I always enjoy McGarry’s books & this was no exception. It got pretty emotional & deep at times dealing with some heavy topics. I loved Veronica & Sawyer together. They’re opposites, but share a connection that’s undeniable.

I had no idea it’s connected to Only a Breath Apart until other characters started popping up & I had a huge ah-ha moment, amped up my investment in the story.

So as a disclaimer, I don’t believe in ghosts. But Katie McGarry writes this story in such a way that makes me think that sometimes, I might want to. Veronica still sees and chats to her Mum despite her dying a while ago. Veronica is different than most teenagers and unashamedly happy to be so. Most people think she’s the weird girl but don’t really understand V. Sawyer is popular, a golden boy. But, behind the scenes he is coping with the crushing pressures that his family unwittingly place on him. He has to find a release, a way of dealing with that pressure and it’s not a particularly healthy one. This is the story of Veronica and Sawyer getting to know and understand the issues that each other faces and help them deal with them. With wonderful side characters and an amazing plot this is another resounding success for Katie, one of my very favourite authors. I was incredibly excited to receive an ARC of this book so my extreme gratitude goes to the publishers and author.

I'm not sure what made me request this book...was it the cover or the synopsis? Anyway, I actually really liked it even though there wasn't much to go on when you read what it is about. I love ghost stories(especially if they are friendly ghosts), I love stories about people staying positive even though they are going through some really troubling times, and I love love stories. This book has them all combined in one tidy package. The main characters are Veronica and Sawyer and the book is told through both of their perspectives. Veronica lost her mom at the age of 11 to cancer and she is now battling the same disease. Sawyer is an addict but not to what one would normally be addicted to...he loves jumping off of cliffs, not having any idea if he will make it or not. Veronica's dad travels much of the time and Sawyer's mom is an alcoholic who can't admit it yet. Their friends and their lives have never really had anything to do with each other until one day they decide to work on a school project...which obviously brings them all closer at the same time. Throw is some old diaries and an abandoned mental institution and you have the makings of a really cute and touching love/ghost story.

2.5 ⭐️⠀
Veronica sees ghosts, including the ghost of her dead mother. The new tenant in her building, Sawyer, does not believe in ghosts. Both are forced to open their minds when they are forced into circumstances that escalate beyond what they seem.
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I was enjoying this at the beginning, but I found myself struggling with the dual perspective due to the tone and voice being the same for Sawyer and Veronica. I found myself frequently having to stop and question whose perspective I was reading from and that is just a pet peeve of mine. I also struggled with how the plot takes a pretty big shift away from the ghost aspect (which is what initially drew me into the story) about halfway through and starts dealing with some much heavier topics.

Yes, the plot of this book may be slightly different than what I’m used to from Ms. McGarry, but good golly, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted from her! The story kept me glued to each page with its heart wrenching and beautiful depiction of love between friends and family, and its sweet romance. These characters had such real struggles to face and made for a story that was an emotional journey. I experienced joy, fear, heartbreak, sadness, happiness, and, to top it off, these characters made my soul happy.

Sawyer and Veronica were perfect. Both had an independent nature but the need to be close to and support their families. They were both mature beyond their years as each faced challenges that no one their age should have to face. Their relationship, although unexpected to those around them, couldn’t be more wonderful. As they began to open up to each other and share their stories, these two became soulmates. And, just like in real life, there were ups and downs…happy times and sad. These two were good for each other, the push and pull of what they kept secret clashing with the truths they were willing to share, making for an intimacy that made their relationship special.

I know that I haven’t told you much about the actual story, and you can certainly read the book blurb to learn more, but I think this is the kind of book that’s so much better if you go in as blindly as you can – with your mind and heart open. All you need to know is that your soul will be touched, your feelings will experience constant ups and downs, and that, ultimately, you will fall in love with this story and these characters. Ms. McGarry has done it again…she’s written a story that will stay with me for a very long time! And I think she’ll do the same for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tom Doherty Associates for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Description
Echoes Between Us is bestselling author Katie McGarry’s breakout teen contemporary novel about a girl with everything to lose and the boy who will do anything to save her.

Veronica sees ghosts—more specifically, her mother’s ghost, thanks to the blinding migraines that consume her whole life and keep Veronica on the fringes. But the haunting afterimages make her wonder if there is something more going on….

