We'll Fly Away

by Bryan Bliss

Uniquely told through letters from death row and third-person narrative, Bryan Bliss’s hard-hitting third novel expertly unravels the string of events that landed a teenager in jail. Luke feels like he’s been looking after Toby his entire life. He patches Toby up when Toby’s father, a drunk and a petty criminal, beats on him, he gives him a place to stay, and he diffuses the situation at school when wise-cracking Toby inevitably gets into fights. Someday, Luke and Toby will leave this small town, riding the tails of Luke’s wrestling scholarship, and never look back.

But during their senior year, they begin to drift apart. Luke is dealing with his unreliable mother and her new boyfriend. And Toby unwittingly begins to get drawn into his father’s world, and falls for an older woman. All their long-held dreams seem to be unraveling. Tense and emotional, this heartbreaking novel explores family, abuse, sex, love, friendship, and the lengths a person will go to protect the people they love. For fans of NPR’s Serial podcast, Jason Reynolds, and Matt de la Peña.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Friendship, Abuse, Audiobook

408 pages, Hardcover

First published May 8, 2018

About the author

Bryan Bliss is the author of No Parking at the End Times, Meet Me Here, and We’ll Fly Away, which was longlisted for the 2018 National Book Award. He lives in Saint Paul, MN with his family.

You can visit him online at www.bryanbliss.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

Reviews

[Kelly]

I'm wrecked after reading this. A story about two boys -- best friends -- growing up in some of the worst imaginable circumstances of abuse and poverty. But, one of those boys is on death row, and writing to his best friend via letters as their stories play out in alternating chapters from a third person POV. You know things are going to spiral, and you see it coming, but the pain at the end is unimaginable.

But so is the hope.

A powerful story about friendship and tough circumstances. This one's been angled at the juvenile justice system a little harder than I think it merits. That's part of it, but a surprisingly small part of the story. What resonates is that this is a story about male friendship, about the choices (good and bad) that teens can make, and the way those choices ultimate seal or break those relationships.

Bliss is an excellent voice in YA, and his passion for writing about poor teens is something I wish we saw more of in YA. But I'm glad his voice is here, seeing these kids and reminding them that they matter. That really comes out in the letters from Luke to Toby in prison.

[Danielle (Life of a Literary Nerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We are not living in a world that stands still."

I have feelings after reading this books. Not bad feelings or even good ones, just a lot of feelings. This book definitely pulls at your heart and leaves an impact. It’s so much a character study of friendship and the messiness of life. It’s almost overwhelming, but in a good way. We’ll Fly Away follows best friends Luke and Toby living in their small North Carolina town. We see their friendship, their fights, and what happens when it all goes horribly wrong.

Things I Liked
The story really is just a snapshot of a life. It’s earnest, honest, and exposed. I love stories about friendship and We’ll Fly Away delivered in showcasing the dependency, the anger, and the love between these two in a heartfelt and painful way.

I LOVED the letters that Luke wrote to Toby. It not only added a cool timeline element to the story, but I enjoyed getting to know him more and really get into his mindset.

Things I Didn’t Like
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romances in the story, and they unfortunately got more prevalent as the story progressed. I honestly thought they were not needed at all.

I feel like We’ll Fly Away is almost painful to read. (Yes, I did cry) I don’t know if it’s something you can really enjoy, so much as just respect the story that’s being told and the lives these characters have lived. The story feels personal, so it was really easy to complete invest yourself. If you’re looking for a reading experience that will leave you thinking and feeling something, look no further than We’ll Fly Away.

I received a copy of the book from Harper Collins via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

High school wrestling phenom Luke and his best friend, Toby are an odd pair. Toby, a victim of his father’s abuse and bullied at school relies on his stronger, bigger friend to protect him. That was then. Now Luke is on death row, writing Toby letters of apology.

Readers don’t know why Luke is in prison, we only know that he feels unworthy of the forgiveness he’s asking. Whatever happened had to be awful.

