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I'll Be There #2
Just Call My Name
The happily-ever-after of Holly Goldberg Sloan's acclaimed debut, I'll Be There, is turned on its head in this riveting, emotional sequel about friends, enemies, and how those roles can shift in a matter of moments.
Emily Bell has it all. She's in love with a boy named Sam Border, and his little brother has become part of her family. This summer is destined to be the best time of their lives--until a charismatic new girl in town sets her sights on Sam. Now Emily finds herself questioning the loyalty of the person she thought she could trust most.
But the biggest threat to her happiness is someone she never saw coming. Sam's criminally insane father, whom everyone thought they'd finally left behind, is planning a jailbreak. And he knows exactly where to find Emily and his sons when he escapes...and takes his revenge.
Emily Bell has it all. She's in love with a boy named Sam Border, and his little brother has become part of her family. This summer is destined to be the best time of their lives--until a charismatic new girl in town sets her sights on Sam. Now Emily finds herself questioning the loyalty of the person she thought she could trust most.
But the biggest threat to her happiness is someone she never saw coming. Sam's criminally insane father, whom everyone thought they'd finally left behind, is planning a jailbreak. And he knows exactly where to find Emily and his sons when he escapes...and takes his revenge.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2014
68 people are currently reading
2542 people want to read
About the author
Holly Goldberg Sloan
14 books1,421 followersHolly Goldberg Sloan was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and spent her childhood living in California, the Netherlands, Istanbul, Washington, DC, and Oregon (where she graduated from high school). She wrote the screenplay for Angels in the Outfield and directed The Big Green, as well as a number of other successful family feature films.
The mother of two sons, Holly lives with her husband (the writer/illustrator Gary Rosen) in Santa Monica, California. I'll Be There was her debut novel. Her next book, Counting By 7s, was Amazon's best novel of the year for middle grade. Her book Just Call My Name is a follow up to I'll Be There and takes place several months after the ending of the first novel.
Appleblossom the Possum was written by Sloan and Illustrated by Rosen and comes out of Sloan's love for Charlotte's Web. Her next novel will be published in January of 2017 from Dial/Penguin Random House.
The mother of two sons, Holly lives with her husband (the writer/illustrator Gary Rosen) in Santa Monica, California. I'll Be There was her debut novel. Her next book, Counting By 7s, was Amazon's best novel of the year for middle grade. Her book Just Call My Name is a follow up to I'll Be There and takes place several months after the ending of the first novel.
Appleblossom the Possum was written by Sloan and Illustrated by Rosen and comes out of Sloan's love for Charlotte's Web. Her next novel will be published in January of 2017 from Dial/Penguin Random House.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
August 8, 2014
Holly Goldberg Sloan is, simply put, one of the best damn writers working today. Any time she arranges words on a page, you're in for a treat. This is a fantastic sequel to I'll Be There, that deepens and expands the characters in that first book (yes! Bobby is back!), introduces a new key player who is certain to become legendary, and gives readers that rare literary treasure: A look at what happens after "happily ever after." Most love stories end at the beginning when the two characters finally get together. With a break-neck plot and laugh-out-loud prose, JUST CALL MY NAME is a masterful thriller that gives us a glimpse of how Sam and Emily learn what true love really means, and of the special grace found in forgiveness.
Want to read
October 25, 2013I think this woman has a thing for Michael Jackson lyrics. I approve.
July 19, 2014
I didn't love it quite as much as I'll Be There, but this was really, really lovely. Holly Goldberg Sloan's writing is such a joy to read. She utilizes the close third-person better than just about anyone I can think of.
May 10, 2017
That was pretty intense! I can't believe what happened to Emily and glad he was fine in the end. It would be horrific going through something like that. The Bell family are so beautiful and caring for other. There needs to be more people like that!
September 21, 2014
Love!! Love!! Love!!
Thank you for writing this great story, Holly! I have the first in the series on hold at my local library!I cannot wait to read it! Sam & Emily are a perfect couple - they balance each other off perfectly. Riddle is an extraordinary kid! He is sweet & direct with his observations and communications with others.
I didn't realize when I was reading I would talk out loud to the characters in the book - my husband pointed it out to me....lol
Again, thank you for your expertise in writing great stories!
