Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 400
Source: Purchased
Rating ✩✩✩✩✩
If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.
Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.
So basically, this book is AMAZING! It could possibly be my favorite contemporary ever. I read it a while back, but remembered I had not done a review yet. It is one of the realest books I have read.
The Basics
I'll Meet You There follows 17 year old Skylar Evans and 19 year old Josh Mitchell *fangirls over the thought of him* who live in a very very small town Creek View, California. When I say small town, I mean extremely teeny tiny. It consists of trailer parks, a motel, and a gas station. Skylar recently graduated High School, planning to attend a art school in San Francisco at the end of summer. That's all shes ever wanted. Working at the motel and keeping her grades up to achiever her dream, until her mother looses her job. It wasn't as simple as getting her mom a new job either. Now she had to pick up more shifts at The Paradise just to supply the two. Her dream was looking impossible now. Should she stay home and take care of her mother or leaver her behind for the city life?
Josh Mitchell became a Marine, only to be wounded in action. He returns to his hometown with PTSD and a decision for himself; Should he stay in the boring town or return to to the Core doing desk work.
The characters were diverse and unique compared to most YA literature. Skylar is relatable and mature. She is one of the best female protagonists I've read from in a long time. She treated Josh with respect, not pity, there is a big difference. She was more mature than her own mother who could no even leave the house or cook. *cringes* I still find it hard to figure out that after all the trouble sent at her she managed to stay strong. Though Sky was incredibly head strong and determined, she still showed emotion. Heather Demetrios wrote Skylar perfectly. The balance between fearless women and scared teen girl made this book its best.
I'll take a Josh to-go please!
My dear sweet Josh,
Will you marry me?
I'm Kidding! Skylar and Josh are like my favs. Though i was kidding there, I cried in pretty much every single chapter told from Josh's POV! Heather broke my heart and threw it at an oncoming train with him. Josh is not just dealing with loosing himself, but someone close to him. Most of his POV's crushed me. He suffered from PTSD and though I definitely haven't suffered half as much as him I still relate. If you are not applauding Heather yet, what are you doing?!
Many YA books do not touch on the military aspect like this book does. I have a few military friends, but I'm no expert. This book shines light on how hard it is for the brave men and women who serve their country. It's no where close to the movies. The firework scene was one of my favorites because of this, We learn just how thin the ice Skylar has to walk on to be near Josh is. Its easy to see the changes in Josh. Though we don't read from the POV of "previous Josh" we know he was popular and immature. He had a way with the ladies and he had a reckless lifestyle. He was a completely different person which I loved.
You can give Heather that applause now, not only for creating well-rounded, beautiful character, but for how she wrote the book itself. She managed to include all these sensitive topics, romance, friendship, and family equally.
Take my money and give me the book!
If you aren't on Amazon buying this book now, I still don't know what you're doing?! This is one of if not THEE BEST YA book I've had the pleasure of reading. I was able to relate to all the characters, and their situations. This book was everything I LOVE in a book. It was perfectly paced with no bumps. If you have read it lets fangirl in the comments! I definitely recommend you give this book a go if you have not. Let me know your thoughts below!
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