If I Stay by Gayle Forman

No. of pages: 250
Rating: 10/10

Synopsis: 'Just listen,' Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel. I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen. 'Stay,' he says. Everybody has to make choices. Some might break you. For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope. But life can change in an instant. A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one. As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all. Gripping, heartrending and ultimately life-affirming, "If I Stay" will make you appreciate all that you have, all that you've lost - and all that might be.

Review: Although Mia doesn't have a perfect life, things are going well for her - she has a great family that love each other, a boyfriend that adores her, and a future filled with her dream of playing cello professionally. But a single moment on a snowy road blasts her whole life apart, and before she knows it she's left with only one decision - to stay and fight or to go and leave it all behind.

I adored this book so much, I just could not put it down, and read it straight through in one sitting. It was easy to immediately empathise with Mia, who was a great, realistic character. The other characters were also really well written, each had a distinct personality and voice within the story which made it flow really well. I also liked the way the author flicked between the present and memories of the past so well, sometimes it can be a bit confusing being flicked around in time, but it was done well and really suited this story. Definitely would recommend this to fans of YA books, it's fantastically written and is a great and enjoyable story to read. I personally cannot wait for the sequel out next year!