Where It All Lands is such an engaging book that I didnt want to return to my real life for a bit while I was reading it. It follows three separate people, best friends Drew and Shane and a new girl Stevie that started school and meets the two boys the first day of school. Told in dual (triple??) POVs we get to see the sides of all characters only the first half is from the POV of Drew if he won a coin toss to ask Stevie out and the second half of Shane did.

I loved getting to know all the characters though I didn’t connect to Drew as much as Shane or Stevie. He was closed off and had the tell tale angst of teenagerhood which is to be expected. I found it so interesting to see how the trio’s lives changed depending on who won the coin toss and the twist at the end of both stories had me speed reading the last 50 pages to see what happened.

Overall I greatly enjoyed reading it and it was an easy but engaging read. Nothing too in depth or hard about it but definitely got my out of my reading slump!

Heads, you win; tails, you lose. What if everything hinged on the way the coin fell? How different would the results be? That is the premise in Jennie Wexler’s Where It All Lands.

Drew and Shane see Stevie Rosenstein on the first day of band practice and both decide they want to ask her out. Drew falls back on the habit they’ve always had to avoid arguments: toss a coin. Heads, he gets to ask Stevie out; tails, Shane does. In the first iteration of the story, the coin lands on heads and the reader follows the consequences of this. In the second part, the coin lands on tails and it becomes Shane’s story. At the point of the story’s climax in both novellas, the chapters alternate between the “Heads” story and the “Tails” story until an inconclusive ending that the reader is supposed to guess at.

Besides music, Drew, Shane, and Stevie share some pretty hefty daddy issues. Drew’s dad seems to be more interested in his career in music than in his family; Shane’s father has died causing an expected chasm; and Stevie’s dad is a professional offensive football coach who finds himself frequently out of a job and moving to the next one, taking his family with him, which results in Stevie feeling like she never fits it. Much to Shane’s chagrin, neither Drew nor Stevie appreciate the fact that they still have a living father in their lives. Their issues with their fathers predominate in a repetitious fashion.

In the “Heads” side of the story, melodrama rules and this is never so apparent as when one listens to the audio version. All of the self-absorbed tirades and whining is kind of painful when it’s performed. The relationship between Drew and Stevie seems destructive and there’s little in the way of character development until after the “significant event.”

The “Tails” version is a lot more palatable. In both versions, Shane is my favorite character. He has it more together and seems to work on himself as a person and is open to other people. His relationship with Stevie is sweet. I think that this version really could have raised the novel above average if the author had understood how important it was to have the characters progress, change, evolve, and have a different outcome than having to pass through the predetermined “significant event.”

Now I’ve thought about the format quite a bit since I finished reading. The format of presenting both versions hinging on the same significant event seemed clunky. It meant repetition. It also signified that, regardless of what decision you make, some events will occur either way–which I don’t buy. In the “Tails” version everything has built to a scene at All-State (the music contest Stevie and Shane have prepared for and attend) to show Stevie’s elevated confidence and it could have been such an empowering scene but the author decided to adhere to the same “significant” event needing to happen. And the reader finds themselves at a tragic situation instead of something better. A lost opportunity to have an inspiring moment, I think. Evidently, it was better to stick with melodrama than have a feel-good moment.

Also built way out of context is the coin toss and the expected and actual reaction to it. With all of the hand-wringing, you would have expected it was something much bigger than it is when examined. Two guys tossed a coin to see who would ask a girl out. The decision was still left to the girl. The guys weren’t in control. Stevie’s reaction when discovering they tossed a coin was an over-reaction. In some ways, that over-reaction is a continuing issue with the novel with so many over-the-top emotions and melodrama.

Where It All Lands is also a novel that incorporates quite a bit of music. If you follow me, you know that makes me a happy camper. One of my favorite groups, Pearl Jam, features quite significantly, especially their album “10.” I did wonder, however, why these three teenager weren’t listening to anything contemporary and why when someone contemporary, Taylor Swift, comes on the radio they take it as an opportunity to diss her despite the fact that she continues to push creative boundaries. Good music is always being made, and I would have presumed music nerds would have been on top of it.

