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I'm Right Here
Though they have never met, Cassie is coming to think of E.L. as her truest friend.
Lately it feels as though Cassie's life has been slowly collapsing around her - her beloved grandfather has died, her father has just moved out of the family home, and her mother is drinking more than she used to. But when she talks to E.L., she feels less alone.
However, Cassie isn't entirely sure that E.L. is real. A slave girl living in 1840s South Carolina, E.L. visits Cassie first in her dreams, then begins to speak to her while she's awake. Are their conversations a sign that Cassie has inherited her grandfather's gift of communicating with the dead, or is Cassie slowly losing her mind?
As the young women become closer across the miles and years that separate them, they find solace in each other and, as Cassie learns of the horrors of E.L.'s reality, she resolves to help her escape. But is E.L.'s future already written? And could Cassie's obsession damage her own life beyond repair?
Powerful, moving and unforgettable, I'm Right Here is a beautifully-told story of friendship, love and courageous hope.
Lately it feels as though Cassie's life has been slowly collapsing around her - her beloved grandfather has died, her father has just moved out of the family home, and her mother is drinking more than she used to. But when she talks to E.L., she feels less alone.
However, Cassie isn't entirely sure that E.L. is real. A slave girl living in 1840s South Carolina, E.L. visits Cassie first in her dreams, then begins to speak to her while she's awake. Are their conversations a sign that Cassie has inherited her grandfather's gift of communicating with the dead, or is Cassie slowly losing her mind?
As the young women become closer across the miles and years that separate them, they find solace in each other and, as Cassie learns of the horrors of E.L.'s reality, she resolves to help her escape. But is E.L.'s future already written? And could Cassie's obsession damage her own life beyond repair?
Powerful, moving and unforgettable, I'm Right Here is a beautifully-told story of friendship, love and courageous hope.
484 pages, Hardcover
Published March 2, 2017
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 23, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, Hatchette books Ireland and Yvonne Cassidy for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
I always hate to give a bad review. But being excepted for a book on Netgalley you go in promising to write an honest review. I always hope to love the book and give it a glowing review. But sadly this cannot always be the case.
Four things that I hate when reading a book. The bio sounding amazing but the book not living up to expectations, characters I cannot connect with, a book I cannot get into and feeling disappointed.
Sadly all above are applicable for this book. I absolutely loved the bio for this book. It sounded like something that would be right up my street and something that I would be instantly hooked on. Sadly that wasn't the case in this book. It drives me insane when books claim to be like other books and don't live up to expectations.
The EI character I found that I couldn't connect with it at all. The whole writing style was not for me and I felt that it didn't flow with the book and so felt completly out of place. In my opinion.
I was completly drawn in and hooked withe the parts that Cassie tells us. Whenever I felt like I was getting into the book however I got to a EL bit and found my concentration wandering all over the place.
I really wanted to like this book and in my honest opinion I just couldn't connect with it. If I wasn't a persistent reader who hates to leave a book unfinished I probably would have given up about 20% into the book. But in all my 30 years of life I have only ever not completed one book, and I've read a heck of a lot of books. Sheer persistance and not wanting to tarnish my record saw me through this book.
Although I have given it a rather harsh review. I really hope other people do not agree with me and that it does well.
Let me know what you thought of the book in the comments.
Happy reading everyone
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
I always hate to give a bad review. But being excepted for a book on Netgalley you go in promising to write an honest review. I always hope to love the book and give it a glowing review. But sadly this cannot always be the case.
Four things that I hate when reading a book. The bio sounding amazing but the book not living up to expectations, characters I cannot connect with, a book I cannot get into and feeling disappointed.
Sadly all above are applicable for this book. I absolutely loved the bio for this book. It sounded like something that would be right up my street and something that I would be instantly hooked on. Sadly that wasn't the case in this book. It drives me insane when books claim to be like other books and don't live up to expectations.
The EI character I found that I couldn't connect with it at all. The whole writing style was not for me and I felt that it didn't flow with the book and so felt completly out of place. In my opinion.
I was completly drawn in and hooked withe the parts that Cassie tells us. Whenever I felt like I was getting into the book however I got to a EL bit and found my concentration wandering all over the place.
I really wanted to like this book and in my honest opinion I just couldn't connect with it. If I wasn't a persistent reader who hates to leave a book unfinished I probably would have given up about 20% into the book. But in all my 30 years of life I have only ever not completed one book, and I've read a heck of a lot of books. Sheer persistance and not wanting to tarnish my record saw me through this book.
Although I have given it a rather harsh review. I really hope other people do not agree with me and that it does well.
Let me know what you thought of the book in the comments.
Happy reading everyone
January 18, 2020
I wasn’t sure about this book to begin with, I couldn’t really follow the 2 different characters. But I stuck with it and I’m so glad I did. I became engrossed in Cassie and E.L’s completely different lives but it’s so cleverly written to bring them together. I would definitely recommend this book and will looking out for more from this author.
March 19, 2020
I quite liked this story but it took me a long time to read. There were parts where not much seemed to be happening but I kept going. I stuck with it because I really liked how it was written. How it was going between Cassie's perspective and El's. I also really liked both characters they were well fleshed out and relateable. Which is an achievement as far as El Ida concerned because her life is far different from mine. I do want to say though that some of the story was difficult to read. Simply because of the way slaves were treated. I want to give a trigger warning now which is a bit of a spoiler I guess. There is rape in this story. So some may want to avoid it. However for me this did not affect me enjoying the story because the relationship between Cassie and El was just lovely and heartwarming.
June 25, 2018
I have a little routine of when I chose my next book to read, I usually fluctuate between three to four books before I decide on which one I want to read.
