If I stay

If I Stay
by Gayle Forman

# of pages: 272
Age range: 14+
Rating: 4/5
From: Gift.

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make.I got this book as a present from a family friend, and I had seen it a lot (at TJ Max of all places) recently so I thought I would give it a try.

If I stay focuses on the life of Mia, a cello protege, and her life with the best parents she could ask for, a brother she adores, and a super hot up-and-coming-rock star boyfriend. But, like every pretty picture, her life is not perfect, yet after a devastating accident Mia would give up anything to have it back again. Looking from the outside in, Mia must decide whether she wishes to stay in this world or leave it during her time in the hospital. Told in both present time and series of flashbacks, Mia's journey is both heart-breaking and heart-warming, and certainly one that will be imprinted in your mind long after you have finished the book.

I must admit I really did enjoy this novel. Mia's character was well defined, and I liked how the author was able to create this music based world, so to speak, that you really felt a part of without ever being in it. When and author is able to do that you know the book is good. However, I wasn't a fan of the ending so much. I felt like it just sort of, well, ended. I didn't get a good sense of closure and I didn't think I knew all of the characters well enough to say good-bye to them just yet.

Luckily, there is a sequel. Which, I will be picking up when it is released.

If you like this book be sure to check out:

Before I Fall
Thirteen Reasons Why
Hate List
Rosebush
North of Beautiful

Visit Gayle Forman here

-M.