The Way Back To You by Michelle Andreani And Mindi Scott

The Way Back To You by Michelle Andreani And Mindi Scott

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books  

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages:  384

Summary:  In this witty, heart-tugging novel, two teens take a spontaneous road trip across the Southwest to meet three strangers who received the life-saving organs of their late best friend—charting a journey of loss, hope, and love along the way.

Six months ago, Ashlyn Montiel died in a bike accident.

Her best friend Cloudy is keeping it together, at least on the outside. Cloudy’s insides are a different story: tangled, confused, heartbroken.

Kyle is falling apart, and everyone can tell. Ashlyn was his girlfriend, and when she died, a part of him went with her. Maybe the only part he cares about anymore.

As the two people who loved Ashlyn best, Cloudy and Kyle should be able to lean on each other. But after a terrible mistake last year, they're barely speaking. So when Cloudy discovers that Ashlyn’s organs were donated after her death and the Montiel family has been in touch with three of the recipients, she does something a little bit crazy and a lot of out character: she steals the letters and convinces Kyle to go on a winter break road trip with her, from Oregon to California to Arizona to Nevada. Maybe if they see the recipients—the people whose lives were saved by Ashlyn’s death—the world will open up again. Or maybe it will be a huge mistake.

With hundreds of miles in front of them, a stowaway kitten, and a list of people who are alive because of Ashlyn, Cloudy and Kyle just may find their way to back to her...and to each other.

My Thoughts: I was really excited for this one!! When I first read the summary I knew I had to read it and it would be one I was really excited for.

I enjoyed it but I was hoping to maybe like it a bit more than I did.

We are introduced to Kyle and Cloudy. Two friends who also lost another person in their life. A very important person. She was Kyle’s girlfriend and Cloudy’s best friend. Ashyln. Sweet Ashyln.  Cloudy loved her best friend but she also had quite the feelings for Kyle. But, she liked him before Ashlyn ever became his girlfriend but kept her feelings secret.

When Ashyln dies Cloudy and Kyle are both left alone. They each deal with it in their own ways. Well, one day Cloudy discovers the people’s names who Ashlyns organs were donated to so she gets a wild idea to go visit them and learn more about each of them.

She asks Kyle to go along and that sets out their road trip! I loved the road trip aspect of this one. I loved seeing Kyle and Cloudy together. They got along so great once they actually got along. Things were tense at first. I loved the scene where they slept in the car together. I also loved Arm. Sweet sweet Arm. What a cute little kitty. I loved reading about her so much! She was so adorable.

I really did enjoy this one and I liked all the little details. But I just didn’t connect to the story as I hoped. It may just be that I’m still so raw after losing my mom last year that these books that have death in them are just hard for me and it seems like a lot of YA now a days does, so its hard!

Overall: I’d say this probably rates closer to a 4 cupcake rating but I just had a hard time debating between 3.5 cupcakes or 4 so I’ll just settle on 4. It was hard to rate this one! I did really enjoy it but I also just had a hard time with it. Understandable! I also loved the back and forth point of views!

Cover: Love it! I’d pick it up to see what it’s about! I also love the sign!

What I’d Give It: