Book: With and Without You

Summary:
If high school seniors Siena and Patrick were a superlative, they'd be Couple Most Likely to Marry. Three solid years of dating, and everyone agrees they're perfect for each other. But with college on the horizon, Siena begins to wonder whether staying together is the best idea. Does she really want to be tied down during the most transformative years of her life? So she makes a decision to break up with Patrick, convincing herself it's for the best. Though, before she can get the words out, he beats her to the punch: his family is moving. He’ll be spending senior year in Austin. A thousand miles away. Caught off guard by the news, Siena agrees to stay with Patrick, believing their relationship will naturally fizzle out with time and distance. But over a series of visits throughout the school year, Siena begins to see a different side of Patrick--one that has her falling in love with him all over again.

Review: I though the book was okay. I thought the idea of a second change romance without an initial breakup was interesting. It was fun seeing them fall for each other all over again.

WITH AND WITHOUT YOU is unlike many YA romance books out there, following Patrick and Siena as they've been together for three years and, according to Siena, have fallen into a monotonous relationship. They're forced to go long distance when Patrick moves away, and the story goes from there. Wibbroka wrote the couple's relationship perfectly for the story--even as a reader, you can feel the stilted state of their interactions, but as the book goes on they become more natural and affectionate; the book serves its purpose well. It also deals with Siena wanting to learn who she is outside of a relationship by discovering new hobbies and making new friends, which was also well done. Her explorations of herself don't pop up all of a sudden, but she tries new things and fails, which I appreciate because that is realistic. This has so many things I love about upper-YA, with teenagers navigating love and college and everything in between--I highly recommend it.

I think what impresses me most about this book is just how much they made me care about Siena and Patrick. Given that they're a kind of established couple, I think it could be easy to mess that up, but just like how Siena really fell in love with Patrick over the course of this book, I found myself caring more about their relationship.

From the first paragraph, I knew this book would be a good one. I immersed myself into the book from the first chapter and I cannot say enough good things about this book! Honestly amazing! The writing is incredible and the plot is just one to die for. I am absolutely obsessed with this book. My favorite part would have to be the character development throughout the book. Character development is something I look forward to and this book did not disappoint.

I really really enjoyed this book! I think the idea of a YA book dealing with an existing relationship that turns into a long-distance relationship is refreshing. We're always seeing people fall in love and we never see people falling out of love or growing to appreciate a relationship a character has lost faith in. I love Austin and Emily as people and as writer! Especially together. There was a lot of growth in the novel not just from the characters individually but also in the way they communicate with one another. I found this book to be an utter delight and I can't wait to have a shelf full of books by these authors!!!

Thank you PenguinTeen for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

I don't think my review counts. I'm not the targeted audience for this one. Sadly me not being 18 or so made it difficult for me to understand the main characters decisions. I really wanted her to just say it's over final chapter move on. Lol But I remember being young and in love and thinking about the future. Does he or will he and questioning every single thing. I tried to empathize with Siena.
I enjoy both authors writing it was a quick read. And I think teens would enjoy reading this book. Just don't mind my review this 30 year old doesn't know about young love and the struggles anymore. Haha

Austin and Emily continue to stun with an amazing YA romance. I love how this book reads with a break up and falling in love with so much care and nuance. Paired with self discovery and coming of age, this book was incredibly precious and heart warming.

Being a product of marrying my high school sweetheart I understood the struggles Siena went through. Though I never had the constant struggle of wanting to break up, I did have the doubts of getting serious so young and the sacrifices it takes to maintain a long distant relationship. I think the authors captured the stuggles perfectly and in a way that wasn’t overdramatizing their situation.

The back and forth of should or or shouldn’t I made the first part of this book exhausting. I almost wish the authors just cut cord between Siena and Patrick and have them come back together at a later time. But what I did enjoy was Siena using this time to grow, not only as an individual, but also as a better partner. She grew into herself more and I’m glad the authors took this time to showcase that. I do wish this was a dual POV. I think it would have helped the story more to have Patrick’s view and growth too. I feel like at the center of this story was love and it needed both sides to accurately tell it.

The authors did accurately describe the indecision of a 17/18 year old teenager who is at a crossroads in life. With that being said, reading this as an adult, it was hard to be empathetic because I’m so far from that mentality. Though I have personally went through the emotions laid out on this book and it was done really well, I don’t think I’m the intended audience for this kind of book. I think I would have connected more with the story if I was younger or closer to their age. With that being said, this story is so well written and Siena and Patrick feel more than characters in a story. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for this eARC

Wibbroka has done it again to absolutely no one's surprise. I loved this entire concept, and I loved the growth that Siena displayed. She and Patrick were such a sweet couple, and I thought this was such a great book about finding yourself and realizing you're exactly where you meant to be.

**Review will be published April 14th, 2022 on Blog/Instagram/Goodreads, etc.**

2.5 stars

LETDOWN.

I am a huge fan of Wibberley and Sigemund-Broka. Read and enjoyed all of their previous books. This is the first time I have felt truly MEH about how this entire book went.

