You’ve Reached Sam is a book that I have seen so much hype about online which of course means I want to give this book a read. I did go into this book with quite high hopes because of this though. Although my hopes were not quite met, I did thoroughly enjoy this book and wanted to share my thoughts.

It was the premise of this book that originally drew me in. The idea of being able to contact someone close to you, who has passed away, took my interest because I’m sure so many of us would be grateful for that opportunity. Also, the beautiful cover of this book helped peak my interest and made me want to read this book even more.

The way that this book tackles grief and the different ways it can affect people is beautiful. Please take care when reading this book as it does not tackle grief lightly. It shows the good and bad sides of losing someone close to you and does not shy away from the details. of this I feel this book really explores grief in a beautiful and important way.

I found it so interesting the idea of being able to have a second chance to say goodbye to a loved one. Julie does not get the chance to say goodbye to Sam due to the way in which he dies. Seeing Julie have that second chance was incredible insightful. I enjoyed the sections of the book where we got to see Julie and Sam talk to one another and how Sam helped Julie to deal with her grief.

I would have loved to see more about why Julie got the second chance to speak to Sam. Obviously, this is a magical realism element that is added into this book but isn’t fully explored. There are some things about Julie’s phone not working properly throughout the book that never really gets discussed or answered fully and I would have loved to see that explored. A bit more explanation around the magical realism element is something I would have appreciated.

Julie is a main character of this book, who at times I loved reading about and others I found quite uninteresting. Julie is going through a lot, having just lost her boyfriend and we see that in so many ways. I would loved to have found out just a little bit more about her though and her likes and dislikes. Her personality seems to surround Sam most of the time and we do not get the opportunity to see who she really is.

Sam seemed like such a lovely character. Obviously, we only find out about him throughout flashbacks and the phone calls with Julie. I loved those parts of the book as it is an insight into a character we would not usually have seen. I would have loved the opportunity to see more of Sam before his death and that may have helped me to love his character more. By doing this as readers we would have seen more about their relationship and why that made them who they are. As well as appreciate the relationship that him and Julie had. Also, I loved the side characters in this book, they are quite possibly my favourite part of the book. Mika and Oliver in particular are just excellent characters who I loved reading about. It was interesting to see how the grief of losing Sam affected them too.

Dustin Thao has written a stunning story that I throughly enjoyed and would highly recommend. You can tell that he has made a huge effort to explore grief, love, friendship and overcoming loss in a sensitive but effect way.

Overall, I would highly recommend giving You’ve Reached Sam for the effective way in which it explores grief, love, friendship and more. Although it did not meet all of my expectations it is a book I will be thinking about for a while and will be recommending.

I was really excited to read You've Reached Sam, but it ended up disappointing me. I went into this book thinking it was going to be more mysterious, with the boyfriend faking his death or something like that, but I was wrong. I didn't care much for any of the characters, and I found the plot repetitive. I did like the descriptions of the town, and the cover of this book is beautiful. The story, unfortunately, just wasn't for me.

Not what I expected but still good book otherwise I’m trying to write more but I honestly don’t have that much to say about this book

As expected this is a tear jerker. Of course a story about a girl who finds out she can still talk to her dead boyfriend by calling his phone would be. Julie isn't grieving well. Until she calls Sam and he actually picks up. This is a story of love, loss and letting go. If you are in the mood for a good cry, I recommend you read this book.

Although I loved the writing for this book I thought it was to far fetched and unbelievable. Also I know it’s fiction but i don’t know if this kind of book is for me.

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THIS WAS SO SAD

OMG I ALMOST CRIED

SAVE ME NOW!!!!


SERIOUSLY HIGHLY RECOMMENd THIS WAS TOO FREAKING GOOD FOR MY SOUL

GO ON, GO READ IT NOW!!!! <3

You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao is exactly as promised. It’s been described as a crossover of YA novel If I Stay and Japanese animation Your Name and it’s every bit as heart wrenching as you’d expect when you hear these two titles.

