Review: The Way Back To You

The Way Back To You

by Michelle Andreani & Mindi Scott

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016 

THE WAY BACK TO YOU by Michelle Andreani & Mindi Scott is a story about grief and hope. The two main characters, Cloudy and Kyle are thrown into chaos when Ashlyn, Cloudy’s best friend and Kyle’s girlfriend, tragically loses her life in a bike accident. Ashlyn, a healthy young girl at her death, donated her organs to several individuals. Cloudy and Kyle are brought together in an attempt to get over their grief. When Cloudy discovers identifying information about the recipients of Ashlyn’s organs, she and Kyle set off to meet them, desperate to see what Ashlyn left behind.  Along the way, their relationship mends and tears, foreshadowed by indelible vacancy Ashlyn left in her wake. Their spontaneous journey across the Southwest brings out long buried feelings of regret, loss, and love.

Andreani and Scott do a wonderful job of portraying the two teenagers conflicting feelings of dread and contentment. Although this novel is a love story, it’s more than that. Both Cloudy and Kyle are given the same loss, but they deal with it in drastically different ways. Cloudy presses her feelings down, while Kyle falls apart. They are written with delicate detail, their stories continue to intertwine as the book progresses. Because view points change throughout the book, the reader has the ability to see the emotions of both characters easily. This story is about dealing with what life gives you, and accepting the truth even when it hurts. The authors also put a lot of thought into the journey their characters take. I found it especially interesting because they visited some areas that I’ve been able to experience for myself. The way that these different cities are described, gives the reader a vivid image that encompasses not only the scenery, but really the whole feeling of the city. I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend it.