Rating: 
If I Stay has it all. A flourishing friendship, bittersweet romance and enduring family. While this story was set in an insanely short space of time, Gayle Forman still manages to create a beautiful novel so effortlessly that I grew to love.
Gayle Forman puts readers in a position that other authors never have before. And I see why many authors may not have tried. Because it’s hard. It’s difficult endeavour, and Forman did a darn good job at making this story, a moving and powerful story. Life was good for Mia before the car accident. She had both parents, a little brother, boyfriend and best-friend. But after the accident, she’s only got a boyfriend and a best-friend. When Mia finds herself looking down at her butchered body, she needs to decide, if she goes, so she can be with her family or if she stays. A short novel expanded my momentous flashbacks, we watch Mia’s past seventeen years like a film, and us readers, get torn between the decision as well. Stay or leave?
I found it hard to engage with Mia – but considering she was disconnected from the word I’m not surprised that I was disconnected from her. However it wasn’t hard to not like Mia. Given her tragic conditions – on the death bed, her passion for music was rather a huge bonus. Music has always been part of my life, and I am a fan of classical music and playing it – it soothes me when I go crazy. Her relationship with music and love was beautifully written and I thought it was very interesting way to look at the world. Mia’s best friend, Kim also happened to be one of my favourite characters. She was so fiery and full of love for Mia, I honestly wish I could have Kim as my bestie.
But no one beats Adam. Yes, he got irritated easily but being flawless is rather unattractive, right? There are so many quotable sentences by him I simply must share a one of my favourites:
“If you stay, I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I’ll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be too painful, that maybe it’d be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I’d do it. I can lose you like that if I don’t lose you today. I’ll let you go. If you stay.”
This is a beautifully written novel about love and life. It Kind of snuck up on me. I didn’t think I was into this story but I started to tear up during one of the scenes (it was the one when Gramps came in to talk to Mia) and I had to reach for tissues. I’ve heard such great things about Gayle Forman’s books and I’m so glad that I decided to read one. I will definitely be n the look out to read more from this fantastic YA author.
Ana
Books, I Love you. 