The story switches between Luke’s letters and a third person narrative about the events surrounding his imprisonment. Luke had way too much responsibility at home, caring for his twin brothers and keeping his flaky mother on the right track. His anger was palpable and justified. He always seemed one step away from losing it. Toby, a perpetual victim, lacked social skills and often seemed to provoke others.

In the afterward, Bryan Bliss talks about witnessing an execution as a journalist and becoming an advocate against capital punishment, which surprised me, because he did no research about prison life for people on death row. They aren’t walking around, mingling with other inmates, playing basketball and having face-to-face meetings with a nun and his lawyer. When an inmate is executed, he’s not roaming around the day beforehand. These might seem like minor details, but they distracted me from the story.

Another issue I had with WE’LL FLY AWAY is that Bliss showed all the low income families as abusive or neglectful and the parents at best incompetent, at worse abusive. A lot of poor people are in their circumstances through no fault of their own. They love and care about their children just as much as wealthy folks.

WE’LL FLY AWAY is a tough, but important read. If Luke and Toby had told adults about their circumstances, they could have prevented much pain and suffering. Coach proved he would have stepped up for Luke again and again.

Bliss’s writing kept me interested, though the story did lag in the middle. I wanted to know what happened to Luke and Toby and why.

WE’LL FLY AWAY is a flawed, but worthy story.

[Sarahdactyl ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Find my reviews here: Literary Meanderings

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We'll Fly Away is a story that will leave you feeling a lot of feelings—and not necessarily good feelings. This book is bleak and it is sad, but it is a wonderful read.

Luke and Toby grew up together in a small North Carolina town and belong to families that could only be considered trashy—poor, abusive, inattentive, selfish, etc. Luke's mother has him and his younger siblings living in a one bedroom apartment much too small for them. She barely works and would rather bring home strange men and try to leech off of them for money. The father is not in the picture. Toby has the opposite. He lives with just his father, alone in a small house. His father is an alcoholic and extremely abusive to him. All their life, Luke has watched over Toby, patching up his cuts and bruises, letting him sleep on the floor at his apartment as much as possible to avoid his father's rage.

We know from the very beginning of the book that Luke is in prison on death row. Part of the storytelling is done via letters to Toby from Luke. So, the book is gloomy from the get-go. We know something goes down and Luke ends up in prison. There can be no happy ending to this story.

Toby and Luke meander through high school and family life by leaning on each other. Luke is a wrestler, and a very good one. The boys are putting their future on Luke securing a wrestling scholarship and getting them both out of their crappy lives. When the two need an escape, they head into the woods nearby to a hollowed out plane. They spend time there and bond, as friends do. They dream of a future where they are free of their hardships; they talk about how amazing it'll be when they can escape together.

We are not living in a world that stands still.

Things begin to fall apart when both of them meet girls. Luke meets a girl via her being his new neighbor, and Toby meets an older woman at a bar his father frequents. These two relationships cause rifts between the best friends. Toby even falls into some of the illegal business his father is involved with.

I loved this book for everything but the “romance” bits. It kind of held the plot back and made the middle of the book laggy and skim-worthy. The story lost its way around the middle, but thankfully picked back up not too long after.

The characters are extremely relatable. I wanted to wrap both boys up in my arms and protect them from the harshness of their lives. I think Bryan Bliss captured the chaos of life so perfectly in this book. Sometimes, in life, you're dealt a shitty hand, and that is what is portrayed here. Neither of the main characters could've escaped their situations easily. They are just kids, you know? It was up to their parents to care for them, and they failed miserably.

The best thing about this book for me is that it doesn't have a happy ending. It is sad and may induce tears. It is gut-wrenching and horrible. I hated it and loved it at the same time. I hated it for how real and true it could be, but loved it because this is a book that doesn't apologize. The story is earnest and raw. I believe this book is a symbol for standing against capital punishment. I, personally, think it is a great example of a situation where the death penalty is not right. That's the only thing I will really say on that, as it is a personal opinion.