Thank you for writing this great story, Holly! I have the first in the series on hold at my local library!I cannot wait to read it! Sam & Emily are a perfect couple - they balance each other off perfectly. Riddle is an extraordinary kid! He is sweet & direct with his observations and communications with others.
I didn't realize when I was reading I would talk out loud to the characters in the book - my husband pointed it out to me....lol
Again, thank you for your expertise in writing great stories!
September 21, 2014
At first I was all like: "Why would we need a sequel to I'll Be There, it had a pretty good ending!" But then I read Just Call My Name and I'm actually glad I did. The same bittersweet tone, with multiple points of view and the red thread that is Fate all resonate again here. The same characters are back and new ones are introduced. The blurb is slightly misleading and - without giving any spoilers here - Sam and Emily are stronger than ever. Obviously Clarence is back to ruin everyone's lives and another nailbiting third act sees as much action as the forest adventures in I'll Be There. A must read for anyone who likes romance, fate and Sam & Emily.
Want to read
August 14, 2016Ahhh! I had no idea this book existed! Can't wait to read it! I loved I'll Be There.
May 30, 2015
Oh, the dilemma. On the plus side, I was so happy to get to read more about the characters from my favorite book of 2011! The way she writes all of them is so powerful--Holly has the art of revelatory minimalism down. Everything is deceptively simple, and yet cuts right to the heart. I was once again beguiled, in a horrified kind of way, by the sheer audacity of Clarence. What a terrible, horrible man, and so good at it! I liked the introduction of Destiny (yes, it's the name of a character), and feel like we will hear more about her later? and it was interesting to see the development and blossoming of Riddle, while he also remained his quirky little self.
The minus side was this: I felt like the story was truncated. When the resolution came, it seemed like we were still in the middle of the book, and I thought Hey, that's weird that she would go through all of this and then go there, halfway through the book. And then there was another chapter and it was over! With so much more that I wanted to know.
Part of my surprise was surely due to reading this on my Kindle (I couldn't ever capture the library copy between checkouts), so you don't get that same sense of oh, I'm nearing the end of the number of pages in this volume. (Yet another reason why I don't really like reading on the Kindle except in case of necessity.) But I guess I was expecting a little more profound development of the original protagonists, Sam and Emily, and this book was really mostly about Clarence!
Not much of a minus, though, because her writing and story-telling are still top-notch, and I sense more to come in this saga.
The minus side was this: I felt like the story was truncated. When the resolution came, it seemed like we were still in the middle of the book, and I thought Hey, that's weird that she would go through all of this and then go there, halfway through the book. And then there was another chapter and it was over! With so much more that I wanted to know.
Part of my surprise was surely due to reading this on my Kindle (I couldn't ever capture the library copy between checkouts), so you don't get that same sense of oh, I'm nearing the end of the number of pages in this volume. (Yet another reason why I don't really like reading on the Kindle except in case of necessity.) But I guess I was expecting a little more profound development of the original protagonists, Sam and Emily, and this book was really mostly about Clarence!
Not much of a minus, though, because her writing and story-telling are still top-notch, and I sense more to come in this saga.
November 28, 2016
I had read this and the previous book and if I had to read one again I would choose this! It was really good and had a great lesson behind it of not judging a person. I had done the same as Sam and thought that Destiny will cause a lot of trouble but was really impressed with how the story turned out to be. Was really sad on the last few page knowing that it was over. It's a great read and hard to put down!
October 26, 2025
Leuk om weer in deze wereld/schrijfstijl terug te zijn, maar bij lange na niet zo indrukwekkend en mooi als Ik zal er zijn.
December 29, 2018
Nice book. Young adult suspense isn’t really made genre, but this was a quick read. It’s the second in a series, but you can read this one and get the backstory. The first book seems interesting, and there’s a third one coming out. I’m have plenty of students who would really enjoy this one.
December 23, 2014
Review originally posted on: Rather Be Reading Blog
Holly Goldberg Sloan’s writing puts me in a trance. I feel calm and safe, even when the characters I am reading about may not be. She makes me believe that every little thing we do affects the bigger things, and that in the end, despite the tough stuff, we will be okay.
In her follow-up to the excellent I’ll Be There, Sloane reunites us with Sam and Riddle, two boys faced with a terrible childhood. Emily and the Bell Family, the kind and selfless family that has given these two a feeling of home. And I can’t forget Bobby who is now going by Robb, a peer who ends up in the middle of it all — sometimes a nuisance, but proving to be a blessing in more ways than one.
