Tara Altebrando, in my opinion a highly underrated author, examines the complex double-standards set in all teenage friendships and the complex emotions of loss and despair in What Happens Here. Chloe and Lindsay had been the best of friends – they did everything together, and their lives were intertwined. They planned to travel the world and buy condos in several locations and complete their lives in happiness. When Chloe gets the opportunity of the lifetime to travel to Europe, she gets into a fight with Lindsay but sends her postcards from everywhere she goes, and finds a little romance of her own. Little did she know what would be awaiting her when she got home…
WARNING: Spoilers ahead!!!
Lindsay dies in a tragic murder, and Chloe wants to discover everything that happened that night; she feels guilty that she was not there when she was in Europe, and she finds herself clinging to her on/off crush on Lindsay’s brother Noah. More guilt is exposed as she believes that Lindsay would not approve of this liking, yet both of them work together to move past their terrible loss.
End of Spoilers
Similar to Sarah Dessen’s The Truth About Forever, this book examines the guilt associated with loss, and the idea of embracing imperfection when certain things can no longer be. That book is one of my favorites, and this one comes very close to that level. I feel that anyone looking for a compelling, emotional read should definitely check this one out!
xoxo, Liesel
Purchase What Happens Here via Amazon.
Thanks for this great review, Liesel!
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