When We Collided is the first book by Emery Lord that I have read and I adored it. I've been hearing amazing things about Emery's writing but had just never got round to investigating for myself, so when this surprise package came through my door from Bloomsbury I was very excited!
Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them.
Vivi and Jonah couldn’t be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the answer to everything. But soon Vivi’s zest for life falters, as her adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her safe, but there’s something important Vivi hasn’t told him.
I've been holding off on writing this review for a while now, not because I didn't like it or didn't know what to write. I just didn't know how to articulate it in a way which would do the storyline and writing justice so this is me giving it my best shot.
The story is told from two perspectives: Vivi and Jonah. Each character is written uniquely and wonderfully. One of the main subjects broached in this novel is mental illness which is discussed delicately and beautifully. I don't want to give a lot away about the story but both characters are extremely layered and we find new things out about each one right until the end.
Something I really loved was the passions of both characters. Being an extremely passionate (borderline obsessive) person myself, I love seeing characters who love something so much it almost consumes them because it just feels more realistic to me. Vivi's passion is art and fashion whilst Jonah's is cooking. I love how both characters aren't afraid to show what makes them, them.
I sometimes found Vivi slightly annoying but I sort of felt that I couldn't judge her for anything because her actions were because of her mental health. It was kind of difficult for me though because I didn't know what was the 'real' Vivi and what was the medicated Vivi but I think that confusion adds to the emotion of the book and adds to the realism of mental health and trying to escape from yourself.
I loved Jonah and he's for sure a cutesy YA book boyfriend who kind of reminded me of Etienne St Clair from Anna and the French Kiss but he was sometimes a bit too perfect. Of course he had issues in the book but it felt like he was just too good and dealing with everything and it was kind of unrealistic. I still loved him but I would have liked maybe a bit more focus on his problems and thoughts!
Overall I would consider this a novel about change. The characters we meet at the start who fall in love with each other throughout are completely different from the characters we end with. Its a beautiful story of acceptance, love and development and I would recommend it for summer without a doubt.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
*I received this book from bloomsbury publishing. All views and opinions are my own.