I’ve fallen in lust with Just Call My Name‘s beautiful, breathtaking cover. Yes, fallen in lust, and fallen in love as well, I guess. I love how big the title is in proportion to the entire cover. And while it definitely grabs your attention, the title still does not overshadow the background. A high-quality photo with brilliant coloring and a thought-provoking scene, this cover just simply can’t not be loved. (I’m all for those double negatives!).
The highly anticipated sequel to Holly Goldberg Sloan’s acclaimed I’ll Be There, Just Call My Name provides a happier ending, that is, after putting the characters through hell once again. Picking up from where I’ll Be There left off, Just Call My Name focuses on Emily Bell. She thinks she has it all, but in an instant, everything changes. The boy (Sam Border), the better family situation, the happiness – these things all disappear. When a new girl goes after Sam Border, when Sam’s father breaks out of jail, when things don’t seem so perfect anymore, how will Emily deal?
I was a pretty big fan of Sam and Emily’s story, so I was super pumped to read this sequel. Fortunately, Holly Goldberg Sloan does not fail to disappoint. Although Just Call My Name isn’t quite as good as I’ll Be There, it’s still a brilliantly told story. Plus, the Sam and Emily moments just make up for anything that could’ve gone wrong. Of course, nothing went wrong. What can you expect from this story? Love, danger, abuse, prejudice, and acceptance are a few of the topics covered. In addition to good writing, realistic characters, and the fact that it’s Holly Goldberg Sloan, Just Call My Name is a freaking masterpiece. Note: this book covers mature topics, such as abuse, so do make sure you can handle the plot before choosing to read it.
Although it’s very subjective, I believe this book’s best feature is the comprehensive portrayal of every character. Take the new girl, Destiny. She isn’t just thought of as a boyfriend-stealer or a liar. Throughout the book, Holly Goldberg Sloan reveals many aspects of her personality. Destiny isn’t just manipulative; she’s a real human being who becomes a better person as the book develops. The bonds between characters in the novel never fail to amaze me. The fact that the author can so vividly depict interactions between characters shows how skilled of a writer Holly Goldberg Sloan truly is.
Just Call My Name has a few minor issues, most significantly with the ending, which although satisfying, felt a little bit rushed. Of course, everything is relative. What I call rushed could be a very natural pace for someone else.
The only thing that’s not subjective? The fact that you must check this book out!
Rating: 7 out of 10
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 5, 2014)
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Source: Netgalley
Length: 352 pages (Hardcover)
ISBN #: 9780316122818
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