Golden boy Sawyer is handsome and popular, a state champion swimmer, but this All-American is hiding an adrenaline addiction that could kill him. Drawn to each other after a chance meeting, can they help each other battle the demons that haunt their every step or will they push their luck too far and risk losing it
all…including their lives?

A case of the odd/weird girl and the golden popular boy at school work together on a school project and find a discovery that neither of them could have seen prior.

Both have difficulties in their life; Veronica lost her mother to a brain tumor and is also battling one herself. Sawyer has an alcoholic mom and is an adrenaline junkie. Working on a school project to prove that ghosts are real is something that draws them together or does it?!

TW: death of a parent, alcoholism
I think at this point I can say Katie McGarry is one of my favorite authors. With every single one of her books, she makes me fall in love with characters and the story. I connected to both Sawyer and Veronica so fast. Both of their story lines were intriguing and heartbreaking.
Veronica has a brain tumor and unfortunately lost her mother to one too. She believes her mother is a ghost and wants to prove ghosts exist. Seeing the relationship Veronica has with her dad just showed how much they want to protect each other. I think the way her story was told so beautiful and Katie McGarry handled it with such care.
Sawyer is addicted to adrenaline and jumps off cliffs to achieve that high. He starts coming to terms he has a problem while also dealing with some familial problems. One thing that everyone will love about Sawyer is how much he love and adores his sister. He wants to protect her no matter the cost. Unfortunately, his mother was addicted to alcohol and Sawyer had to be a father and big brother to his little sister, Lucy.
Veronica and Sawyer's relationship was an emotional roller coaster but I couldn't love this book more if I tried.
I personally think you should read Only a Breath Apart first because even though Echoes Between Us isn't a direct sequel., Veronica's friendships with Nazareth, Leo, and Jesse start there.

What if those we love don’t pass on to another world so easily? Could they guide us through difficult situations if we only take the time to look??

As someone labeled ‘different’ by the students at her school, Veronica embraces the quirkiness that makes her so unique. After all, living with ghosts every day is perfectly normal…isn’t it? Time isn’t something that Veronica has in abundance. There is a countdown that pushes Veronica to make the most out of every single moment possible. With crippling headaches plaguing the teen, it’s only a matter of time before the circumstances surrounding Veronica’s ability to see those on the other side comes to light.

With Veronica’s health in limbo, renting out the downstairs to the family home seems like a necessity when planning for the future. Sawyer and his family have experienced quite the upheaval in their life. Moving to a new home is only a stepping stone in the chaos that is going on behind closed doors. From all outward appearances, Sawyer seems like the most popular kid in town. The reality of his mother’s addiction, a struggle with dyslexia, and some unwelcome visitors in the house prove that nothing in Sawyer’s life is as it appears.

Determined to make this year her most superior, Veronica teams up with Sawyer for a school project unlike any other. The two quickly develop a friendship that is rooted in mystery and hauntings. As both will quickly learn, life has a way of throwing the unpredictable into your path. How will the duo overcome the obstacles and come out on the other side?

After reading the blurb for Echoes Between Us, I decided this book had to find its way to my reader. As a fan of Katie McGarry – I couldn’t wait to see what journey was in store for readers. This book is written with duel points of view (Sawyer and Veronica), and I think that perspectives from both characters really added to the story. The plot kept me glued to my reader with keen attention on what would transpire for the characters. What I loved the most was the way the story had such a unique plot, but also wound down in a completely satisfying ending. Make sure you add this mysterious and engaging story to your reading list!!

A bit of a deeper read than I’m used too from Katie McGarry, Echoes Between Us was complex and interesting to say the least. Veronica and Sawyer are differ yet find themselves drawn together. Learning each other along the way.

Katie has take real life hard issues and brought them together seamlessly. The storyline was harsh at times but told to perfection. I thoroughly enjoy a Katie McGarry read and this one was no different

When you open one of McGarry's books, you not only know you are going to get one heck of a story but you know it will be one that will be filled with emotions and one that more often than not, will rock you to your core. Will change you in ways you didn't even know a story could do.

And like all her books, this was filled with romance, heart ache, happiness, friendships, love, and with it being something different, ghosts.

Like it's counter novel, Only a Breath Apart, Echoes Between Us has a touch of the paranormal that will not only keep you on edge it will keep you turning the pages wanting more, constantly looking over your shoulder and having a hard time deciding which makes your heart pound harder, the chance encounters with ghosts, or the steamy sweet romance and tender moments the McGarry is known for best.

Filled with raw emotion and amazing characters, this is one novel you don't want to miss out on!

Veronica can see ghosts: namely the ghost of her mother but others as well. When Sawyer and his family move in downstairs from her, Veronica enlists him in her senior year project, proving that ghosts really exist. Sawyer reluctantly agrees, he’s strangely drawn to Veronica, even though she’s a social outcast.

Echoes Between Us pleasantly surprised me with its sweet story, solid, dynamic characters, and unique issues. While it is primarily a romance, it also tackles some heavy topics such as addiction, alcoholism, cancer, and death. Told in alternating first-person between Sawyer and Veronica, it has an intimate feel and closely explores each’s vulnerabilities. Veronica is whimsical and full of life, despite having a potentially fatal brain tumor. Sawyer is compassionate and loving, spending most of his time taking care of his sister and mother, all while battling his adrenaline junkie compulsions telling him to jump off dangerous cliffs.

Echoes Between Us reminded me a bit of A Walk to Remember but with ghosts. It’s an emotional but lovely story, and I thoroughly recommend it to other fans of emotional YA.

Katie McGarry is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she writes her characters, how deep her stories go, and the struggles within them. And Echoes Between Us is no exception! It’s a beautifully written story with so much depth. I really love the journey Veronica goes through along with Sawyer’s is wonderful. This is the perfect book for teens

In this YA contemporary romance, Katie McGarry does what she does best -- delivers a story about two young adults who are forced to grow up too soon and who face some very serious and adult situations. This book has a lot going on.

Sawyer loves the rush of adrenaline, and he seeks this to escape his mother who has an addiction. He's left to take care of things in the household and it's getting to be a challenge. His family has just moved into a supposedly haunted house, and the upstairs tenant is the "strange" girl from school.

Veronica has lots of secrets too, one of those being she sees ghosts. There is a paranormal aspect to this book that makes it slightly creepy and a bit different and I loved it! It adds a bit of a paranormal dash of spice to the story.

You can guess where this is story is going when Sawyer and Veronica end up doing a school project together. There's a lovely relationship blooming here with these two characters finding that they fit together somehow. Even though some of the story is a little predictable, there are some surprises. I loved these two characters. Both have immense situations they are dealing with, and they are good together.

I really enjoyed this, especially the historical aspect of the TB hospital and it's connection to Saranac Lake, one of my favorite places in the northeast. This tale of young love in the face of many challenges kept me turning the pages after a bit of a slow start to the story.

A complimentary copy was provided for review.

Please someone write down the license plate of the car that hit me ... My dear lord! What book was this? It will be difficult for another YA to overcome this Reading for me this year.

First of all, when I read the synopsis I had no idea that I would have to face so many ghosts, although when I think about Katie McGarry’s writting, I get ready for tension and Strong moments, and yet I spent days with eyes and ears wide open.

Veronica is a girl marked by death. She closely followed her mother's last days and watched as the joyful, energetic woman gradually languished. It gets worse when she discovers that she also has a small tumor toojust like her mom located in a delicate area of ​​her brain. It turns out she feels like a girl with the days numbered and does not want to prolong those days any longer than necessary. Everything changes when a certain boy enters her life without asking permission.

Sawyer is in crisis and living on the edge after his parents divorce. The father delegated to him the care of his younger sister Lucy and their mother who apparently struggles to support her children. He did not like to know that he will be a neighbor of a weird classmate, since he hides his mother's behavior and his sister's crises from everyone. So at first he avoids Veronica but when he proposes to do a school project with her, he finds himself involved with a fun, witty girl who according to his vision knows how to live life.

Amid diary quotes from a girl who had tuberculosis, ghost hunting, nightmares, cliff jumping, and so much romance, I followed Veronica and Sawyer's struggle with their own torments and was pleased to realize how strong they were and see how they matured.

Katie McGarry's plot begins very slowly in presenting the situation to which each protagonist is exposed and at the same time is frantic in showing their pain and how they react to everything they are living.

The book is fantastic, very well written and every surprise is delivered at the right time creating a thrilling suspense.

Highlight for all the secondary characters that enrich the plot, especially Lucy (Sawyer's sister), Ulysses (Veronica's father) and Sylvia (Sawyer's best friend).

