely slow.
I liked Cody and Ben's story and wish there had been more to it. I disliked that All_BS got away with what he did I feel he should have faced some sort of changes. I would recommend this book to anyone that has patience and time.

I loved this book because it Wasnt't another sappy love story. It showed the real harsh reality. It goes to show that someone can appear normal on the outside but fighting a terrible disease on the inside. Family and friends left looking for answers, while others are out there still continuing to try to tare you down. For those who say there is no emotion in the book, place yourself in the characters shoes. Imagine this is your daughter; anger, guilt, and sadness. It's the hardest thing to do, to watch a loved one battle depression as you stand hopelessly aside.

As a big fan of Forman's other work, I was excited to read this book. I really did enjoy this book. Forman did a wonderful job of describing the after effects that suicide has on the friends and family of the deceased. The characters were like able and I found myself unable to put the story down.

When I started reading and realized that teen suicide was the theme, I expected a preachy novel but was pleasantly surprised to find a realistic, thoughtful plot that explored the aftermath of an unexpected suicide. Well worth reading.

This book deals with a sensitive topic that most people can relate to. This book is hard to review because it made me feel different things at the same time. This is one of the few books that made my eyes water. The thing that seems wrong to me is that the best friend that's still alive falls for her best friends crush and then she goes out with him. Appart from that a very interesting read that will make you look at others lives differently.

I chose this rating because the book was extremely slow.
I liked Cody and Ben's story and wish there had been more to it. I disliked that All_BS got away with what he did I feel he should have faced some sort of changes. I would recommend this book to anyone that has patience and time.

I loved this book because it Wasnt't another sappy love story. It showed the real harsh reality. It goes to show that someone can appear normal on the outside but fighting a terrible disease on the inside. Family and friends left looking for answers, while others are out there still continuing to try to tare you down. For those who say there is no emotion in the book, place yourself in the characters shoes. Imagine this is your daughter; anger, guilt, and sadness. It's the hardest thing to do, to watch a loved one battle depression as you stand hopelessly aside.

I haven't read a Gayle Foreman novel I haven't loved... and "I Was Here" was a true gem to read. Gayle does a great job in this novel of giving back history to the characters, so much so, that you will truly feel for them all and love them beyond the last page. This is a must read for anyone that enjoys a great coming of age story. But grab some tissues, cause you are gonna need them for when you weep! You've been warned...

I struggled to connect with the characters and the storyline felt forced…. As through it had to follow a predetermined course and the characters weren’t allowed to develop naturally.
@crushingcinders

I Was Here was an amazing book, but very different from the other Gayle Forman books I read (or rather, listened to on audio tape). But maybe (just maybe) that is what makes her such an amazing writer. Her books are unique and enthralling, giving the reader something to remember each time the story has concluded.

I finished I Was Here in two days. As I got further and further into the pages, it became harder and harder to put the book down. Every scene had a purpose in driving the plot forwards, giving me (as the reader) a reason to cling on to every perfectly chosen word.

Another thing I love about the book is how seamlessly Gayle Forman was able to blend the tenses. The backstory was given exactly when it was needed; without the fumbling words of a less experienced writer.

The last thing I want to say about the book is how raw the emotions are. It’s so easy to believe the characters are real because of how real they seem. Cody is brought to life by her emotions; the loss of her best friend, Meg, and how she found herself (for possibly the first time) because of it.

I recommend every person to read this. I know it's not necessarily something one would suggest to men or most people outside of the young adult group, but every person should read it. As an author, Forman touches on the most delicate of subjects so vividly and openly. This was a heartbreaking book, no doubt. But it also touched the deepest and darkest parts of me in the best way.

Such a great book. I love how the author captivates the reader to get lost within the pages of the novel. I could not put this book down. The main character Cody is so fearless and at the same time vulnerable. As the reader, you root for her to figure out the circumstances behind Meg's death. I really enjoyed the "If I go" series and wanted to read this novel next. It is definitely a worthwhile read!!!!

I almost didn't finish this book. I was a little disturbed about the topic of suicide and being teen book. But I finished it was was quite impressed. Be sure to read the author note at the end it is very informative.

This book is a very touching and emotional book. It digs deep into suicide and it's effects on everyone else, but also the understanding of how crippling Depression can truly be. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in this sort of story, or even to those who are not.

I didn't quite know what I was getting into before I read this. I lost my dad to suicide a few years ago, and once I finished the second paragraph I knew this was going to be a good emotional read. It was. It hurt the right kind of way.