**copy kindly shared for review by the published and NetGalley**

This book was just okay. It would have been a much better movie. The story was okay but the characters weren’t developed well and it took 65% of the book before the characters even ran away like the synopsis stated. The plot points were dramatic and didn’t seem reasonable.

There’s something.. different about starting a book that you know won’t end in a happy ending. At least not a traditional happy ending that we as readers of YA literature have sort of grown to expect.

Ever since I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, I’ve sort of tried to read as many books with characters who have a mental illness. Nick and June Were Here is one story whose likeness is one I have never read. Everything about this book was written in a way that you couldn’t help but feel for both main characters. June, a girl who was diagnosed with early onset Schizophrenia and Nick, a boy who’d never truly had a chance to be a kid because of the choices his father had made and the same footsteps he’d decided to follow in. The love that these two characters had for each other though, was above and beyond heartwarming. The amount of love and understanding that Nick had for June is one that I couldn’t help but feel thankful for the author for writing it in such a matter. Not a lot of authors know how to tread on the subject of mental illness and just how horrible some of these illnesses truly are and this book far surpassed my initial thoughts on what this book was going to be like.

I really hate writing such a low review for a promising book but alas, here I am. Nick and June were here started off rough because there was the subtle “secret” but it was just thrown in out of no where. The first few chapters felt a little confusing because it felt rushed and not very well put together. As the story went on, it was just not put together well. The writing was good but it felt very unorganized and rushed because the way the focus on characters was.

Actual Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I hate that I ended up really disappointed with this book. It has so much potential but I feel like the author is inexperienced and tried to do way too much in one book. I liked the ideas and where she was going with them but they never quite made it there for me. That being said the atmosphere and visuals this book gives are stunning. Given a lot of work and time, this story could be amazing.

I was given an ARC of Nick and June Were Here by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It will be released February 12, 2019.

Young love stories get to me, but this one really took the cake by pulling me in with their struggles. ugh my heart broke for these two. It's so powerful and intimate. this story was deep and heartfelt and exceptionally written. Absolutely loved the emotions it evoked and i highly recommend it.

While the overall tone of this novel may come across a YA romance, it is a beautifully written story about two individuals navigating circumstances outside their control, and realizing that sometimes the harder choice is the better one. Nick and June are childhood best friends, and recent lovers, and so a lot of the emotional development in their relationship has already occurred, which we see through some backstory scenes. In the present, June has received a schizophrenia diagnosis, and is undergoing treatment, when Nick has to skip town to escape trouble, and go to his uncle's off-the-grid cabin. However, it is unthinkable for him to leave without her, and she herself wants to go along with him, if only to console him through his grief of losing the relative he loved so much. Running away is not safe for her, though, and is not a great long-term plan for either of them.

The character development of both the lead characters works separately and together, as we see them though their perspectives. The bond between them is a sure one, and I can see how the thought of losing the other, when they are going through tough times, was unthinkable to both. June is working on her treatment, wanting to get back to the 'normal'ity of before, but she has to realize there are shifts in the way she has to live life now. Nick, fond of taking the easy way out, has to learn to take responsibility and work towards a better solution for his problems. Their love is part of their lives, but it is not the solution to their problems, and I like how the plot it refused to give up and capitulate to a romanticized ideal of 'love conquers all', and instead promotes a healthier form of it. Even with her other best friend, the main point is whether she loves June enough to do the right thing for her.

Overall, I loved the book for its writing, its emotional characterization, the pacing and the ending.

Nick and June Were Here is a contemporary young adult novel that's a fast read. The problem is that it's too fast. It tries to address adolescent onset schizophrenia, realizing you need to make hard choices, the ceaseless grind of poverty, life in rural America, death of a loved one, and at least two or thirty other things.

The writing in Nick and June Were Here is good, which is what makes the novel so frustrating. If the author had chosen to just focus on June's terror as she deals with the realization that, try as she might, she can't will what's happening to her away and her gradual acceptance of her schizophrenia diagnosis, the novel could have been great.

