A perfect mix of Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl and almost anything by John Green!

Where do I start? What an amazing adventure!

The book starts off a little slow but it quickly grabs your attention. It just as quickly has you falling in love with a crazy group of amazingly written characters. Two Like Me and You is indubitably an exciting read and will constantly have you exclaiming “oh my god”. As I approached the end I was afraid to keep reading because I knew the book hangover would be rough.

An absolute epic and exciting adventure. I can’t believe this is Gibbs’ debut. I highly recommend this book and am definitely looking forward to more by Gibbs!

Thank you Netgalley and Borne Back Books for a copy of this book.

So much fun!
I literally read this all in one sitting, it's just so funny and cute and it sucked me in. The main character Edwin is great. He's a loner with a famous ex girlfriend that he can't escape. Enter Parker, the new girl with a tough exterior who has a plan to escape with elderly veteran Garland to Paris. They rope Edwin into this crazy plot that involves stolen cars, fake identities, and an explosion.
Garland is awesome, his stories are hilarious and always involve the phrase "You can't make this shit up." They're so outlandish that you want to believe them and I wish I could meet Garland in real life. The chapters have fun names and are short, so you feel like you're speeding through. I couldn't put this down and I highly recommend checking it out!

Edwin Green's ex-girlfriend, Sadie, dumped him just before she starred on a reality show, recorded an album, made a movie, and became an Internet sensation. In short, she's a celebrity and he is most definitely...not. But if he can get famous, too, Sadie will have to see she made a mistake, right? So when a school history project leads him to a 90 year-old WWII veteran who wants to go to France to find his one true love, Edwin thinks he has found his ticket to stardom. They'll be the feel-good story of the year! He and his partner on this project, Parker, agree to assist the old man, Garland, on his quest. But it turns into a little more than they bargained for when they basically have to break him out of his nursing home and the US Ambassador to France is waiting for them at the airport when they land in Paris. Things only get more complicated from there, including a gun that may or may not be loaded, borrowing/stealing some cars, an explosion or two, and plenty of Garland's stories about his life which definitely couldn't be true except they're a little too crazy to be made up! This madcap adventure might do more than get Edwin his girl back...it might just teach him what life is really about.

What a wild ride this book is! The plot became a little too unbelievable with each crime they committed, but it sure was an adventure. My favorite parts were the stories Garland told. He reminded me a little bit of Forrest Gump in that he claimed to have met most famous people in history and had kind of crazy tales to go along with a lot of those interactions. That they were mixed in with his very real, personal experiences during WWII added a fascinating historical aspect to their madcap shenanigans.

I liked all the characters here (Garland was my favorite) but I wanted to know a little more about them. Parker, especially, was a mystery who was only ever partially explained. Most of the plot was about their adventure, but I just didn't feel like we ever got to know Edwin or Parker very well. I wanted a little more showing and less telling about how they all felt about what they were doing and seeing.

Still, this was an entertaining read, and different from a lot of YA (less romance, more international vacation and appreciation of history). I enjoyed the change of pace!

**Thanks to NetGalley and Borne Back Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**

Aw man. This book. This book! it was a funny rollercoaster sweet heartbreaking ride!
I loved every character, well expect Sadie Evans, but i am sure that it was set up to be that way.
I loved to follow Garland, Parker and Edwin on a search for Garland's lost love, even though it didn't exactly end as i had hoped, it was beautiful and heartbreaking. It makes me want to re-read it again, just so i can follow them on the crazy wierd, fun and heartbreaking ride once again. But i am not sure my heart would tollerate it.

“That newspaper was my first glimpse of the outside world, and I wanted to see more of it.”

FORMAT READ: eBook (Adobe Digital Editions)
READ IF: looking for a light and feel good, classic, YA Contemporary
SIMILAR VIBES: All the Bright Places, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, John Green-ish
*All my reviews are spoiler-free unless stated otherwise*

OVERALL: 3.5/5
This is a book to read when you want a light and “classic YA contemporary”. I enjoyed the writing style for the majority of the book and there wasn’t anything that I particularly disliked.

I thought that the characters were very relatable and I found the whole vibe of the book has a bit of an adventurous feel. The narration and writing style very easy to get into with fun character relationships. The writing style also reminded me of PJO (Percy Jackson) because of the chapter titles and overall writing feel… which was really cool.. and cute and sweet <3

The plot was centered around a lot of highschool-y subjects and I just don’t think that was what I expected from this book nor was I in the mood for it. It was a tad bit cliche even though it was hilariously enjoyable. The added touch of World War II gave the book its own personality and made it more original.

