Emmy & Oliver (Robin Benway)

Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach — go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up — not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles — impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.

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I’ve had this book on my kindle since forever, so this was the month I decided to get to it. I’m glad I did, this was such a unique YA contemporary.

First and foremost, this is a story of friendship and being yourselves, even when you think you might disappoint someone important to you. Robin Benway did a great job here, she gave Emmy, Oliver, Caro and Drew very unique personalities and strong characteristics. Each of them were amazing in their own way, and each also felt trapped by some small or big thing in their lives. I loved the character development and the transformation they go through.

The friendship between the characters was great, and I loved reading the bonds between each of them. But most of all, I liked the struggle that Oliver had going on, thorned between loving and hating both his parents. I thought that felt true and raw and honest.

But there’s also so much cuteness in this book, such as Emmy’s love for surfing, or the stolen romantic moments between Emmy and Oliver. I loved these two together, but I also loved that it didn’t steal all the focus of the book or the characters.

The book is told through Emmy’s POV, and I loved her voice. The book manages to be fun and light, while being deep as well. It’s very well done.

So guys, have you read Emmy & Oliver yet? What did you think?