Seventeen year old Julie has her life all planned out but that all changes when her boyfriend, Sam, dies. She throws out his things and tries to forget him and his tragic death. However, a yearbook message from Sam brings back memories and in a last attempt to hear his voice one last time, she calls him; expecting to reach his voicemail. By some miracle, Sam answers and is able to connect with her, however temporary. This is Julie’s chance to say goodbye. Through these phone calls, that get shorter and shorter with time, Sam is able share presents and help her to let go. However, keeping this a secret is both hard, especially when Julie sees Sam’s family struggling as hard as her. Unfortunately it’s a necessity or she’ll risk losing this connection forever.

I had some difficulty figuring out which scenes were in the present and past in the beginning, but once I found the rhythm the story flowed. We follow Julie’s journey through her heartbreak and grief, and the author wrenched emotions from my cold dead heart every step of the way with her. The catharsis that came from the end of this book was worth every tear!

(I can’t tell you how many times I cried, but likely as many times as there are chapters- possibly more.)

Highly encouraged for those who want their hearts ripped out!

🚨 Romance reader PSA 🚨 This is not a romance.

CW: Grief and death

Release: 9 November

Thank you to the publisher for the arc.


#dustinthao #youreachedsam #yacontemporary #bookmages #tearjerker #asianauthor

I loved this book so much I was so close to crying so many times, it was heart wrenching and adorable,.

Julie has lost someone she planned to spend the rest of her life with! High school was almost over and their lives were coming together when Sams life is cut short! The roller coaster of emotions Julie goes through in the beginning are hard to digest. I questioned her action and got very annoyed with her. But then I really got into the book and started to understand why she did what she did. Though I still struggled to like her because though she was grieving her actions were just not ok to me.

The story is packed with such emotion, I love books that make you feel! Put you inside the story with emotions. And that is what happened with this story, it was almost unfair that Julie got a second chance to say goodbye to Sam. It was like putting a bandaid on her wounds and leaving it on even though it was all broken up and dirty. She wasn't going to take it off no matter what. It was avoiding the inevitable.

We see the damage this causes but also see the good. And I cried, I'm a sucker for stories like this! This was a good story full of heartache, loss and coming to terms with letting go but never forgetting!

You've Reached Sam was one of my top anticipated reads, but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me. I never felt invested in Julie and Sam's love story and the plot was often confusing and repetitive. I almost DNF'ed several times, but I held out hope that it would get better and pushed through.

I understand this is a YA novel and the characters aren't going to be models of maturity or sound decision makers, but unfortunately I found Julie really unlikeable. She was so focused on how Sam's death impacted her life and made her sad, that it overshadowed any love or sympathy I might have felt for her. The flashback sequences were sweet at times, but they didn't endear me to Sam and Julie or make me believe in their epic love at all. The dream/memory sequences were an interesting idea, but the execution often left me more confused. Julie and Sam's relationship actually didn't come across very healthy. Julie didn't seem to have any friends besides those that she met through Sam and he apparently abandoned his friends to be with her. I did appreciate the depiction of grief though and the overall message of learning how to hold on while also moving on. I think this novel will resonate with some readers, but unfortunately this was a miss for me.

CW: automobile accident, loss of loved one, grief, divorce/parental abandonment, racism, bullying, depression

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Seventeen year old Julie knew what her future held- she and her boyfriend, Sam, were getting out of their little town. Sam would play his music, and she’d write. They’d go to college, spend the summer in Japan visiting his family… eventually make a home together. When tragedy struck and Sam passed away her world crumbled. Unable to move forward or even breathe without him, she calls him; only expecting to reach his voicemail and hear his voice one more time.

She never expected him to pick up the phone. Now they have a second chance to say goodbye, they know this won’t last forever. The problem, though, is that she can’t give up this secret connection. She can’t move forward. Instead, she halts life right there, waiting for the next phone call. How is she supposed to let go- again? Why can’t things just stay like this forever?

But keeping this secret isn’t easy, especially when she can see how badly Sam’s family is suffering. Torn between giving them some relief and closure, and keeping her small link to Sam, Julie has a big choice to make…


First, don't read this at school or work. I can’t tell you how many times I started crying. It’s impossible not to care for Julie, the young woman that never really experienced loss and has now had her most precious person taken away. It’s an emotional book. I felt her pain, even when I knew what she was doing- the ways she tried to cope- were wrong. It’s beautifully written, blending memories with dreams and present time to draw a full picture of the young couple and what they meant to one another.

