BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.
But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.
With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?
So I know I will probably be saying this a lot in the future and have said it a couple times already, but this is a book that is SO hard to review because of spoilers. I've been mulling it over for a couple days and it feels like spoilers are just cropping up everywhere!
I had seen this book a few places and while I thought the title sounded melodramatic, I thought her dying of a broken heart just sounded...dumb. I already have to read about all these teenage girls whining about relationships on Facebook, did I really need it now becoming a cause of death in a book? Then there it was in the library and I picked it up against what I previously thought.
The Verdict? It sucked me in and wouldn't let go. I loved the style of writing, the characters, and Brie. Brie (yes, like the cheese) has the perfect life. Her parents are together, she has a great relationship with her little brother, she has three amazing best friends, and a relationship with the boy she's loved for years. What could go wrong? *cue the suspenseful music*
One night during dinner with her boyfriend, Brie hears the words no girl wants to hear from her boyfriend, "I don't love you." She feels a pain in her chest and dies that night. Everyone thinks it's from the heart murmur in her chest she's had since she was little. However, Brie knows it's from a broken heart. Even her cardiologist dad becomes obsessed with her case when all the medical professionals open her up and sees her heart literally in pieces.
In her afterlife, the waiting place is her favorite pizza joint, Little Piece of Heaven. There she sees different kids and meets Patrick, an eighteen year old guy from the 80s with a bomber jacket and an intriguing scar. They instantly connect and have quirky and humorous conversations.
He gives her a list that she has to go through for the grieving process: denial, anger, sadness, bargaining, acceptance. He tells her that she's way deep in the denial stage and takes her to see her family and friends back on earth.
Her family is broken, her friends are grieving, and her boyfriend has a secret with her best friend. This, my friends, is the point in where I have to stop.
From here, Brie makes some really dumb decisions. If you think about it, you can see why she would do it. If you were a ghost and could do some pretty wicked things, wouldn't you if you were in the anger stage? I sure would. I would be so mad that I couldn't speak to the people I loved, why wouldn't I take it out on the person who I thought caused it?
I must say that I even became a little emotional wrought in the scene with her dog Hamloaf. I'm a sucker for sweet dog moments. Reminds me of in Air Bud when Josh yelled at Buddy to go away. Who DOESN'T hate that part?
The revelations were usually hinted at before they actually happened so I already figured them out, but when they DID happen, I was still a little surprised. There's one thing for you to guess something and it's another when it really does happen. There was about two revelations that really did take me by surprise though.
The ending is pretty twisted and I had to take a moment and think about it. Although her actions and complaining wore on my nerves, I really enjoyed the book. The surprises? I personally loved them. Brie's voice? Enjoyable. Patrick and his motorcycle? I want. I considered this whole book brilliant and charming. There have been quite a few books kind of like this, but this book is different. Unique.
And I liked it.
Will YOU read it? Have you read a book like this before? What was it?
Comment!
I want to read this after reading your review Sunny! This sounds wonderful. I've seen this around and knew it was a story about her dying of a broken heart but I never really looked into it further. Lovely review. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Lovely comment :)
DeleteIve seen this around and was like "Well..IDK" but your review is really good. I added it to my tbr btw :)
ReplyDeleteI have been in the mood for a different type of book. All of the dystop's I read are getting me burned out.
This sounds like a good one.
Your blog is really cute btw. I love it.
New follower :)
Well, thank you!
DeleteHa, yes, I was in the same mood. I recommend it!
Thank you very much :)
Love this review! I really enjoyed this book. It was cute but had lessons, too...I agree that Brie makes some really dumb decisions along the way, but she learns from them. So glad you liked this book, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Her learning from her mistakes is the only reason why I was okay with it. Everything has to happen for a reason. Life isn't some walk in the park (so cliche of me, I know).
DeleteLike I said in my review, I agree that Brie's complaining was a bit annoying, but I also agree that this book was very unique and somewhat emotional. And that image is great; it really does sum up The Catastrophic History of You and Me pretty well. :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed! :)
DeleteThis novel is hilarious, beautiful, heartbreaking and healing. I loved it so much, I think I may go read it again.
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