If she'd chosen to focus on Nick, who wants a better future than the one he's got but can't see a way to get it and has so few options, and how he fails to realize that his choices could bind him for years when he's so used to thinking only of the moment, the novel could have been great

But that doesn't happen and everything is smushed together in a too-small space, resisting in a story that tries to touch deep places but only dips the edge of a toe and a half in instead.

I didn't believe June's fast acceptance of her schizophrenia, I didn't believe in the "coincidences" that led to Nick's escape, road trip with June, or the "surprises" that happened. (Just typing all that made me roll my eyes) I didn't believe in the far, far too neat aftermath that made the rushed ending

Nick and June Were Here tries to do too many things--it wants to be a romance, a coming-of-age, a social commentary, and a look at mental illness. If it was longer, maybe these strands could have been woven together, but it isn't and they aren't.

Still, Shalanda Stanley's writing is good enough that I would read another book by her, with the fervent hope that the next one tries to do a few things beautifully instead of a lot clumsily.

I've had this book waiting for a while to be read and I'm so glad that I finally did. Beautifully written, this is the story of Nick and June, childhood friends who have fallen in love and are dealing with significant life changes. Unlike most YA books, this story doesn't just focus on their romance but their friendship/relationship as June is challenged by the beginning signs of schizophrenia and Nick is trying to break free from the path his life seems to be taking. His life has taken a turn towards criminal behavior and he is following in the footsteps of his father. June is struggling to figure out what is happening to her inside her head, while her best friend and her boyfriend are supporting her. Things get worse for June and when her life implodes, her relationships have to adjust to her new diagnosis. The relationship between June and both of these close friends is well written and full of lots of different emotions. I loved the writing of this story and the heartbreak between these characters. This is a story of love, but also one of survival and the acceptance of a new normal. They both are facing very different challenges and trying to hold on to what normal used to be. I think that this will be a very popular read with some of my students and I am grateful that netgalley gave me an arc to read in exchange for my honest opinion. Nick and June will stick with me a while.

June's friends have noticed that June isn't the same Jane anymore. She gets lost, she hears voices and is acting strangely. When June has a mental breakdown she gets diagnosed with schizophrenia. At the same time her boyfriend Nick is trying to keep everything together. With a dad in prison and a mom who moved away, Nick has been supporting his aunt by stealing cars. But when he steals one car too many it threatens his relationship with a very fragile June.

This was an unexpected read. I went into it with some trepidation. I was worried the author wouldn't portray schizophrenia in a realistic light. But she did a great job. I was blown away.

The bond between Nick and June was breathtakingly beautiful and heart breaking at the same time. Both characters had their own struggles and hardships to overcome which made their journey harrowing. I found my heart in my throat near the end. This is the kind of book that sticks with you long after your done.

***Advanced copy obtained from Random House Children's/Knopf Books for Young Readers via Netgalley***

I loved their story so much. I wish Nick and June existed in real life, because I want t know what happens! A heartwarming love story and story of survival.

Warning: This was not a fluffy, simple, two teens in love story. This was a story of a love that survived and flourished despite some really difficult circumstances, and about the tough choices one must make for those they love.

• Pro: My emotions were all over the place reading this book. Both Nick and June had serious issues to deal with. Nick was trying to escape a life of crime, and June was dealing with her recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. These were the really painful parts, but the parts, when Nick and June were able to just be NickAndJune were beautiful.

• Pro: I personally thought June's hospital stay was well done. Her sessions with the doctor and the steps taken to diagnose her, rang true for me. In general, the mental health issues were handled thoughtfully and with care.

• Pro: I guess the main focus was the love shared between Nick and June, but familial and non-romantic love was also explored, and it was done quite beautifully.

• Pro: It's impressive, that this didn't turn into some over the top drama. If you look at all the pieces, it totally could have, but Stanley carefully crafted the story, and each element was used judiciously, resulting in something that was really meaningful and lovely.

• Pro: Every character was well drawn. It was easy to feel something for each and every one of them, and my heart especially ached for Nick, June, and June's parents.

