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A review by heykellyjensen
Start Here by Trish Doller
Willa, Taylor, and Finley were inseparable friends, though Finley was the glue holding the trio together. When they were young, they made a promise to sail from their home in Ohio through the Great Loop and down to the Florida Keys to celebrate the end of high school. Unfortunately, Finley dies from leukemia before she gets to take the trip but leaves Willa and Taylor with a set of clues for their trip that will honor her memory, as well as allow the two of them to bond outside of their relationship to her.
This is a fresh take on the road trip story, taking place entirely on a sailboat that navigates a series of locks, rough waters (literally and figuratively), as well as a rough hurricane. There's no denying the weather is symbolic here of the friendship that doesn't really exist between Willa and Taylor, both of whom are deeply grieving the loss of their friendship but who feel they have nothing in common with one another without Finley.
Willa is a mixed-race girl and Taylor is bisexual, and their identities play a wonderful role in the story as Willa confronts the realities of her race, as well as her economic challenges, while Taylor, who has access to much more than Willa, grapples with that as well as with who she feels she's ready to share her sexuality with. These become trigger points throughout the journey that ultimately help Willa and Taylor find love not just for their shared friend, but also for one another.
A really lovely, moving, and heartfelt story. It's perfect for readers itching for multiple voiced stories, for a sailing trip, for a book that really delves into what it means to be a friend -- or a best friend (that resonated so deeply for me!), and what it means to grieve someone, especially someone young who didn't get to see all of their biggest dreams come true.
Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen.
This is a fresh take on the road trip story, taking place entirely on a sailboat that navigates a series of locks, rough waters (literally and figuratively), as well as a rough hurricane. There's no denying the weather is symbolic here of the friendship that doesn't really exist between Willa and Taylor, both of whom are deeply grieving the loss of their friendship but who feel they have nothing in common with one another without Finley.
Willa is a mixed-race girl and Taylor is bisexual, and their identities play a wonderful role in the story as Willa confronts the realities of her race, as well as her economic challenges, while Taylor, who has access to much more than Willa, grapples with that as well as with who she feels she's ready to share her sexuality with. These become trigger points throughout the journey that ultimately help Willa and Taylor find love not just for their shared friend, but also for one another.
A really lovely, moving, and heartfelt story. It's perfect for readers itching for multiple voiced stories, for a sailing trip, for a book that really delves into what it means to be a friend -- or a best friend (that resonated so deeply for me!), and what it means to grieve someone, especially someone young who didn't get to see all of their biggest dreams come true.
Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen.