A vida de Julie virou de cabeça para baixo após a morte de seu namorado, Sam, em um acidente. Ela não sabe lidar com o que sente, e tentando dimmnuir sua dor, ela coloca tudo o que tem de Sam em uma caixa na calçada. Quando ela percebe que não é esquecendo de Sam que as coisas irão melhorar, é tarde demais, a caixa se foi. No momento que o desespero bate, ela decide ligar para o número de Sam, ouvir a voz dele na caixa postal pode trazer algum conforto. O que Julie não esperava era que Sam atendesse.

Sam não dá detalhes sobre onde está, mas não é mais no mesmo mundo dos vivos. Essa é a chance deles se despedirem e enquanto esse dia não chega, Sam orienta Julie a ir em lugares que queria ter levado ela, eles conversam quando ela precisa, e isso a permite viver dia após dia. Essa conexão não durará para sempre, e Julie não sabe se conseguirá suportar perder Sam definitivamente quando chegar a hora de dizer adeus.

Durante essa história acompanhamos o luto da Julie, como ela se mantém apegada a Sam e não se permite mais ansiar pelo futuro que planejou. Ela não conseguir pensar em seguir o que queria fazer se ele não está mais ali, e isso a deixa presa, e isso é algo que é trabalhado ao longo do livro. Outro ponto é a relação dela com a melhor amiga e prima de Sam, Mika. Julie acabou se afastando dela e isso faz com que Mika sinta que perdeu a amiga junto com o primo.

A grande questão é saber o motivo dessas ligações, eu tive algumas teorias e uma delas se provou certa no final. Ver partes do passado de Julie e Sam e saber o quanto eles eram perfeitos juntos, deixou meu coração apertadinho porque eles não poderão ficar juntos. Esse é o primeiro livro de Dustin Thao, sua escrita é linda, me tocou de uma forma que eu me senti dentro da história e sentindo falta dos personagens quando terminou.

You've Reached Sam is a poignant read about first love and loss and how to move forward without the one you love.

Julie and Sam are high school sweethearts who have their entire lives planned out together. Until Sam is killed in a devastating accident a few months before graduation. His death sends Julie spiraling, as she and others blame her for his death. She checks out for a couple of weeks isolating herself from her friends and family and getting further behind in her studies. One day Julie decides to call Sam's phone just to hear his voice and he picks up. She doesn't know how this is possible, but somehow she has a new connection with Sam and she is not willing to let him go. As their schoolmates and friends begin to move on Julie is stuck in the past holding onto this secret connection with Sam, who encourages her to move forward and reconnect with those who love her.

This was such a bittersweet story. I genuinely loved both Sam and Julie and my heart broke for them and their loss. I also enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters who turn out to be an emotional support system for Julie. Each character is affected differently by the loss of Sam which changes them, allowing them to make new plans for the future and stronger connections with each other.

I would highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book. The cover is so beautiful and the prose is emotional and exquisite. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Dustin Thao for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

this book was absolutely beautiful and heart breaking at the same time. i couldn’t stop crying during the last chapter

Absolutely beautiful! This book is such a unique story and it felt so refreshing to read something new! It's absolutely heart-wrenching but totally worth the read! Did not like the main character much which is why this is getting a 4/5 stars. Definitely read this!

def @ 60%

the beginning was great. I cried and loved and felt so sad but then...

I don't think the way the book was written really worked for me because the calls lead to remembering things which were in the past and happy memories and I would;'ve been sadder if I cared a bit for Sam. Like I acred for Julie and was sad for her but not loving sam as she ddi, I couldn't care so much for their story overall.

Also the pacing was very weird in the middle and it bored me and like the book was trying to be too emotional so nah didn't work for me

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations. I would definitely recommend to others.

This is an emotional read; however, sometimes there can be a disconnect with Julie as a character that causes the emotional pull that you feel to lessen. Honestly, the type of read to make sure you have a tissue box handy...just in case. I can't wait to see where Dustin Thao heads if this was a debut.

this story was such a heartbreaking yet beautiful story. it caught my attention from the beginning and really tackled heavy issues. I enjoyed reading this story of grief, love, friendship, and community and finding yourself again. this is something I feel isn't seen enough in the young adult genre. I can't wait to read more from dustin thao.

