Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Published: August 2017
Pages: 352
Published by: Harper Teen
Official Synopsis: "A contemporary YA
perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Jessi Kirby, THESE THINGS I’VE
DONE is the story of a seventeen-year-old girl who accidentally caused
her best friend’s death and, a year later, is still grappling with the
consequences.
Before:
Dara and Aubrey have been inseparable since they became best friends in sixth grade. However, as they begin their sophomore year of high school, cracks in their friendship begin to form, testing the bond they always thought was unbreakable.
After:
It's been fifteen months since the accident that killed Aubrey, and not a day goes by that Dara isn't racked with guilt over her role in her best friend's death. Dara thought nothing could be worse than confronting the memories of Aubrey that relentlessly haunt her, but she soon realizes it isn't half as difficult as seeing Ethan, Aubrey's brother, every day. Not just because he's a walking reminder of what she did, but because the more her feelings for him change, the more she knows she's betraying her best friend one final time."
Before:
Dara and Aubrey have been inseparable since they became best friends in sixth grade. However, as they begin their sophomore year of high school, cracks in their friendship begin to form, testing the bond they always thought was unbreakable.
After:
It's been fifteen months since the accident that killed Aubrey, and not a day goes by that Dara isn't racked with guilt over her role in her best friend's death. Dara thought nothing could be worse than confronting the memories of Aubrey that relentlessly haunt her, but she soon realizes it isn't half as difficult as seeing Ethan, Aubrey's brother, every day. Not just because he's a walking reminder of what she did, but because the more her feelings for him change, the more she knows she's betraying her best friend one final time."
My thoughts: A touching story of how one girl copes after losing her best friend. But
not just a simple loss-oh no. Her friend died right in front of her and
she (along with some others) holds herself responsible. I can't even
begin to properly get the emotional baggage that must come with.
Ethan, the brother to her best friend, is by far my favorite character in the book. He is so far mature and wise beyond his years. And sweet, stable and caring. Truly a gem in Dara's life. I liked Dara too, but sometimes her self-guilt gets to be a bit too much. Over a year later and she doesn't' even try to move on? She feels she deserves to be unhappy but not once does she stop and fully reflect what it is doing to her family and how it hurt her friendships. I get that she is suffering but to deliberately force yourself to never hug or touch another person, to refuse to smile...that is not good. Even for the guilty. So she tended to also frustrate me a bit at times even though I overall liked her character. Paige and Travis-I never got a decent feel. And they seemed wishy-washy in personalities to me.
This book comes with some feels. There are a few sniffle or eye watering moments, so readers beware.
*I received this book in exchange for a fair, honest review.*
I'll add this one to my TBR!
ReplyDelete- El @ El's Book Reviews
I hope you end up enjoying it when you get the chance to read it.
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