whoever saying this was better than you’ve reached sam has to be lying. it was not. bear in mind that even though i am unavoidably biased because, well, my personal experience with YRS was good, objectively YRS was still a three stars book. and always isn’t forever? well, lower.
being advertised with “the perfect read for you’ve reached sam” AIF will undoubtedly draw YRS readers who are intrigued and want to experience the similar atmosphere all over again. so consider this as a review from reader who was craving for that but was unfortunately got let down.
first off, the narrative appears to be straightforward but debut-like and direct. there’s no craft. no creative writing. just concise stories akin to those found in middle-grade literature. everything escalated so quickly that we are unable to relate to the characters, empathize with them, or even become outraged. it was similar to watching a movie with the speed automatically set to 2x.
the plot is so unserious, could have been more nuanced and layered but you have to had Hart's spirit seeking to rekindle things with his gf while inhabiting a fratboy's fresh-from-the-coma body, which is obviously odd and scary from Ruby's point of view. the whole ridiculous set up might actually be more meaningful if there were more platonic/familial relationships that were explored more deeply. the most moving sequence isn’t even about Ruby and Hart/Jameson, instead it is about Hart and George.
i would like to see more of the plot revolve around Hart and his family and how they deal with their grief, and i want to see two of the main characters genuinely mature as people because they remained unchanged up to the conclusion of the story, except maybe Ruby being more willing to let Hart go. it was painful how much potential was wasted. i especially did not like how the angel interfered with the MC’s life so many times, giving instructions, explaining how the afterlife corporation works (lol) and even making deal with the MC. at least YRS used ambiguity narrative while interacting with divine being, as in the character wasn't really sure how or why things even worked or why he couldn't traverse the in-between dimension. that creates a more eerie vibe but i can see how it could be challenging to work into the AIF storyline considering how important the angel will be to the plot. i didn’t like how the climax was handled. the ending makes no sense because for me, it essentially takes away the entire purpose for which the angel transferred Hart's soul to Jameson's body in such a brief period of time to stay. what about the tragic end? what about the fact that everything that happened has been designed as a gift for them both to have a good closure at last? but, no! we’ll give them a happy sweety unrealistic but lovely ending!
so, yeah. the whole grief theme was moving at certain places, yet it was weak and emotionless elsewhere. gorgeous cover tho. 1.5 stars.
arc kindly provided by penguin young readers group via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.