Narrated in the first person alternately by Veronica and Sawyer, the final chapters of each one fo them were simply a gift to the reader with all the ends closing as if they were an epilogue to each story.



I truely loved it. 6/5 stars

I don’t know if it was too many evenings at home watching Ghost Hunters but this synopsis was too tempting to pass up. Are these ghosts Veronica see’s real? She thinks her house is haunted and has conversations with her dead mother, however these sightings might also be hallucinations from the tumor she has growing in her brain. A tumor that she fears will kill her, just like the one that was responsible for the cancer that killed her mother. However, if she can prove that ghosts do exist she thinks it will make her father feel better if he isn’t alone after she dies. I know, kind of a shaky reason for hiding this secret, but as the story moves forward it kind of makes total sense.

Sawyer has his own problems and dating the weird girl wasn’t what he thought he’d be doing his senior year. He’s starting to get scared that he has a real addiction and that it may just be the death of him. When he meets Veronica and her theories about ghosts he feels the same rush as he does when he jumps off a cliff, but when he starts to fall for her he starts to see through her reasons for picking this topic for their senior thesis.

I was riveted by this story. Katie McGarry did a great job of giving these characters depth and her storytelling was impeccable. She created a creepy mood for some of Veronica’s chapters that added a darkness to the ghost tales that she and Sawyer went out to investigate. Sawyer’s story was also filled with a darkness and despair and it was Veronica that brought light into his life and he clung to that brightness.

I don’t want to give away any of this story because each reveal only entices you to keep reading to find out what happens next. If you like ghost stories and tales of overcoming obstacles to find happiness then you need to crack open the pages of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would love to talk to you about it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

This book was incredible. At the beginning I was confused, but quickly figured out what was happening. The theme of this book was so interesting, and the way the story unraveled was amazing. I fell in love with the main characters. There were real issues tackled in this book, and it was done so well. Really enjoyed everything about this book.

My Thoughts:

Echoes Between Us is a raw, riveting, and beautiful story. It broke my heart and put it back together again by offering bright rays of hope. I went through a lot of tissues, as Veronica and Sawyer's journey felt authentic, was relatable, and extremely moving. Even as Katie McGarry is one of my favorite authors, this story exceeded my expectations.

It was multilayered, and had so many elements that I enjoy in a favorite read. Echoes Between Us had such a rich and colorful cast of characters, serious topics that kept me engaged, a plot that held my attention and kept me guessing how everything would end, and a story so rich in friendship and unconditional love.

Veronica was a character with a lot of heart. She marched to the beat of her own drum, and was courageous when it came to being true to herself, even though it made her an outcast among her peers.

She had a wonderful tribe of friends, and I loved how dedicated, loyal, and caring they were towards one another. Even though this story is a standalone, I was excited to recognize beloved characters Jesse, Scarlett, and Glory from Only a Breath Apart. I hope Nazareth gets his own story next, because he was one of my favorite characters.

From outside appearances Sawyer had an easy life. He was popular, and an accomplished swimmer. Both Veronica and Sawyer were hurting and going through their own private struggles. We get the dual perspectives of Veronica and Sawyer, as well as snippets of a diary from a girl that had Tuberculosis in the 1900's; which tied in to an important life lesson.

There were paranormal elements in the story that touched on ghosts and hauntings, which I loved. There was an air of mystery throughout the story as I tried to figure out certain things, and I loved how the story kept me guessing.

The ending of the story was spectacular and really touched my heart. In less you can't tell, I loved this story and highly recommend it. If you are looking for a multi-layered story that is unique, has an amazing cast of characters, and will both break your heart, and mend it, check out Echoes Between Us!

Thank you to Tor Teen and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Katie McGarry’s new release Echoes Between Us.

I first read Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limits, almost five and a half years ago and I have been a fan of hers ever since. She is just a master at young adult romance. I have participated in Katie’s bookmark mailouts and I happen to have a few of her books signed as I won a giveaway for a signed copy of Pushing the Limits. I was doing YouTube at the time so I unboxed it on camera and mentioned that my absolute favourite Katie story is Nowhere But Here. Katie McGarry watched my video and sent me a signed copy of the book, she is such a nice person! I was scrolling through NetGalley months ago and requested this on a whim never thinking I would get it. I am so grateful to Tor for providing me with the ARC.