• Pro: At one point, I put up an update about how I felt this story couldn't end well, and I was sort of right. It wouldn't have been realistic if it did, but what Stanley gave me, was an ending that was real, but hopeful.

Overall: An achingly beautiful love story between two people, who had so many obstacles in their way, but were determined to love each other despite it all.

Nick and June have been best friends for many years. A recent relationship change has happened due to the fact that Nick and June are closer than ever: boyfriend and girlfriend. The two of them are struggling with big issues on their own. June is experiencing some scary mental illness symptoms, only to be diagnosed with schizophrenia not much later. Nick is trying to make up for lost money from his father's poor decisions by involving himself in illegal matters. Can the two of them work through these big changes on their own? Can they come out on the other side of this stronger than ever?
I don't know why I thought this book would be lighthearted. The synopsis mentions the mental illness issues, something that is never lighthearted in itself. This was an emotional, deep read, but very well written. The only thing that deterred me from this was that I felt like it was a typical good girl/bad boy runaway novel. There are a lot of young adults like that out there in the world. I didn't feel like this was unique enough to distinguish from others. Regardless, I think Shalanda did a wonderful job sharing the importance of mental illness care.
3.5/5 Stars

I loved this book, nonetheless. It was realistic and breathtaking. I loved the writing style. The book have a really nice pace and I did not feel bored at any moment while I was reading this book. I felt like I was reading someone's testimony and I really loved that.
When it comes to characters, though,I can't say I loved any of them. I did like the story, a lot, especially that ending, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters and that's the only reason I gave this book a four star rating.
I thought that Nick is too selfish. I know that he's been through a lot, but June is the girl who he is in love with and I couldn't understand why would he risk her mental health. They seemed kinda immature but I love that at the end Nick showed some courage and took the mater in his own hands.

Nick and June Were Here is a book that I read 10 times faster than I thought I would, which is technically not a bad or good thing.

Nick and June are two kids from two different worlds in the same town. June is dealing with undiagnosed mental health issues and Nick is dealing with being in and out of juvie for car theft. However, they’ve been friends turned boyfriend and girlfriend for almost their whole lives. However soon Nick is on the run from the law and June comes along to help him not only escape this town, but with a mission to spread ashes for Nick’s relative. The question is will they succeed or is this a runaway adventure that will end badly for both Nick and June?

Something I really liked about the book is how June is able to get help for her undiagnosed mental illness more towards the beginning and end up of the first half of the book rather than the waiting until the end of the book. I also like the support she gets from her family and friends regarding it and how the author doesn’t try to keep with the trope of June refusing she has any problem or anything like that. We get to see June dealing with her illness alone and wanting her friends to not say anything about it, but later we do see June open up to a doctor and her parents once she is in the hospital. I was really worried we would have to wait until the end of the book for that, but I was happy we got to see some of the help June’s gets earlier than that.

Another thing I really like with the book is June and Nick’s relationship. While I had wanted there to be more content regarding it, I did enjoy what we got. I thought they were cute and I really loved their friends to lover romance that we got to know even though the book takes place after they’ve gotten together. I really liked the flashbacks and insight we got into their history and how they became who they were.

Finally, while the ending did come quickly is what a pretty good ending. I am someone who can sometimes favor a wrapped nicely in a bow ending rather than one that is a little more open ended. This book though manages to do both simultaneously in the best way. I can’t go into too much detail without spoilers, but I think the ending found a way to show readers the future of the characters while also leaving some intriguing mystery regarding the author’s writing and writing style. The last past of the book does this tremendously actually.

As I said before this book was a very fast read. I read it in honestly a few hours. I enjoyed how fast I was able to read the book. The story started off a little slow, but picked up the pace the farther I read into it. The only issues I had with this is 1) the story that I thought I was getting did not occur to over 1/2 way through the book and 2) I felt like I needed more content in the back half of the book instead of the first half. While I appreciated the back story and being able to see June not have to wait till the end of the book to get help regarding her mental health, I also wanted more for the runaway part of the story. As I said once we get to the 50 or 60% mark of the story we actually get to the runaway part of the novel. I really liked this part, but I had wished it had been longer and occurred a little earlier in the book than when it did.

