Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he'd give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv's deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn't Viv.

The apparition's name is Nina, and she's not a ghost. She's a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can't believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn't the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he's forced to choose--stay with Viv or let her go--before the window closes between them once and for all.

Review

Overview:

Camden's whole world is over when the love of his life, Viv, dies in a tragic car accident. Blaming himself for her untimely death is only part of the crushing pain he lives with day in and day out. An introvert by nature, he also deals with an injury that ended his rising football career. In the painful days after his recovery, Viv was his constant support. With Viv he felt accepted, loved unconditionally, and like he had something worthwhile in his life. Now that she's gone, Cam struggles through a hopeless existence. School, his few friends, the state of his home, and weekly mandatory visits to his shrink only emphasize that she is gone.

One day while he wanders grief stricken, he comes face to face with a girl at the scene of the accident. Her name is Nina. She's weeping and claims that she knows him, that she misses him. Not only has he never seen her in his life, she is also transparent green--a visitor from a parallel world! Through a series of events that transpire afterwards, Cam feels like he's losing his mind. In desperation, he goes back to the place Nina appeared and discovers the gap to that parallel world is still open. What he finds there and what happens afterwards shocks him to the core, Viv is alive! Cam is determined to get a second chance. Yet as the differences between the worlds are brought to life and secrets are revealed, it changes not only his entire perspective on past events but also what he was so certain he wanted for the future.

My thoughts:

Through To You envelops the emotional senses and draws the reader into another dimension--a dimension full of heartfelt pain, desire for recovery, a betrayal of everything you thought you knew and finally hoped for the future. The author weaves the story with confidence and finesse and before you know it you've read half the book!

I loved the plot-- it's different, it's relatable, it captivates! It centers around choices, and how the smallest one can change your life. That, mixed together with inter-dimensional travel, made me, the reader, very interested in finding out what happens next.

Although the setting throughout most of the book is somewhat tragic, its lifelike representation serves a purpose: to weave together the characters and connect the reader to their emotions. Cam was very well written. The struggle he goes through flows from the pages, yet it only makes you root for him all the more.

Towards the end I wanted so badly for him to just be happy and find closure. The secondary characters, although presented as misunderstanding Cam in most scenarios, are the opposition he needs to come to a crossroads and make a decision. The conflict that comes up all throughout the book is mostly one of inner turmoil yet there are a few surprises.

Over all this book truly captivates. The author has a very down to earth writing style and uses all the right words to create a love story that become relatable even though never experienced. You won't be able to turn the pages fast enough!

Reviewed by Elisabeth

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