some of those neglected, unread books sitting on our bookshelves.
Jessica Verdi
Published: August 4, 2015
Average Goodreads rating: 3.80
Synopsis: It's all Ryden's fault. If he hadn't gotten Meg pregnant, she would have never stopped her chemo treatments and would still be alive. Instead he's failing fatherhood one dirty diaper at a time. And it's not like he's had time to grieve while struggling to care for their infant daughter, start his senior year, and earn the soccer scholarship he needs to go to college.
The one person who makes Ryden feel like his old self is Joni. She's fun and energetic-and doesn't know he has a baby. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep his two worlds separate. Finding one of Meg's journals only stirs up old emotions. Ryden's convinced Meg left other notebooks for him to find, some message to help his new life make sense. But how is he going to have a future if he can't let go of the past?
The one person who makes Ryden feel like his old self is Joni. She's fun and energetic-and doesn't know he has a baby. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep his two worlds separate. Finding one of Meg's journals only stirs up old emotions. Ryden's convinced Meg left other notebooks for him to find, some message to help his new life make sense. But how is he going to have a future if he can't let go of the past?
Why I Added This Book to My Shelves
According to Goodreads, I added What You Left Behind to my TBR shelf in April 2015. And I was so excited for it that I pre-ordered a physical copy. And then... I never read it. Tell me I'm not the only one that does this! This poor book has been sitting on my bookshelf for five years. Ever so often I give it a passing glance, it whimpers pitifully, and I guiltily avert my eyes and move on.
But yesterday, my lovely friend Sam featured it on her blog. And instantly I thought, "Oh yeah, that book! I remember that one. The one I excitedly purchased and then heartlessly ignored. I should read that book." So Sam and I decided to read it and maybe do a dual review kind of thing. So just as soon as I can finish That Forever Girl (hopefully during my lunch break today) I will be dusting off What You Left Behind and diving in - truly a book from the backlog. Now, Sam will likely finish it in a day and it will take me almost a week (LOL) but that's beside the point. :)
But yesterday, my lovely friend Sam featured it on her blog. And instantly I thought, "Oh yeah, that book! I remember that one. The one I excitedly purchased and then heartlessly ignored. I should read that book." So Sam and I decided to read it and maybe do a dual review kind of thing. So just as soon as I can finish That Forever Girl (hopefully during my lunch break today) I will be dusting off What You Left Behind and diving in - truly a book from the backlog. Now, Sam will likely finish it in a day and it will take me almost a week (LOL) but that's beside the point. :)
Have you read this book?
Do you enjoy emotional stories or do you avoid them?
Do you enjoy emotional stories or do you avoid them?
