As soon as I finished 'If I Stay', I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book. Although nothing like this was the sequel that I was expecting for it. If you haven't read the book then you should definitely stop reading any reviews or this mere book. It would definitely spoil the fun of reading 'If I Stay' (which is one of the few YA novels that I really enjoyed).
<spoiler> Yes, it was refreshing to read Adam's POV this time but I have to admit that the first-half was as slow and cliche as it could get. The story, for the most part, was about the reality of being well known (well in the case of Adam, of being a rock star). A gloomy reality of loneliness, panic attacks and invasive paparazzi. I kept having this question in my mind, 'What happened?'. I was getting frustrated until finally Mia showed up in the story. It was disappointing that they broke up (Why???) because I really thought they had a connection in the first book so strong, even Mia's family was closed to Adam. Did the connection ceases when her family died? I couldn't seem to understand why they have to separate just because Mia was going to pursue her dreams in Julliard while Adam was left behind. Then Mia dropped the bomb by saying he hated Adam because he made him stay and that he made a promise he didn't live. That seems unfair for Adam.
They they finally talked about it. About the past they left behind I knew how hard it is to left something behind without a proper good bye then opened it again like some unhealed wound.
As Adam said it 'Closure. I loathe that word.' Yup Adam, I loathe that word too. For what it seem something easy for most to say good bye to a relationship, it turns out that sometimes it is not. Especially if you were left behind clueless. If you were still clutching to some frail thread of hope that someday she/he would come back. That's how I understood Adam's grief.
The last-half of the story gave Mia and Adam the opportunity to explain their sides. It was the most frustrating part of the book. I mean, from their words, I knew that the connection was still there but they kept on cutting it with all the excuses they could get to defend their own side. Then finally, rekindle romance and all, they kept their guard down and practically ran back to each other's arms.
So it was all about pride! They started to adjust their time for each other and do everything they could even if it means flying halfway across the globe just to made up for the lost time. Why didn't realize it in the first place? Why did they had to sunk in the otherworldly of fame before realizing what was really important?
Oh right, this book was written with 'reality' all over it. And I praised the author for putting up with it without losing the creativity of the story. Gayle Forman is such a good storyteller and I couldn't wait to read her other works.
As much as I'd wanted to pull my hair in frustration, I still bitterly realized and admitted a lot of things. Thanks to the bittersweet love story of Adam and Mia.</spoiler>
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