I read an excerpt of this book on Such a Novel Idea book blog and I was hooked. I hate reading long reviews that give a full plot summary so I don't write those kinds of reviews. Instead I will tell you that this book explored the complexities of grief, family dynamics, first love, true friendship, and so much more. The story and characters were amazing and I was already reaching for the tissues at the 10 percent mark. There were two things I really loved about this book. First, it wasn't just a poignant story of grief...it was also an inspiring story of healing and the resiliency of the human spirit. Second, I loved that the author used music as both a method of emotional release and as a mechanism for healing. How many times have you heard a melody or listened to a song that resonated with you and seemed to express everything you're feeling better than words alone? I know music has been a saving grace for me more than once. I also thought the metaphor of the chimpanzees was brilliant (you will just have to read it to know what I mean)! In addition, the love story was so moving. I remember falling in love for the first time and I thought the author captured the essence of first love beautifully. I haven't read a book this emotionally charged in a while and I highly recommend to fans of Sea of Tranquility, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Sky is Everywhere.
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