The story is pretty straightforward. The very first chapter tells you exactly the story you are about to read. Julie is undeniably the full protagonist of this story. And more than having to deal with her grief and then her ability to keep in contact with Sam, she also has to deal with other people's grief and how they expect her to grief as well. All eyes are on Julie, and that also adds to everything she is already feeling.

I was expecting to have a little mystery unfolding, but nothing happened. That is one of the criticism I have about You've Reached Sam. Nothing happens. On one hand, the story doesn't need anything to happen. The focus is on Julie dealing with Sam's disappearance. But on the other hand, at times, the story gave me the impression that maybe something was being kept from the reader. Although, that proved to be nothing.

Underline it all, for me, the story was about not letting go and how that affects the process of grieving the loss of someone very dear. The story creates that situation in a fantastical way with Sam and Julie connected through their phones, but the problems that arise happen in real life. Not everyone grieves the same way, and not everyone can let go of someone they love. And they might not have the opportunity to talk with the dead on the phone, but that doesn't mean the outcome won't be the same.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Julie and Sam love each other, and they had great plans for the future where they would move to another place and live happily together forever. But fate had another plan for both. Sam died in a car accident, and Julie- oh that poor girl- refused to grieve. When she called him to hear his voice over the voicemail, he picked up! This twist surprised me. Not to mention the goosebumps I felt at that moment. ( I didn’t read the full blurb beforehand). They had no idea how this connection happened or how long it would last.

I cried. Yes, I did. During reading this book, I found my non-stopping tears continuously dropping down. That’s how much it affected me. To lose your best friend and your one- true-love was beyond sadness.

This book was about how to let go, how to deal with life without the one you love, and how people feel after they lose someone special. The book was so sad, but I totally recommend it!

So I’m normally an emotional wreck when I read a book about death, but for some reason I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. I listened to the audio book, so maybe that’s where the disconnect came from. I could hear the emotion in the writing and I felt the loss… but I’m not sure where I disconnected.

I really loved Sam. Albeit the only part of him in the story was his voice, but I loved his character.

I just didn’t love Julie. She’s the MC throughout the book… I don’t want to judge anyone based on the way they grieve, so I’ll just say I didn’t love the choices she made. I think she will grow to regret them. (I’m talking about a fictional character like she is real, I know)

I loved the basis of the story, but just not allllllll of it. I wanted the racist bullies to be knocked down a few more pegs as well. It feels unfinished to me, even though it very clearly ended. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Sam and Julie. Julie and Sam. Best friends forever and ever. When Sam passes away suddenly, Julie is devastated, she doesn’t know what to do how to go on without him. She needs to hear his voice so she calls his phone, and he answers. They now have a chance to say goodbye when they were unable to do so before. Dustin Thao has done a beautiful job at showing how grief takes a hold of us and we lose ourselves in it. Julie needed to learn how to love Sam and live in the world. This book while heartbreaking is also beautiful in ways that show us what life is truly about. We need to make memories and hold onto those moments with all our hearts

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the concept of this book, cuz we've all been in thag mindset where we've lost someone close to us and we would do anything to just hear their voice one more time.
The mc is annoying in the first couple chapters, but it's understandable as they are going through a lot, and grief is not an easy thing to deal with. I loved the amount of pain this book brought forth, it made me laugh and cry and just FEEL. It's messy. But it's worth the journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to an early copy of this book!
My spoiler-free review is below:

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao is a truly special book. It open with the premise if you lost the love of your life but were given a second chance to speak to them, what would you do?
Julie is a regular teenage girl. She's dating Sam, the best boyfriend anyone could hope for, and they have plans to move out of their small town and into Seattle, where they'll get a their own place and live happily ever after. But then Sam dies in a car accident.
Julie refuses to grieve. At first, she avoids everyone. She doesn't go to Sam's funeral, and she gets rid of all the belongings of his that she still has. If Sam is gone, then she's not going to think of him. Then, in a moment of regret and heartache, she calls his phone number to hear his voicemail and his voice one more time. Except Sam picks up.
With this miraculous and inexplicable event, Julie and Sam are connected again, and, according to Sam, it's so they can say goodbye. But Julie doesn't want to say goodbye. Will she be able to let Sam go before their calls run out?
This novel explores grief, second-chances, love, and life in a way that is truly meaningful and poetic. I truly enjoyed reading this. Julie, hand-in-hand with her flaws and the way she denies grief, are very relatable. Whether you have lost a loved one or not, this is a book you should read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