Beautiful, melancholy and absolutely devastating. This book reads how a Taylor Swift song sounds - it flows around you and sucks you in, it's full of heightened emotions and there is a lyricism underlying it all. I feel like this book took my tender heart out of my chest and just held on to it throughout the entire reading process (in the most impressive kind of way).

Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me an e-arc of You've Reached Sam.
You've Reached Sam dives into how people grieve, as people grieve in different ways and go through the stages of grief. Sometimes it's hard to describe how to grieve and let go of someone. Throughout the book, Julie goes from isolating herself to realizing people will be there for her, as they grieve as well.
When it comes to the characters, I loved seeing the character development. It makes sense that Julie is not likeable in the beginning because she is grieving over her boyfriend and is not 100%. Over time, the reader gets a chance to see how Julie grieves and the other characters grieve over Sam.
One of the things that stood out to me in this book was Thao's writing style. The moment I read the prologue, I knew this book would be special. The imagery, flashbacks of fond memories, and quotes that stood out to me made me want to read more of this story.
I recommend this book who is interested in reading an emotional and heartful story that deals with grief and letting someone go.


tw: car accident, grief, death of a loved one.

One of my most hyped books this year but was sadly a disappointment.

I think the idea of this novel was incredible, but the execution of it wasn't the best. I found that I wasn't particularly connected to any of the characters or even the plot itself. You've Reached Sam is definitely a sad book, but it didn't make me feel as sad as I hoped it would.

I do have to say though, this book did make tear up. There were very poignant scenes of loss and grief as the characters attempt to move on from the death of a loved one.

While this was a bit disappointing to read, I'm excited to see what Dustin Thao has up his sleeves next.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that everything is ephemeral. Nothing lasts forever, and many good things end far too soon. It’s important to remember to stop and let yourself feel things and be in the present. Looking to the future and going through the motions of life isn’t the same as actively living. I needed that reminder, and YOU’VE REACHED SAM by Dustin Thao gave it to me.

YOU’VE REACHED SAM follows Julie who has just lost her boyfriend Sam after he was in a car accident. She attempts to forget him and purge him from her life, but then she tries to call him one last time. The impossible happens: He picks up. Now she has to make the most of this second chance and figure out how she can ultimately let Sam go and move on with her life.

This book was raw and beautiful. I felt Julie’s emotions and sympathized deeply with her. I definitely teared up at points. The message of the story was important and powerful. However, the pacing sometimes felt rushed, and I was less attached to some of the side characters. Occasionally, the dialogue felt slightly unrealistic. Julie also did an impressive amount of running at points, though it was probably symbolic of her attempt to first forget Sam and then hold on to him and prevent him from slipping away forever.

Overall, YOU’VE REACHED SAM was a great read, and I recommend it! It’s out now, so go buy it or check it out from the library! Thank you to NetGalley for the eGalley.

3.5 stars

The concept of this book is fascinating. It was that, more than anything, that kept me reading. I wanted to know how the events would pan out, what had caused Sam to be able to pick up the phone, and how the whole situation would end. I wanted to know what a grieving Julie would do.

One of my favorite aspects of this story is the flashback montage chapters. Since this story starts after Sam’s death and after their relationship has begun, I thought it was a clever way to show the depth of their relationship without starting at the beginning. I also really loved the cast of characters in Julie’s life. I wish we had more time to spend with them and with Sam. As it stands, Sam and those side characters come across a bit one-dimensional, which was a bit disappointing.

This book is slow and sad. Julie spends a lot of time in her own head or alone just talking to Sam. It’s not a healthy depiction of grief, but it’s a real one. And I appreciate Dustin Thao for taking that leap by making the main character of his book stuck in a cycle of grief.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. It doesn’t quite pan out like I expected, and it takes a while for significant things to happen. But it was interesting and kept me reading.

Judging by all the raving reviews I read on this book I really was expecting to cry my eyes out. This is the story of Julie and Sam! They are only seventeen but they seem like they figured out everything about their futures. Julie wants to be successful author as Sam wants to be great musician. They will leave the town, renting an apartment in the big city, going to Japan for holiday for meeting Sam’s grandparents. But...before the can embark on any great adventures, Sam dies.

