Say You'll Remember Me is an interesting read. Love the characters and the story. Hendrix, he's easy to like and his personality is interesting. Elle on the other hands, despite her being a politician's daughter, she's down to earth and that's what I really like about her. When the two met, aaawwww....Hendrix is starry eyed. Lol. I love him on that part. Anyway, overall the book is well written and the character are good - easy to relate with.

It’s been a couple of years since I last read a book by Katie Mcgarry. Two things that I do remember whenever I read a book written by her is that first it’s going to be filled with emotions, so I need to have my tissues nearby and second, it’s going to be filled with self and familial love. Say You’ll Remember Me is Katie Mcgarry’s newest novel about two teens from different walks of life bumping into each other and falling in love.

Honestly, the story started slow. I’m 20% in and I feel like I’m still not into it. Until our two main characters bumped into each other and their complicated web of life started to tangle that I feel like I woke up and started really reading.

Drix and Elle came from two very different walks of life.

Drix just got out of juvenile detention. Elle is the governor’s daughter.

“I got the good boy cut with the bad boy stride.”

Drix is the governor’s face for his newest project – “The Second Chance Program”. Said program aims to slow the rising crime rate of teens and these teens funneling into the adult prison system. But he did not commit the crime. What will happen now?

Drix lived a difficult life. He’s broken before he entered the detention but more so shattered after going out. Though he was introduced as a juvenile delinquent, I knew there was something redeemable about him. I really love how Katie has written his character; he’s not perfect; he did a lot of mistakes at such a youthful age and juvenile detention might have taught him lessons but what happened to him – being accused of a crime he did not commit is still an injustice. Throughout the story we see two sides of Drix. The before and after. The common ground is that he deeply cares for his family and just wanted to give them the best that he could after all the sufferings they’ve all been especially with their parents being non-existent.

“It’s not okay. I’m seventeen years old, I don’t know who I am, and I don’t have any idea how to get my parents to take me seriously. I’m trapped, and I can’t breathe.”

Elle’s life as the governor’s daughter seems to be perfect. What the people outside don’t see is that she struggles in getting the freedom to do things that she really loves and wants. She struggles under the pressure and expectations of her parents. I like Elle for not giving up and doing the best that she could to serve the best interests for the people around her.

“Is talking to me going to get you into trouble?”

“I’m willing to live dangerously.”

Drix and Elle met, and it might be too cliché to say this, but sparks did fly; there’s an immediate connection between them. Though it is an off-limits romance, these two really got me on edge. Their slow-burn romance was worth anticipating and reading. Drix and Elle are kindred spirits. They find comfort and solace on each other.

Though the romance takes a huge portion of the story, the familial aspect was beautifully shown as well. Drix’s family- Axle, Holiday, Dominic, Kellan and Marcus might not have anything monetary or material wise, but they have each other’s back and that makes them a solid team. Somewhere in the middle of reading, I felt sad. I felt pity. I felt injustice. For the characters on this story who became victims of bad circumstances that they all didn’t ask for and didn’t deserve.

“We’re stronger together, Drix. I promise we are. Please don’t give up on us. Please don’t give up on yourself.”

As the story’s end came, I couldn’t help but feel the intensity of those un-anticipated scenes. I was surprised that the story turned that way, but it was oh so good! It was unexpected but totally the best way for the story to end. I’ll leave it to say that justice has been served.

The story line was remarkable, characters are realistically written, and emotions are on point! Overall, Katie Mcgarry is once again successful in delivering a compelling coming of age story about two teens who are different as night and day but finding a common ground with love and understanding for each other.

“Amazing things are going to happen because that’s what happens when you find your wings and finally fly.”

Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry is a YA story focusing on Hendrix "Drix" Pierce and Ellison "Elle" Monroe. These are two people from completely different home lives. Drix lives with his older half-brother and younger half-sister, there is chaos and a history that shadows Drix as to who actually committed the crime he was sent away for. Elle lives in a seemingly normal family, but the need to show a perfect front because of her father's campaign's is its own strain and her seemingly supportive parents come across as more self serving that loving, for all that the profess their love and best intentions for her.