As much as I enjoyed hearing how life was for all of these characters and being introduced to a new one — Destiny — I wasn’t expecting this book to be so similar to the first. I kind of wish we were done with Sam and Riddle’s father and moved on to other challenges. Of course, Sam and Riddle’s situation with their dad has caused long-term effects and I would have liked them to deal with these emotions and repercussions more. Generally, more insight into Emily and Sam’s relationship, and more moments spent with the Bell’s would have made for a stronger story. Everything felt a bit too much on the surface for me, and I finished with so many questions and not enough answers.
Still, Sloan is a master at piecing together quirky characters, where the smallest appearance can equal major impact. Plus if you want to read about good vs. evil, and the journey toward a happy ending, all of Holly’s work falls into this category. Definitely check out I’ll Be There, Just Call My Name, and last year’s middle grade, Counting By 7s, for charming casts of characters you can’t help but root for.
Holly Goldberg Sloan’s writing puts me in a trance. I feel calm and safe, even when the characters I am reading about may not be. She makes me believe that every little thing we do affects the bigger things, and that in the end, despite the tough stuff, we will be okay.
In her follow-up to the excellent I’ll Be There, Sloane reunites us with Sam and Riddle, two boys faced with a terrible childhood. Emily and the Bell Family, the kind and selfless family that has given these two a feeling of home. And I can’t forget Bobby who is now going by Robb, a peer who ends up in the middle of it all — sometimes a nuisance, but proving to be a blessing in more ways than one.
As much as I enjoyed hearing how life was for all of these characters and being introduced to a new one — Destiny — I wasn’t expecting this book to be so similar to the first. I kind of wish we were done with Sam and Riddle’s father and moved on to other challenges. Of course, Sam and Riddle’s situation with their dad has caused long-term effects and I would have liked them to deal with these emotions and repercussions more. Generally, more insight into Emily and Sam’s relationship, and more moments spent with the Bell’s would have made for a stronger story. Everything felt a bit too much on the surface for me, and I finished with so many questions and not enough answers.
Still, Sloan is a master at piecing together quirky characters, where the smallest appearance can equal major impact. Plus if you want to read about good vs. evil, and the journey toward a happy ending, all of Holly’s work falls into this category. Definitely check out I’ll Be There, Just Call My Name, and last year’s middle grade, Counting By 7s, for charming casts of characters you can’t help but root for.
October 16, 2014
•I recommend you not read this if you haven't read I'll Be There and would like to•
For Sam and Riddle, life is perfect. Their dad has been put in jail, and they get to live in the same time as the Bell family. Sam gets to see the love of his life, Emily, and Riddle gets to live with the Bells. Sadly, this peace that Sam and Emily, Riddle and the rest of the Bell family have been experiencing doesn't last. A new girl, Destiny, comes into town, and she's one thing Sam is familiar with: trouble. Also, Clarence Border is ready to get out of prison. And if he does get out? He's coming for revenge.
As the story continues, you get to hear the chapters from Emily's, Sam's, Riddle's, Clarence's, and even Bobby's, or Robb's rather, point of view. This book, while not as good as I'll Be There, was exceptionally well-written. If you read I'll Be There, you'll want to read this just as realistic sequel.
For Sam and Riddle, life is perfect. Their dad has been put in jail, and they get to live in the same time as the Bell family. Sam gets to see the love of his life, Emily, and Riddle gets to live with the Bells. Sadly, this peace that Sam and Emily, Riddle and the rest of the Bell family have been experiencing doesn't last. A new girl, Destiny, comes into town, and she's one thing Sam is familiar with: trouble. Also, Clarence Border is ready to get out of prison. And if he does get out? He's coming for revenge.
As the story continues, you get to hear the chapters from Emily's, Sam's, Riddle's, Clarence's, and even Bobby's, or Robb's rather, point of view. This book, while not as good as I'll Be There, was exceptionally well-written. If you read I'll Be There, you'll want to read this just as realistic sequel.
