Search - If I Stay

Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

Mia has a lot to love in life. She is a cellist who could be on her way to Julliard. She has a wonderful, loving, and supportive family. And she has a boyfriend who is perfect. But as wonderful as Mia's life is, she has choices to make. Should she go to Julliard and leave everyone behind?

When a terrible accident occurs, Mia suddenly finds herself with only one choice left - should she stay?

This book is just WOW! Do not read this in public because this one will bring tears to your eyes - I'm warning you! That doesn't mean it doesn't have humor though, because there were many times I found myself laughing out loud. This is an intense story that will not only appeal to teens, but have a lot of crossover adult appeal, as well.

Gayle Forman does an excellent job going from Mia's present to Mia's past and drawing the reader in so they truly understand her love for the cello, her family, and Adam, her boyfriend. As I was reading, I felt like I really got to know Mia and her family and found myself grieving along with Mia - the writing is just that powerful.

IF I STAY is a short read, but it packs so much in and I wanted to savor every moment. At times I found myself reading slower and drinking in the words because I didn't want the story to end.

The story centers around music: Mia with her cello, Adam with his band, and Mia's dad being a drummer, and Gayle Forman's writing felt lyrical. She was able to capture music and put it into a book. I don't know how to describe it, but it was like I was reading a song - hopefully that makes sense! Music is such an important part of the book, Gayle Forman has included a playlist for the book on her website. I loved checking out the songs that went along with the story and listening to them when Mia did.

IF I STAY is a must-read. The themes of love, loss, grief, and hope are so powerful and beautifully written that this story will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

To me this was not a OMG, break out the tissues, bawl your eyes out, read this alone type of book. If you watch soap operas, this is old hat to you (especially if you watch Young and the Restless, when Colleen died, this is like a remake of that). So yeah, no boohoo here. It was still kinda interesting but still kinda not. You get flash backs, you get what's going on at that moment, but it's so much like a soap opera that you can predict what's going to happen and when. This book is nothing overly special. It's ok. Not great, not so horrible I couldn't read it..just ok.

Was really hoping for more out of this book. i found myself skipping to the parts i wanted to read. i did finish it after i skipped some really boring parts. Id give it 2 stars.

interesting and new concept!

Awesome book! Gave me goosebumps from start to finish!

A short but powerful little story. I do remember it being written for a young adult audience. Sweet ending.