The dynamic between Elle and Drix is nice. It's one of those where the two people just click, even if outwardly they shouldn't. It is kind of a lesson of not judging a book by its cover. Both of them are trying to find themselves, but are lost for different reasons. They give each other a different point of reference outside of their normal world, which helps them grow more in an oddly freer manner. Since the book is written from their perspectives, you get a lot of their internal debates and thoughts, which is really what made Say You'll Remember Me seem more real.

Overall I recommend Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry, it was not just a romantic tale between two high school students from different sides of the tracks, it was deeper, thoughtful, and more complex.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

I have been a fan of Katie McGarry's writing since quite some time so when I got an opportunity to read her latest, Say You'll Remember Me, I jumped on it. Katie McGarry has the unique ability to write gritty young adult books which voice the emotions and struggles of young adults who are struggling to find their voice in the world. I really enjoyed this book.

Say You'll Remember Me is the story of Drix and Elle. Let's start with Elle. Elle is the governor's daughter. All her life she has been in the spotlight helping her father with the campaign. Elle is always portrayed to be perfect in the media when in reality no one is. I liked Elle. I could easily relate to her as she wanted to please her parents. I liked Elle's quirks and how she wanted to learn coding.

Then we have Drix. Drix was committed for a crime he didn't do. With the Second Chance Program he has an opportunity to finally get his life together and make something of it. Drix knows he need to follow the rules and do as the governor says. What he doesn't expect is to share a connection with the governor's daughter. I liked Drix and I liked how protective he was of his family and friends. He was a guy who knew how harsh the world could be.

Drix and Elle may seem like total opposites on paper but they really understood each other. Some of their struggles with people and expectations were similar and they could turn to each other in difficult times. The situations these two were in were realistic and authentic and I loved seeing them go through things together.

I also love how Katie McGarry weaves together a group of young adults who rely on each other and share a strong bond. I a really hoping that we can get a book for every single person because they all deserve something good in their life. Katie McGarry ends Say You'll Remember Me on a very real note. And I appreciated that. If you like young adult you should definitely give Katie McGarry books a try.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Redemption and finding your true self are the strongest themes in this book of finding love where you least expect it. While not my favorite of McGarry's books, she yet again pulled together strong characters who will intrigue and captivate fans of YA romance.

Say You'll Remember Me is captivating and heartfelt. It was at turns sweet, beautiful, and uplifting, as well as sad and emotional. I loved how the story still felt like a lovely romance while also dealing with some tougher issues such as self-discovery, injustice, and family problems, that really gave the story depth. Drix and Elle are from completely different backgrounds but it's really wonderful how they find what they need in each other and I knew from the moment that they met that they had amazing chemistry together. The themes of self-discovery for both characters is a nice way of showing that we all have more in common than we think. Although Drix did not commit the crime he was sentenced for, he was not on such a great path before all of this. I loved that the program helped to bring out his good qualities and made him reevaluate his actions. Elle on the other hand is battling between her sense of family loyalty and doing the things that truly make her happy. She's always played the part of the governor's perfect daughter yet somehow has always felt like she was never good enough for her parents no matter how hard she tried. Elle helps Drix to see the good in himself while he helps her to realize that she is enough exactly the way she is. The back and forth between Elle and Drix's points of view was a nice way to get the story from both of their perspectives and really get to know both characters. I really enjoyed Say You'll Remember Me and cannot wait to read more by Katie McGarry. I definitely believe YA contemporary romance fans will love this one as much as I did!

As the governor’s daughter, Elle lives with constant pressure. The pressure of public scrutiny and the pressure from her parents to always be the best. Their expectations only increase when she agrees to help her father campaign for senator. With every new demand and the push to do better and be better, Elle is buckling under strain.