April 15, 2014
Sequel to I'LL BE THERE is just as satisfying. I had the privilege of being at the LB Breakfast at ALA when the author spoke about her first book and I've badgered Victoria Stapleton for the sequel. I'm glad I did. Exciting, poignant, good mystery, heart warming. A must read--especially if you loved the first book as much as I did.
October 12, 2014
i had no idea that there was a book before this or that it was a series... whoops
July 10, 2018
4.5 stars, maybe even a 4.6
I know that some people don't like this book as much as the first (I'll be there) BUT for me it was so extremely close to the first. Even with the flaws, I never got bored of the storyline, that kept you immersed throughout the whole book. I couldn't put it down!
I read the description for this book, and was thinking, "this sounds like it's going to be stupid." (my same thoughts looking at the description of "I'll be there") But I'm glad I didn't give it up so easily, because it was so good! I liked how Bobby/Robb seemed WAY less self-centered then in the first book, and he was pretty helpful to Sam too. And Destiny (the new-girl in town) ended up turning into a good character toward the end (love her!) Nora (Emily's "BFF") was barely in the story, which made me enjoy it more, because I never really liked Nora anyway. Riddle and Jared's relationship grew well, and watching that was sweet. I wasn't too invested in the Emily/Sam relationship throughout the story... it was... bland to be honest.
I don't know about anyone else, but in the back of my book there was a preview for the FIRST book... which made no sense at all, because up to this point, us readers, have read "I'll be there" already. Just thought I add that in.
I really like Holly's writing style and prose (like, A LOT). I really wasn't expecting for this second installment o be so good! I was not disappointed. And that ending, amiright?!
I know that some people don't like this book as much as the first (I'll be there) BUT for me it was so extremely close to the first. Even with the flaws, I never got bored of the storyline, that kept you immersed throughout the whole book. I couldn't put it down!
I read the description for this book, and was thinking, "this sounds like it's going to be stupid." (my same thoughts looking at the description of "I'll be there") But I'm glad I didn't give it up so easily, because it was so good! I liked how Bobby/Robb seemed WAY less self-centered then in the first book, and he was pretty helpful to Sam too. And Destiny (the new-girl in town) ended up turning into a good character toward the end (love her!) Nora (Emily's "BFF") was barely in the story, which made me enjoy it more, because I never really liked Nora anyway. Riddle and Jared's relationship grew well, and watching that was sweet. I wasn't too invested in the Emily/Sam relationship throughout the story... it was... bland to be honest.
I don't know about anyone else, but in the back of my book there was a preview for the FIRST book... which made no sense at all, because up to this point, us readers, have read "I'll be there" already. Just thought I add that in.
I really like Holly's writing style and prose (like, A LOT). I really wasn't expecting for this second installment o be so good! I was not disappointed. And that ending, amiright?!
January 9, 2020
This book switches perspectives between Emily, a girl who is in love with her new boyfriend, and Sam. Sam is a kid with a troubled past. He loves her as well but has an eerie feeling creeping toward him.
Meanwhile he lives with her most of the time, along with his younger brother. Their past comes back in a haunting way that turns their new and bright world upside down. I thought that the perspective change was a good way to view how much other characters thought and expressed their feelings. I also loved how you could see what information they knew, or more, what they didn't. Overall, a very action-packed book I would recommend.
Meanwhile he lives with her most of the time, along with his younger brother. Their past comes back in a haunting way that turns their new and bright world upside down. I thought that the perspective change was a good way to view how much other characters thought and expressed their feelings. I also loved how you could see what information they knew, or more, what they didn't. Overall, a very action-packed book I would recommend.
Read
March 26, 2020I mean that was bad - but I did accidentally read the second book without reading the first. Looking back at the book, there is no mention on the cover or the inside that this is actually a sequel.
A lot of my problems here were that everything felt under-developed, but then again, I did read the second in a series. For this reason I'm not giving it a numbered rating. I didn't really enjoy the story at all. I do have another of Holly Goldberg Sloan's books on my shelves which I'm going to give a chance to, but I'm not optimistic.
A lot of my problems here were that everything felt under-developed, but then again, I did read the second in a series. For this reason I'm not giving it a numbered rating. I didn't really enjoy the story at all. I do have another of Holly Goldberg Sloan's books on my shelves which I'm going to give a chance to, but I'm not optimistic.
