Review + Giveaway! The Impossibility of Us by Katy Upperman

I'm so excited to be part of the blog tour for The Impossibility of Us and help spread the love for this special book. Katy Upperman's second novel handles timely themes with honesty and respect while still providing her signature swoony romance. Check out my thoughts on this contemporary young adult novel, order your copy of The Impossibility of Us, and be sure to enter the giveaway below!

The Impossibility of Us
Katy Upperman
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: July 31st 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

The last thing Elise wants is to start her senior year in a new town. But after her brother’s death in Afghanistan, she and her mother move from San Francisco to a sleepy coastal village.
When Elise meets Mati, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Mati is new to town too, visiting the U.S. with his family. Over the course of the summer, their relationship begins to blossom, and what starts out as a friendship becomes so much more.
But as Elise and Mati grow closer, her family becomes more and more uncomfortable with their relationship, and their concerns all center on one fact—Mati is Afghan.
Beautifully written, utterly compelling, and ultimately hopeful, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US asks—how brave can you be when your relationship is questioned by everyone you love?

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Katy Upperman has done it again. As much as I loved her debut novel, Kissing Max Holden, The Impossibility of Us has more depth, packs more of an emotional punch, and made a visceral impact that had me wiping away tears.

Newly arrived in a small coastal California town in order to be closer to her niece and her brother’s widow, Elise meets Mati at the beach. Their tenuous friendship is threatened when Elise learns Mati is from Afghanistan but her hesitancy turns to acceptance when she remembers her brother’s compassion and the way he rejected intolerance and ignorance. But others are not so accepting and Elise finds herself at odds with both her mother and sister-in-law.

I should accept his invitation. It's rude, stringing him along, but I need to sort through the abundance of questions in my head: what his invitation suggest, who I am to him, who he's becoming to me, and how I'll deal with the impossibility of us.

There were so many aspects of this story that I loved – and each was executed so well. Elise was down to earth and completely likable. She was navigating her grief largely on her own since her mother had virtually checked out and immersed herself in her writing career. And at a time when she was still figuring out who she was and what she believed, Elise showed real maturity when questioning her own convictions and then holding firm to them in the face of opposition. She was a good friend, a loving aunt, and was willing to speak her mind when she felt wronged. And then there was Mati. It was impossible not to fall for this sweet, gentle soul. A young man with his own beliefs and convictions, who had seen and experienced much, and whose family had expectations that up until now he dared not question. Now in a country where he is faced with open hostility and suspicion, Mati finds solace in his friendship with Elise even while trying to reconcile his feelings for her within the confines of his religion. As an aside, Upperman even made me love Mati’s chapters written in verse, a format I typically don’t enjoy.

She looks out over the water, face flushed. I have flattered her, and I will never be sorry. She is fragile, and she is valorous, and for me, she is fleeting.

Upperman managed to engage my mind and my heart in this beautiful tale of friendship and first love, tolerance and acceptance. She has deftly created a story that is timely and relevant and equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. The Impossibility of Us is one that is not to be missed.

4.5/5 STARS

Katy Upperman is a graduate of Washington State University, a former elementary school teacher, and an insatiable reader. When not writing for young adults, Katy can be found whipping up batches of chocolate chip cookies or exploring the country with her husband and daughter. KISSING MAX HOLDEN is her debut novel; her sophomore novel, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US, will be available summer, 2018.

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