Julie tries to erase all memory of him even going as far as throwing out gifts and trinkets he's given her, not wanting to go to the funeral, rejecting to communicate with anyone, and doesn't want to feel the pain! She is not ready to leave him forever and Sam isn't done with their relationship either. The both need closure after losing their person.

When she hits the rock bottom, she calls Sam and he picks up the phone.

Sam still has things to show her, presents to share and Julie slowly adjusts in life before Sam. If Julie tells anyone about their secret calls, the connection could be lost forever. So Julie cannot risk it by sharing with Sam’s loved ones who are struggling to cope, almost as much as she is. But what about Mika? Sam's cousin and one of Julie's closest friends? She’s hurting worse of all. She thinks Julie has already moved on with her life and is ready to forget all about Sam and leave for the big city. But how can Julie leave Sam and everyone she loves behind to fulfil a dream incomplete without him in it? Eventually, she'll have to say goodbye once and for all before the connection breaks and she looses her only chance. But will she?

Admittedly, this is a heartbreaking novel. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Do I recommend it? Yes. Unfortunately I didn't shed a single tear but was completely entranced from the start. 3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5/5 stars. I'll start by saying that even though this book is now published, my review is based on the eARC I received because that is what I read in full. As a result, things might have changed in the final version (most likely for the better).

The premise of this book intrigued me because I don't typically read stories with magical realism. I don't think there are that many YA novels with magical realism, so if that is something that intrigues you, this book is worth checking out! It follows a senior in high school who lost her boyfriend, and amidst her grief, she calls him on her phone, and he picks up. The story follows her journey as she gets a second chance to talk to him, works through her grief, and remembers the past (which is told through flashbacks).

I cried twice while reading this, and any book that makes me express that much emotion did something right. I thought the main character was very realistic, even if that didn't translate well into writing. Healing is not linear, and this main character really embodied that by feeling her grief repeatedly no matter what she was doing. And while that is very realistic, it did make the writing feel a bit repetitive. I think it's really difficult to write about topics like these because there needs to be a balance between sharply executing the story and making it feel realistic. It was impressive that the reader was able to feel the grief alongside the main character, but it did require a lot of investment in the characters affected by this tragedy upfront. Because of this, I only felt for these characters during the most gut-wrenching scenes instead of mourning with them throughout the entire novel. I also felt like the flowery prose used to describe the atmosphere and the setting could have worked well to describe the main character's grief and despair. We seemed to only get the same lines repeated chapter after chapter, and while that is entirely valid, I felt like using figurative language could have given those repeated feelings of grief more depth. I did appreciate how this book refused to shy away from how tough life can be, because instead of giving the main character some good news to offset the bad, she was just dealt one crushing blow after another.

Overall, I think this book was good, but the execution could have been stronger. I liked the lessons it taught about letting go, moving on, growing around your grief, and surrounding yourself with love, but I think the writing could have been punchier.

Julie and Sam have their entire future planned, after high school they will move to Portland together, where Julie will go to college and Sam will work on his music career, Julie will find a place to write, and they will be together and happy. But, their future changes with the death of Sam. Julie, grief-stricken, skips his funeral, throws out a box of his things, and after panicking, calls his voicemail just to hear his voice. Sam picks up. Miraculously, they are given a second chance at a goodbye.

I enjoyed this book, and while I got through most of it without crying, I cried. It was a beautifully written story about a journey through grief and acceptance and what it means to lose someone but keep their memory alive in your heart. There isn’t much else I can say without giving away major plot points, but I enjoyed the diversity in the story, Julie’s journey, and the descriptive writing. The writing is beautiful. I could picture the places Dustin Thao took us throughout the novel. Very enjoyable and sad with a dash of hope.

Sometimes when you hear about a book, it speaks to you. Calls to you. "You’ve Reached Sam" was that book for me when I first learned of it at a virtual blogger event. I’ve lost a lot of loved ones throughout my life, but the biggest loss in my adult life was my dad in 2014. And so this book felt like it was written for those like me who lost someone and were struggling with the grief of it.