May 10, 2022
5 STARS. THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD BOOK. i COULD NOT put it down. i read it in 11 hours.
it’s so easy to get connected with the characters, the plot. the alternating point of views and narrations of each chapter keep you on your toes and constantly wanting to turn the page. it all feels a bit faster paced but makes it a lot easier to read in a short amount of time. READ IT NOW!!!!
it’s so easy to get connected with the characters, the plot. the alternating point of views and narrations of each chapter keep you on your toes and constantly wanting to turn the page. it all feels a bit faster paced but makes it a lot easier to read in a short amount of time. READ IT NOW!!!!
January 27, 2018
Some people like fluff. I? Like books like this. This is my version of fluff.
So, I deeply enjoyed this book. I also was impressed by the way in which the stakes felt higher than the first book (which admittedly, I read a million - or five - years ago). It's still over-simplified and too perfect in places, and the writing can be a little cloying, but as I said, my version of fluff. Very happy with my reading experience.
So, I deeply enjoyed this book. I also was impressed by the way in which the stakes felt higher than the first book (which admittedly, I read a million - or five - years ago). It's still over-simplified and too perfect in places, and the writing can be a little cloying, but as I said, my version of fluff. Very happy with my reading experience.
September 4, 2014
Sam, Riddle, and Emily are characters I recently came to know, after reading the first book in this series, I'll Be There. While I felt I'll Be There could stand alone, I was grateful to be able to revisit this now-family to see what came next for them.
Just Call My Name takes up exactly where the first book left off with Sam and Riddle living apart from the Bells - due to the nature of Emily and Sam's relationship - but still part of their family. Summer is just starting, and each kid has their own thing going on. Sam is starting school, Emily's started a new job, and Debbie Bell is determined to teach Riddle how to read. Pretty quickly the story takes shape by reintroducing us to the boys father, who is formulating a diabolical plan.
There are some new characters introduced in this book. Mainly, Destiny, a beautiful, but slight girl with a big personality. Coming from a background similar to Sam's, Destiny is skilled in the arts of manipulation and getting by. In the beginning I was disappointed that after everything Sam and Emily went through in book one that their relationship had to suffer further testing. There was something about Destiny that I simply didn't trust, and I guess I still feel that way.
Alongside the new faces were also some old ones I thought I could live without reading about again. However, Clarence and Bobby served their purpose in this story. In the end, I even warmed up to Bobby a little. And Clarence... What a nightmare. Holly Goldberg Sloan may write in lyrical prose, but that doesn't lessen her villain's venom. I was sickeningly satisfied with the conclusion to Clarence's story.
Riddle is still my favorite. I will always root for that kid and kids like him. It killed me that Jared was so jealous of Riddle. However, I understood. If someone came into my home at the tender age of ten and it seemed like everyone, including my dog, liked them better, I would have felt that way, too. Riddle and Jared's relationship was nice to see. It added another element to the story, that thanks to the third person omniscient point of view we got to see.
Just Call My Name is a high drama, fast paced read that elicits emotion of all sorts. There were times I wanted to scream and cry simultaneously, and spots that made me gooey inside. While you'll find familiar themes, like the color orange, this book is all its own. Well worth the read.
Think there will be a third?
Find this review and more like it at Lazy Book Lovers.
August 2, 2014
I read I'LL BE THERE to get up to speed on the story so I could review this one (I received an egalley from the publisher). The first book was fine. The characters certainly intrigued me, but I wasn't 100% wowed. Wanting to follow the characters, and especially knowing there was another book hat was going to continue the story kept me reading.
This book had a stronger pacing than the first one. Maybe it's just because the scene was set, and I already knew the characters and the situation. The characters each had a lot of growth during this novel, and new characters were introduced as well.
The background from I'LL BE THERE is this: Seventeen-year-old Emily is singing a rather unremarkable solo at the church at which her father is working as choir director, when Sam comes in and sits in the back row, as he often does in whatever town they've landed in. He likes the music. He also likes knowing that he's invisible. No one ever notices a guy like him, scruffy. But today, someone did. Emily locked eyes with him, and sang that Jackson 5 song "I'll be there."
He left, but she sees him again in a parking lot and chases him down. That's how their story starts. He learns about her family, she learns about his. They are star-crossed lovers to an extent, and this story is about what happens when a misfit boy with an awful father survives and makes sure his younger brother Riddle does as well.
