Book Review

REVIEW: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

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I’ve only ever read one other novel by Forman before – Just One Day – and I really enjoyed that. I didn’t have any expectations going into I Was Here because it sounded a lot grittier than your typical contemporary, so I was very pleasantly surprised.

Following the suicide of her best friend, Meg, Cody realises that something is a little bit suspicious. Meg never showed any outward signs that she was unhappy, but Cody feels guilty for not being there for her friend. Starting to investigate, she realises there was a side to Meg that she knew nothing about.

Forman has written an interesting and gripping start, with a distinct character voice. It felt as if I was Cody and experiencing the events through her eyes but with enough detachment to make it an intimate but comfortable reading experience.

Cody was such a whole character. By that I mean that we got to see every side of her. Her doubt at times was brilliant to see because it’s not often that we get to see such a mentality in characters.

I Was Here isn’t your conventional suicide contemporary novel and that was so, so refreshing. It also didn’t feel as if it was a book just there to fulfil a trend – it was completely genuine.

The romance was everything I look for in a brilliant contemporary book. It was slow burning and realistic. I can tell a good romance when I feel like I’m rooting for the characters and that is exactly what happened.

I really enjoyed I Was Here and will be seeking out more of Forman’s books that I haven’t yet read very soon. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good, mysterious contemporary novel that can be read very quickly. It kept me on the edge of my seat and was unputdownable!

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20 Comments

  • Reply
    Laura
    14 November, 2014 at 8:51 am

    Ooo sounds interesting! Might have to put on my TBR pile!! Love your reviews.

  • Reply
    Charlotte @ Books and Baby etc.
    14 November, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    I really like the sound of this one. I’ve not read anything else by this author so I have no expectations either.
    Charlotte @ Books and Baby etc. recently posted…7 reasons Autumn is our favourite seasonMy Profile

    • Reply
      Lucy Powrie
      17 November, 2014 at 7:19 pm

      It’s a very good book! Sometimes it’s best to go into a book with no expectations! x

  • Reply
    Eden
    Twitter:
    14 November, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    This looks like such a good book – I always find that character voice can make or break a book, I really like to be able to sympathise with the character!
    Eden recently posted…BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Endgame: The Calling by James FreyMy Profile

  • Reply
    Caroline
    14 November, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    I am reading this at the moment, only up to chapter 4 but its great to see such a fab review.

  • Reply
    Cambrie
    15 November, 2014 at 12:05 am

    Like you, I’ve only read one book by Gayle Forman, Just One Day! I enjoyed that book too, and I’ve heard so many negative reviews for, If I Stay, so I haven’t picked it up. I’m excited to hear that you enjoyed I Was Here, and I’ll definitely pick it up when I see it the book store.

    Love your review!!
    – Cambrie xoxo
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  • Reply
    Jess @My Reading Dress
    15 November, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    I’m super glad that you enjoyed this one, Lucy! I like a nice, sweet romance and it’s good to see that this one wasn’t conventional. I have an ARC but won’t have time to dig in until closer to the release date. But now I’m super excited for it 😀 Fantastic review! x
    Jess @My Reading Dress recently posted…Seeking Saturday’s Read #12: Detoxing, Time Management and Finding a New DarklingMy Profile

  • Reply
    Jaina
    15 November, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    Looks interesting! I’ll add it to my TBR pile.

  • Reply
    Georgia (The Bibliomaniac)
    15 November, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    So glad you enjoyed this Lucy, loved the review! I can’t wait to read this, as I loved If I Stay & Just One Day earlier this year. Also, everyone has been saying how unique and moving this book is.
    Georgia (The Bibliomaniac) recently posted…Book Review: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Chris RiddellMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sophie
    16 November, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    I’m really looking forward to this so I’m glad you enjoyed it. I don’t know if I’ll manage the wait until release month to dig into it!
    Sophie recently posted…Letterbox Love #66My Profile

    • Reply
      Lucy Powrie
      16 November, 2014 at 2:14 pm

      It’s really worth reading! It was very hard to resist!

  • Reply
    Rosie
    18 November, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    This sounds really interesting, I’ll have to add it to my ever-growing tbr pile.

    I have If I Stay on my shelf at the moment and I can’t wait to read it but I feel like it’s going to be one of those books you really need to treasure, take your time over and appreciate. So I’m waiting for a day I’m home alone to read it.

  • Reply
    Hazel @ Stay Bookish
    19 November, 2014 at 6:33 am

    Oh my gosh! I’m so excited that you loved it, Lucy! I’m the biggest Forman fan and I loved her other books so very much and I’m so looking forward to I Was Here. I’m glad the feelings felt genuine and that you found this brilliant. 😀
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  • Reply
    Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder
    19 November, 2014 at 8:46 am

    I love Gayle Forman and I will read anything that she writes. I’ve only read If I Stay and Where She Went but I loved both so I’m definitely checking this out. Great review, Lucy! 🙂
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  • Reply
    REVIEW // I Was Here // Gayle Forman - Educating Elsa
    13 February, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    […] was Lucy @ Queen of Contemporary’s review that really drew my attention to this book. I haven’t read anything by Gayle Forman before so […]

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