Summary: “It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. They both know that the next day, after college graduation, they must go their separate ways. But after only one 
day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. As the years go by, Dex and Em begin to lead separate lives—lives very different from the people they once dreamed they’d become. And yet, unable to let go of that special something that grabbed onto them that first night, an extraordinary relationship develops between the two. ”
When I first started reading this book, it did not hold my attention. It was really easy to put down and hard to pick back up. But, keep reading. Trust me, it gets better! Sometimes books start off slow, but get better, this was one of those books. I think the reason why this book was hard to get into was because I was so confused. It just kind of jumped into things so I had no idea what was going on. How old are they? Are they together? Where are they at? But when you read on, you catch on.
What I liked: I thought it was a really good love story. I also really like the characters (I feel like I say this a lot). Emma was always really honest, though sometimes I thought she was a bit harsh. But she was always really funny too. Some of their conversations are just them making smart, sarcastic remarks back and forth and I thought they were cute. And i felt like I could relate with her in some ways. She tried a lot of different things job wise and didn’t really know what she wanted to do, and even though she’s a lot older than me, I feel that way too. Dexter was also pretty funny, but his life was always getting screwed up somehow. But I liked how he was always trying to improve, even when things fell through.
What I didn’t like: Even though I liked the characters, they could get realllly annoying. Emma always complained, and Dexter was always drunk. Everytime they got together it was the same story. Either fighting or so in love, but when they were in love, they wouldn’t tell each other their feelings. Really? I feel like their meetings could’ve been shortened up. Also, the chapters are told where one year is a chapter. So each chapter is a year later, then another year and so on. To be honest, I didn’t like it. Even though it was cool to see them meeting up every year on the same day, it was irritating when you couldn’t flip the page to find out what was going to happen next. You just have to guess, because you’re never going to find out.
My favorite quote from the whole book is…: “‘Live each day as if it’s your last’, that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn’t practical. Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at…something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.”
Isn’t that beautiful? I feel like that is a good quote to sum up this whole book as well.
I would recommend this to adults who like love stories, not so much teens. The ending will really touch your heart and make the read worth the while, though the beginning isn’t all that great.
3.5/5 stars