Characters: Veronica and Sawyer are the main characters of this YA romance. Veronica is such a unique character, someone who is so unabashedly herself. Sawyer is the type of character you think you know but in actuality, he is much more multi-dimensional than you would have ever guessed. Both of them though are those classic teens that are being held back by their own limitations and roadblocks, but this story is about them evolving as people.
Pacing: The story is paced well. I was not initially attracted to it but once I had read the first quarter of the story I was drawn in.
Romance: Katie McGarry writes young love so well! With every chapter, I fell more love with Veronica and Sawyer’s love. You cannot help but buy into the fierceness that they felt for each other, despite their age and the speed in which it happened.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

What happens, when the golden boy and school weirdo pair up for an assignment? They find an unexpected source of support and friendship in one another, which evolves into more. Both Sawyer and Veronica were not dealt the easiest hands in life, and the perception of who they were and the baggage they carried did not necessarily reflect their reality, but they were stronger together than they were apart.

Veronica was the quirky weird girl

Veronica had lost her mother to brain cancer, and now, facing the truth about her own brain tumor, she vowed not to follow in her mother's footsteps. She wanted to live each day to the fullest as if the tumor did not exist. The way she celebrated holidays on non-designated days created this picture of Veronica as the social outcast. The reality was that her days were numbered. She wanted to "celebrate" with her friends and family before it was too late. There was pain and suffering, yet she tried to stick to the status quo. Although I didn't agree with all her choices, I understood her motivation. Still, my heart ached for her and those who loved her.

Sawyer was the golden boy

Sawyer looked like the world was his oyster. He was popular and king of the swim team, but he battled demons left and right. He carried a lot of anger towards his father, who left his family. He was also angry with his mother, an alcoholic, who heaped a great deal of responsibility and pressure on him. Then, he had a coping mechanism, which was unhealthy, and it all seemed to be spinning out of control. I wanted to give this kid a great big hug, and then take him away to somewhere, where he could just enjoy the last bit of his childhood.

They found comfort in each other

Veronica and Sawyer made a most unlikely couple, but they were fantastic together. Though this may have started out as a purely physical attraction, it grew to be something much deeper, as they both peeked behind the curtain and really saw each other. This was where I got my romance fixes. They came in small doses, but each one was perfection.

They faced difficulties

Because, this was a Katie McGarry book, I expect her to take on some serious topics in a raw and honest way. This story dealt with death, grief, addiction, depression, and serious illness. She took on each issue in multiple ways, and I loved that each issues was attacked from so many different sides. Those varied perspectives allowed me to consider each problem in a different way, and also gave the appropriate depth to the issue at hand.

They had a great community to support them

Whenever I read a book, where the main characters face so much adversity, I NEED them to have some sort of support system. Yes, Sawyer and Veronica eventually had each other, but before that, they had some really wonderful people in their corners.

Veronica's father wasn't perfect. He didn't impose too many rules, but his love for his daughter was undeniable. He was also living with the loss of his wife, but he always made time to Veronica. Whether it be a waffle breakfast or a not-quite-the-holiday celebration, dad did his best to be present.

Veronica also had a fantastic group of friends. Scarlet, Leo, Nazareth, and Jesse were her "people". They loved her and cared for her, and would do just about anything for her.

Sawyer was also sort of blessed in the friend area, though he didn't initially realize it. He enjoyed a wonderful relationship with his little sister, and it was a treat to see them on page together, but he also had two friends, who stepped up their roles, when they really needed to, while his sponsor rounded out his team.

Overall

This was a beautifully written and emotional story of love, connection, and appreciating the "now".

somehow katie mcgarry always leaves me with a good book hangover. her characters and the things they overcome always hits me right in the feels. sawyer and veronica go through so much in echoes between us. they ache and grow and change and love.

nothing about their lives is easy. they start off with all these assumptions about one another, but as the layers of misunderstanding peels back, what they discover is just so precious. it's just beautiful and heartwarming and so, so angsty in the best possible way. in ways i adore.

there's a hint of the mystical, the extraordinary, but it's grounded too. what sawyer and veronica endure is life at its most implacable. but they survive. they power through it. they give each other the strength to make it through in ways that are just so beautiful to read.

i just loved this story. loved the characters. loved their struggles. loved all the freaking feelings.

**echoes between us will publish on january 14, 2020. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/tor teen in exchange for my honest review.