DNF due to my bad habit of knocking out half a book in one sitting and then never touching it again. but it DID get me really into indigo desousa

Characters-9

I loved the characters in this book! Each of the four main characters had her personality. They all worked well together, and I felt like they each brought out the best in each other. While my favorite characters were Callie and Talia, I enjoyed getting to know all four girls and finding out what made them tick.

Atmosphere-10

The atmosphere of this book was just summer beach vibes. I loved the town the girls lived in and exploring the town with the girls. As someone who grew up going down the shore in the summer, this book just hits all the moments of summer days at the beach perfectly.

Writing-9

This was the first book I’ve read by Sarah Van Name. I greatly loved the writing style, and I felt it was a great way to tell the story. This was a contemporary story with a mystery element, and I loved how the writing had you finding out clues to certain things along the way.

Plot- 9

I enjoyed this story. I loved how each of the girls had their journey and grew throughout the story. The girls also came together, and all helped each other when they needed it. I loved how much the girls cared for each other and looked out for each other.

Intrigue-8

I was interested in this story, mostly. I wanted to see where the story was going to goo, and how the story was going to end. Some pacing issues took me out of the story, and then I was brought back into the world when the pace evened out.

Logic-9

This is a logical story. I felt that the character’s actions and feelings were explained so the reader could see where they were coming from. I wanted to know more about how the girls met when they were younger. We had how they met, but I wanted to know more about how they became friends and relive some of those past moments for them.

Enojoyment-9

I liked this story a lot. I loved the characters, and I loved the bond between the friends in the story. The plot was enjoyable, and there were moments in the story when I felt like the story was going to be a 10. These Bodies Between Us is a fun summery beach read for those looking for a fun YA book with a lot of heart.

"These Bodies Between Us" by Sarah Van Name is a haunting and thought-provoking exploration of family secrets, trauma, and the enduring bonds that connect us. The novel weaves together the lives of two women, Amelia and Luce, who are bound by a shared history of loss and deception.

Van Name's writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into a narrative that unfolds across generations. The characters are deeply flawed yet compelling, their stories intertwining as they grapple with the ghosts of their pasts and the complexities of their present relationships. Amelia, haunted by her sister's disappearance years ago, and Luce, grappling with the consequences of her own choices, are portrayed with empathy and depth.

What sets "These Bodies Between Us" apart is its exploration of memory and the ways in which trauma shapes our identities. Van Name skillfully delves into themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the search for redemption, creating a narrative that is both poignant and suspenseful. The prose is atmospheric, capturing the eerie beauty of the novel's rural setting and the emotional turmoil of its characters.

While the pacing may be deliberate at times, it allows for a deep dive into the inner lives of Amelia and Luce, revealing layers of emotion and revelation. The novel's resolution is satisfying yet open-ended, leaving room for contemplation on the lasting impact of our choices and the resilience of the human spirit.

Overall, "These Bodies Between Us" is a compelling literary mystery that will resonate with readers who appreciate nuanced storytelling and complex, multifaceted characters. Van Name's debut novel marks her as a talent to watch in contemporary fiction, offering a haunting meditation on family, loss, and the enduring power of love.

✨ 5 STARS ✨

this book was such a fun teen story with queer representation. set in the summer of a north carolina beach town, three teenage girls unite on the beach every year for their summers of freedom. chloe who lives in DC and returns to her grandparents house on the beach every year. talia and callie who are locals besties, who spend the whole year waiting for summers with chloe. no responsibilities besides their friendship, a yearly summer goal they all come up with, and the local skating rink in which they work and hang out.

this summer is different - chloe brings a new friend, polly, this time to join them. three girls turn to four. their usually casual goal is now a big, almost impossible one. four girls to turn invisible. its the summer that changes everything for them.

the characters were so sweet and it was such an easy read for me. it also touches on important aspects of life for teenage girls, such as family issues, embracing sexualities, eating disorders, body image, accepting change, and new and old relationships.

How much does your body define you? And is that a good or bad thing?