This relationship in crisis trope did not play out well. Siena complained entirely too much and kept pitying Patrick at every turn when she should have just BROKEN UP WITH HIM. Stop making ridiculous excuses. It also really bugged me that rather than communicate (since they’ve been in a relationship for 3+ years), she instead decides she wants to sleep with him for the first time even when she acknowledges she’s not in a good place for it. I could give you a list of more instances of Sienna making me want to toss my kindle.

Some of the second half was better. I’ll give it up to that. A few times there was some good communication. And I liked Patrick a lot! There wasn’t enough build up around his character so often he felt very bland, but he seemed sweet and I liked that we got some passion out of him by the end.

There’s more ridiculous miscommunication issues in the last quarter and I can’t say I was even all that happy with the ending. I felt there were enough red flags on both sides that I fell off the wagon of being behind this relationship.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: complete closed-door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: gaslighting, gray-area cheating

With and Without You was my third Wibbroka book, and unfortunately, one of the biggest let downs for me. I thought this would be more second-chance romance, rather than a Will-They-Won't-They, and spent a good chunk of this book hoping that the two of them would break up. I struggled to connect with Siena, and really struggled to see the charm in Siena and Patrick's relationship.

I’m not going to lie, I almost stopped reading about 20% through the book because Siena was so frustrating because she wasn’t making a decision about breaking up with Patrick. That’s on me though because it was supposed to be a second chance romance vibe and I hadn’t been ready for that.

That being said, I still found Siena to be a bit too dislikable for my personal taste. It was great to see her grow and I really did like the last 40% of the book because we go too see that growth and the relationship get better. Maybe it was just me being annoyed that nobody was actually communicating properly and honestly, it’s understandable because they’re actual teens.

Overall, I liked how Siena explored the idea of finding her own passions and things while being apart from Patrick. I think it was a relatable experience for sure! Once I got used to the idea of the second chance romance and the idea of the LDR being the majority of the plot (which I would have known if I’d read the synopsis whoops), I think it was cute!

I think it was great that Siena was allowed to change her mind and grow and doubt herself. That was definitely well done. I wish we had gotten more perspective on Patrick’s side. I definitely think it would have added more depth to the LDR and I feel like I would have been more attached in that way.

I don’t think this is my favorite of Wibbroka’s works, but I appreciate it!

I was so excited to read this after reading Always Never Yours last year and loving it. However, this book fell far short of my expectations. I didn't really enjoy the plot. The fact that it was centered around whether the MC should break up with her boyfriend or not was really boring. There wasn't any tension to the plot, and showing all the details of a long distance relationship was long-winded and dull. I also got annoyed with the MC several times throughout the book, especially her obsession with having sex for the first time and convincing her boyfriend that his dream of med school wasn't his "true" dream. She felt like an especially immature teenager, unworthy of getting her own story.

Unfortunately, I can't recommend this book to really anyone, and I'm sad I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 1
Overall: 2

Thank you, Penguin Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

With and Without You is a story like nothing I’ve read before: it’s a second chance romance between an already established couple who are going through long distance during their senior of high school.

The concept of this book was beyond intriguing to me. I’m used to my YA books featuring friends to lovers, strangers to lovers, even enemies to lovers, yet this is a first. Patrick and Siena have been dating for three years. When the story starts Siena is planning on breaking up with Patrick, as she feels trapped within the confines her relationship. She’s tired of being defined by it and wants to explore her independence. However, right before she can say the words, Patrick announces his family will be moving from Arizona to Texas. They agree to stay together, while Siena assumes the relationship will quietly fade away with the distance. However, things don’t go as she planned.

I loved the premise. I more than loved the premise. I adored it. I was intrigued by it, captivated by how it was masterfully crafted. The complex emotions of long distance and the impact it has on relationships was written beautifully. You can see the raw emotions that authors included from own experience reflected in the pages. It was utterly authentic and resonated deeply with me, as someone who has been part of a long distance relationship. I cried many times while reading this story. There were many quotes and emotions and things that truly stuck with me after reading. For reference, I’m not the type of reader who typically highlights or tabs my books. However, I found myself saving many quotes from the ARC that resonated with me.

I felt emotionally attached to this book and the characters, particularly Siena. I loved her personal growth and her exploration of her independence. I loved reading in her point of view and seeing her attempt to discover who she is as an individual. It was vulnerable, relatable, and like seeing my own feelings written on the page. Of course, I also grew to enjoy Patrick. Due to poor formatting of the e-ARC the early dialogue was difficult to understand, which also in turn made it difficult to distinguish his voice. However, after reading enough it was easy to overlook the formatting issues. And of course, this won’t be an issue at all when the beautiful finished copies hit the shelves in April.

Watching Patrick and Siena’s relationship grow and change throughout this book was *chef’s kiss*. There was tension, awkward moments, and plenty of flirting. It was easy to fall in love with them individually and together. They felt like old friends who I was cheering on.

