Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

My heart hurts, this book left me so emotional and I adored the romance 💕

The start of me and you wasn’t as fluffy as I expected, I mean looking at the cover I was expecting your typical feel good high school romance but it was much deeper and I really should have realised that seeing as it’s by Emery Lord.

Paige’s boyfriend died last year and she’s still living with the pity stares and the hard reminders that he’s gone. This year she wants to get back to her old self or perhaps just herself so she makes a list of small goals she wants to achieve and sets out to get them done.

Lists in contemporary books like this one and Morgan Matson’s Since you’ve been gone are one of my fave tropes, mixed in with a great friend group, banter, and girls supporting girls I was loving this whole story.

“In friendship we are all debtors. We all owe each other for a thousand small kindnesses, for little moments of grace in the chaos.” 

Family themes, Mum and Dad’s divorce, not having that perfect sibling relationship you often see , a grandma that is way to cool, and friends family mentioned too I really loved how involved the families were in this story. Seriously it’s a contemporary and they’re 16-17 families going to be a big part of their life and impact it in huge ways. The friendship group was supportive, great, and seriously made me so happy give me girl gangs like this in all my books please.

CUTE ASS ROMANCE HAS ME YELLING AT THE BOOK JUST ADMIT YOU LOVE EACH OTHER ALREADY GODDAMN.

Grief, friendship, surprise parties, tubs on tubs of ice-cream, quizzes, and overcoming fears ❤ This book is the perfect contemporary.

4/5 stars

Have you read this? What did you think? It’s a pretty old release so I’m guessing most people would have by now, if you haven’t and you like Contemporaries you definitely should! 

Thank you so much Bloomsbury for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review