You've Reached Sam: A Novel

i picked this up because it’s genuinely one of my favorite books of all time, and this luxe special edition felt like the right way to own it. i’m happy to say it’s just as beautiful in person as it looks online (i'd even say prettier in person, as i've given it its own special place on my bookshelf) this story handles grief in a way that feels intimate and painfully honest. it’s not overly dramatic or rushed, why would it be? even as a debut novel, dustin really seemed to know what he was doing. it really sits with the emotions. julie’s journey through loss, denial, and learning how to move forward feels authentic, and that’s what makes it hit so hard, especially if you've dealth with this type of grief before. the writing style is accessible and smooth, simplistic even, but there are moments that sneak up on you emotionally (i had to put it down more than once, admittedly) as for the luxe edition itself, the design details make it feel like a keepsake rather than just another copy on the shelf. the cover is stunning, and the overall presentation makes it gift-worthy (or something you’ll want to display instead of tuck away) (my personal choice) that said, this is a slower, character-driven story. if you’re looking for heavy plot twists or fast pacing, this may not be the right fit, and that's okay! this book won't be for everyone, but it is the right fit for me (thank you dustin thao) overall, it’s a beautifully written story about love and loss, and this special edition does it justice. if you connect with emotional ya contemporary, this one is absolutely worth owning.

This was a great book. So sad, but has so many sweet moments, so many different things to think about. The story is unique and interesting, it's unlike any book I've read before. The main characters are developed really well, so you get a sense of their personality, and how everyone fits together. The emotion in this book! I had to take so many breaks to stop and just cry for a minute. I lost 2 family members in 2021, so reading about grief and how you'll forever be without that person was definitely hard, but it was such a good book I didn't want to stop reading it. My only slight issue- it gets a little confusing at times going between past and present, and when all of the memories are running together. Other then that, I would definitely recommend this book. Not the most amazing book I've ever read, but definitely worth the read!

Emotional impact was crazy. Lovely bittersweet. Was a good choice out of a random this looks interesting pick up.

You’ve Reached Sam was a cute book. It was sad but heartwarming. I read it in my book club. Probably won’t read again tho.

YOU’VE REACHED SAM is a YA contemporary romance with magical realism about Julie who is drowning in grief after her boyfriend Sam tragically dies. One day, she calls his phone, only to be surprised when he answers. They’ve been given one last chance to say goodbye. However, keeping this secret to herself threatens the state of her friendships with people also grieving for him. I’ve had this sitting on my shelf since release day. I was terrified of picking this book up because I knew it’d get me right in the feels, and it never felt like the right time since I had lost my grandmother shortly before its release and then my dog a few months later. That fear was unjustified, but the tears were very much welcome, even after having all these years to come to terms with the family I’ve lost because I’ve also gained a new family after getting married. The premise is so heart-wrenching as we see Julie and Sam grapple with different regrets while struggling with letting go of each other and moving on. Thao’s handling of the parallel timelines lined up well by showing the positive moments that came out of Julie meeting Sam, while also hinting at what she needed to come to terms with before bidding farewell to him. Each character had a different coping mechanism, but I liked how they didn’t become personifications of that grief. Most people focus on grief so heavily that they don’t realize not everyone processes it in the same way. Overall, this was such a heartfelt debut, and I think had I not waited until now, I wouldn’t have understood the message of moving forward even when life gets you down doesn’t mean you have to forget about the people you’ve lost.

Best book I could’ve ever had the privilege of reading. Amazingly written, the emotional rollercoaster this book had me in. Every piece and inch of this book was just amazing. I love Sam so much, and it’s crazy how much I cherish that man. I’m in lost for words at how much I wanted this book to twist to a fantasy book where he time travels back in time and given the chance to live but this book is based on the real world, minus the extra time Julie gets with Sam. I think it’s something we all hope to get but can’t. It’s reality written in a way cuz we all hope to get the happy ending when there isn’t one we hope. Given the circumstance of the ending, and given it wasn’t a happy ending it was the close all these characters needed to move on. And moving on shouldn’t and isn’t forgetting about the person rather it’s about to continue living and and looking back at the fond memories and remembering them, even if for a few moments. I lost my brother, it’s been 16 years, and I don’t think about him often and when I do I remember all the good times I had with him, and yes there will always be pain along with that but it’s only fleeting never lasting. The good moments outweighs the bad ones. So I completely recommend this to anyone wanting to read something so raw and emotional especially inspirational book. I’m a reader who loves happy endings, I dislike when the mc’s don’t end up together but this ending couldn’t have been more perfect for both of them. Julie and Sam are soulmates and I believe In another life they got the happy ending they both planned to have. 💗💗

Enjoyed the touching story and it’s a beautiful cover and beautiful edging.

There’s a long silence before he finally answers this. He says “I wanted to give us a chance to say good-bye.” This book is the most beautifully heartbreaking book I have ever read. And it is an incredible debut book. There was not a single chapter in this book that I was not crying in someway. Some were sad tears and then some were full on sobs. Julie and Sam are in their senior year of high school and have everything planned out for themselves but then the unexpected happens. And Sam dies. And Julie is left with her grief and trying to move foreword. But how do you when the person you want most is just a call away? “I missed you. I missed you infinity.” I personally think this book is a beautiful display of grief and self-forgiveness and picking up the pieces. I loved Sam, he was like a picture-perfect boyfriend and the first love everyone deserves. I loved Julie as well, she acts how I think lots of teenagers would through this kind of grief, and for some it may be annoying and inconsistent but she’s 17 she doesn’t need to be. And I think for me I can relate to that because a lot of how she reacts is how I think I might have reacted if I was in her shoes. “You called me, Julie. And I picked up. Like always.” If you are looking for a good therapeutic cry then this is a book that will do just that. This is a book that will stick with me and I will be rereading it I am sure through the years. I am looking forward to future books by this author.

At first i had mixed feelings. We jumped from memory to memory. It was not easy to follow for me. But then the story Fame and i’ve loved every person in this book and i wish there was more of Mika, Oliver and Tristen!!! Ouch and the little brother.. MY HEART <\3 I just had a feeling that the ending was very fast and like the begin/middle was more slow. But this did not bother me.

Beautiful story!

I've read it in german before and I had to buy this pretty english version, too! This book made me cry so many times. It is so beautiful written. This version is so pretty and really special.

El libro es muy bonito *llora de emocion* yo pensé que esa era la portada pero no, el libro es ligero y el producto llegó antes de tiempo, es de pasta dura y aunque no lo he terminado, el inglés que utiliza es muy sencillo por si quieres comenzar a leer en inglés me parece una buena elección

Came a little earlier than expected which is great!