Review of You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan


To be published on June 7, 2016 by St. Martins Griffin

Source: eARC for review

Synopsis from Goodreads: Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken. 

For whatever reason, their paths outside of class have never crossed. 

That is until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city for a wild, unexpected night. Kate is lost, having just run away from a chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar. Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may not feel the same way. 

When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they will become to each other -- and how, in a very short time, they will know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know them more.

Review of You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan


You Know Me Well is a treat to read -- a story about both friendship and unrequited love. 

While another Levithan collaboration -- Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist -- was a boy-meets-girl love story set in one night and told in alternating chapters, You Know Me Well is narrated by two soon-to-be-friends: both gay, one male and one female. 

Katie has been pining for a girl she hasn't yet met, while Mark is secretly in love with his best friend Ryan. Then Katie and Mark meet, and each supports the other as they panic and retreat from love (Katie) and risk rejection (Mark). The San Francisco setting (during Pride Week, no less) is perfect and well-used.

David Levithan has co-authored a bunch of books. My favorite of his collaborations thus far has been Will Grayson, Will Grayson. In that book, I could feel the shift between the greater energy and edginess of a Green chapter and the more thoughtful, emotional Levithan writing. But Levithan's and LaCour's styles merged so beautifully that I have no idea whether each took alternate chapters.

You Know Me Well made me smile. It's a charming, heartwarming story about first love and first heartbreak, about self-discovery and having the courage to love someone. 

Highly recommended!


Comments

  1. This book sounds so great! I've only read Levithan's Two Boys Kissing and I loved it. I really need to check this one out!

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    1. Definitely. It was really a great read!

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  2. This sounds like a sweet read. I love reading about first loves. I'll be keeping an eye out for your giveaway.

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  3. Great review! I also really liked this one -- I completely agree with you that the writing styles merged so beautifully and this was a joy to read!!

    my review

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  4. THIS BOOK SOUNDS SUPER ADORBS AND SWEET! I'm glad you liked it! My favorite thing about it would be the fact that there are so many things going on and I'd like to see how it all ties in together!

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  5. Ooh, this sounds really nice! I read Will Grayson and quite adored it. :D I haven't read anything else by David Leviathan yet though. :)

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  6. I just ordered a copy of this book, so I'm happy to know it's a book up my alley (according to your review, anyway.). Great review, Jenn!

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  7. I totally agree that I didn't know who wrote what!! It was so seamless. It wasn't the DEEPEST book I've read, but I definitely found fun in reading it!

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  8. I am really excited for this one. It sounds great and have seen some really wonderful reviews for it. I also loved Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Great review!!

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  9. This sounds utterly charming, and I love how it's upending the traditional boy-meets-girl trope!

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  10. We need more books that make us smile, in my opinion :) I haven't read Will Grayson..., but everyone seems enamored with the story, so I guess I will. Writers working together to produce a book - now there's something I would struggle with. I admire greatly those that can do it :)

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  11. The premise reminds me a bit of this anime called Toradora but without the queer characters. I'll definitely keep a look out for it

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  12. This one is on my wish list, and I hope to read it soon. I have never read anything by either of these authors before, so I'm a virgin. Great review!

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  13. Glad you could find this one to be so sweet and heart warming. It seems like a nice, enjoyable read that is worth the time!

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