THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME is a contemporary YA love story written by lovely and very, very talented Jennifer E. Smith.
I love Jennifer's writing. Every single story I have read so far, I have fallen in love with straight from the start. And this one wasn't any different.
*****
Owen lives in the basement. Lucy lives on the 24th floor. But when the power goes out in the midst of a New York heatwave, they find themselves together for the first time: stuck in a lift between the 10th and 11th floors. As they await help, they start talking...
The brief time they spend together leaves a mark. And as their lives take them to Edinburgh and San Francisco, to Prague and to Portland they can't shake the memory of the time they shared. Postcards cross the globe when they themselves can't, as Owen and Lucy experience the joy - and pain - of first love.
And as they make their separate journeys in search of home, they discover that sometimes it is a person rather than a place that anchors you most in the world.
*****
Firstly, let's have a look at the edition first. Paperback. 337 pages divided into 51 chapters. Black & White photograph of Lucy & Owen on the background of New York. There is a splash of blue stars and the title is written in large writing. I love how all the books the author wrote tie together. They have similar design, which always goes down well with me. Well done to the graphic team behind the books.
The writing is wonderful as usual. Easy to read. Very relate able. Modern. Funny at times. Packed with emotions which makes you fall in love with straight from the first page. The story is divided into 5 parts ( HERE; THERE; EVERYWHERE; SOMEWHERE; HOME ) and it is told from both main characters points of view.
Now, let's have a little chat about the story itself. I absolutely adore love-stories written by Smith's pen. Every single one of them captured my heart. And this one is no different. Love at first sight - love at first blackout. A friendship which has formed in dark New York City. A friendship which left a mark on both participants. They formed an unbreakable bond which turned into love. Love so deep that it survived the distance and time...
I love how Smith incorporated travelling into different cities around the world. And she brought back postcards. How I love the art of sending postcards. Bring back letters and postcards!!
Owen is a great male character. He puts the needs of his father before his own. He is sensitive, smart and a very good person. He is polite and treats people right. Lucy is a beautiful girl who is alone most of her time. And then she meets Owen and she finds her soulmate - a new friend who she wants to share her life and adventures with. But the life isn't as simple as we want. And this is a love-story so of course, there would be some barriers put into their way before they find their happiness.
And it wouldn't be a Smith's book if it doesn't end with open ending. A room for future developments.
So well done Ms Smith, you have wrote another beautiful love story which has become a permanent part of my library.
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