If I Fix You

This book is one of the strong contemporaries to come out this year. A story about loss and recreating your life, this book revolves around Jill, whose mother walked out of her family and their lives nearly a year ago. But Jill's mother did not just walk out, she broke her daughter's heart before leaving. Reeling from that night, she is a shell of a person, not able to relate to anyone, especially the best friend she used to love or able to speak about it. She and her father share a great relationship; right from childhood, she and her father have worked together on the cars in his garage. So, in this summer that is what she is focusing on - fixing the cars because she can't fix herself. When a new neighbor, Daniel, comes in, a guy who is in a situation like hers, she and he form an instant bond. Here is a person a little more broken than her, and they can lean on each other for support. The way their relationship starts is sweet, but there is the fact that he is way older than her sixteen years. Even though they share a connection, she realizes the fact that they can't work, not as anything more than just friends. I mean, see age-difference relationships as usually seen as unequal, with one person having more power than the other, but it is not completely so in this case. It is more the fact that they are in different points in their lives, and while they have this good relationship between them, it can't work as a romance. And the author, as well as Jill, show that it can not be so (which I was grateful for, because I really was thinking it might go the other way). Jill has unresolved issues with her mom, and so does Daniel, and they both have to deal with their respective messes separately. When her mother comes waltzing back in her life with a grenade launched at her and her father's relationship, Jill finally has the courage to evaluate her relationship with her mom, and the events of that night. The reason I docked off one star, is because a lot of the plot and Jill's troubles with Sean arose out of miscommunication, and I hate stories that rely on 'if only you talked' to create obstacles. Nevertheless, it is well-written and deals with the subject properly, so I would recommend it as a good book.

Jill Whitaker is sixteen years old, lives in Arizona, and loves working on cars at her father's garage. When her mom suddenly walks out, leaving behind only a post-it note as an explanation of her departure, Jill is devastated, even more so when not long before she catches her mom attempting to seduce Sean, the boy Jill once thought she'd love forever. As Jill struggles to deal with her mom leaving her and her dad, she ends up forming an instant bond with her new neighbor Daniel, realizing that he is just as broken as she is. I found myself being pulled in right away to this story; I took a real liking to the characters and found myself empathizing with Jill. I especially loved the close knit relationship Jill has with her father as well as the friendship with Jill and Daniel and their moments on the roof of Jill's house. Engaging and heartbreaking, a really well-written coming of age story. I'd definitely recommend this book!

A phenomenal piece of art that I am overjoyed to have been able to read. I recommend it to everyone who loves a heart-felt story. . . which should be everyone. I look forward to reading other books from this author.