I’ve been struggling to read, but this very sweet yet surprisingly deep book about a teen relationship was the perfect fit! Check out my review of Four Days of You and Me
Review: Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally
Published on May 5, 2020 by Sourcebooks Fire
Plot Summary of Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally
Every May, students at Coffee County High School take a class trip. And every year, Lulu’s relationship with Alex Rouvelis gets a little more complicated. Freshman year, they went from sworn enemies to more than friends after a close encounter in an escape room. It’s been hard for Lulu to quit Alex ever since.
Through breakups, make ups, and dating other people, each year’s class trip brings the pair back together and forces them to confront their undeniable connection. From the science museum to an amusement park, from New York City to London, Lulu learns one thing is for sure: love is the biggest trip of all.
My Review of Four Days of You and Me
My biggest concern about this book (during these UGH “unprecedented times” was that it’s not the most plot-heavy book, and lately plot-heavy books have worked the best to capture my attention. However, Four Days of You and Me was the other kind of book that seems to work for me at the moment – the sweet and heart-warming kind.
Lulu and Alex have a complicated relationship that we watch play out over four years (and four all-class school trips.) As freshmen, the two are at odds over the fact that she wants their school to plant a garden in the same spot that he wants a spot for batting practice. But then on their class trip to a science machine, they accidentally get caught in an escape room together and decide that maybe they’re not as bitter of enemies as they think.
At first I wasn’t sure about the trip format, but I came to like the way that the book was able to show this teenage relationship play out over four years. And I really liked the way that time span let the book look at the issues that come up in any long-term relationship: balancing romance with friendships, family dynamics, gender roles and expectations, and conflicting goals and dreams.
I really enjoyed this one! It was not the typical YA romance and I appreciated that it took a deeper dive into a relationship while still having Miranda Kenneally’s trademark humor and heart.
Have you read this? Do you want to? The e-book is only $7.99 – so grab it and enjoy!
If you love sweet YA romance, you NEED to check out my list of Best YA Rom Coms!
I held my breath waiting to see your verdict for this book. I am so glad you liked it, otherwise I was going to have to cry in a corner. I love stories that follow characters over a long span of time, and I thought the school trip format was a rather ingenious way to let the time pass, while still keeping us abreast of everything. I thought the ending was super cute, but because such HUGE things were happening for those too, I would have liked a jump ahead epilogue, or maybe she will give us a novella.
Oh, no. I would never wanted to make you cry in a corner. I was worried at first because I don’t generally do well with non-traditional timelines. But I really loved this!
I’ve been having a hard time finding books to capture my attention too. I guess that’s why I’ve been gravitating towards thriller/mysteries– more plot.
Maybe I should try the sweet and heart-warming kind now!! I really want to read this book– it looks fun!
I’ll admit I struggled at first with it (as like you, I’ve needed strong plots lately to keep me focused.”Unprecedented times” and all.) To me, it’s a quieter book than her previous ones, which had more obvious issues and angles. But I really admire what she did – to chronicle a relationship over time, with all the phases of attraction and denial and giddiness and reality sets in and conflict. It was really different and good!
I really enjoyed this one too! It was sweet, and I liked the way she built around the school trip each year to show their developing relationship. I always enjoy her books, and it was fun to see her write something that’s a stand-alone. Nice review!
I seriously got a non romantic, bittersweet vibe from this one so I passed. I will not be fooled by those cutsey covers again!! lol
But I guess it works so maybe I’ll take a second look because I’ve always liked her books.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Hmmmm. Will have to look at the cover again.