Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went

Author: Gayle Forman

Publisher: Dutton

Pub. Date: April 5, 2011

Length: 264 Pages

Series: If I Stay #2

Summary (from author's website):

It’s been three years since the devastating accident … three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard’s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia’s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future—and each other.

Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Immediate Thoughts Upon Finishing:This book right here is the reason I read. This is why I love Gayle Forman and everything she's written.

My Thoughts (Offical Review): It's hard for me to write reviews for books like Where She Went. Sometimes, I can't even write the review, because the book left me completely speechless (in a good way!). However, I am trying very hard with this one to put into words my feelings for the book and to get my review out there, simply because it was breathtakingly beautiful. I had heard from several people that Where She Went was better than the prequel, and I believed them, I just didn't think it was possible for it to be this much better, considering how much I loved If I Stay.

Where She Went is Adam's story, set three years after If I Stay. He and Mia were together for years, and during those years, they were in love. But after the accident, Mia started to draw back from him, until eventually, she left him altogether. Now, Adam's band is the biggest thing in L.A. and Mia is a rising star in the world of classical music. From the outside they are fine. It's as if they never knew each other. But if you look a little deeper, you realize that things are far from fine. Despite his rock star status, Adam is a mess: burned out and empty. Mia's leaving did things to him, and he can't seem to follow the promise he made to her the day she lost her family.

Adam. He's a beautiful mess, and I love him for that. He got to me in a way most characters never do, making him one that will linger in my mind for a long, long time. His story was beautifully written, flawless, and full of emotion. Going into it, I didn't know much about how he had changed, and I want it to be the same for everyone. I loved him. That's all I'll say.

Where She Went is vulnerable, powerful, amazing, heartbreaking, beautiful, and I loved every minute of it. It's another emotional read by Miss Forman, one that made me think a lot. I'm sad to see this series go, but at the same time, it's the perfect ending to Adam and Mia's story and I'm glad it ended this way. Where She Went is a must read for teens and adults both. If you have not read this one or it's prequel yet, go buy them both right now. You won't regret it.

Other Noteables that made Where She Went one of my all time favorite books:
♥ The POV was Adam's. I liked his voice better than Mia's. I liked her's too, but Adam's was just.... more engaging I guess. Its hard for me to say.
♥ The plot. Though the book mainly takes place during one day, it was beautiful. The perfect wrap up for Adam and Mia.
♥ The characters. Mainly Adam. I think I'm in love with him.
♥ That it was in the future. If it had been set right where If I Stay left off, I don't think it would have been nearly as good.
♥ The lyrics and the music. I loved the importance of the music and reading Adam's lyrics.
♥ How it tied with Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta for being my favorite book. Ever.