I expected more from this book than panned out. Not a fan of insta-love, and I didn't connect with the characters as I'd hoped. Younger readers may feel differently.

Difficult themes are addressed, such as alcoholism, death of a parent, and online bullying.

This wasn't totally too interesting which is disappointing because I really wanted to enjoy this one. The writing was fantastic but the plot just wasn't it.

I have been waiting for this title for a while now and couldn’t wait to read it. I was nervous it wouldn’t meet my expectations, but I am so happy to say I was wrong. It was wonderful and I’m glad I had the chance to read this book. It’s your classic nerd girl and popular boy formula but with a few changes. She has a disability and he’s the nice popular guy with more issues under the surface. Yes, this has been done over and over but the author has a way of making the characters feel fresh and reveals both characters flaws as time goes on. Although the majority of the book takes place over one night we watch as two people connect and realize that they have quite a bit in common. The relationship felt realistic and natural. Both characters grow in a believable way and made the story satisfying. I found myself not wanting the story to end. I would recommend this book to everyone as it was a great read. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC! 4.5 stars.

CW: Alcohol abuse, death of a parent and family member

This book is about two teenagers who take cover from a snowstorm in a Thomas Edison museum and fall in love in the process. When I first finished this book, I was really disappointed because everything was going well until about eighty percent through, when something happened that made me really hate the main character. My expectations for this book were kind of high, this being the same author who wrote the Dear Evan Hansen novel, but I was let down.

The overall plot was good, and I was intrigued by the concept of it taking place over the course of a day. I liked both of the character’s backstories which made it really interesting to read about them, but again, the thing that happened before the ending was not really enjoyable. Or rather, the main character’s reactions weren’t enjoyable. Plus, I’m not really into insta-love.

It dealt with themes of alcoholism, death of a parent, online bullying, and new family relationships and I thought everything added important elements to the story, as we only follow two characters.

I think this book would be more compelling to younger readers and maybe would’ve done better if it was edited to be a middle grade novel, but if you enjoy insta-love and complicated family relationships, you will like this book.

Even though I’m a fan of Val Emmich’s writing, this one just didn’t speak to me. However, I do appreciate the imperfect characters (who make mistakes even in understanding their mistakes), the representation of disability that doesn’t veer into inspiration porn, and that is one beautiful cover.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of MAYBE WE’RE ELECTRIC by Val Emmich in exchange for my honest review.***

Two very different high school students, both running from family issues, spend the night in a Thomas Edison museum. Teagan was born with a deformed hand, what her parents affectionately call a limb difference. Though not a major factor in the story, it is part of who she is and how she views herself. Popular, athletic Mac seems to have a perfect life, especially to Teagan.

On a night where neither wants to go how, the two connect over their emotional trauma, until some truths threaten to sever that connection.

I would have been all over MAYBE WE’RE ELECTRIC between the ages of 11-15. Though the characters are sixteen, the storyline and writing will connect probably better to tweens and younger teens. I’ve have read and reread the story and if it became a movie, watched and rewatched. Girls in this age group will find something identify with in either or both Teagan and Mac.

I’m not sure MAYBE WE’RE ELECTRIC will appeal as much to adults who enjoy YA, which doesn’t matter as we aren’t the target audience. I don’t think I’d revisit the story of look to see a movie as I would other YA/MG books.

Younger teens will enjoy MAYBE WE’RE ELECTRIC, be sure libraries are stocked with multiple copies.

Val Emmich’s latest novel draws readers into the world of Teagan and Mac, on one snowy night that will change their perception of each other and other people forever. Maybe We’re Electric is a book about trust, relationships, grief, gratitude, and acceptance. With most of the book taking place at the Thomas Edison Museum, Teagan and Mac confront their darkest truths and inner demons.

Tegan is the quiet, invisible girl who continues her high school life while working at the museum. She sees popular people like Mac Durant lucky and carefree from real-life problems. However, the Mac that step into the museum past closing time is different. Tegan can’t believe the Mac being revealed to her. The side she thought she knew tears away the longer they were alone together at the museum.

Apart from Tegan’s perspective, readers notice a second person perspective. As the story progresses, readers may realise how the author has used this to establish a certain amount of sympathy to project into Tegan. Readers can get into the mind of Tegan but as an out of world experience; a ‘this is what it looks like’ angle. This only adds more simplicity and poetic to Emmich’s writing, especially for a young adult novel.

Tegan’s character revolves around intent and growth, which readers see throughout the story. She is a main character who isn’t perfect, who makes mistakes but does not give up in trying to fix things. The writing style added to her personality, where readers can escape into Tegan’s mind. A little humour thrown here and there, but she never stops thinking ahead and of multiple things at once! Clearly, a likable first-person narrative.

Apart from the popular guy and quiet and shy girl trope, Mac Durant is an enjoyable character. A regular guy who enjoys soccer. He has a minor mysterious streak to him which adds to his likableness. Not in a way that is overused but fits his personal life and what he too is going through. There isn’t one teenager who has it easy today. Mac reveals himself to Tegan in ways he hadn’t done for anyone in a long time. He trusts Tegan and can only hope she fulfils her end.

However, Mac doesn’t know his soccer dreams were humiliated by an anonymous exposing account run by Tegan. She used the account to fuel out her anger at the world for being treated differently and for a lot of other reasons, which include spoilers. This account leads to Tegan becoming distant with her friends and closer to all the gossip she receives online.

Every minute which goes by, and Tegan learns something new about Mac, she has to live with not telling him. Yet if she did, she’d have to explain everything, including how she writes emails to her dad and longs for the relationship she once had with him. It isn’t easy to say any of it, since the reason Mac is there because of his own father.

Some self-actualisation comes from this novel between both characters. Tegan offers advice to Mac while he makes her realise how important the people in her life are right now. There are flashbacks throughout the novel to draw some better understanding, which flowed well into the pace of the story.

There are so many things worth mentioning in this book, but it must be read to get a better and deeper understanding. Even though fiction, it proves how strong connections we create in a short amount of period, how attached people become to something that isn’t there and how we may stay in a ‘comfort’ place to avoid facing our fears or reality. Simply a must—read for all young adult readers looking for something to binge in one sitting or a comfort read.

This was a fast intense read that hooks you from the beginning with the bit of a mystery going on. We find Tegan and Mac who know each other from school. They roam in the same orbit but never really interacted until now. Mac comes needing help and in the process they find more within each other.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This book is excellent. I got sucked in pretty quickly to Tegan’s story. I love a story where the majority happens in one day. The writing was just mesmerizing and it made me feel so many feelings.