To be completely honest, it’s hard for me to review this book. The subject of grief is so prominent to me, because it’s something that changed my life. My grief is different than Julie’s since she lost a partner, but there are some things about grief that can be universal, and I found her relatable in some ways. I think a lot of people who’ve lost someone fight with the feeling of guilt and anger, and want to hold onto them. That’s why grief counselling and/or support groups are a great resource, and something Julie absolutely should’ve done to help her learn to cope with the loss. I really felt for Julie as she isolates and doesn’t want to take part in things, even things like memorials where you can’t escape the loss and have to fight to hold yourself together.

The romance is sweet, and I love Julie and Sam together. The flashbacks helped us get to know them as a couple, which helps us feel a connection to Sam beyond what we get from the phone calls. I honestly felt myself get emotional during the book, so be prepared for that to happen. I do want to say that I think the book veers a little too close to the belief that grief has an end date and that people need to ‘move on’, and I didn’t love that. But it never really crossed the line.

I think where I started to become a little frustrated with the book – or maybe not even frustrated just…taken out of it – is with the fantasy side of it. It keeps coming up as being such a mystery, and Sam saying a lot of “I can’t say” or “I don’t know” or “Don’t tell anyone we’re talking or else”. We never really get the answers to any of the questions we – and Julie – have, and for me that left the book feeling a little unfulfilled in some ways. I also felt that the writing didn’t flow as nicely as it could’ve, particularly with regards to the way Julie’s memories/flashbacks are constructed.

Overall, "You’ve Reached Sam" is a heartbreaking, emotional, relatable book for those who’ve lost loved ones. I felt for Julie – and the others grieving – so much. Loss is not an easy thing to go through, and learning to cope with it is something that everyone struggles with. I personally just wish the writing had fleshed out the fantasy aspects of the story more, and that the writing flowed a little smoother. But I really enjoyed it, and I’m so glad I read it.

4.5/ 5 stars

You've Reached Sam is a YA contemporary romance mixed with magical realism. This book is emotional and beautiful.

I've been mesmerized by this cover for months. But after reading this book I can't think of a more stunningly perfect cover to go with this story.

I did not read the book blurb so I had no idea that this story would be so moving. It took me a bit of time to figure out what was happening. But once I did I enjoyed this writing style immensely.

The story takes place in Ellensburgh (in central Washington). The narrator is high school senior Julie (1st person POV). This is the story of Julie and Sam. It is a story of love, friendship, tragedy and grief.

Julie was an interesting heroine. She was determined to be a writer. But she was also selfish at times.

This book had the best supporting characters. I adored: Mika, Oliver, Yuki, Jay, Tristan and Mr. Lee. And there is one scene with Julie and Sam's little brother James that destroyed me.

This book is very unique and thought-provoking. It's a very different YA story. Unpredictable. But it's such a powerful love story. It will certainly move you to tears!

I love how out of the box this story is. The phone calls between Julie and Sam allow us to see parts of their relationship that often get lost during grief– like just the normal types of conversations or the way they kind of pick at each other, the way couples sometimes do when they’ve been together a long time.

The loss of Sam impacts Julie’s whole community, and she doesn’t realize until she begins talking to him again that she’s withdrawn not only from his family but from her other friends and even her own family. At first the calls seem to help her regain her feet and process her emotions. Eventually, they morph into something else, though. And it becomes more and more clear that the calls can’t continue forever or be an alternative to saying goodbye.

I loved the way music was present in the story. One of the songs that’s really special to Julie and Sam is a song called “Fields of Gold,” which I had to go listen to as soon as I finished reading the book. I’d heard it before, and listening to it again I felt like it fit the story so perfectly.

There are a couple places that I thought the story got a little bit choppy or seemed like it was summarizing things in a hurry to get to the next big moment. Other than that, though, I felt like YOU’VE REACHED SAM tells a beautiful story about loss that’s rich with emotions and celebrates the connections we make with the people in our lives. Readers who enjoyed WE CAN BE HEROES by Kyrie McCauley will want to check this one out, too.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

VERYYY SAD.... Main character was a little bit annoying at times, but I kinda understand why? I will definitely read more novels by Dustin Thao! Thank you for the arc!