The writing style is a little choppy- the segments are a little disjointed; but I think it plays well with the main character’s head-space. She’s not thinking in a straight line. I did love the magical realism here- their magical connection. It’s an interesting storyline, and the book was well written. I grew to love most of the side characters as well. Mika and Oliver definitely became favorites of mine, but I also loved watched Sam and Jamie interact in her memories. Honestly, I had requested this ARC mostly because I had to know how they were going to tell this story. Part of me loves unique books about loss and coping even as they are really hard for me to read. For me, this was a three star book.

⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
As far as the adult content goes, this book was really mild. There was some language, bullying and a little talk about alcohol but none of this was over the top and I would definitely say that this is a story I would give to any age group. Back when my niece was ten and she wanted the more “grown up” books… this would have been about perfect.


I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. My thanks! I can’t wait for the book to come out on November 9th!

How do you move on when someone you love dies? In Julie’s case, not at all. She wants to erase his presence in her life completely. Hurt can do that to you. But her love for Sam spans past the earthly coil, enabling her to communicate with him after he dies. As good as that sounds, it might just be stopping Julie from processing the grief that is swallowing her whole. She’s breaking promises to friends and letting them down. She’s living life for Sam, and it’s downright unhealthy.

As far as characters, Mika is someone special. It can be so hard to reach out to others in the face of your grief, and she’s hurting too. But she wants to help Julie deal with her pain. While I couldn’t connect with the characters overall, I don’t think that’s necessary to enjoy the book. I appreciated Thao’s approach to Julie’s grief. There were quite a few touching moments reading You’ve Reached Sam, making it really special. Thank you, St. Martin’s, for sending this along.

"But the truth is, no one experiences grief the same way, and we all come out of it differently."

There was a point about 45% of the way through the book that I want sure I would finish it, but I'm so glad I did. This is a beautiful story about trying to navigate life while trying to navigate grief at the same time. It's a beautiful reminder that we make unforgettable marks on others just as they do to us and to cherish the moments we have together.

I think this is a fabulous story for young adults (and adults) alike as it deals with grief in a way that is real and powerful but not overwhelming.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it's been one I've wanted to read for ages now. I was so excited when I got the chance to read it.

It broke my heart. Many, many times. I don't even want to know how many times I teared up over it, though it was one of those books that even though it's sad, you don't want to stop reading it.

This was a book that I simply could not put down. I read it in two sittings, both of which I just read a ton at once. It was one of those things where once you start, you don't want to stop.

As for the characters, I felt like that was where it lacked for me. I felt as though most of the characters didn't have much depth, and I found it really difficult to connect to any of them, even Julie and Sam, who are the main characters. The side characters had their moments when I really liked them, but there was nothing that made me go "Oh my God I would die for them". As someone who will love a book purely for characters, I feel like that changed a lot of what I think about this book.

The writing was beautiful, and there were so many quotes that made me lose my mind. I loved the way the story was told between the past and the present, the way the plot was carried out, and the way the difference between different people's grieving was shone.

All in all, if you have any interest in this book, I would recommend it without blinking an eye. It was an enjoyable and heartbreaking read that I fully intend on buying once it comes out.

4.5/5 stars

Reading this book was an odd experience. I cried so much in the beginning but very little at the end. But nevertheless, I enjoyed it a lot.

I loved the characters so much, especially Mika. Julie was quite an interesting character to read about. When we start off the book, she has lost her boyfriend, Sam, and is dealing with her grief. This book does not shy away from the ugliness of grief and loss and I really liked that. I did think that the ending was a bit abrupt though. It felt like we were building up for a great big climax but it kinda fell flat which affected the ending. However, I would still 100% recommend this book to anyone looking for a ya contemporary that will bring tears to your eyes.

