The Start of Me and You - Emery Lord
Book Synopsis: It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?
Loss. Love. Learning to pick up the pieces and move on. This book was everything I wanted and so much more. It's hard to imagine what life is like for someone who's lost a loved one, and it's even harder to fathom writing a great story about an issue like this.
Grieving and feeling sorry for herself is something that Paige Hancock seems like an expert at, ever since she lost her boyfriend Aaron. Life hasn't been exactly easy for Paige, fortunately she has understanding parents, family, and friends to support her. She keeps getting pitying looks from people and the last thing she wants is to be reminded of what she lost two years ago. Luckily, Paige is a go-getter, she's a girl with a plan, and although she is a bit apprehensive and scared, she commits to sticking to her plan and crossing off her goals as she accomplishes them.
Enter Max Oliver Watson, the cousin of Paige's long-time crush, Ryan Chase. Let's face it, Max isn't the most popular guy around, but he is charming and maybe everything that Paige ever needed - but didn't know she was looking for. When Paige joins Quiz Bowl, Max is her new friend and team captain, he helps her understand things that her heart wasn't even open to.
Sometimes you make plans, and then your life has other plans for you. Maybe you can plan your whole life out, but you need to step out into your comfort zone first and make that leap of faith happen - because life waits for no one.
I loved how Emery Lord included a brief reference to her other book that I enjoyed, Open Road Summer.
Rating: ★★★★★