This time, as I read the first few pages, I wasn't sure I'd made the right choice ... but I read on ... and boy am I glad I did! It was fantastic!
Each time I picked it up I found it harder to put it down as I was so engrossed in this brilliant story.
The story is gripping as it moves between the two worlds of Cassie and E.L. I love how beautiful their relationship is. Their lives are spiralling through dramatic events which in E.L's case are severely traumatic and really, if you didn't know it had happened , you would not believe how horrific.
I would definitely recommend this book. Read it!
This time, as I read the first few pages, I wasn't sure I'd made the right choice ... but I read on ... and boy am I glad I did! It was fantastic!
Each time I picked it up I found it harder to put it down as I was so engrossed in this brilliant story.
The story is gripping as it moves between the two worlds of Cassie and E.L. I love how beautiful their relationship is. Their lives are spiralling through dramatic events which in E.L's case are severely traumatic and really, if you didn't know it had happened , you would not believe how horrific.
I would definitely recommend this book. Read it!
August 14, 2023
This is a very good read. It works as a historical novel covering the horrors of slavery and also as a book covering the challenges of modern day living, marriage breakup, alcoholism and grief. I liked the way the book switches between Cassie in modern times and E.L. a teenage girl who is a slave.
I understood that the fears and anxiety felt by Cassie was far from trivial and that her mental and indeed physical state was very fragile but put against the actual fears E.L. faced right up to fearing for her life, they didn't seem so significant. Even Cassie herself recognised this. I think this was a real strength of the book, it made me think about how truly horrific slavery was and it should never be forgotten or excused.
I recommend this book and will read more by this author.
I understood that the fears and anxiety felt by Cassie was far from trivial and that her mental and indeed physical state was very fragile but put against the actual fears E.L. faced right up to fearing for her life, they didn't seem so significant. Even Cassie herself recognised this. I think this was a real strength of the book, it made me think about how truly horrific slavery was and it should never be forgotten or excused.
I recommend this book and will read more by this author.
July 29, 2020
This story takes us between Cassie in present-day USA and E.L Back in slave times. They communicate through dreams, hearing each other's voices, and even writing notes.
Although it is a bit far fetched at times if you suspend belief and accept time travel s a possibility then it makes a good story.
The font changes for each character's time and EL speaks in the way a slave girl would have which does take a bit of getting used to but after a while, I was able to just switch between the two with no problem.
I found it a different read and did enjoy it. I would be happy to read another book by this author.
Although it is a bit far fetched at times if you suspend belief and accept time travel s a possibility then it makes a good story.
The font changes for each character's time and EL speaks in the way a slave girl would have which does take a bit of getting used to but after a while, I was able to just switch between the two with no problem.
I found it a different read and did enjoy it. I would be happy to read another book by this author.
August 26, 2017
Took a while for this one to intrigue me, but this is a powerful story that led me to ask questions about the cruelty of slavery. Very well written - so much so you can actually visualise what it was like to live as a slave. That takes skill and Yvonne Cassidy certainly has that. Even now I often think of the book and its powerful message.
March 30, 2018
I could not put this down! I like the way two people are so connected in ways that no one else can explain. I was so interested in E.L and her life in slavery and made me want to go and research it. I was also really interested in Cassie and her struggle with family life and addiction. A real page turner and definitely a must read for everyone!
June 9, 2020
This was an intriguing read. Two different timelines but a connection between them. The slave girl story had a feeling of impending doom. The present day Cassie was getting into trouble for her preoccupations. I kept turning the pages hoping it was all going to end well for both of them. The ending will leave you with issues to mull over.
June 26, 2018
The themes of the story were interesting and it hung together really well, but ended far too abruptly. The author clearly wants you thinking about whether or not Cassie is mentally unwell but either way the plot line just drops away and you’re left wondering what happened to characters.
August 19, 2019
An absolute page Turner. Cassidy entwined two generations of two young girls across decades. Such a heart breaking tale of slavery and survival. So many themes and topics this is an excellent book club book. Beautifully written from start to finish.
June 4, 2022
Two girls reach each other through time, they are the same age. One is White the other is a Slave. Their lives take a few twists and turns before they both find their freedom.
May 13, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. Interesting history of the deep south and slavery. Awful detail. Worth a read
March 5, 2017
This book was too weird and too fragmented for me, in the end. It would have worked far better as two separate books - one about a girl navigating the painful history of her grandfather's alcoholism and its resounding effects on the relationship between her and her mother, and one about a Southern slave girl striving for hope and freedom.
Instead, we get a semi magical realism story (that is nothing like The Lovely Bones, contrary to the publisher's claim, ugh) that is weird in the same way that a dungeons and dragons-esque fantasy would be if aliens suddenly landed. The way in which the two girls communicated seemed poorly imagined, and the internal logic was seriously patchy (Cassie eventually manages to travel back in time in body as well as mind, but only E. L. can see her, but she still leaves a physical impression (crushed grass etc).) The plotting was patchy too - the author came up with a really slapdash, hurried reason to get E. L. off the plantation in the end.
Ultimately, both of these stories could have been powerful - but mashed together, they were not.
Instead, we get a semi magical realism story (that is nothing like The Lovely Bones, contrary to the publisher's claim, ugh) that is weird in the same way that a dungeons and dragons-esque fantasy would be if aliens suddenly landed. The way in which the two girls communicated seemed poorly imagined, and the internal logic was seriously patchy (Cassie eventually manages to travel back in time in body as well as mind, but only E. L. can see her, but she still leaves a physical impression (crushed grass etc).) The plotting was patchy too - the author came up with a really slapdash, hurried reason to get E. L. off the plantation in the end.
Ultimately, both of these stories could have been powerful - but mashed together, they were not.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews