Edited 11/15/19
Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 4 stars
Story 5 stars
Rereading this story via audio brought back all the emotions and feelings that I experienced the first time around. Charlotte and Adam's story was just as captivating and intriguing and even though I knew what the eventual outcome would be, I didn't want to put this one down. Ava Lucas narrated this story beautifully. She was perfect as Charlotte and had good variation in her male voices so that it was fairly easy to distinguish the characters. I did think her narration as Adam and Seth was a little too similar though, and overall her male voices were a bit too high pitched. Her timing and performance was still very enjoyable though, and had me crying and sobbing as I listened while walking my dog. It wasn't that I was so sad about what was happening, but more about how moved I was by the story and Renee Carlino's beautiful words. I know some of the actions our characters take may rub readers/listeners the wrong way, but it only made the story and characters more relatable and human to me. Definitely recommend this one!
🎧AudiobookObsession
*****
This book completely and utterly blew me away. It demolished my heart in the most raw and honest way, but it also slowly and surely pieced it back together. Wish You Were Here was so emotional and moving that I'm still struggling with my thoughts and feelings, long after finishing the book.
There are very few books that I have read where I have loved each and every character and am rooting for them to thrive and flourish. Yes, the story centered on Charlotte and Adam, but there were also many incredible secondary characters as well. Renee Carlino has created quite the cast in this book, each with their own individual journey to embark on. The genius, however, is that this motley crew will feel so familiar and relatable to your own life. I thought of my own brothers, parents, sisters, friends, and lovers as I read this book. I'm still in awe at how accurately and honestly the author captured these emotions and experiences.
Wish You Were Here isn't simply a girl meets boy love story. It's also a story of connection, understanding, friendship, growth, death, timing, and of truly living. You will cry as your heart breaks, but even through the sadness, there is beauty and hope. We watch our characters rise up and grow and are left feeling a little lighter and optimistic. This is definitely one of the best books I have read in a very long time. While reading, I was often reminded of a line from The Summer Day by Mary Oliver,
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
You don't want to miss this poignant and thoughtful book! Another truly stunning masterpiece from Renee Carlino.
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Reviews with images
I've never met a Renee Carlino book I didn't love and this one is no different!!!
I fell in love with this book fast and hard. All of the characters are a little quirky (for lack of a better word) and I completely loved that about them. Charlotte is floundering through her 20s. She constantly changes careers and boyfriends and depends heavily on her roommate.A chance encounter with strange and mysterious Adam leaves her thinking about that one night for months to come. She doesn't know what exactly happened with Adam and she can't stop thinking about him. Months later she meets Seth, a young and happy gorgeous guy that is truly interested in her. I kind of felt bad for Seth because he really wanted to be with her. He saw something in Charlotte that told him she was the one, however she couldn't see that in Seth because she couldn't get past the one night with Adam. I love that he kind of steps aside and lets her figure her stuff out. He feels strongly for her but doesn't push her to choose him.I kind of knew something else was going on with Adam but I wasn't ready for all the feels. So many feels!!!! This book made me so happy and so sad. I constantly went from smiling wide to crying at other parts. The ending was absolute perfection. I love the idea that you may have a "soul mate" but different people can touch different parts of your soul. That really stayed with me after reading this book.I also loved her family. In the beginning they appear as minor characters that Charlotte doesn't 100% get along with but as time goes on they become bigger parts of her life and I loved the moments of bonding between Charlotte and her dad, her and her mom and Charlotte and Chuckie. I love my brothers and it was great seeing that same kind of sibling relationship in a book- that, I hate you but only cause you know I love you feeling. I loved that they were completely there for her but also ready to push her and tell her the truth when she was unwilling to do it herself.I loved Adam and Seth both and if you ever made me choose I wouldn't, I just wouldn't. I picked up this book and couldn't put it down until it was done, it was just that addicting and perfect.
Top reviews from other countries
Mayara Lima
Unforgettable - Não deixe de ler!
Reviewed in Brazil on November 3, 2020
Sue D
Such a totally emotional book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2017