Okay but listen I was crying almost the entire time I read this. Is that because I chose this as my bedrest book and being sick makes me emotional? Maybe. But there's something to be said for the emotional catharsis you get from not only crying about the big obvious sad thing, but from the tiniest acts of kindness and love sprinkled throughout because you have grown so attached to this poor lost protagonist that in her position, those things would have you sobbing on the floor. I loved every minute and every tear I spent reading this book.

"There are so many moments I wish I could relive again. Especially the smaller ones. The quieter ones that we often don't think about."

Synopsis:
Julie's boyfriend Sam dies and she is overcome with grief as she navigates her life without him. She picks up the phone and dials his number so she can listen to his voicemail message. Julie is shocked when he picks up and she is given a second chance to say goodbye.

My Thoughts:
Heartbreaking, beautiful and haunting. This book almost broke me. Thao beautifully writes a story about grief and how everyone handles it differently. The characters are crafted in a way that I could feel their pain and sadness though the words on the page. Each grieving in their own way. I just wanted to crawl into my kindle and hug them all. The characters were raw, poignant, anguished and genuine. I loved the modern day magical realism aspect of this book with the connection Julie has with Sam and their ability to communicate through cell phones. While this book will rip out your soul and tear you to pieces it's one I highly recommend.

You’ve Reached Sam, is a very original heartbreaking story about two people, who were ripped apart by death, right in the middle of their love story. Although Julie is the main focus of the story, I really really loved Sam. I wish we had more about where he was, but I loved the conversations with him, and he even made me tear up. Julie I liked too but she irritated more often than not. I know everyone grieves different but some of her choices made me want to smack my head. Overall though it was a good story.

YOU'VE REACHED SAM is a beautiful book about the journey of grief and how that isn't linear, and how people learn to move on through different methods of realization and understanding. Julie's journey through the book is messy and emotional, and while I could see how others might critique her for her lack of empathy and awareness of the people around her, I saw that as a sign of her grief clouding her ability to see how her friends were grieving with her. The visceral voice and language in the prose is so poignant and makes the emotions leap off the page. I was captivated by scenes of heartbreaking grief that Julie felt and the paranoia and panic she had when she thought she had lost Sam.

I also greatly enjoyed how Julie's arc isn't just about her and Sam and their connection, but rather about her connection with other people as well. I adored getting to see her with her friends and seeing how they interacted and had to come to terms with Sam's absence and live life. I do wish we got to see them more, but again, I saw how it is reflective of Julie's mental state and her inability to move past Sam's death until she finally realized how she was hurting the people around her.

Overall, I found the book beautiful, and definitely worth reading. It's raw and heartbreaking, but healing as well. Dustin Thao's writing is gorgeous, and I would highly recommend this book to others. 4/5 stars.

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2021. The synopsis had me feeling certain this would be a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, ugly cry inducing read and oh man, was I excited for it. I love a good heartbreaker. And the cover?! Beautiful.

Unfortunately, You've Reached Sam didn't deliver for me. It is a sad book, but I didn't feel very strongly and I only got watery-eyed at the end. I really wanted to connect with it more, but it wasn't there. I got 60% of the way through and it began to feel like it was dragging and I couldn't wait to be done. It's a slow read and there was a lot of parts that felt unnecessary or at least not fleshed out.

I had a hard time with Julie. I don't know if it was that I was frustrated with the way she was grieving (or not grieving) or if it was that even in flashback scenes she didn't come across as likeable. I didn't feel like the loss of Sam is to blame for her being prickly and selfish. I sympathize with Julie's loss — I just didn't care about her. I also didn't care about Sam, which was especially disappointing. I honestly didn't care about any of the characters, but I was pleased with the diversity of the characters.

We aren't given any lead up to Sam's death, which is something I think hurt the story. There was not much chemistry between Sam and Julie in their phone calls and the flashback scenes. I would have loved to have alternating perspectives, with Sam covering the "before" scenes. The moments between them were bland and I couldn't believe that they spent three years together.

Dustin Thao is a talented writer and I would read his work again in the future. I can see this book doing well with some readers, but it won't be at the top of my recommended reading lists.

2.75 stars, rounded up to 3.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.