“I have three minutes until I have to pretend in public that the last few minutes didn’t come close to breaking me.” - Elle

Drix was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and is returning home after almost a year away. He’s no longer the guy who got drunk, got high, and used his fists when angry. The problem is, he doesn’t know who he is now or where to go from here. Now the face of the governor’s Second Chance Program, Drix is forced into a role he never wanted.

“What type of man am I going to be? That’s the question. That’s always the question.” - Drix

Drix and Elle may have come from different worlds but on the inside they are both struggling to find their own way. Elle is chafing at her parent’s control and the knowledge that their love seems to come with strings attached. Drix confessed to a crime he didn’t commit to protect his family, but he’s come home to a new set of problems and an uncertain future. As they spend time together on the campaign trail they both find what they need most: total acceptance. But in the eyes of the world around them, Elle is the pretty and poised media darling and Drix is the guy with a criminal record from the wrong side of the tracks. Neither wants to walk away from the one person with whom they can be their best selves.

It’s no secret that when it comes to contemporary YA, Katie McGarry is at the top of my list. She consistently delivers characters that I come to know and love and stories that have an emotional impact. My heart ached for Elle and it broke for Drix. Elle perfected smiling on the outside while screaming on the inside for the chance to simply be herself. She’s also looking at her parents with new eyes and questioning if they are the people she has always thought them to be. McGarry gave an achingly realistic portrayal of Elle’s perception of her father go from hero worship to the understanding that he was all too human and flawed. In Drix, McGarry created a sensitive, mature young man who was loving and loyal despite a childhood deprived of caring parents or a sense of stability. My heart broke again and again for Drix as he struggled to find his place at home and a new sense of self. While riddled with guilt and pain over his past, he showed who he had become with every selfless decision and every act of redemption.

“It’s an awful place to be, the person responsible for someone else’s happiness, because being human, we’re going to fail. And by being human, we’ll take the lashing when we never meet expectations.” - Drix

I could rhapsodize about my feelings for these two special characters and how well they supported and comforted and championed one another. And I could go on and on about my love for the richly drawn cast of secondary characters, particularly Drix’s family and friends, that added insight and drama and humor. Instead, I’ll simply tell you that Katie McGarry has once again created an unputdownable story with real heart. Say You’ll Remember Me is not to be missed.

What ever your age there is something universally identifiable about young love and second chances. I loved Elle and Drix in Say You'll Remember Me. There wasn't a moment that I wasn't right there with them both as they tried to navigate who they are, who they wanted to be and who the people closest to them expected them to be and the challenges that put upon them. Heartbreaking at times, and uplifting at other times, you will certainly find yourself feeling all the feels and rooting for Elle and Drix. There is an easiness and honesty to Katie McGarry's writing that will lull you in every time, Say You'll Remember Me is no exception.

When Drix is accepted into the governor's Second Chance program, he knows he will have to walk a straight and narrow path to take advantage of the opportunities the program gives him. There isn't any other option for him. Even though he was incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, he knows that's his past condemns him in society and his future success depends on conforming to the rules of the program.

Elle wants to escape from her parent's rules and the shackles of being in the public eye for a little while by playing games on the carnival midway, and fate intervenes when Drix ends up saving her from two men verbally harassing her. He's immediately taken with her, and life gets interesting when he finds out she's the governor's daughter.

The relationship between Elle and Drix grows gradually as they find common ground. Both are shackled to some extent and when they end up traveling together, their friendship grows into something more and that causes all sorts of trouble for the campaigning governor and Drix.

I loved the political aspects of the story, as it is very timely with what is happening in the world today. Elle walks a fine line between portraying the image her parents want and what she wants in her life. Wanting to be with Drix doesn't exactly fall into her parent's rules, but she sees him anyway, and in the process secrets are revealed that can change Drix's life.

There's a lot going on in Say You'll Remember Me beyond the political aspects. There's also the value of strong family ties, and learning to put the past behind in order to move forward. Drix struggles with quite a bit in this story, and he is just amazing. He has a strength of character that made me totally fall for him, and the way he treats Elle is just impeccable.