Overall, this book touched me to the core. It left me lost and in tears. I loved and hated it. It was very well written. The characters are built perfectly and seem so real when you read it. I enjoyed the interspersed letters from Luke to Toby via death row. It was an interesting perspective to place into a young adult story. It fit well into the narrative. This story is beautiful in it's anguish. I recommend it to everyone, but keep in mind that it is a grim story with no happy ending to be had. Beautifully done. After this, I plan to read Bryan's other two books ASAP.

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Book source: From the publisher for review
Publisher: Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins

• For more of my reviews, check out my blog!

[maya ⟢ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars
i'm a broken human being.

this was so, so horrible in ways that i truly did not see coming. cool.
imma start off with the bad stuff: the romance. ew. very badly done in my opinion and way too rushed and sometimes i just wanted to yell some sense into them but honestly? that's about everything i have to critize.
the build-up to the climax of the story was INSANE. the two different timelines made everything so much better and luke's letters were so beautifully written it hurt my soul. the friendship he and toby had was different from what you usually read about but so very touching. i'm not gonna get into the ending because that was cruel in a way that definitely exceeded my expectations. the last time a book made me cry this much was a little life, which means a lot.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the characters and the ending will have you pulling at your heartstrings and feeling sorry and miserable about one of the characters. The book went both too fast and too slow at the same time and those speeds never really reached an equilibrium.

[Sara (A Gingerly Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was ready for this but I was wrong.

My feelings are destroyed.

I need a hug.

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Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...

I have been struggling with what to write for this book as it is important. I’m still not ok.

Short recap: Luke and Toby are two best friends did not have an easy childhood. They were always looking out for each other, doing their best to protect the other when their parents did not. When they get older, everything changes. Luke fights to keep his dreams on track while Toby gives in to the horrific lifestyle similar to what his father chose. Can these two be enough to save each other?

This book was nothing short of raw, powerful, gritty, real, and heart-breaking. This tore my soul to shreds. The events that transpired in this story are things that should never have to happen to anyone, yet they do. That is what stood out so much to me. The events within this book felt believable.

The way the story was told in such a unique way. It was told in both letters written to Toby from death row, and also from shared events between the two. It felt like a new take on the standard method of “before and after”. This added an additional depth to the story that could not have been reached any other way.

This is not an easy story to get through, but one that many important topics. Several, but not all, are child abuse, poverty, and drug/alcohol abuse. The author did a wonderful job of expressing and discussing these topics in a way that was not so much relateable but believable and impacting. The way these two boys kept dreaming of a better future, of a way to just keep going, was downright inspiring.

Y’all, I am struggling to properly put into words just how great this story was. The characters are deeply flawed yet wonderfully complex. The story itself moved with grace and beauty while never loosing the interest of the reader (me). The hard topics were raw, gritty, and necessary. Stories like this don’t come around too often. This was a brilliant reminder that life isn’t as perfect as we or anyone portrays them to be. Everyone is battling something so always try to be gentle.

If you have been wondering about this one after seeing it on the shelf, I’m here to be that extra nudge that pushes you towards reading it. This is a story you won’t soon forget.

[Trista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this would be a hard read going into it but that still didn't prepare me for its full impact. The way the story unfolded reminded me a bit of the way This Is Us works, with the reader seeing the past and the events leading up to the present, but also getting to see the present through letters one boy was writing to the other. The bond between the boys was strong and it was hard to see them drifting away from each other and fighting, though no matter how angry they'd get they would always worry about the other.

The book was told through three main POVs. We had past Luke, past Toby, and present Luke writing letters to Toby. The boys were very different but it was easy to see why they were friends. It would take something extreme to break into that bond. It was a friendship where they each simply accepted who the other was and when they started drifting away, the more they began questioning each other's choices. These were two boys who really just needed a break in life but it seemed like they would never get it. Luke's letters in the present showed just how hard he was taking the event that landed him on death row, though they never revealed it.

It was a fast read, both because it was so good and I really wanted to finish it but also because it was fast-paced. It wasn't an easy read but definitely worthwhile. One that will stick with me. There was laughter, there were tears, there was anger. So many emotions. When a book gets that much emotion out of me, it definitely deserves a place on my bookshelf. Once it comes out.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Gary Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the opening pages of We’ll Fly Away, Luke is incarcerated and writing a letter to Toby from death row. Not until the final devastating scene do we discover what Luke did and why he did it. Between Luke’s letters to Toby a story unfolds about how these two high school seniors in a dead-end town are bound together by hard living caused by bad parents, risky opportunities, and low expectations. Luke is a state-champion wrestler, and for him that might be a ticket to the University of Iowa and beyond. If he goes to college, he will take Toby with him, and like always, they will depend on their wits to make things work. Except we know from the beginning that it’s not going to work.

We’ll Fly Away has two appealing main characters surrounded by losers of all kinds, as well as a few people who sometimes try to do the right thing but keep getting in their own way. The crumbling small town and its off-the-grid way of life is the perfect backdrop for this tense, emotional, suspenseful, realistic novel that never completely relinquishes hope: "Every single person in the world--me, you, Eddie--is in the process of creating themselves. Every single person, every single day. But to do that, you have to be able to let yourself accept the fact that what you did or didn't do is not all of who you are."

This debut novel from Bryan Bliss may be just right for fans of Chris Crutcher and Jeff Zentner.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

tfw you're listening to a really sad audiobook on public transit that makes you cry ;_;

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’ll Fly Away is a well-written, hard-hitting YA novel with important messages about poverty, child abuse, the justice system, and friendship. I knew We’ll Fly Away would be heartbreaking. I also expected it to be raw, upfront, exposed, and almost crude. It certainly is an unflinching book, with threads of hope (but mainly heartbreak) and a positive message.

Luke and Toby are best friends - the only ones to see inside the truths of the other’s life, the only ones who could understand. But Luke struggles to maintain his wrestling record for a college scholarship with his mother’s ever increased neglect and caring for his two younger brothers, and Toby falls into a relationship with an older woman while continuing to face his father’s abuse. Events will come to a head as the boys fight for their friendship, their future, and their freedom.

We’ll Fly Away is written both through third-person narration focusing on the two main characters, Luke and Toby, and letters written by Luke to Toby from death row. This before and after style is tantalising, as it is impossible not to wonder what happened to lead Luke to this current place.

We’ll Fly Away does everything it sets out to do. However, it is not the sort of book I could say I enjoyed. It is important and it’s message, while clear and made clearer from the author’s note, is not preachy nor overbearing. Instead, We’ll Fly Away is the perfect conversation starter, ideal for sparking debate, and something I would love to unpack with teen readers.

Toby and Luke, for all their flaws and unrepentant teenage-boy-ness, are likeable characters. In fact, it’s hard not to want to sweep them away from their life of abuse and neglect. But this is their story - hard though it might be.

There are many important topics touched upon in We’ll Fly Away. Most notable, perhaps, are child abuse, poverty, and the justice system incorporating the death sentence. While We’ll Fly Away doesn’t promise a happy ending, there is a thread of hope that runs through the story. Perhaps it is the boys’ resilience, perhaps the quiet times of them dreaming of another future, perhaps in enjoying the small moments. In any case, it’s the type of hope that is more likely to have you crying than smiling, but it is hope nonetheless. We’ll Fly Away is a powerful novel.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. All the stars to this outstanding novel about friendship, life, struggle, redemption, and the essential question of what defines a person: a solitary moment in their life, or the rest of the days leading up to it.

I don't know how I heard about this book, but I put it on hold at the library and was surprised when it was there waiting for me the other day. I almost didn't make time for it (why would I when I couldn't remember who had recommended it or what rabbit trail led me to it), but on a whim I started it. A few hours later, I was almost finished with it and blown away. This is a raw, tension filled look at two friends and what happens when they try to convince themselves that they can save each other, no matter what.

I've already recommended it to other high school librarians I know. First purchase material, in my opinion. Recommended for grades 10-12 due to language, some sexual content, and violence.

[Estee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting. It is the story of two friends in the senior year of high school. Alternating chapters unfold the story between letters written from death row and the events that led up to the incarceration. This is not a feel good book. But if you like true crime podcasts and shows, this is an interesting book to read. The only thing is I felt that it ended too abruptly.

This quote taken from the authors note pretty much sums up the book:

"Yes, it is a book about the death penalty. But it’s also a book about friendship. It’s about growing up hard, in a way that forces you to make choices you’d otherwise not make. It’s a book about wanting to escape. It’s about love and loyalty. It’s about people who care, even when you don’t. And maybe most importantly, it’s a book that invites readers to ask the question: do I believe a person can ever be beyond redemption? My hope is that, after reading We’ll Fly Away, the only answer can be: “no.”"

[Teenreadsdotcom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author of NO PARKING AT END OF TIMES and MEET ME HERE, Bryan Bliss returns with his newest young adult novel, WE’LL FLY AWAY. This book follows two boys as they attempt to survive the wrath of their abusive families. Luke and Toby are childhood best friends who have promised to leave their small town together after graduating high school. However, things don’t go as planned once things with Toby’s abusive father become more drastic. Luke’s life isn’t so great either. His and Toby’s only chance of escaping this town depends solely on Luke’s chances of getting a scholarship for wrestling. Slowly, Toby and Luke’s plans fall by the wayside, along with their friendship, and things slowly start on a downward spiral from there. This is novel about friendship and the way relationships can change, and also has themes of abuse.

The novel has two points of view. The first of these being letters that Luke is sending to Toby, after the events of their senior year, where Luke is now on death row waiting until it’s his time to die. The second follows both Toby and Luke as the events of their senior year unfold. The unique storytelling Bryan Bliss created in WE’LL FLY AWAY keeps readers engaged and invested in the story in such a way that makes the novel un-put-down-able. The point of view of Luke’s letters stands out, especially since it has a raw and heartbreaking feeling that doesn’t disappear anytime throughout the story. Luke becomes a character that gets personal to the point where it becomes difficult to read about him. This was my favorite aspect of the story since it allowed me to completely understand Luke as a character, and it broke my heart watching him fall apart as the story unfolded.

Like I said before, it was tough at times to read WE’LL FLY AWAY; the moments where Toby’s abusive father was hurting Toby got extremely real and violent, which caught me off guard. This is definitely a not a book for people who have a difficult time with heavy reads but is perfect for those who can handle these types of themes. Luke also faces abuse from his mother’s boyfriend, but it doesn’t get as intense as Toby’s abuse.

Something else that stood out to me was Luke and Toby’s friendship; there was not a moment once where their friendship did not feel authentic. Even as they slowly start to fall apart due to the circumstances around them, there’s always that feeling that they have each other's backs. Bryan Bliss was able to masterfully create a friendship between these two boys. You got to see them from their very beginnings to the very end.

There were, however, a few things that got in the way of my enjoyment of WE’LL FLY AWAY. There are two unnecessary romances in the book that completely got in the way of the story. So much so that the novel could’ve been better if it focused on the themes of abuse and friendship. The other problem was that I found this book to be a bit too predictable. Halfway through reading the book, I made a guess on how the book would end and got it right. While my prediction wasn’t right on the spot, it was close enough that it tainted my experience a bit.

Overall, WE’LL FLY AWAY is a novel I would recommend for those who are looking for a fast-paced read that is filled with heaviness. If you are a fan of Matt De La Pena’s WE WERE HERE or Andrew Smith’s WINGER. Despite its slightly predictable plot twist, it is still a novel worth reading for those who want to pick it up, because it has so much to offer.

Reviewed by Marco M., Teen Board Member

[Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read in a really long time. It pulled me out of my reading slump, for which I'm oh-so-grateful. I truly enjoyed this book. I could not put it down and I read it non-stop for two days. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I really wanted to know why Luke was in jail so I kept reading and guessing what happened. It was an utter surprise, which I appreciated. I liked how it switches from past perspective from both boys perspectives, as well as modern day letters from Luke who's in jail and knows he's going to get the death penalty soon. The chapters lead up to the event that caused luke to go to jail. Luke comes from a poor family, his mom has a horrible boyfriend who treats them bad, and he's forced to shoulder all the responsibility and take care of the younger siblings. Meanwhile, his best friend Toby, has a criminal dad, and he hates it. His dad abuses him physically and verbally, and it really takes a toll on Toby. Both boys also find lovers who are not the best for them. Toby finds this older lover named Lily at a bar, and she's involved in the bad business so it's not good. And Luke has Annie who wants to move to Seattle but has no money. Their friendship is tested often due to their horrible families, and they blame each other, and are tired of saving each other. They found this old plane, and they sit on it, imagining the opportunity when they can finally leave their small town. Luke's letters in jail are so sad, because he knows he's going to die, and it's not fair, because you get to see how much he has changed, and you don't want him to die. So the more mature and insightful he gets, the more upset you get that he's going to die. This makes me super grateful that in Canada, the death penalty is illegal because we understand the value of life. It's a lot deeper than it seems, and so sad. I loved this book.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for We’ll Fly Away by Bryan Bliss!
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The number one thing I loved about this book was the boy awkwardness. Two male main characters struggle to figure out their daily lives, their plans after high school, and their relationship with each other. These boys’ voices came so alive in my head!
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Split between letters written from death row and the boys’ senior year, this story is told in a very unique way that really doesn’t wrap up until the end. Sometimes I don’t like that in novels but this one worked well in that you weren’t completely confused, just made to wonder how the two would come together.
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Abuse, athletics, abandonment, dreams, safe places, infatuation... all exist in this new YA due out tomorrow, May 8! I hope I can get SO many students to read this book! I’ve already added it to my @follettlearning order for next week!
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This book is moving through our #kidlitexchange network so watch for more reviews!

[Katherine Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a sad, depressing, and eye-opening read. It’s interesting that the author calls this his ‘death-penalty’ book, but I’ll definitely agree with it also being a book about friendship and loyalty, as well as one about child abuse, alcoholism, and neglect. So much is also about poverty and as a result, the loss of hope. The two teens in the story, Luke and Toby, don’t have much to look forward to in their lives, or ways to cope, and this feels very desperate and is difficult at times to read.
I commend the author on writing a book about two teen boys, which doesn’t happen often. But it’s ultimately heartbreaking. I’m grateful to my Litsy Postal Book Club group for picking this, otherwise I may not have read this emotional YA novel.

[Carla A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty heart crushing, and points for not ending exactly how I thought it would.

[Stephanie McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book confirmed that I’m officially out of my reading slump because I tore through it in just a couple days. It tells the story of Luke & Toby. Going back in forth in time from their senior year in high school until present day with Luke writing to Toby from death row. Up until the very end this was a 5 star read for me— the ending just left me slightly unsatisfied. This is a highly discussable book though and I think would actually be better suited for a book club than just reading alone. This was the first time I’d read anything by Bryan Bliss and it certainly won’t be the last. He wrote teenagers growing up in tough (read devastating) circumstances, the power of first loves, chaotic decision making, male friendship, wrestling and lots of mentions of Iowa (albeit through a dreamy, there is Eden lens). Highly recommend. If you liked Dear Martin, With the Fire on High, or Far From the Tree I think this book would be a good next pick for you.

[Kelly Hager]

Oh, guys. Guys. This book absolutely broke me. We know from the beginning that something bad happened. We don't know what or why, but we know that Luke is writing letters from prison (and, even more than that, from Death Row) and we know he's guilty of whatever sent him there. 

The bulk of the book is a slow buildup of dread. The big reveal isn't a surprise, per se, but it's still absolutely heartbreaking. And even though we know what's going to happen, I still spent the book hoping that maybe there'd be a different, happier ending.

This is definitely not for anyone.  There are happy moments, but the book is characterized by abuse (Toby's life) and neglect (Luke's). They plan to escape for college, but they've still got quite a ways to go before that happens. And then, of course, they each meet girls. It's an inexorable march to the end and both are trapped in their own circumstances.

Still, this is an amazing and powerful story. I hope you read it.

[Angela Staudt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one sad book, that never gets better. Besides Toby and Luke’s friendship, nothing in this book really made me happy, and their friendship goes downhill soo.. I am just sad right now and need to wallow in my sadness.

