Review: Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway

My Rating: 5 Stars

Date Read: July 2015

Publication Date: June 23, 2015

Hardcover, 352 pages

Summary From Goodreads:

Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.

My Review:

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy reading Robin Benway novels. The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June, and her Also Known As series, are all awesome reads. And Emmy and Oliver did not disappoint.

During the 10 years that Oliver was gone, Emmy did not forget. She was obsessed with his disappearance. And why wouldn't she be? They were best friends. They lived right next door to each other and had their own secret codes, and they shared the same birthday. She was so young when he was taken, she really didn't understand what had happened and why he wasn't coming back. But she never lost hope that one day he'd return.

I really liked the relationship between Emmy and Oliver. I liked how Emmy was there for Oliver to support him, and listen to him without judging him. And I liked how Oliver was willing to support Emmy's dreams, even if it meant that it was her turn to leave him. They pushed each other out of their comfort zones, and made each other better, stronger people.

I was kind of frustrated with Emmy's parents, but more so with Oliver's mom. I understand that what she went through was horrible, but she couldn't stop treating Oliver like he was still a 7 year old little boy. I was so happy when they all finally started coming to their senses.

I also really liked that Emmy's dad taught them all Beatles' songs to sing when the reporters were hounding them... Evil genius indeed... That's something I need to keep in mind for the inevitable moment that I have tons of paparazzi following me all over the place.