Elle was a little bit harder to get to know, but she was strong too, especially when she had to be. And when she was together with Drix, it was clear that she was happy.

Overall, I really liked this story of two young adults from different socioeconomic classes and how they meshed together in spite of their background. If I had any complaint, it would be that I think this book just scratched the surface of these two characters. It left me wanting to know more about them.

Say You'll Remember Me is everything I've come to expect from Katie McGarry --terrific young characters finding their way and learning to make difficult decisions as they enter adulthood. The main characters are always the heart of the story, and there's a sweetness to Drix and Elle that I just wanted to gobble up as I read this book, and that's why I'm rating this 5 stars.

An ARC was provided for review.

3.75 stars

It's been a while since my last YA novel and I seem to have forgotten the teenage drama that accompanies it. I gathered Drix and Elle are high school seniors or on a break when they first meet. Drix has his own hang ups after coming from juvie for a crime he didn't commit. Part of a new government program to promote second chances to rehab teens while incarcerated to help them adjust back to society. To make sure they don't end up in prison. It's a interesting concept I'm not sure if it's being done in reality but a good plan.

I liked they were friends but there was something there lingering. It had that anxious feeling and frustration too.
The whole different lives scenario isn't new and Drix isn't a really a bad guy. Thing is he made choices based on what he's known. I expected the angst that came along with them when they had to deal with the barriers in their relationship. From parents to outside influences and themselves. I guess in a way this kind of story is close to reality in a way.

It's well written and characters smart but still has folly. Interesting secondary characters not sure I liked but made part of the story. It's lovely sentiment behind this and good underlying message about differences.

Katie McGarry knows how to tell a story. She's able to capture my attention from page one and never let it go. I was fascinated with Drix and Elle, their friends and family, their lives, and the two totally different worlds they lived in. I was able to relate and make connections with every single character, which is pretty effing amazing.

My heart hurts for Drix and the life he's lived. I cannot even begin to image what someone in his situation has gone through. This particular story might be fiction, but the concept is real. There are too many people suffering and barely getting by, our justice system is flawed, and there are so many kids out there that need help. They need someone to be there for them and help them find a better path in life. Someone needs to believe in them and what they can do. Everyone has something to offer the world, and they shouldn't be dismissed or made to suffer because of past mistakes. A person can go to jail, serve their time, and come out a better person. They just need to be given a chance.

Elle's dad and his program give Drix that second chance. I wish there were more programs like it in the world. If people cared more about others than themselves, I think we'd live in a very different reality.

Elle is incredibly strong. She wants to make the world a better place, and she thinks honesty is the only thing that should ever be given. I hated how desperately she wanted to please her parents, even at the expense of herself and her happiness. No parent should ever ask their child to change for someone else. I was so angry every time her mother pressed her to alter her appearance in some way. A parent should just love their child and accept the person they see in front of them. Yes, children need guidance and all that, but they also need to be loved, appreciated, and wanted for who they are.

Drix has a wonderful family, and not all of them are blood related. I ached for Dominic and Kellan, Holiday, Axel and Marcus. I would love for any one of them to have their own story. They've all been through so much in their short lives, and they still try to do what is right and always put family first. It was eye-opening to view life from their different perspectives, and I cannot fathom how a parent could be so cruel or neglectful.

I thought Say You'll Remember Me was a wonderful story that highlights significant issues in our society. Drix and Elle had very different lives, problems and expectations, but they managed to find love and happiness. Their relationship was passionate, encouraging, and they gave each other what everyone needs: hope.

How can you ‘swallow’ taking blame for a crime you didn’t commit? For Drix – life was never the same after he awoke from being passed out in an alley. Accusations of a crime that forever changed Drix’s life. Then the Second Chance Program was presented to Drix. A new rehabilitation program sponsored by the governor to get more kids off the streets, and teach them how to get their lives back on track. A program that Drix felt he would benefit from immensely.



Privilege….it’s the reality that shapes Elle’s life. An endless stream of political events and functions. All designed to increase the social standing of Elle’s father….the governor. Every nuance from Elle’s life is planned out for her. From hairstyles, to fashion, to the way Elle presents herself in public…..all of it is thought out by someone else. Elle only wants to be ‘normal’ and have a life of her own. A stark contrast from the life Elle’s parents have planned out for her.



A chance meeting between Elle and Drix at a carnival ignites a spark between these two tattered souls. Little did they know that their paths were about to cross in the most unexpected of ways. A gal from the biggest media seeking family on the planet, and the guy from the wrong side of the tracks. Two souls that never should have fallen for one another. What no one could have planned on was feelings from these two that were so deep it crossed the barriers that stood between them.



Such a tangled web of secrets that lie in Elle and Drix’s wake. Katie McGarry has written a tale of two kids from opposite social classes finding a spark where none should have occurred. This slow burn romance fuels the characters with a fate that is intertwined and warned against. A journey of second chances when the world seems like it is against you. Two people so broken on the inside that they find a commonality amidst the chaos.



What drew me to Elle and Drix was the depth at which the two believed in the other. A strength that knew no bounds. Drix was a ‘broken’ soul with a huge dedication to his family. In spite of taking the blame for a crime he didn’t commit, obligation to family overshadowed the consequences on Drix’s life. Elle was trapped by the confines of her parents. Smothered in a world of politics that she never asked to partake in. A life that pulled her away from all of the hopes and dreams that plagued Elle’s thoughts.



McGarry does an excellent job of creating a world in which two completely different characters could have such an overlap in their lives. It’s a tale of discovery, hope, and most of all love!! If you are a fan of young adult novels, make sure you add Say You’ll Remember Me to your reading list. It is a journey of hope that you will not want to miss!

Classic Katie McGarry here, my friends. I am not reading a lot of YA lately, but I saw this Kate McGarry story and it spoke to me right away. I was so right to want this — the writing style is so special — from the beginning the characters came to life for me. I adored the hero and heroine; Elle and Drix both felt lost, but as the reader I could feel that they were actually quite strong and knew who they were. This story was their journey of being able to become the people they wanted to become.

The romance was the kind of romance that makes anyone swoon. The chemistry that was this delicious combination of sweet, yet it was always fresh. It takes a special kind of author to make every touch, breath, kiss, look….so meaningful.

The secondary characters were pretty good. I really liked Axle‘s tattoos and Dominic, and I would LOVE for them to have their own stories. They have not had it easy and I would love to see them get their HEAs. I have to admit, I was not always a fan of Holiday. She was fairly selfish, but honestly maybe not that smart? She was desperate for parental control, and Axle was really trying his best. I wonder if I’d like her if I read about her in a few years, or even after this story because I’d hope it would change her.

The ending played out a lot like I thought it would. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop the entire time…and it eventually did. There were actually a few things that I wasn’t expecting and it all wrapped up nicely. It was a lovely romance that made my heart feel fuzzy and very happy.

Rec this? Absolutely. If you have loved Katie McGarry’s other series (like Pushing the Limits gah!) this will give you that fuzzy feeling but a fresh new story.

Happy reading!

This book is so beautifully written. The characters go through some things. And I feel like they realize so much more about themselves and what they want.
Drix what can I say about him?, I really like this character because when he could have easily gave up he did not. And after everything he went through. I was really unsure at first who planted everything to blame him for a crime he didn't commit. Although he always was thinking about it, I'm glad he gave Elle a chance. And Elle I'm very glad she stuck with everything. I wish it would have been different for both of them to be able to come out and say hey we love each other.
This book is another that everyone should pick up. Teaches you to honestly really not judge someone by their status or looks.

This is another Katie McGarry book I thoroughly enjoyed reading. She continues prove why she's one of my favorite realistic contemporary YA authors. McGarry has a knack for writing true to life characters, stories that emotionally get to me, and a romance that is full of tension and swoon worthy moments. This edgy, realistic, coming of age story is full of heartbreak, hope, and centers on two strong characters who fight for each other as much as their own freedom to just be themselves.

McGarry writes teenage stories perfectly. I love the way she creates characters who have realistic, far from perfect lives. They learn to stand up for themselves, while in the process navigate their own lives, figure out who they are, and what it is they want. This story, like her previous ones is full of all the emotions, and experiences that come with being on the bring of independence. Like her previous characters, Elle and Drix quickly became characters I cared about.

I absolutely loved that Elle became a character who found her voice, and wasn't afraid to use it. I greatly admired her for standing her ground. Drix is a little bit more complicated. What I liked about him, is that he accepted Elle for who she was, and helped her embrace the strong willed girl she was with him, vs the timid soft spoken girl she became around her over controlling parents. Elle and Drix brought out the best in each other, without forcing the other into being someone they aren't.

I'm really hoping we'll get more from the characters in this book. Aside from Elle and Drix, there's a few characters I really enjoyed getting to know more about, like Axle and Holiday, Drix's brother and sister. I love that the secondary characters in this book play just as big as a role in the story as Elle and Drix. There's a couple cringe worthy characters in this book, including some adults.

McGarry's book never disappoint me. This is another fast paced read I really enjoyed. Like each of her previous books, there is some mild language, and sexual tensions that lead to a few swoonworthy moments.

I am a Katie McGarry addict. I will read absolutely anything she writes, because I know she won’t disappoint. I have read just about all of her books (I only haven’t read a few digital only ones), and I’ve enjoyed every one. Katie has a trademark mix of romance, humor, and real life that she brings to everything she writes. She has previously written the Pushing the Limits series, which has five books, and the Thunder Road series, which has three books. SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME is a standalone novel.

We start off the novel knowing a couple things. The main character Elle is daughter of the governor, and feels pressured to be someone she’s not. The main character Drix was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, but believes someone he cares about did. They first meet by chance, but soon realize they will be in each other’s lives more than they initially realized. Because Drix is part of Elle’s father’s project to combat the school-to-prison pipeline. Not only that, but he’s the poster child for it.

I really liked Elle, though I had trouble relating to her at times. For most of her life, Elle has accepted what her parents told her. She’s let them run her life, to the point that she doesn’t have one at all. All her friends and activities are through them. It’s only by meeting Drix, does she start to gain some perspective, as well as find something, or someone, to fight for. Elle has never had a reason to stand up to her parents, but as she makes new friends, she begins to realize that her life isn’t as picturesque as it seems. The points in the book where Elle finally started to stand up for herself made me want to pump my fist in the air and yell “Yes!” It was amazing to see her bloom over the course of the book.

Drix is a complicated guy. He pled guilty to a crime he didn’t commit, to protect who he believed committed the crime. But he soon realizes that might not have been the case. But even though he knows he’s not a criminal, he also acknowledges that he learned something from Second Chance program set up by Elle’s father. He has returned to every day living with a new lease on life, but he doesn’t really know who he is anymore. I really liked being in Drix’s head. I loved seeing him come back to life, and discover who he is.

I notice a lot of people complain about the lack of parents in YA books. Or if there are parents, they are ‘bad’. Elle’s parents are there all the time, but they’re not bad per se. One thing I think this book shows really well is how it’s hard to get in to politics and keep your soul intact. The easy way to get the money and support one needs to run for Congress, which is what Elle’s father is doing, is to sell your soul in the process. This comes up in a few ways in the books. One instance, is at a fundraiser, and Elle is forced to dance with a slime ball who donates to her father’s campaign. She hates him, and claims her father does too, but he is still invited to events, and she is still forced to dance with him. Another example comes in the character known as Andrew. He is first introduced at the beginning of the book, and keeps coming up in the background. He is also a ball of slime, but a charismatic one, at least when it comes to adults. Elle’s parents force her to spend time with him as he acts as a babysitter/bodyguard of sorts during the campaign. The intuitive reader can see where this is going before it plays out on the page. Because of how invested they are in the campaign, Elle’s parents tend to go to far in the name of victory. Other instances come up later, but they happen to be spoilers and so I will let you figure those out for yourself.

With so many issues in our current climate, both political and otherwise, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME is especially timely. The main way is in the featuring of the school-to-prison pipeline. For those who haven’t heard that phrase before, it is the systemic problem of charging youth, specifically poor and/or black youth, with petty crimes and sending them to juvie. Even if they receive an education while there, students usually return to school behind, and simply can’t catch up. Once this process starts, students will often fall farther behind, not graduate, or go back to juvie. Eventually, these same students become adults, and move from juvie to prison. For a more in depth look, here is a link to the ACLU’s page on the school-to-prison pipeline. Drix is white, but he comes from a poor family, in a poor neighborhood, and lacks parental support. When he is charged with robbing a convenience store, he is railroaded into accepting a plea deal. Basically, the prosecutor threatens to send him to prison instead of juvie if he is found guilty in an actual trial. Since he’s assigned an overworked public defendant, and knows he can’t afford a good lawyer, he takes the plea instead of risking serving time in prison. This is something that occurs all to frequently in our own world. This is not a topic I see frequently discussed in YA fiction, despite the fact that this happens to young adults. I think SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME will be a great conversation starter, and I hope others will be inspired by how Elle and Drix react to the situation.

This is getting pretty long, so I’m just going to finish with this. While SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME tackles some tough subjects, it is also a romance. It’s about two teens finding each other despite their circumstances. Elle and Drix can serve as an inspiration, both in what they face and how they face it. They transform the hate they receive into love for each other. In the end, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME is a story about love. Romantic love. Love for a friend. But most importantly, love for family. I’ve only talked about Drix and Elle, but there are so many more characters in this book that really make it what it is.

If you’ve read one of Katie McGarry’s books previously, I definitely recommend this one as well. If there’s a budding activist in your life, or you are one yourself, this is definitely the book to read. It will make you mad at times, but in the end, it’s worth it.

5 Stars!! Every time I read a book by Katie McGarry I’m reminded of how deeply she understands her characters and how effortlessly she helps me see the world from their perspective. After all, I’m neither the governor’s daughter nor a teenage boy who’s just spent time in juvenile detention for a crime he didn’t commit yet, somehow, I felt their pain and I revelled in their joy as if it were my own.

Elle and Drix are each awesome in their own right but, together, they’re incomparable….such a perfect couple. From different sides of the tracks, with complex families and pasts, they’re brought together unexpectedly and their worlds change forever. They challenge each other in the perfect way. As Elle tries to please her family, she’s left feeling like she doesn’t know who she is anymore. They’re controlling her every move and her efforts to be the perfect daughter are weighing on her. I believe that watching Drix retake control of his life gives her the push she needs to move forward. Helping him is a bonus…and falling in love, the unexpected gift! Drix is a tortured soul. His regret about his past and his desire to have a better future had me rooting for him from the very beginning. These two were on the precipice of adulthood, with all the emotions that come along with that period of your life…and I loved every bit of experiencing this along with them.

I can’t end this without telling you how much I loved the secondary characters as well. I definitely want to see Dominic and Axel get their own books so I can go back into this world. Their support of Drix made my heart happy. This very non-traditional family encouraged each other in such a beautiful way and provided Drix with everything he needed to move forward and live his life fully again. *sigh* There’s so much more I could say, but I’ll end with this…this story is emotional, multi-layered, beautiful, and romantic. Do yourself a favour and pick it up…I know you won’t be able to put it down! Enjoy!

First off I would like to say I received this book as an Advanced Reading Copy (from author, publisher, ect), in return for an honest review.

I was supper excited to read this book because I have always loved Katie McGarry's books, she has always been able to add a sense of reality and the harshness of life. I am sad to say that Say you'll remember me did have some of this, but was still lacking in the depth because the romance pulled focus.

The romance between Drix and Ella was nice but at times felt a bit forced. They do have an attraction to one another right away and start to hang out, but I would have liked to see them develop their friendship more for building the foundation of their relationship later on. Because as the book goes they kind of slide right into a romantic relationship after not too long.

This book is full of politics concerning Ella's family and Drix, and although it was very accurate at most of the time. It sis not stop me from disliking it to the point of almost hating it. Not because it pulled from the story plot or that it was too much. But because of this thing that happens (I don't want to say because spoilers), but it made me so mad. I mean these kids are smart, and know politics I think they would know that they could sue (or some other legal-ness to happen), or talk shit (about a certain place-school) to the media about what happened to get a it changed... I think. It just drove me so nuts and pulled from the story of it actually being realistic.

Once again Katie McGarry delivers a swoon worthy YA contemporary about two teens finding themselves, battling their demons, and falling in love.

Say You’ll Remember Me was a great addition to McGarry’s backlist of emotionally fueled novels, making me laugh, cry, and generally feel all the feels. I’ve read all of Katie’s other books, and two things I’ve noticed she consistently does well are character development and pacing. Her characters are always vivid and real, dealing with actual problems that can change and shape the course of their lives. Elle and Drix are no different, both battling their pasts and present circumstances and navigating a way through the dark and into the light. The pacing of the novel is also quite nice. There is definitely insta-attraction between Elle and Drix, but the relationship gets time to develop and actually turn into something. I also really appreciated how they were able to work through their problems and struggles together, instead of enduring the middle of the book break-up trope that is so prevalent in YA literature.

Overall, this was a great read that I really enjoyed, and of course I’ll be picking up Katie’s next book as soon as it’s available!

*Thank you to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I loved this book, Elle and Drix are adorable, they both have concerns but they try to be strong. They don’t want to be what people are imposing on them but to find their own way.

Elle isn’t used to obeying her parents on all subjects, the pressure they put on her is enormous, she must be perfect in all circumstances but she’s only 17 years old. She would like to be able to do coding studies but her parents feel she isn’t mature enough, they are certain that she doesn’t know what she wants and that the decisions they make are right for her. What they don’t understand is that she feels trapped, she loves her parents but the perfection they expect from her is impossible to reach. She does have some repartee but she cannot use it because it's not the kind of thing to do for a girl of her kind, who needs to be beautiful and shut up to help her father's political career. I loved her, she doesn’t let herself be, she likes to collect wounded animals, even if her parents are against it.

Drix has been looking for himself since he left the juvenile detention center, he doesn’t know who he is anymore and he wants his second chance. When meeting with Elle, he realizes that this is the only person he likes to talk with and that she makes him feel alive again. His family consists of Holiday and Axle, they all have the same father but not the same mother, it’s Axle who has custody of Holiday and Drix because their parents are nonexistent in their life.

I loved their meeting and all the rest of their relationship that is slowly evolving but surely. Drix and Elle are attracted to each other from the beginning, Drix tries not to crack because Elle’s father has his future in his hands but the attraction is stronger than anything.

She’s very close to her cousin, Henri, who lost his parents when he was young and it is the parents of Elle who have collected and raised, Elle considers him as his brother. Henri is the only one in her family who realizes that she’s unhappy.

Drix doesn’t only have his blood family in his life, he also has Dominic his best friend, and Kellen his younger sister. Their father is a filthy first, Drix's family has always been there for them, so Kellen and Dominic are also part of the family. Drix also made a friend in the juvenile detention center, Marcus, who is now also part of the family. In a sense, it could be said that Elle collects lost animals while Drix collects lost children. They all have a huge heart and they all deserve to be happy in life.

Quick Word: A story of love and second chance to put in all hands.