BOOK REVIEW: I HAVE LOST MY WAY by GAYLE FORMAN - YA CONTEMPORARY - SIMON & SCHUSTER

By: Gayle Forman

Published By: Simon & Schuster

Released: This is an advanced copy

Details: Paperback Limited Edition Book Proof, 256 Pages

RATING: 4.5 STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Around the time that Freya loses her voice while recording her debut album, Harun is making plans to run away from everyone he has ever loved, and Nathaniel is arriving in New York City with a backpack, a desperate plan, and nothing left to lose. When a fateful accident draws these three strangers together, their secrets start to unravel as they begin to understand that the way out of their own loss might just lie in help­ing the others out of theirs.

BOOK REVIEW:

This is a book to go in cold turkey, read it on Gayle's name alone.

For me, Harun, was a stand-out character and his family.

Then Nathaniel was very close and then Freya. Her troubles seemed less than the boys, yet they were still important to her and meaningful.

What happens when an Ethiopian girl, a white all American boy, and a Muslim are in a park? Which could read like the start of a joke. 

Well, you’re gonna have to read to find out.

I think this is one of those books where possibly the movie might be better, but we may never know. I could see some funny moments and some deep and emotional moments that would transfer onto the big screen better, adding that something extra.

I was delightfully surprised by this book—even though I shouldn’t have been because it is a Gayle Forman book.

I would not call this a contemporary romance. I would call this something unique to read and to appreciate it for what it is. I want to say more, but I shall not.

A very different book to what Gayle has written in the past. It almost is as though it isn’t a Gayle Forman book…but it is.

Told over a single day, 3 very different characters collide and a friendship starts to weave its way.

You will only get one day with these characters, but you will get flashbacks to enrich your knowledge of these characters.

My heart cried and I didn’t think it would.

Unfortunately I had something spoiled because I chose to read several reviews beforehand from ARC readers who were given this special chance to keep those spoilers secret, and they chose to boldly hint at them in far too much clarity. Knowing what I knew, I still did not think my heart would cry and it did. 

I’m going to be honest and say, even before I read this book, I didn’t think I was going to like it, even though it is a Gayle Forman book. The blurb didn’t seem to tell me that it would be an interesting read.

When I set out on my reading journey of this book, flipping the pages, I thought the characters weren’t going to be interesting—but I reminded myself this was a Gayle Forman book and I kept reading and enjoyed the experience.

Thank you Gayle for stepping outside the box and writing something that will make us, the reader, think and feel.