That's I'LL BE THERE. This book JUST CALL MY NAME picks up immediately. Riddle and Sam are both proving to be amazingly adaptable and yet challenges are thrown their way which change things. Sam is suddenly confronted by the attention of another girl. This provides an interesting but atypical love triangle kind of setting (throw in the guy who likes Emily, and it's really a love square).
The characters are typically Sloan-esque, a little quirky and totally over-the-top in some ways, especially the addition of Destiny, a pixie of a girl whose life has taken many of the twists and turns that Sam's has.
I loved getting to know all the characters better and seeing them continue to develop, but what really made this novel work for me was the last 1/3 or so, which was a fast-paced edge-on-your seat ride. I honestly didn't see how it could wrap up in a timely fashion as I flew through the pages, but it did.
Fans of suspenseful thrillers who like well-developed characters should definitely check this out.
This book had a stronger pacing than the first one. Maybe it's just because the scene was set, and I already knew the characters and the situation. The characters each had a lot of growth during this novel, and new characters were introduced as well.
The background from I'LL BE THERE is this: Seventeen-year-old Emily is singing a rather unremarkable solo at the church at which her father is working as choir director, when Sam comes in and sits in the back row, as he often does in whatever town they've landed in. He likes the music. He also likes knowing that he's invisible. No one ever notices a guy like him, scruffy. But today, someone did. Emily locked eyes with him, and sang that Jackson 5 song "I'll be there."
He left, but she sees him again in a parking lot and chases him down. That's how their story starts. He learns about her family, she learns about his. They are star-crossed lovers to an extent, and this story is about what happens when a misfit boy with an awful father survives and makes sure his younger brother Riddle does as well.
That's I'LL BE THERE. This book JUST CALL MY NAME picks up immediately. Riddle and Sam are both proving to be amazingly adaptable and yet challenges are thrown their way which change things. Sam is suddenly confronted by the attention of another girl. This provides an interesting but atypical love triangle kind of setting (throw in the guy who likes Emily, and it's really a love square).
The characters are typically Sloan-esque, a little quirky and totally over-the-top in some ways, especially the addition of Destiny, a pixie of a girl whose life has taken many of the twists and turns that Sam's has.
I loved getting to know all the characters better and seeing them continue to develop, but what really made this novel work for me was the last 1/3 or so, which was a fast-paced edge-on-your seat ride. I honestly didn't see how it could wrap up in a timely fashion as I flew through the pages, but it did.
Fans of suspenseful thrillers who like well-developed characters should definitely check this out.
July 28, 2014
Sam and Riddle live their life with what they’re given, they don’t get caught up anything, and they just go with the punches that life brings them. They’re brothers; they’ve lived an eventful life, a life most of us hope we never have to see. Their father, Clarence packed them up when they were 7 and 2 leaving their mother behind, living a life on the run, rummaging for food and caring for each other. It’s been ten years, their father is now behind bars in a state prison and the boys are being acclimated to the world again. The boys haven’t been in school for ten years and that has its own set of problems socially and academically. Adding Sam and Riddle as new members to Emily’s family, bring about a whole set of concerns to deal with. Emily’s brother Jared is not too happy with the situation, he doesn’t like to share and their personalities are different. Jared tries so hard to please others and tries to fit whereas Riddle just is himself and he doesn’t try to be anything he’s not. The author writes with a straightforward delivery and when compiled with the history of the main characters, I admired this writing and thought it spoke volumes for the situation at hand. There’s a relationship with Emily and Sam, it’s a caring and slow relationship. For it needed to be, with Sam being “secluded” with his father for ten years, things needed to go slow. Emily brings him onboard with her friends and soon there is handful of characters that the two of them hang out with. Sam and Emily both need to be understanding as their world gets complicated and intense. Clarence doesn’t plan on staying in prison either, there’s a reason his boys are not with him and he scheming to get free to check on his rotten boys.
I received a complimentary e-book from NetGalley and Little,Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.
I received a complimentary e-book from NetGalley and Little,Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.
November 5, 2014
Sam and Riddle are finally feeling safe after they spent years moving from place to place with their paranoid schizophrenic father. Their dad is behind bars, and they have found a home with the family of Sam’s girlfriend Emily. But trouble still dogs the boys as Emily’s younger brother isn’t sure he wants Riddle being part of the family and Sam struggles to become independent while proving he’s worth the confidence the family places in him. Neither knows that true trouble is brewing as their father is determined to have revenge on his sons and the family that helped them.
