If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Blurb (adapted from Amazon):

For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend, decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope.

But life can change in an instant.

A cold February morning… a snowy road… and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one.

As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all.

My say:

I picked up this book after seeing the movie trailers on tv. I'm always intrigued when popular books are made into movies. But weird as it maybe, instead of enticing me into watching the movie, the movie trailer made me want to read the book!

And I'd have to say I was happy I did. I thought the story writing was unique. The present day follows Mia's accident and her time in hospital. But while she is unconscious, she has an out of body experience, being able to see what is happening around her. Whilst this in itself is a different perspective on things, it's the flashbacks throughout the book that let's us get to know Mia and the relationships with the various people in her life, especially Adam. I thought this was really smart writing.

My rating just fell short of a 5/5 because I felt there was something missing in bringing the whole book together. I also felt, at the point in time, that the ending was quite abrupt. But then I read the sequel, Where She Went, straight after so I understand things a lot better. For those who don't have the luxury of reading the second book though, you may have this same experience.

Recommendation: A great book that will get you hooked on Gayle Forman.

My rating: