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A review by theespressoedition
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Okay, I'm readying myself for all of booktok to come for me after reading this review (har har, I know I'm not cool enough for booktok to read my review).
I really, truly don't understand the hype with this book. After seeing countless mentions about it and how much it made everyone sob their eyes out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I love when a book can make me cry, so I even went so far as to pick up this book while I was on my period. Is that TMI?? It might be, but hopefully, it puts things in perspective!
In case you didn't see where this is going: I didn't cry. I didn't so much as get glassy eyes or feel a prick in my forehead. There wasn't a single moment in this book that made me emotional in the slightest.
Maybe this was because of the way it started? It felt like I was launched into the middle of the story at the beginning, so I was majorly confused as to the timeline and what was happening. I couldn't differentiate between dreams, daydreams, memories, nightmares, and the present reality. Scenes would jump about and I'd quickly get lost trying to play catch-up on what was happening, rather than even really grasping the "emotions" of a chapter.
Then there's Sam. He confused me so much. His phone calls seemed like they were filled with nuance and yet none of it was ever explained. Why did he make such a huge emphasis on "I'll always pick up" and what was with all of his constant promises? He's dead! He can't fulfill that?! Also, it seemed like he would eventually explain how the call was happening - and he didn't. There seemed to be constant plot holes.
Julie was a bit of an asshole, so I didn't like her from the get-go. Sure, I get that she's grieving, but she treats absolutely everyone around her like crap and makes really cruel choices (like not even going to her boyfriend's funeral!!! Talk about a red flag). In addition to that, she takes up so much of her time on the phone with Sam just asking him how it's all happening. Okay, okay, so yes, finding out how on earth you're talking with your dead boyfriend is important, but maybe not as important as emphasizing how much you love him, how you'll care for his family, what you're doing to make him proud (oh wait, that's nothing because you're a little jerk who decided that no one else matters anymore).
Agh. I couldn't help but feel frustrated the entire time I was reading this book. I waited and hoped that I would miraculously sob in the final chapters, but those just left me feeling more dazed and confused. I wanted this book to be so much more.
I really, truly don't understand the hype with this book. After seeing countless mentions about it and how much it made everyone sob their eyes out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I love when a book can make me cry, so I even went so far as to pick up this book while I was on my period. Is that TMI?? It might be, but hopefully, it puts things in perspective!
In case you didn't see where this is going: I didn't cry. I didn't so much as get glassy eyes or feel a prick in my forehead. There wasn't a single moment in this book that made me emotional in the slightest.
Maybe this was because of the way it started? It felt like I was launched into the middle of the story at the beginning, so I was majorly confused as to the timeline and what was happening. I couldn't differentiate between dreams, daydreams, memories, nightmares, and the present reality. Scenes would jump about and I'd quickly get lost trying to play catch-up on what was happening, rather than even really grasping the "emotions" of a chapter.
Then there's Sam. He confused me so much. His phone calls seemed like they were filled with nuance and yet none of it was ever explained. Why did he make such a huge emphasis on "I'll always pick up" and what was with all of his constant promises? He's dead! He can't fulfill that?! Also, it seemed like he would eventually explain how the call was happening - and he didn't. There seemed to be constant plot holes.
Julie was a bit of an asshole, so I didn't like her from the get-go. Sure, I get that she's grieving, but she treats absolutely everyone around her like crap and makes really cruel choices (like not even going to her boyfriend's funeral!!! Talk about a red flag). In addition to that, she takes up so much of her time on the phone with Sam just asking him how it's all happening. Okay, okay, so yes, finding out how on earth you're talking with your dead boyfriend is important, but maybe not as important as emphasizing how much you love him, how you'll care for his family, what you're doing to make him proud (oh wait, that's nothing because you're a little jerk who decided that no one else matters anymore).
Agh. I couldn't help but feel frustrated the entire time I was reading this book. I waited and hoped that I would miraculously sob in the final chapters, but those just left me feeling more dazed and confused. I wanted this book to be so much more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Toxic relationship