This story is bleak, and doesn’t have a happy ending, but it’s amazing as well. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know Luke and Toby and how deep their friendship ran, so it crushed me to see them slowly drifting from one another and fighting. The book switching between letters Luke is writing from death row and what brought him to that point made my heart break. I knew from the beginning it wasn’t going to end well, but it still tore my heart into pieces. This book was an honest look at poverty, abuse, alcoholism, and so much more, but also showed the power of friendship and was such a powerful read.

[Joanna Goodrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive a digital ARC copy of this book and boy am I so happy that I did. This book is absolutely amazing. The story keeps you pulled in and keeps you guessing about what exactly happened that Luke is now on Death Row. 

It goes between the letters Luke is writing to Toby, the past in Tobys' POV, and the past in Luke's POV. I really loved the multiple perspectives in this novel. I think it really adds to the story because you get a close up on what both boys are going through and what drives the decisions they make.

This story was heart breaking and I felt a huge connection to both boys. I just couldn't put this book down.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star high school wrestler Luke is writing to his best friend, Toby ---- from death row. Over the course of the book we follow their senior year of high school with an ever-increasing sense of doom until the inexorable, devastating climax, and discover why Luke is in prison. I was totally swept up in the story and the characters, suffering along with both boys and hoping for salvation by the end.

Powerful, devastating, unflinchingly honest. This book will be winning awards!!

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am wrecked.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! This book is tragic but full of resilience. Though sadness prevails, how many at risk teenagers are one bad choice away.

[Donna B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not okay 💔

[Greg Andree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved both of Bryan's books so far, NO PARKING AT THE END TIMES, and MEET ME HERE. Both books had teens struggling through tough situations, and they were handled with care and nuance. Like those books WE'LL FLY AWAY is realistic, and looks at teen lives in a way that doesn't sugarcoat anything, but also isn't without hope. Also Bryan's craft in this book is such an amazing jump up so many levels from his previous book, and I'm a little in awe of it.

In the story we get to see two best friends who support each other through their lives when their parents are unable, or unwilling to. One, a student with hopes of escape through a wrestling scholarship, plans to help his friend escape and make it in the world together. But things go horribly wrong as one friend is dragged into his father's world of crime.

The book moves between the past where we see the friends struggling through, and the present where one of the boys sits on death row thinking about the events that led him to be there. And the question we're forced to look at as a reader is: How can we judge someone by this one terrible thing when we see all the steps that led to it.

[Mitchie Baudelaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't mind me. I'll be in my room making paper airplanes, imagining one of them, as is sails across my ceiling, is carrying Luke and Toby to some better place, to some 'happy ending they bloody deserved',Mr Author.

The story explores themes of friendship, love, one's endurance when life throws at you worst of circumstences.
Important questions are arised in brilliant prose narrative intercepted with letters (half epistolary novel) that made you wonder if justice is aplicable to every crime the same way; can we judge without knowing the other side, the whole story; are we to be blamed or life that turns us into monsters we swore we will never become; do we hold power to judge someone and say there is no redemption; would we be any better if we found ourselves in their shoes?
 
At one point, it partly became obvious where the story is inevitably going, yet my traumatized reader ass still underestimated the power with which disastorous ending can hit you, and leave your heart on the ground, broken and bleeding.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a different story line than I am used to reading about. Two teenaged boys who are both living in poverty and being abused by parents who should not be parents. Luke is a high school wrestler with a scholarship to college and Toby is his best friend. Everyday is a struggle. Luke ends up on dead row in prison. Each chapter alternates between Luke writing letters to Toby in the present, and their daily lives in high school. It is not a feel good book and one I will remember for quite awhile.

[Meliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Actual rating: 4.5 stars**

When a book makes you cry on the subway, you know it's a good book. And I thought this would be tough to read, but damn, it really builds and builds and builds and then knocks you out. HOLY. Moses.

It's a powerful, tragic, heartwrenching story of friendship. A bond not of blood, but of choice and hope and connection. I can't stop thinking about it and I think it will be that way for a long time.