"It's You Every Time"

I saw a what I found to be a peculiar debate fairly recently questioning whether adults should be consumers of YA (Young Adult) books. While YA is not considered a genre to my understanding, it is actually considered an age range of the audience that some literature is targeted to. Some say that adults shouldn't read YA because they are simply trying to escape from the realities of life, but isn't that a part of what reading is meant to do? Isn't it a way for readers to get lost in worlds, situations, or love that isn't there own; a way to expand our minds outside of our own realities? I'm not saying that either side of this argument is right or wrong but what I will say is that I read what I want and no one's opinions are going to change that. I have found throughout the last year and a half that I enjoy YA books especially after I've read a particularly emotionally heavy book or a book of a larger density, think those 500-600+ pages books (insert sweating emoji).

YA books can offer a nostalgic feeling when life as an adult gets overwhelming or it can remind us of our "good old days" when life just felt enjoyable in a different way transporting us back to a specific place in time we hold dear in our hearts. I felt that It's You Every Time did this for me in a way. It transported me back to what it meant and felt like to be a teenager attempting to traverse the wide range of emotions and growth that one goes through as a teenager. I could imagine myself in the place of the main characters and wonder what I would've done had I been in the same position going through the same thing. I felt connected to the characters and dug out a special place for them in my heart and the book itself. Author Charlene Thomas is an exceptional writer and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

The Review

“It’s You Every Time” is set in New York City where Sydney “Syd” Michaels & Marcus Burke, two 18 year old high seniors are destined to deal with their grief eventually. This story was deeply touching, emotional, and heartfelt as well. I found the protagonist’s of this book to be lovable, raw, and sincere in a way that had me feeling all the feels. It is obvious to me that author, Charlene Thomas, put all her heart into penning this story and wrote about grief in a thoughtful way that will make it hurt less for anyone reading it. I loved this story and would highly recommend it because point blank, it’s a keeper!

Finished Reading On:  February 13, 2025

Book Information

Author Name: Charlene Thomas

Publisher Name: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: May 6, 2025

Final Thoughts

  Have you read It's You Every Time? Drop a comment, a rating, and let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading! If you're interested in purchasing this book for yourself, feel free to check out the link below.

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