You've Reached Sam follows Julie, whose boyfriend, Sam, has recently died. Soon after his death, as Julie is missing Sam, she calls his phone, and to her surprise, he answers. They don't know why they have this connection, and they don't know how long it will last, but they both know they won't have this forever. Which makes it all the more difficult as Julie watches Sam's friends and family struggle with their own grief over his death.

I tend to subconsciously go into books about grief expecting the book to tell me the right way to grieve. Rather than that, this book shows the reader that there are dozens of ways to grieve; that everyone grieves differently, and that all those different ways are valid.

I knew there was no way Sam would come back to life. I honestly don't know if I even really cared about Sam all that much as a character, if we're being honest. But man, did I care about everyone he left behind. This book made me cry so hard, and that's partially because it was sad, but I knew it would be. I think it made me cry because it was beautiful and raw and real. It was about figuring out how to let go, in a way that was genuine and cathartic. It was about valuing the people you love while they're still here, and it was about saying goodbye. A thoroughly wonderful read.

I was so excited for this book especially because I'd only heard that this book was going to be heartbreaking and totally hit me in the feels... and while I did shed a few tears, it didn't hit as hard as I thought it would. I didn't really have any expectations and I also didn't know a whole lot about the book to begin with so I don't know why there was no connection for me.

I thought maybe it just might be my mood because there were a few scenes that really did feel relatable and I genuinely appreciated them. BUT there just seemed to be a big disconnect between me and the narrator. I wanted to feel more of what she was feeling... but it all felt so passive as if we were just watching without any narration. Some of the writing style felt very show not tell and I kept having to push through because the narration ended up being just "I did this. I did that. Then this happened." and I just found myself not caring?

I wish that we had gotten more of a setup between Julie and Sam rather than the story being interspersed because I didn't care as much as Julie about Sam. Actually, I found myself kind of hating Sam a little by the end because we didn't get really any explanation about how he was feeling and there was no insight to that. Maybe if it had been a dual POV book I would have felt more of a connection between the characters and felt more hurt?

I know I'm complaining a lot about the emotional connection even though I did end up crying at some point so I know it gave me SOME emotional response... but at the end of the book I just moved on as if nothing happened and I wanted more pain, I guess?

I do think it explored some of the aspects of grief and needing to move forward even though you feel really stuck really well. And I certainly would recommend this to people. However, there was just a spark missing for me and unfortunately it just wasn't what I was hoping for overall.

You’ve Reached Sam is the heartbreaker young adult read we all need in the middle of the pandemic.

Jules has just lost her soulmate, Sam, in a traffic car accident. The worst part? She feels yo blame for the accident. Grief can put a hold in anybody but one day, Jules decided to get out of her funk. She calls Sam and oddly enough, he answers. He won’t share where he’s at and questions if she should share this connection with anyone else. The time for goodbye will come but for right now a phone is the best thing.

Dustin Thao writes a stunning debut that will leave readers thinking about and processing grief in new ways. The characters, for the most part, are given proper development and enough detail that you come to care for them. The setting is an idyllic small town and the narration between before and now is spot on. You feel like you are in a movie, watching memories fly by. Overall, You’ve Reached Sam is NOT to be missed.

Julie has her future all planned out - move out of her small town with her boyfriend Sam, attend college in the city, and spend a summer in Japan. But everything changes when Sam dies in a tragic accident. Heartbroken, Julie calls is phone to hear his voicemail, and Sam picks up. While their connection is temporary, Julie's been given a second chance at goodbye. However, keeping her calls with Sam a secret isn't easy, especially when Julie sees Sam's family suffering. Julie is torn between sharing her calls with Sam and losing him forever.