Where It All Lands is a very ambitious debut novel, one that lovers of angst will completely adore. I loved the “what-if” ideas but wished they’d been examined further. It is definitely a novel that begs you to keep turning pages as you see that one decision can completely change a life.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Stevie Rosenstein is no stranger to starting over. The daughter of an NFL coach, she is forced to move every few years for her father’s job. Now living in Suburban New Jersey, she wants nothing more than to stay in one place. When she joins the marching band she meets inseparable best friends Drew and Shane. Both Drew and Shane fall hard and fast for Stevie. Unsure how to handle the conflict, they flip a coin to decide who gets to ask out Stevie. But life doesn’t always go according to plan.

Where It All Lands is divided into two main sections, depending on which side the coin lands on. The one where the coin lands on heads, Drew gets to ask out Stevie. The other, tails, Shane is the winner, and he gets to ask Stevie out. I liked how the two different sections offered a difference in perspective on the same events. The style reminded me quite a bit of the show The Affair, where the narrative changes based on perspective. Each section is broken down into chapters told in alternating first-person perspectives between Stevie, Drew, and Shane.

I loved this book. I wasn’t totally thrilled with the style, but I loved the characters and how the style made it so that you would see the characters from multiple perspectives. All three main characters were so genuine and realistic, but I think my favorite character was Shane.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the review copy! All opinions are my own.

A trio of teens navigate young love and personal challenges while trying to figure out how to balance their friendships with one another. Just as the culmination of their story is revealed, a coin toss changes the entire scenario. Author Jennie Wexler makes the subject of first love sweet and refreshing while navigating her plot in the most subtle yet dynamic of ways in her excellent debut novel Where It All Lands.

High school sophomore Stevie Rosenstein arrives in New Jersey knowing one thing for sure: being the new girl sucks. She’s lived in so many places and had so many friends that it doesn’t even seem possible anymore to become good friends with anyone. And she’s never sure whether the kids who do want to be her friends are sincere or trying to score tickets to football games, all because her father is a coach for the NFL. It doesn’t matter how good she is on the saxophone or that she loves music and is basically a normal teenager.

As she walks into her new school, her guard is up. Then Stevie meets best buds Drew and Shane, and all of a sudden she discovers that both of them know how she feels. Drew’s dad is a famous music producer, leaving Drew to struggle with the same questions about friendships. Shane is a talented musician, a beast of a drummer, and he knows how music is the one thing that can make the world seem all right for a little while.

The boys spot Stevie at band practice at the start of the year, and they’re both drawn to her. They know, though, that fighting about who’s going to ask her out is dumb. Their friendship has survived more than a crush—Drew’s dad had an affair with an assistant and is on the verge of moving out. Shane’s dad died, leaving Shane with a huge hole in his life. The friends have supported each other through the worst; they’re not going to let a girl come between them.

There’s no denying that they both like her, though, and they both want to ask her out. In a moment of inspiration, Drew suggests flipping a coin for it. Shane is reluctant at first, but even he can’t argue with the logic that it’s basically the way they decide everything. They know it might seem a little skeevy, but Stevie never has to know.

As they call heads and tails, the boys have no idea just how their lives are going to change. Life is about to challenge each of them and the strength of their friendship. Both of them want to get to know Stevie better. Both of them have a fair reason to ask her out. But none of them will ever be the same again.

Debut author Jennie Wexler manages to navigate the tropes of YA romance without falling into a stereotypical plot. Telling the story first from when the coin lands on heads and then when it lands on tails, Wexler gives each of the boys an opportunity to explore a relationship with Stevie. In the hands of a less confident writer, the result might have felt caricaturish or melodramatic. Instead, Wexler provides depth and heft to the storyline both times she tells it.

Moreover, she’s able to find new details to share about all three of her main characters in both storylines, no easy job at all. As readers progress through Stevie’s budding relationship with one, they might think they’ll find out everything there is to know about Drew, Shane, and Stevie. Yet Wexler manages to hold back several surprises, both in terms of character development as well as the plot.

The biggest surprise may come in the fact that the stories with each of the boys ends in the same climactic moment, yet here too Wexler wields a deft hand that allows her to navigate possible story traps with ease. There’s no doubt readers will be reading as fast as possible to find out what actually happened.

Those who enjoy YA novels about first love and solid friendships that don’t follow the stereotypes will definitely want to check this out.

I loved how this book had multiple timelines and to see where the story would go for the different choices they made.