PLOT: ★★★☆☆
WRITING STYLE: ★★★★★
CHARACTERS: ★★★★☆
THEMES: ★★☆☆☆
PACING: ★★★★☆
PAGE TURNER: ★★★☆☆

Thanks to Chad Alan Gibbs and Borne Back Books for sending me an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read the synopsis of this book, and it is so much more! Such a fun, madcap adventure. All 3 major characters are well developed, unique, and instantly likable.

I have been a fan of the author’s nonfiction work for years, and was eagerly anticipating this release. It definitely did not disappoint.

Edwin Green teams up with new girl Parker Haddaway for a history assignment in which they have to interview someone who lived through World War II. That’s how he meets Garland Lenox and somehow agrees to help “a crazy girl bust a ninety-year-old man out of his nursing home so we can take him to France against his attorney’s wishes to find a woman he met during World War II, all in the hope of becoming famous and winning back my ex-girlfriend.” Let’s see how that goes!

Our narrator Edwin is immediately engaging, with his fantastically sarcastic voice and love of lists. The way he weaves his story keeps you hooked, as do the outlandish chapter headings that give us a tantalizing taste of what is to come (ending in Chapter 66 with “In which—oh hell, just read it and find out.”).

The book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, and the author’s humor is even evident in his Acknowledgments section, which is the funniest I have come across. Despite the levity, the book also contains some of the most heart-wrenching descriptions of the war and one of the most bittersweet young adult romances that I have read. This is a wonderfully romantic and wacky story that will leave you yearning for more. As Garland Lenox is fond of saying, “You can’t make this shit up.” Except that the author did. Or did he?

My favorite read of the year so far. Even more amazing now I know it’s the author’s first novel.

Warnings: coarse language, war, suicide, sexual references, violence.

If you think about it too much, the plot of this book is pretty ludicrous. Luckily, Gibbs keeps it moving pretty constantly so we don't do a lot of lingering on the details. Instead, we get caught up in watching the ridiculousness unfold. Its a standard road trip comedy with a touch of heart. On the plus side, it doesn't resolve in a neat and tidy way. Everyone leaves the situation a little bit changed, perhaps a little bit wiser, and looking at the world through a different lens.

I loved everything about this book - it was so unexpected! Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down - I had to find out what happened. I loved Edwin Green, Parker Haddaway, and especially Garland Lennox - I have never laughed so hard when reading a book in my life! This is definitely one I'll be reading over and over again.

I’m so sad that the book is over, I was so invested in Edwin and Parker‘s shenanigans across France as they look for someone’s long lost love.

This is such a compelling novel that is very well written that you wouldn’t believe that it’s just the author’s debut novel; it contains very relatable character such as Edwin, who’s suffering from a break up but he’s confident to win her back. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t turn out as he had wanted to.

I really enjoyed reading the book especially the parts where the characters are roaming around Paris in order to reunite two long-lost lovers. The entire section felt as if I was there along with the crew, stuck in a sort of treasure hunt or more like a person-hunt in this case ;)

This book was so stinking cute. It was witty, hilarious and the main trio worked so well together. It was an adventure filled with so much randomness, but also history and love in the most unpredictible ways. It was a great summer read, I enjoyed sitting by the lake while reading. It felt lighthearted but it definitely was deeper than that. I think Chad Gibbs did an awesome job with his first novel. I am excited to read what he has in store next!

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I recently read a review for this book on Paul’s Picks blog. He made it sound so good that I just had to check it out myself. I’m happy to report that he has excellent taste. This book was funny, sweet, and heart warming.

Edwin Green has been in mourning since his ex sort-of girlfriend unceremoniously dumped him. He’s been unable to move on, since she’s now super famous and the constant topic of conversation at his high school. He’s been trying to become famous himself, in an effort to get his ex’s attention. Unfortunately, Edwin’s Youtube channel is less than popular.

That’s the state of things when his class is given an assignment- conduct interviews with a WW2 veteran. His partner is the only other ongoing topic of rumor at his school: Parker Haddaway. She’s sassy, confident, and not much is known about her. They speak to Garland Lennox, a cantankerous vet who convinces them to break him out of the nursing home. The three of them embark on an adventure of a lifetime overseas, trying to track down his long-lost love.

What I love about this book is how well everything just fits together. Each character has their own unique voice and motivation, as do all the people they meet along the way. While I have a soft spot for poor, pining Edwin, Garland is what pushed this book above and beyond for me. The stories he told about his life- maybe a third of which are true- were such fun to read about. The truth underneath his b.s. was heartwarming, and the resolution for his character was bittersweet and perfect.

And the hijinks they manage to get into! I laughed out loud at the incident involving a French police officer. This is one not to miss. It’ll make you smile.

