Book Review: Over You

Author: Amy Reed
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Max would follow Sadie anywhere, so when Sadie decides to ditch her problems and escape to Nebraska for the summer, it’s only natural for Max to go along. She is Sadie’s confidante, her protector, and her best friend. This summer will be all about them. This summer will be perfect.

But that’s before they meet Dylan.

Dylan is dangerous and intoxicating, and he awakens something in Max that she never knew existed. No matter how much she wants to, she can’t back away.

But Sadie has her own intensity, and has never allowed Max to become close with anyone else. And Max doesn’t know who she is without Sadie.

There are some problems you just can’t escape.

Sadie, tonight is full of so much heartbreak, and you don’t even know it. And I will not tell you. It is my job to hold it for both of us.

 

You’re bored. Of course you’re bored. You get bored in Seattle, how could I expect a farm to entertain you? It’s been four days, and already you’re talking about stealing Doff’s truck and driving until we find a city.

 

It is times like these when I’m struck dumb by your beauty and simultaneously surprised that I have never once felt the slightest attraction to you. I have wanted to kiss lots of girls, and you are by far the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known, but I have never wanted to kiss you. Maybe it’s because you’re less a girl and more like something else, something that straddles the worlds of light and dark, something only half there, something half untouchable.

 

Sadie, maybe this story isn’t about you anymore.

Amy Reed is one of my favorite authors, and I am always intrigued to pick up one of her books just to see what she is going to throw out at readers next. Her writing is different and usually has some sort of mad twist to it. This book was, however, not one of my favorites. I did give it 3 cupcakes, but I really had higher hopes for this book. This book centers on the friendship of two girls, Max and Sadie. Max is obsessed with Sadie, which completely took me by surprise at first, and Sadie is just somewhat of an emotional mess. This book is not going to be something that suits the taste of everyone. I have to tell you now because I am dying to, the book starts off in second person saying “you” A LOT! This took some getting used, and I usually do not care for this in books at all. I can count on my hand the number of books that I have read and enjoyed that use second person.

 

The reason that I did enjoy this book is because it made me look at relationships a little bit differently. We all know that romantic relationships can sometimes be toxic, but this book gives readers a look at a friendship that is more toxic that any I have read about in the past. Max and Sadie, in my opinion, do not have a healthy relationship. This could be because Sadie is about as awful as they come and I hated her, but I think that was the point in Reed’s writing this story. Sadie was spoiled and completely self-centered and I hated the way that she treated Max. If you want to feel good about the friendships or relationships in your life, try reading this book.

 

At first I saw Max as pitiful. She just did whatever Sadie wanted her to. She even followed her out to Nebraska for the entire summer. Max is always getting stepped on, and usually by Sadie. Both girls have personal issues that they are trying to move past, but it felt to me like all the problems in Max’s life get swept under the rug whenever Sadie decides to have a breakdown or decides that she needs Max’s complete undivided attention. I wanted to grab Max out of the pages at times and strangle her, and I haven’t felt that way towards a character in a while. I am very adamant in my day to day life about standing up for yourself and loving who you are. Do not make your happiness dependent upon anyone else, Max!

 

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Simon Pulse in exchange for my honest review***