Heart-rending: Where She Went (If I Stay #2)

My gaze returns to earth and when it does, it's her eyes I see.

Although it is not infinitely better than it's prequel, Where She Went did not fail to touch my heart.

Set years after Mia left Adam, the novel has a mysterious atmosphere around it that kept my interests at bay. Adam himself was not only wondering why Mia left him but also how it all ended up to his present life: consistent panic attacks, nosy reporters, uncontrollable recognition, insanity, and his distance between music which he once loved. 

Gayle Forman wrote in a unique and emotional way that I found myself contemplating as well. She was able to use Adam the way I'd expected a writer to do. It is to turn him into lovely poison that digs through the extent of your mind and heart until it aches. 

It's not a perfect book. There are instances where the pacing went from splendid down to moderate. A point to argue is that Adam's New York journey revolves around the sun once. A 24-hour story is challenging indeed, but there's still so much that could've been done than just bowl in a bus stop with a person you've learned to despise. [Take The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight as an excellent example.] 

Speaking of bowling in a bus stop, I can't fully agree that surrealism is present. It is believable for a contemporary story of rekindling a friendship, but for a world famous rock star with an album sold off the charts? Nope. It doesn't fit the puzzle of Adam Wilde's celebrity life.

There is a black hole in Adam's heart and Gayle Forman stitched it up exceptionally with an unexpected juncture that made my heart palpitate with the realization of the truth.

The sequel to If I Stay and the conclusion to the duo forms a dark and light stirring read of Adam's search for his voice, his music, and his love that will truly touch and twist your inner workings, especially your heart.

It's been three years since Mia abandoned Adam. 

He should have gotten over it by now, but no. He has questions and she has the only answers. 

With a twist of fate, the two successful musicians manage to be at the same place at the same time. Will Adam be able to know where she went? And why she left?

Author: Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay
Published: 17th of April, 2012 by Speak
Genre: Young Adult > Contemporary
Format: 274 pages, physical copy (paperback)
Source: purchased

Where She Went | Gayle Forman | Book Trailer | Goodreads