These Bodies Between Us gives a glimpse into one last summer--roller skating, sticky fingers, salty hair, and sandy feet. And bodies that might disappear if you work at it.

Every year Callie and Talia, two year round beach town residents, team up with their friend Cleo for a summer of fun and a new, fun goal to achieve. This year is different, though. First, Cleo has brought along her friend Polly, a timid girl who integrates with the group quickly once the goal, learning to turn invisible, is agreed upon. Callie thinks it's ridiculous, but Cleo has dozens of online videos of girls like themselves talking about this newfound power, and so their quest begins. When they succeed, not only are beliefs about what's possible changed, but so is the entire timbre of the summer. But what happens if the girls lose control? And how is this summer, the one before senior year in high school, different from all those previous, as the girls prepare for their next stages in life?

These Bodies Between Us weaves nostalgia for times, people and places I've loved, with explorations of more serious issues like sexuality, abuse, family dynamics, and body image, all taking place at the cusp of the transition from childhood to adulthood. The book will stay with more for a long time, sending ripples through my own life view.

Sort of a peculiar book. Certainly one you'd have to call literary. It's more about characters and interactions than about events. And the premise is a strange one. Its a slow build. For it's strange premise its largely very grounded and the invisibility itself highly symbolic. With the loose structure and meandering plot it's not high in tension but does allow a lot of different interpretations.

"These Bodies Between Us' is a a crazy quilt of emotions, feelings, and mysticism. Seeking to find solidarity in disappearing, the friends find a way to truly disappear from sight. Using clues from social media they embark on a summer experience that provides them with the freedom they need.

Sarah Van Name brings back the angst and fears of the teen years and sets them squarely in the pages of this book. What each character chooses to do with her power at the end of the book is a mirror for young women in society. Do you stay and fight for yourself or choose another option?

Thanks, NetGalley.

I really wanted to like this. I was hoping for more. I needed more relationship information between the girls other than that they spend every summer together. I guess I wanted more depth than just becoming invisible and not doing anything fun with it. I wanted to know more about Polly and her life. Why was she so miserable other than constantly having to move... Talia seemed like she had a lot of issues with her parents and siblings but nothing was really mentioned about what was causing it. I really wanted more information about the characters backstories because this summer didn't seem overly exciting. I probably wasn't the ideal reader for this but I'm sure this book is perfect for someone.

This is for the besties who are waiting for new Katrina Leno.

A heartbreaking, hard-hitting contemporary with a speculative twist. The book was honestly so much better than I expected it to be. The way invisibility is used to talk about the pressures teenage girls feel. Stunning.

This is one that you should read during the summer, its a great book to read outdoors somewhere and just escape into. I really liked the relationship between the four girls and how they lend their strength to each other. I liked the way that the author mixed in difficult issues into the book such as eating disorders and abusive relationships.

What a fascinating concept and beautiful execution of it. THESE BODIES BETWEEN US by Sarah Van Name follows a small group of friends who develop (discover) the ability to become invisible. This idea is compelling regardless of age and teens seem likely to find it irresistible. What a perfect way to escape so many of the pressures of being a teen and particularly body dysmorphia, body image struggles and other issues. I definitely plan to use it as an example of using magical realism in my creative writing classes (as a contrast to authors like writers like Anna-Maria McLemore whose novels are so beautifully tied to the roots of Latine magical realism). I'll also recommend this book, with a CW on eating disorders, to my students asking for a good novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book. What a great coming of age story by VanName. There is great character development and the reader becomes so invested in the lives of these teens. The lengths the characters go to in order to free themselves from their existing (oftentimes difficult) lives makes a great read. I guess there might need to be some trigger warnings as a lot of hefty topics are brought up for a young adult book. 4 stars

Top 5 Reasons to Read

1. She's a hometown author! I was so excited to see a book from an author who actually lives in my town (Durham, NC).

2. The book explores the unique pressures of being a teenage girl through the use of magical realism, with the girls learning how to turn themselves invisible.

3, There is an unflinching look at an abusive teen relationship, one that's important for teens to read about because it doesn't involve (*yet*) being physically abusive. It's important for teen girls especially to recognize the signs of a toxic relationship and to have the strength to get out.