Title: Two Like Me and You
Author: Chad Alan Gibbs
Genre: YA
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Edwin Green’s still not over his ex-girlfriend. She’s famous. Like, really famous, everyone-knows-her-name famous. They split up a year ago—on Black Saturday—and Edwin’s been plotting to get her back ever since. His plan: to get famous, too. That’s not working out too well, so he’s stuck in high school, surrounded by idiots.

Until he ends up paired with mysterious new girl Parker Haddaway on a history project. She introduces him to Garland Lennox, a WWII veteran stuck in a nursing home. But Garland wants Edwin and Parker to sneak him out of the nursing home and to France, where he’s determined to find the love of his life, a girl he met during the war. Soon Edwin finds himself all over the news, but as the media is joined by the French police, he’s not sure being famous is all it’s cracked up to be.

I love the voice in this novel! Edwin grows a lot in this novel and realizes some things about himself—and his life—that he’s never considered before. He starts out as someone who lets life happen to him, but he learns to be an active participant in his own life along the way. He ends up in some hilarious predicaments, thanks to Garland and Parker, but it’s a thrilling, fun ride.

Chad Alan Gibbs lives in Alabama. Two Like Me and You is his first novel.

(Galley courtesy of Borne Back Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

This book is so exquisitely written, you’ll think twice about it being the author’s debut. The characters were every bit as compelling as the plot, which completely subverted my expectations. I think I saw a little too much of myself in our self-conscious, anxious narrator, Edwin, which goes to show Gibbs’ loyalty to accurately portraying his teenage protagonist. There were one or two loose ends that weren’t tied up as neatly as I would have hoped, but I’m 100% on-board with reading whatever Chad Alan Gibbs publishes next. I’ll undoubtedly be re-reading this bittersweet tour-de-force for years to come.

Not a bad read but I don't think it was necessarily my type of read. Certain parts did make me giggle though.

I received this book "Two Like Me and You" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. A fun book! I loved this book. It was fun and exciting. Adventures everywhere. This is not a real life book - don't expect a storyline like that. This is a crazy adventure book. Just a fun entertaining read.

An amazing roller coaster story of lost love, of an adventure and of doing right. It had everything a book needs to have and more. There were tales of extreme bravery that no one could make up, slightly illegal breaking out, car chases, romantic scenes and not the clingy making you puke kinda but the good ones which make you feel alive and live there in the pages of the book, homourous narrative, colorful characters and beautiful writting.
The story is told from the perspective of lovestruck and heartbroken (since almost a year) Edwin Green when he gets stuck in a school project with the mysterious Parker Haddaway, a beautiful redhead with secrets and hell-may-care attitude. They talk to the effervescent ninety year old war veteran Garland Lenox as part of this project and find out about his adventures and bravery in WWII but most importantly the love of his life, Madeline, a beautiful french girl who saved his life but was believed to be dead. Until Lenox found her photo in one of their books. Thats when the story gets interesting and they find themselves in France dodging police and lenox's attorney while the world stops to breathe and wait to find out the finale of a love story from the age of the war.

A story to be read, understood, enjoyed and read again. A story which makes you laugh, cry and fall in love.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

This book was excellent! Loved the story line! The history, Love, and the laughter.

Hearing a love story from an elders point of view but also involved with teenagers was a great plus that you do not see often enough.

I enjoyed the fact just when you got to a point you knew what was going to happen then the storyline changed.

arc received from netgalley!

I overall enjoyed this book. It was fun and fast paced, but it’s definitely not a book that I’ll remember in five months.

The plot was definitely unrealistic. I know it’s fiction but there were just so many parts that really did not make sense and I just couldn’t picture happening in real life.

As for characters, I loved Edwin. He was awkward and it just made me smile. Sadie was literally irrelevant and was only used to persuade Edwin to go to Paris when in reality I think he would’ve gone anyways. Parker literally came out of a John Green novel. She’s mysterious. She doesn’t talk to anyone at school, doesn’t show up to school very often, and doesn’t share anything about her family. She’s also adventurous and outgoing and is quick to go to Paris in hopes to actually run away and stay there. She played a lot with Edwin’s feelings which is where my next problem comes in.

It’s a mix of the ending and the romance. Both were so unsatisfying. I really wanted to see more between Edwin and Parker but... nothing happened? There were what, two kissing scenes? I just felt like they could’ve developed into something but they didn’t. And the ending? Basically the ending of Paper Towns. After I finished this I just kind of sat there and didn’t really feel anything? Well, I felt like I wasted my time.

The other thing is that this book is history heavy and often has flashbacks of WWll. History is not something I enjoy reading about so having to read through all of Garland’s stories bored me a bit. But I can see how someone else would enjoy it!

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but I felt like it could’ve been more. The ending kind of ruined it for me.