This book has an emotional hold on me that is difficult to put into words. Anyone who has done long distance will identify with this story and see themselves in it. There’s a wonderful comfort to find yourself and your struggles in the pages of a book, and that’s how I felt while reading With and Without You. This story was incredible and one of my favorite stories from Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka yet.

Fresh, poignant, and full of heart. I read this as someone currently in a LDR, and it resonated in ways that I couldn't put words to. I really loved the character development of both Siena and Patrick over the course of the novel. I also felt like this accurately portrayed the thought and feelings you have while in an LDR. Another crowd-pleaser from #Wibbroka, this is perfect for people looking for an honest look at growing up and growing together--and apart.

Review will be up closer to the pub date. This is written by a husband and wife author duo. I noticed each of their books have similar premises. This is slightly different because the characters seem a little more mature in this one. Siena’s unsure if she wants to stay with her long term boyfriend when they head off to college. She starts to convince herself that breaking up is for the best. But Patrick beats her to it : he’s moving with his family out of state and it takes Siena by surprise.

Rating: 3.5 of 5*

I… don’t have a lot to say. It’s kinda hard trying to sift through everything I’m feeling because of and about this book. I think I’m going to have to keep this short.

There is something so utterly special and impossibly endearing about second chance romance. The history and memories (good and bad) and the familiarity and all the FEELINGS… but also the heartbreak that comes along when it all ends. And then the new beginning. The chance to rebuild. To rediscover. To make new memories. To see something new in the familiar. To, inevitably, fall in love again. It’s… magical.

With and Without You perfectly captures the honest messy truths of first love and heartbreak. It highlights one’s journey of self-discovery- to figure out who you are and who you want to be and where you fit. I found myself identifying immensely with Siena. It’s been years since I myself was a teenager but sometimes I still find myself questioning my place in the world- who I am and who I want to be. Not gonna lie, it’s a (hard) work (still) in progress.

I don’t think I’m going to comment much on Patrick. But I have to say I envy the kind of person he is. Someone who knows exactly what he wants and who he wants to be and just goes for it. I kinda wish I was like that.

I read this in one sitting. I can’t remember the last time that happened.

With and Without You is a bittersweet read. Angsty at times. Also sad and painful. Equally hopeful, sweet and genuine. And every page filled with heart and the promise of something better.

I haven’t ready very many books from these authors, but I love that this is a couple who write together. It makes it feel so romantic.

I loved that these two characters were already dating. This felt like a fresh YA book that shows the work and determination of long distance relationships. A story about first loves that last.

However, what I didn’t love was the MC. She was wishy washy. The whole book was the same cycle of her inner monologue thinking the same thing. I also wish we’d gotten dual POVs. It might have helped me get more into their relationship.

★ ★ ★/5
🔥🔥/5

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I love Wibbroka's stories, this time they're tackling a long distance relationship and wow oh wow was it a lot. I really loved this story and although I've never had to experience LDR, it was interesting to see it happen between Siena and Patrick.

“you're not a tether to home. home is a tether to you”

*4.5

it took me 3 hours to fall completely in love with this book

feeling especially lonely but whatever yk

with and without you follows siena, who's been dating patrick for 3 years -- they're the ultimate high school sweethearts. however, siena feels like their relationship is keeping her from finding herself, and she's about to break up with patrick when he tells her that he's moving 1000 miles away for senior year. suddenly, the two of them are in a long-distance relationship. at first, siena stays with patrick thinking they'll fade out in a few months, but over a series of visits throughout the year, she begins to fall in love with patrick all over again.

y'all. this is a whole second chance romance without the initial breakup. the whole process of them learning each other again, experiencing that "new" feeling, and falling for each other all over again is so just... refreshing. and mature of them. they're the couple that has been together for so long that you think they'll get married and their relationship is perfectly mature and perfect -- while their relationship was definitely not perfect at the beginning of the novel, it was so great seeing them both mature as time went on. COMMUNICATION YALL.

they both grow a lot as individuals over the course of the novel: siena settles into being her own person and accepts not having all the pieces set out right here and now; patrick more readily introduces change into his life and appreciates the ways their relationship has shifted over time. the two of them, by the end, communicate so freely and it was really, really nice to see.

also, they're just so adorable and pure and UGH i was blushing y'all. they have such a sweet relationship together and ugh MY LOVES.

i must say that part of the reason why this book hit so hard for me was because i (surprise) have had a relationship kind of similar to them. not necessarily in situation, but i find that I'm super similar to siena. i thrive in that comfortability, but i also want to narrow down my purpose. okay, well, maybe the relationship was partially similar in situation. the whole falling back in love with someone part (without actually breaking up) rly got me alsjdflasjdlkj. recovering that "new" feeling and getting those butterflies again just rly hits. i just.. communication. yeah. communication.

i think my only critique was that the mini-conflicts within the relationship seemed a bit repetitive -- the book took place over a few different time periods/visits, and some of the visits kind of felt the same lol

but this book is actually so good

thank you to netgalley and penguin young readers for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!