4. There is also a sensitive look at eating disorders, and how being invisible would appeal to a girl who hated her body and had body dysmorphia.

5. While a lot of YA (and adult) fiction often involves toxic female friendships (which, don't get me wrong, I also love reading about!), I love the fact that this book focuses on the purity and strength that actually exist in most friendships between girls and women. These girls would do absolutely anything for each other, and in the end that is truly put to the test.

I encourage you to read this, and to put it in the hands of the teen girls you know. I think it will speak to them, as it has done for me even at my way-past-teen-years age!

Rating: 5 stars!

**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.

Sarah Van Name's 'These Bodies Between Us' is a spellbinding journey into the heart of friendship and the allure of the unknown. From the first chapter, I was captivated by the bond between Callie, Talia, Cleo, and Polly, feeling like I was right there with them as they navigated the sun-soaked beaches of their North Carolina town. The concept of learning to become invisible added an irresistible layer of magic to the story, sparking my imagination and leaving me wondering what I would do with such power.

While the concept of invisibility adds an intriguing twist, it is the emotional depth of the characters that truly shines in this novel. Van Name's writing is like a warm breeze, wrapping you up in the nostalgia of adolescence while also sprinkling in a dash of magic that keeps you on the edge of your beach towel. As the girls grappled with the complexities of adolescence and the weight of their own secrets, I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering them on every step of the way. Perfect for fans of contemporary YA fiction, "These Bodies Between Us" is a captivating read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Content Warning: Toxic Relationships, Body Image/ED

Have you ever wanted to become invisible? The girls in These Bodies Between Us by Sarah Van Name each have a different reason for wanting to learn to be invisible. Some doubt it can happen, others are eager to disappear. Talia, Callie and Cleo are best friends who have an adventure every summer. Talia and Callie live in the beach town all year but Cleo only comes for the summer. This year, Cleo brings a new friend to the beach for the summer and all four girls work at the skating rink every day.
This had some beautiful queer representation that I wasn’t expecting. I went into this a little hesitant, expecting to suspend my belief a lot for the invisibility aspect but I was so immersed in the world and in the friendship that I didn’t even think twice about the fact they were learning how to disappear.
My only complaint is the last chapter. No spoilers, but it definitely brought my rating down to a 4.5 ⭐️.
These Bodies Between Us publishes TOMORROW March 12! Thank you toNetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Delacorte Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

It was supposed to be the best summer yet for Talia, Cleo, Callie, and new friend Polly - after all, summer was their special time. The girls were ready to cast aside the normal pastimes of their summers by the sea and try a ritual that would allow themselves to become invisible…and if they found it on the internet it must be real. But the shocking fact is, it worked. But how does discovering the shocking ability to turn invisible change their summer? While at first things seem just about the same, things quickly escalate. These Bodies Between Us is a deliciously thrilling read yet with a cautionary tone of the dangers of new found freedom and power. Just a quick note that I wish I would have realized: there is a playlist at the end of the book which would be awesome to pull up at the beginning to enjoy this amazing book!!!!

This book was read for a book tour with tbr and beyond and will be posted on instagram 3/15.

This was such a good book! I loved the characters, and their story. The dialogue was realistic and enjoyable. I was very surprised by the ending!

The idea of this book appealed to me because of the age of the characters, and the setting of the story. I was hoping to be drawn into a nostalgic world of a teenage summer drama. Yes, parts of this story were exactly that, which I would say were the best parts of this story but the turning invisible thing was just a little hard to get past. I was hoping for a twist at the end that somehow worked it into something more believable. I know I wasn’t the target audience for this book so other readers need to take that into consideration when deciding whether to read this book. I was also hoping to be able to recommend it to my middle grade readers, but I feel it would be more suited to high school readers. I wouldn’t give this book a bad rating, it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read it!

A wistful coming-of-age story with a haunting twist about four friends who spend their summer learning to become invisible—but disappearing comes at a cost.

This was really beautifully written. I enjoyed it a lot.