WOULD YOU RATHER know what’s going to happen or not know? A summer night. A Saturday. For Natalie’s amazing older sister, Claire, this summer is fantastic, because she’s zooming off to college in the fall. For Natalie, it’s a fun summer with her friends; nothing special. When Claire is hit by a car, the world changes in a heartbeat. Over the next four days, moment by moment, Natalie, her parents, and their friends wait to learn if Claire will ever recover.
I was really surprised by how small this book was when it arrived. I knew it was only around 170 pages but it also looks tiny and I’ve got to admit I was a little put off. However, once I started to read it I was completely and utterly hooked.
Jocelyn has a really amazing writing style which includes so many small details and observations. It was also surprisingly funny in places too which helped prevent the story from feeling too melancholy. It is sad though, but I also found it refreshingly honest.
The main character of Natalie grew on me over the course of the story. In the beginning I found her and her friends to be somewhat superficial and I didn't feel any real connection – but after her sister's accident I found myself really starting to like her and her friends. I was especially taken with Angela and Zach who did some very sweet and considerate things for Natalie when she needed them the most.
A very thoughtful and insightful story. I think fans of Before I Die or Life on a Refrigerator Door would really enjoy it.