I absolutely loved how this book showed that there are so many different ways to grieve, and I'm glad we got to see different representations. It was heartbreaking to see Julie lock herself away as she coped, and that everyone thought she didn't care about Sam because she missed his funeral. There were no concrete answers about where Sam was ("no one knows what's after death") but I was left unsatisfied with the open ending. The pacing felt a little off as well - I couldn't tell you if the story spans over a few weeks or a few months. Overall this was a solid debut and I can't wait to see what this author writes in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

The way Dustin Thao handles loss and grief in YOU'VE REACHED SAM is nothing short of beautiful. Although the story is heart wrenching, it's genuine, and it's the kind of book that is going to lodge itself in the hearts of its readers.

I have looked forward to this book for months, I recently got the audio version and was even more excited. Unfortunately I was super disappointed in the actual story. I expected to fall in love with the characters and feel a deep emotional connection. In reality, I was annoyed by the characters, narrator and the storyline. I’m sure others will appreciate this book, it was not for me.

3.5 stars --

I really loved the premise of this book, (and how gorgeous is that cover?!), but my biggest comment about YOU'VE REACHED SAM is that it could have been a packs-a-punch short story. I'd have loved if it had been part of a meaningful anthology about how people handle grief, or experiences with loss. For me, it just wasn't enough substance to make a novel-length story, so it felt fluffy and even pointless at parts. It dragged in places. Also, some of the main character's behaviors had me ??? sometimes.

Overall, a really unique concept with beautiful writing (and what a gut-punch of a finish), but the overall execution left me wanting.

(Audiobook note: Soneela Nankani does a really fantastic job narrating this book! I thoroughly enjoyed the listening experience and she handled the characters and tone well.)

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

This book destroyed me in the best way possible. I literally don't know what else to say about it. If you've experienced the loss of a loved one, especially if that loved one died young, you'll connect with this story SO well. Prepare your tissues and get ready to read what could possibly be THE contemporary YA novel of the year.

Honestly, I was not at all prepared for this book!

The plot moves forward at a well written, crisp pace. The characterization is completely believable. Dialogue is solid.

The story left me gutted! I felt completely immersed in Sam and Julies lives. My heart shattered for them both. The ending was satisfying but in a realistic way (despite the unrealistic events).

Can’t wait to read more by this author!

2/5 stars ⭐⭐
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Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
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You’ve Reached Sam is a book with an interesting concept—Julie’s boyfriend Sam dies and yet somehow Julie can still talk to him on the phone—but ultimately I don’t think it is executed very well. I had points where I should have been sad or emotional, but I ended up laughing. Some parts were touching and sweet, but other points were ridiculous. Something that was supposed to be an emotionally touching and sad piece ended up falling flat for me.
I thought I liked the writing at first. I don’t know what happened exactly, but around halfway through, I got used to the writing style and it began to annoy me. The descriptions were pretty, but something irked me about the rapidly shifting, little to no transition scenes. When it came to the dreamlike memory sequences of Before, the technique works well, but in real time, it was jarring. Adding onto that is the pacing: it showed little of Julie’s growth until the very last couple of chapters, which would perhaps be fine if it wasn’t such a drastic and uncharacteristic change from the rest of the book. She spent the entire book saying one thing, and then shifts gears really fast without the significant shift that makes me feel as though Julie has truly moved on. The pacing and the plot make Julie seem weak and uncertain, which didn’t sit right with me. It’s one thing to need to move on while still holding your loved one in your heart, and it’s another to completely reject everyone despite agreeing that it’s an unhealthy situation. The side characters didn’t do a ton to help, but that’s probably because they were upset at Julie for straight up ditching them to… call her deceased boyfriend? Yeah, that’s definitely not cool—especially when they don’t know and all Julie has to say is “my phone’s broken”. And it’s not like Julie made a huge effort to seek them out or overcome her grief. She felt complacent in this temporary and unusual situation, and that also didn’t sit right with me. What made things worse was that I really liked the side characters, and Julie herself was really aggravating. She spent way too much of the book holding onto Sam and not even attempting to let go, and it severely affected all of her existing relationships. To be honest, I didn’t see Julie’s appeal and didn’t sympathize with her all that much. She clearly loved Sam and I can see why—he’s a catch—but I can’t really see why Sam loved Julie. He obviously does, but I don’t think the author did well to describe Julie’s “goodness”: she only had flaw after flaw. Oh, she’s missing everyone’s calls and forgetting everything; oh, she’s cancelling and being wishy-washy; oh, she’s not reaching out; oh, she is having trouble writing and is scared she won’t get into her top college; the list goes on and I’m frankly done with her.
You’ve Reached Sam was super disappointing, and I’m upset because I was really looking forward to it after some rave reviews. Did we even read the same book? I felt little sympathy for Julie and she was so irksome, and it didn’t help that the plot seemed to go along with it (I mean, she *is* the main character, but you know what I mean). I was so ready to cry and be upset in a good way, but now I’m upset in an annoyed way. 2 stars.

