A Thousand Lives Lived: Review: Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway

Emmy and Oliver, by Robin Benway
Publication: June 23, 2015, by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Rating:

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.
She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.
Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.
He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.
Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?
Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.

My Thoughts:

Have you ever read a book with romance, but looked upon by readers in a darker way? What about one with thrill and secrets? If you haven't, or if you have anyways, Emmy and Oliver is surely a book for everyone. And by everyone, I mean every teen reader, young or old. Robin Benway's two distinct protagonists surely have changed my viewpoint on contemporary romances so much, because they seize the day and do the unstoppable, even if no one wants them to.

I can't even shine upon my love for this novel. From the moment when I saw its cover back in the midst of the year, I added it to my TBR list immediately, without even knowing who the author is or what other novels they've written, because I can tell you that I've read SO many books. This my utter-most favourite Robin Benway book. And it definitely hits one of the top spots of my 2015 favourites list. It's something that you'll find yourself reading slowly but all at once to devour its beauty. Brace yourself for something unlike any other book.

"An earthquake would have been better. At least during an earthquake, you understand why you're shaking." (Hardcover, page 6)

I actually can't get over everything. ALL OF THIS BOOK KILLED ME. Oliver's been missing for ten years, and he was Emmy's best friend. By missing, his dad kidnapped him and now when they're seventeen, he has been found and is brought back to their Californian small town. Emmy fears that Oliver doesn't remember who she is or the friendship that they once had, but as they spend more time together to bring back the old times, they may fall in love once again, and never look back onto the dark times that horrified them both.

One expects the dark times to be some traumatizing moments that left you scarred for life, like hallucinations or nightmares. But Benway's contemporary magic persists of just plain, normal things that doesn't really apply to an actual thriller-mystery read. It's all about the aftermath of the events, and the heartbreak that Emmy has gone through, which she hasn't really recognized until they fall in love again. This includes so much pain and tears, and they actually sprawled out, especially in the ending.

You will cry, you will smile and you will feel like this story was made to be written for your likings. Not all authors have that ability to make readers feel like their characters' perspectives speak to them, but Robin surely does. She has written such an unforgettable story that will sneak into my mind when I need it the most. It will, for you too.

Wouldn't you like some delicate, fresh writing that's just simplistic but lyrical at the same time? Yeah, I always did and some books are just too stumpy and straight. on. with. periods! The plot and writing was magnificent, and by magnificent, it's a huge compliment. I can picture this being some kind of story taken place back in the day without thinking about social networking or any of that. There's surfing, sneaking into each other's houses and finding your soulmate next door. I long for this kind of love story, but in my life as well. Damn, Oliver made everything ten times better.

HE'S MYSTERIOUS, ADORABLE AND CHARMING. Emmy had that kind of kickass, don't-give-a-damn personality that really made the two click. Usually and stereotypically, it's always the male who gets the rebellious side out of the girl, but it was the opposite case here which I love in a story. And the fact that Oliver has been missing out on real life for ten years and falling in love makes him so lost, and Emmy's there to help him find his way. SQUEALING TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL, PEOPLE. The connection and relationship between them dealing with their own personal demons makes me cringe in happiness, trust me.

Whether you're searching for friendship (Drew, Caro and Emmy had the coolest group ever, just saying) or a clean cut romance that's awfully similar to that of Eleanor and Park, I think this is exactly what you're searching for. I freaking need a copy of this masterpiece in my shelves right now or else I'll burst. I want to stay up late, have a romance with the hot guy next door, teach him about reality, and surf. What else can a typical teenage chick ask for? Robin Benway's gorgeous fifth novel is all about that, as well as a shining 2015 couple of literature that we all will never forget about. Marvellous!