I got invited to read this book, not a big YA reader but this one sounded intriguing and it certainly was.
A weird love triangle of two good friends with the new Girl in town that started out with the toss of a coin. All three besides having music as a common denominator have issues with their Fathers. This turned into an intense but interesting read. I really enjoyed it and the different way it was written.
All in a great story of friendships, family, chances and young love.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press and the Author, Jennie Wexler for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story about Shane, Drew, and Stevie or more accurately, these are two novellas: one about Drew and Stevie, and the other about Shane and Stevie. The timelines diverge when the boys flip a coin to decide who gets to ask the girl out and from here we see the two separate possibilities unfold.

We never learn which one is the reality we are in, so the brain has to make some mental gymnastics about multi-verses and diverging stories in order to not feel disappointed by the ending.

I didn't care for the fact that apparently the only "good music" has been made and there is no such thing as different musical preferences. Can women not write "good music" I moreover didn't care for the insta-love and the lack of possibility that these boys could be platonic friends with Stevie first.

How I wish we can teach our YA readers to be friends before we teach them to try and get the girl.

Where It All Lands is a story between two best friends and the new girl. Unable to decide who will ask Stevie out, Drew and Shane decide to use a coin toss to see who it will be.I'm always on the lookout for books in the young/new adult genre to discuss with my son, so when I saw this one I thought I would give it a try.

The story is then told in parallel timelines.What if Drew won the toss? What about Shane? At times this works, but at times, it didn't work for me. I did find the technique interesting, I just wish it had worked a little better for this reader. Every time I had to think about who's POV I was reading took me out of the story.

I did like that the story dealt with something fairly common in high school, and I found the relationships that developed interesting. There's also a lot of music-related content which I loved in this story. There's a lot of heartache too.

Overall, interesting concept and delivery of this tale of young love. I did think it captured the desperation and deep emotions of first love and friendship and that's what makes me give this debut four solid stars.

I received an ARC of Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

About halfway through the book I was confused because it felt wrapped up but there was half a book left. Then I realized the super creative way this story was told and I absolutely love it. I don't know many other books that have this format and the ones that do aren't quite the same. So A++ on the formatting/story crafting.

The characters were also fantastic. I am such a huge fan of Shane because I just want to protect him from all that is bad. He is so sweet and considerate. I enjoyed Stevie's spunk and Drew's energy but it's almost like they don't need protecting (although oof to their histories).

The prose was great. The descriptions helped place me in the scene without slowing the pacing down with the details.

Overall, I highly recommend! This is the first book in a month that has me excited. Hoping it is the start to the end of my book hangover!

I only read the first section, “Heads”, because once I realized I’d have to read the same story essentially, I couldn’t keep going. I found the story pretty unoriginal, basically has the same plot and conflicts as any 2000’s rom-com.

Posted on Goodreads:

Where It All Lands is a young adult novel about Stevie, Drew, and Shane and the many possibilities that can come out of a coin toss.
Throughout the book, the author demonstrates the different scenarios that would have happened and the perspectives of the characters. While I read the book, I connected with Shane and his willingness to always be the kind friend. He was willing to help and support his friends and built relationships because of his caring nature.

Overall I gave this book 3 stars because I would have liked to see a resolution at the end, but I enjoyed the book and the friendships built between the characters in the story.

I was gifted this book for #netgalley and St Martin’s Press for an honest review.

It’s not often I go into a book blind, but that’s kinda what I did with Where It All Lands. You are dropped directly into the plot in the prologue with the backstory being told in parts following. Love triangles are not always my favorite trope, but this one wasn’t a typical love triangle. I enjoyed being shown all sides of the story but felt like the ending was unresolved.

“A simple coin toss alters the course of their year in profound and unexpected ways”, this part the synopsis is what really drew me in and made me want to read it! I loved being about to read dual timelines to see how it would have turned out if different choices were made.

The story follows Drew, Shane, and Stevie. Drew and Shane are best friends, Stevie is the new girl in town. Drew and Shane both become interested in Stevie and do a coin toss to see who gets to ask her out.

I enjoyed reading how each choice could effect the future. However I did not enjoy how there wasn’t a conclusive ending. I felt like the story was not resolved and we are kinda left hanging.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy of this ebook. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The concept of this story really intrigued me and I had high hopes for this book. However, I just don't think this was the book for me.

The only character that I felt like I semi liked was Shane, but in all reality none of the characters really developed enough for me to get to know them. This story is told in two different story lines based off of a coin flip and while that idea seemed cool, it really took away from the romances in each story line and did not allow for the characters to be flushed out.

Not only that, but I had a hard time trying to figure out why we were getting so upset over a coin flip. I understand that teenage angst doesn't always make sense, but this seemed a bit far fetched to me.