Just Call My Name by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a fast-paced story of unconventional relationships. Sam wants to do the right thing, but since he didn’t grow up with guidance from a loving parent, he’s not sure he knows how to recognize what the right thing is. Emily wants to believe in Sam, but she’s not sure she will ever really know and understand him. Riddle wants to make everything work out so he can catch up on so many of the things he missed when he was on the road. In the end, they will all have to dig deep to find the courage to face situations they never imagined.
I loved reading Sloan’s previous book with these characters, I’ll Be There, and while this is a follow up, it can be read and appreciated on its own. Just Call My Name is a satisfying continuation that delves more deeply into the main characters and their motivations.
The publisher provided me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Just Call My Name by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a fast-paced story of unconventional relationships. Sam wants to do the right thing, but since he didn’t grow up with guidance from a loving parent, he’s not sure he knows how to recognize what the right thing is. Emily wants to believe in Sam, but she’s not sure she will ever really know and understand him. Riddle wants to make everything work out so he can catch up on so many of the things he missed when he was on the road. In the end, they will all have to dig deep to find the courage to face situations they never imagined.
I loved reading Sloan’s previous book with these characters, I’ll Be There, and while this is a follow up, it can be read and appreciated on its own. Just Call My Name is a satisfying continuation that delves more deeply into the main characters and their motivations.
The publisher provided me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 7, 2014
This is the second book I've read by Holly Goldberg Sloan, the first being I'll Be There which I loved. I thought the first book had to be a fluke. It was just really well written and the story was very well developed, particularly for a YA novel. Clean, too. Yep. It had to be a fluke.
So Just Call My Name is Act II. Sam and Riddle are settled into a "normal" life after growing up with a father who is a sociopath. Emily's parents take in Riddle and are working towards adoption. Sam is living in an apartment close to campus and Emily is finishing her senior year. The author stays true to each character. Emily is still kind-hearted by nature, although she is pushed just a little bit to the shadows with the introduction of Destiny, another throw-away child who has learned to survive. Her eyes seemed to have landed on Sam.
See rest of review: http://amusingreviews.blogspot.com/20...
So Just Call My Name is Act II. Sam and Riddle are settled into a "normal" life after growing up with a father who is a sociopath. Emily's parents take in Riddle and are working towards adoption. Sam is living in an apartment close to campus and Emily is finishing her senior year. The author stays true to each character. Emily is still kind-hearted by nature, although she is pushed just a little bit to the shadows with the introduction of Destiny, another throw-away child who has learned to survive. Her eyes seemed to have landed on Sam.
See rest of review: http://amusingreviews.blogspot.com/20...
August 17, 2014
Holly Goldberg Sloan is an incredible writer. I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I liked this one even more. I appreciate the great depth of her characters. Often, coincidences are categorized as poor writing, but Sloan uses them intentionally and in a clever way---defying literary assumptions about quality writing. The book is quite suspenseful, and readers will have the urge to race through it to learn how the plot unravels. The way Sloan builds the plot details is very thoughtful and meticulous, and I found myself constantly reflecting about how intelligent she is. This sequel is well worth the read. It is a difficult one to put down! It reads like a very literary mystery and would be a great text for teachers to have in their classrooms. One aspect that I love about this series is it turns our concept of family on its head; it will teach readers about the power of a strong family unit---traditional or not.
January 6, 2021
Sam is finally back in school, college, that is. He has his own appointment and Riddle is happily learning to read and loves having a family where he feels safe. Emily has a part time job in a restaurant, and Bobby Ellis? He is now Robb.
A new girl, Destiny moves to town. She has lived on her own for years, and is street smart and likes the look of Sam.
A new girl, Destiny moves to town. She has lived on her own for years, and is street smart and likes the look of Sam.
March 14, 2015
Once again a very good story. Lost sleep reading this one. Just as I was getting ready to turn off the light, I thought I would just read a bit more, big mistake. I was pulled into it and could not put the book down till it was finished.
