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- I'll See You Again, by Chris Bedell
I'll See You Again, by Chris Bedell
Book Info
To make matters worse, Nico Valentine—the person Cyrus hates most—insists on being his friend. Carefree, flirtatious, and spontaneous, Nico is everything Cyrus’s childhood never allowed him to be. When their English teacher offers Cyrus extra credit to tutor Nico, Cyrus knows he shouldn’t accept. He could use the distraction, though.
A fling soon ensues, and Cyrus realizes they have more in common than he thought. What is more, Nico is the first person who seems to get him and who is there no matter what. But, if Cyrus wants his romance with Nico to turn into something real, he’ll have to do something he’s never done before—be vulnerable with another person.
Adam Silvera’s HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME meets Rachel Lynn Solomon’s YOU’LL MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE in this tale of heartbreak and second chances.
Content Advisory:
This novel contains discussions and scenes of self-harm and suicide ideation.
Editor review
This is a YA story told in a 1st person, almost diary concept, with strong themes that touches upon some tough subjects, but it does so with sensitivity and care. Cyrus is 100% a genuine teenager, dealing with real issues, real drama and reacting as any other teenager of his age would in the same circumstances. With teen drama abound, the story explores what it's like to be a teenager with a sick/dying parent while navigating first love.
When it comes to characters, there are a few key characters who are throughout the book:
The entire book is told in Cyrus' POV, but I found that I actually connected much more to Nico, the love interest. I wasn't overly fond of Cyrus at times, as his realistic opinions and approaches to his mother's illness often had him in direct opposition to my experiences, which meant it was harder for me to connect to him. Whereas, I really bonded to Nico from the start, due to his caring and open-hearted attitude and behaviour.
There were a few instances where I felt the story faltered. For example, a nurse keeping a suicide attempt a secret is a dangerous thing, as it doesn't help the sufferer get the help they need. But, by the time I finished the book, I understood the decision.
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Favourite Quotes
“I didn't know it was possible to feel what I felt when kissing Nico. Almost as if nothing else mattered while Nico and I shared that moment of passion—not even my worries about Mom's health.”