All in all this was a really quick read, and I can understand why some people have loved it. I just do not feel like it was the book for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Happy belated pub day to Where It All Lands. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for my NetGalley ARC!

Best friends Drew and Shane meet new girl Stevie and instantly fall for her. In keeping with their tradition, they flip a coin to decide who should ask her out. Reminiscent of Sliding Doors, we see the two timelines "Heads" and "Tails" showing both love stories.

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did - it took me a few chapters to get into it. This setup seems like a "manic pixie dream girl" scenario, but I felt like all three characters were well drawn enough to avoid this problem. Stevie and Shane were a particular highlight - I loved how they connected through music. Shane and Drew's friendship was also wonderful - it was clear that they really cared about each other. The ending of the book is very emotional - be sure to have tissues handy!

If you like YA books, definitely check this one out!

**thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book

This book tells the story of a girl who moves into town due to her father’s job as an NFL coach and she meets two guys who decided to flip a coin in order to figure out who to ask her out.

I don’t mind the timeline parallel that happen in books as long as it doesn’t make you feel like you know what’s happening but you don’t and it gets confusing but what’s different with this one is that each coin tells a story as to what would happen if drew had heads while Shane had tails and at each end of their part, the same event happens.

Though i wished more of these friendships were explored a bit more between the three characters before the events, i did enjoy reading about their home life and how not everything it what it seems and when things do happen, they happen for a reason in life.

The ending is what i wished should’ve been expanded a bit rather than leave the ending a bit mysterious as to what the outcome would be. Whether it was heads or tails, that was up to the boys in the story.

Overall i did enjoy this book and i do hope to look forward to more works from the author in the foreseeable future

This book absolutely broke me heart. I equally loved Drew, Shane and Stevie, all for different reasons. The way the musical influence wove throughout their stories was just magical to me and pulled their stories together so well. There were a lot of important lessons in this story and questioning of life that felt very meaningful. This definitely pulled at the heartstrings. Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC.

3.5/ 5 stars

This is a Young Adult contemporary romance. This is the author's debut novel.

This book takes place in New Jersey and has three 1st person narrators: Stevie (female), Drew and Shane. It is told in dual timelines

The book is divided into three parts. I had not read the book blurb so I was very surprised to find out what the parts entailed. I liked part one. But a different parallel timeline started in part two. This could have worked for me. But the idea of having to live through the same things again was not my favorite thing.

The author interestingly begins the book by showing us exactly what happens at the end. The book starts in December. We know that something happens. We just don't know who it happens to. Then we go back to August/September. And the book progresses forward till reaching December.

I really enjoyed that Drew and Stevie's fathers were both famous. However Drew has stayed in one place while Stevie has had to change schools many times in her young life. I also liked the fact that both teen boys were enamored with Stevie. I also loved the musical aspect. All three teens were in band. And music is a huge part of this book.

A key part of this book has to do with a coin flip. And I thought that idea was interesting. As mentioned I had absolutely no idea what parts 2 and 3 would be. The last part was too much flipping back and forth. The ending was too open-ended for me. I didn't really understand the epilogue. But overall this was an interesting book about choices that people make.

Gigantic thanks to Wednesdays Books @wednesdaybooks and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you want a good coming-of-age story that is emotional, heartbreaking and hopeful this is the story for you! I walked into this story completely blind, and I am so glad I did. This story follows main character, Stevie, as her life plays out in two alternate relationship timelines involving best friends, Drew and Shane. The high school setting was perfect for this story and worked well with the world building. Sometimes world building suffers while navigating two alternate timelines, but this author did it beautifully. I was already locked in during the first timeline, and when it switched, I found myself even more intrigued. The characters were four dimensional, and I felt a strong connection with them throughout the story. The plot flowed steady and was written well.

Overall, I gave this novel 3.75 out 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this, but I don't think I would read it again because I felt I got everything I wanted during my first read.

Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler is a YA novel that follows three main characters: Stevie, Drew, and Shane. Stevie is the new girl in town, which is something she is accustomed to. Her family is never in one location for a long time due to her dad’s career of being an NFL coach. On her first day of school, she meets Drew and Shane who are childhood best friends. They both find Stevie attractive and flip a coin to see who would ask her out, which is what they do to decide on conflicting issues. I enjoyed this story so much. A story about that first kiss, friendship and second chances.
Thank you NetGalley, Publisher and Author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.