This book was a mixed bag for me. I really enjoyed the way the book diverted from some overused tropes and how interesting the main character’s and their relationships were. I also really liked the ending of the book being the perfect form of a happily ever after and a ending that leaves us wanting more. The only issue I had with the book is I would have liked more scenes of June and Nick’s relationship and the actual running away part instead of what we got. Regardless though, this book was a quick and sweet read that you’ll definitely be swept up in and one I am entirely glad I picked up.

About mental illness and a teen’s struggle with the illness and friends and family. Recommended, insightful and interesting. Well written, strong characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I thought this book would be a bit different than it turned out. The blurb hinted at your typical bad boy/good girl romance but it also blatantly told us this book was about schizophrenia, or at least a girl learning to live with a new diagnosis. Don't get me wrong, I know teens are reckless, impulsive and selfish but I felt with this book the author went a little overboard with all these things for something. Shock factor? Angst? I'm not totally sure to be honest. It just seemed a bit much and almost out of touch of reality for someone suffering the way June was.

I was hooked at first with how June interacted with her best friends Nick and Bethany. We learn right off that June is different and something just seems off with her and these two seem to be her solace. Her protectors. When it came down to it, also the whistle blowers because they knew June help they could no longer give her. These are the kinds of friends everyone deserves. My thoughts still love Bethany for who she is to June and never once did that waver throughout this book, probably one of the few redeemable things in it.

Nick was a huge no for me. At first I loved that I felt like he would be there for June no matter what and always do the right thing by her but boy was I proved wrong. His selfishness knew no bounds. None. Nada. Zip. His needs became more important than hers and because of their feelings he knew he could talk her into anything he felt like he needed/wanted. By the end I felt like he got exactly what he deserved and I had no remorse for him what so ever.

I wish this author would have focused a bit more on June and how she was truly coping with her new diagnosis and how her family and friends were actually doing with it. I thought that was where this story was headed before it took a very wrong turn for me. The ending left so many questions unanswered and I feel just lost without knowing them.

Nick and June Were Hear is a story of young love and serious issues. June is schizophrenic. Nick is a criminal. They face the challenges together. Here, however, is the irony: Nick's problems come from his own decisions and bad choices. June's mental illness is something that is not her choice and doesn't allow her to make decisions. Her illness decides for her. The story is intriguing and engaging, but I don't like the characters together. I'm in the middle here because there are good and bad things going on. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was not a fan of the writing style of this book. The info dump in the first chapter was a major turn off, and the writing style wasn't engaging or interesting. Because I did not enjoy the book, I've chosen to not post a formal review because I generally do not share only negative comments on a book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! This was a quick and easy read with characters that I really came to like and root for throughout! I love to see mental illness addressed in more and more stories and done in a respectful and honest way. Seeing characters with these illnesses can be helpful to so many readers who may struggle with the same issues. I thought the ending was a little abrupt, but I would definitely recommend it!

Let me tell you the story of me reading Stanley’s debut, Drowning is Inevitable. I had taken myself out to lunch, and I was eating a burger, and I opened this book on my e-reader, and after a few pages, I stopped reading and switched over to the internet to look up which agent represented the book. Why? Because I was consumed by how mindblowing it must’ve been to have this voice hit your desk. And we’re talking, like, page four. And then I pick up this sophomore, and would you believe I still have not learned not to read Stanley’s absolutely gutting books in public? Nick and June are best friends turned boyfriend and girlfriend, but no matter how close they are, their visions always clash. Nick can’t seem to disentangle himself from the criminal lifestyle he turned to in order to pay the bills, and June wants a collegiate future, but has a mental illness developing that’s becoming all-consuming. When Nick is caught on one last job while June is in the hospital getting diagnosed with schizophrenia, it’s starting to look like a shared future may be impossible…if they follow the rules.