" The Geography of You and Me" by Jennifer E. Smith

I have been a horrible blogger as of late. I am going to try to get back into the grove of a post a day since several months of not writing is not okay. Can I use the excuse that I have been researching for my novel?

When the power goes out in New York City, Lucy and Owen accidentally cross paths. The two meet when their elevator gets stuck. Once freed, the two spend the rest of the night together, but without power everything is little different. Things return to normal when power is restored, but the two of them will never be the same. Owen is adjusting to life without his mother who has recent;y passed away. He and his father are trying to figure out how to live in a world without her. Lucy wants to see the world. Her parents are often traveling, but they seem to prefer to leave their children out of the mix. The two have very different plans for their lives, but someone they just can't be apart. When both of their lives take unexpected turns, they do their best to stay together, but will it be enough? The Geography of You and Me  takes readers through the very realistic development of a love story and you won't be able to help falling in love with these characters.

I am beginning to adore Jennifer E. Smith. The scenarios that play out his books work so well that I can really see these characters and picture them actually existing. I really felt for Lucy and Owen. Though my teen years were very different from theirs, I could relate. Smith knows how to write teenage characters that you can't help but root for. I've said before how much I need to read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and this book has only intensified that need. I am certainly going to seek out Smith's future books as well.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"This Is What Happy Looks Like" by Jennifer E. Smith

Graham and Ellie met over the internet completely by accident (I think this is the PSA moment where I tell you to be careful about meeting people over the internet. Or something) when he misspelled an email address and ended up emailing Ellie instead, therefore starting their conversation. A few months later, Graham is in Ellie's small Maine town filming a movie. After months and months of emails he figures that there is something blossoming between them. Too bad Ellie is less than impressed when they meet in real life. This is What Happy Looks Like is the story of two teenagers that you know are going to fall in love but it is going to take some time for them to get there.

I hate that I haven't gotten around to The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight yet (this is partially due to how often is checked out at the library, which tells me that it has got to be a great book) but I feel a little less guilty about this since finishing Happy. I really enjoyed this book. I liked how it integrated Graham and Ellie's emails into the story and feel that Smith uses this technique to further enhance the story. It's also very interesting to see how Graham and Ellie's relationship forms, especially from Ellie's point of view. At the beginning of the novel it's clear that she values her online relationship with Graham, but since she doesn't actually know who he is, it's funny that she is annoyed by the presence of the famous celebrity in her town. She becomes quite conflicted and has to figure out which emotion will overcome.

Both teens have many struggles they must face in this book, primarily struggles with their families. Both grow and mature so much throughout the course of this book and their stories really show how a short amount of time can still make you a better person. Unfortunately it is winter because I would recommend this book as a great beach read. You could save it for summer, but I don't think it would be worth waiting that long to read this book.

Happy Reading!
-Melly