May 7, 2023
2.5/5
I'm on my book grindset this week 😤
I'll Be There was not a book that needed a sequel in my opinion, so I was hesitant to read this book knowing that. However, I don't think a sequel would have been the worst thing if handled correctly. I think any kind of exploration into Sam and Riddle's introduction into the world after everything they experience would have made for a good sequel.
This book was not about that. Maybe you're not supposed to deduct points from a book for it not being about what you hoped it would be about (especially when I didn't even read the summary before starting this one), but what this book was about was entirely unnecessary. It just didn't need to be written. I hate that kind of thing.
Destiny was an endearing character even though I didn't like her originally. She grew on me, which is impressive.
Why was my favorite character in this Clarence? I feel like that was the opposite of the author's intention. I don't think you're supposed to like the murderous, kidnapping, abusive antagonist. This is not the type of character I usually enjoy. But his antics were?? Somehow kind of endearing?? At least his prison escape and such. Maybe not the kidnapping-murder part. Weird character to carry the novel.
This book was an enjoyable read. I think some of the writing critiques I had of the last book Sloan was actually able to curb with this one, which was awesome. The only reason I give it such a low rating is that it just wasn't a necessary addition to the story of Sam and Emily.
I'm on my book grindset this week 😤
I'll Be There was not a book that needed a sequel in my opinion, so I was hesitant to read this book knowing that. However, I don't think a sequel would have been the worst thing if handled correctly. I think any kind of exploration into Sam and Riddle's introduction into the world after everything they experience would have made for a good sequel.
This book was not about that. Maybe you're not supposed to deduct points from a book for it not being about what you hoped it would be about (especially when I didn't even read the summary before starting this one), but what this book was about was entirely unnecessary. It just didn't need to be written. I hate that kind of thing.
Destiny was an endearing character even though I didn't like her originally. She grew on me, which is impressive.
Why was my favorite character in this Clarence? I feel like that was the opposite of the author's intention. I don't think you're supposed to like the murderous, kidnapping, abusive antagonist. This is not the type of character I usually enjoy. But his antics were?? Somehow kind of endearing?? At least his prison escape and such. Maybe not the kidnapping-murder part. Weird character to carry the novel.
This book was an enjoyable read. I think some of the writing critiques I had of the last book Sloan was actually able to curb with this one, which was awesome. The only reason I give it such a low rating is that it just wasn't a necessary addition to the story of Sam and Emily.
August 9, 2020
I wasn’t aware I had picked up the follow up to book 1 until I read the summary in the beginning.
Two brothers, Sam and Riddle trying to adjust to life in their new home, adoptive family and new lifestyle after living on the road with their abusive father(who kidnapped them from their mother at a young age).
Although I did appreciate the brief summary, as I reader, I felt disconnected with the characters. Sam talks a lot about his feelings towards Emily, but other than the lunch they share with the group, we don’t really know much about how their relationship has evolved since book 1. Their relationship seemed more like a friendship- scratch that- Destiny had more of a friendship with Sam than Emily. Emily felt more like the third wheel.
The multi point of views were a little hard to get used to. Every character had their mini story to tell, some were unnecessary to be honest. Hence, the shop owner, the detective, the correctional officer.. even the truck driver was a waste. We had multiple POV’s exempt from the characters that truly mattered; did Mr. and Mrs. Bells not give a damn their daughter had been kidnapped by a crazed lunatic who was severely unhinged enough to shoot his own sons without giving it a second though?
Two brothers, Sam and Riddle trying to adjust to life in their new home, adoptive family and new lifestyle after living on the road with their abusive father(who kidnapped them from their mother at a young age).
Although I did appreciate the brief summary, as I reader, I felt disconnected with the characters. Sam talks a lot about his feelings towards Emily, but other than the lunch they share with the group, we don’t really know much about how their relationship has evolved since book 1. Their relationship seemed more like a friendship- scratch that- Destiny had more of a friendship with Sam than Emily. Emily felt more like the third wheel.
The multi point of views were a little hard to get used to. Every character had their mini story to tell, some were unnecessary to be honest. Hence, the shop owner, the detective, the correctional officer.. even the truck driver was a waste. We had multiple POV’s exempt from the characters that truly mattered; did Mr. and Mrs. Bells not give a damn their daughter had been kidnapped by a crazed lunatic who was severely unhinged enough to shoot his own sons without giving it a second though?
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