This YA novel deals with first love, death, and grief. Unfortunately, the book's description is much better than the book itself!

I was disappointed in this book on several levels:

- I found it hard to relate to Julie (the main character), who gave so little compassion, empathy, or even thought, to others who were also grieving.

- The secondary characters lacked depth.

- While there are many ways to grieve, and just as many variations in how long it takes people to work through the stages of grief, the whole timeline of the grieving characters just seemed a bit "off".

- The magic worked for awhile, but became repetitious.

I've read some of the other reviews, and realize my opinions seem to be in the minority. That's one of the wonderful things about reading; the same book can evoke completely different reactions in its readers.

My thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel which is scheduled to be publishe on 11/9/21. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Julie's boyfriend, Sam, dies suddenly. There goes her plans for after high school. She is struggling with her grief when she discovers he answers the phone when she calls. Will this help her move on or will this hold her back?

This was an interesting YA novel about young love, dying too young, and learning to move on. There's a lot here that cannot be explained, but that's part of what makes this story. I enjoyed it.

Thank you St Martin's Press and NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I would recommend checking this book for content warnings before reading as it deals with tough topics such as grief and the death of a loved one. You’ve Reached Sam is a heartbreakingly beautiful book with a very unique premise. The idea of calling a loved one who recently passed away only to have them pick up the phone is such a stunning concept.

This is a very character-driven book as the plot develops relatively slowly but it makes perfect sense for the overall purpose of the novel. You’ve Reached Sam is beautifully written and captures the essence of grief so clearly and authentically. There was not a single moment I wanted to skim, I read every word.

Even with the overarching themes and tones of grief and sadness, it’s balanced with happier, sweeter flashbacks that showcase the highlights of Julie and Sam’s relationship. Sam is such a sweetheart and I loved getting to know him through Julie’s memories of the two of them. It was really raw and heartbreaking to see how grief affected Julie not only personally but through the other relationships in her life. It really tested her friendships and relationship with her mom throughout the book.

The only flaw I could find was the fact that the “magic” was slightly convoluted and was never explained fully. I still had many unanswered questions even after the book ended. Overall, everything about this book was authentic and honest and raw and heartbreaking. If you’re looking for a book that will make you cry, look no further. This book broke me in the best way. So many important and honest emotions were touched through the writing and I felt every one of them.

I will definitely be recommending You’ve Reached Sam to everyone, especially people looking for books to make them cry and for books containing magical realism. I will also be reading more from Dustin Thao in the future as soon as he publishes more work.

OMG! What a wonderful, heartbreaking, life affirming, amazing story! I could not put this down even when in tears of sadness and joy. Read this and connect with your youthful self and experience love and heartbreak again like it was the first time. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for this copy of #youvereachedsam to read and review.