I like the idea of two parallel timelines, but this book is too emotional for me and I couldn't make it past the first chapter. I'm sorry, but I'm overly sensitive and don't like books that are a bit too sensitive. The narrative was good, though.

Portions of this book were SUPER enjoyable to read, and I think this overall wasn't a waste of my time, but I think a lot of this novel is trying to accomplish something super deep and meaningful, which just does not translate at all.

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

I really struggled to get into this book. The big tragic beginning left a sour taste in my mouth and I found it hard to keep interest in the characters. I also didn't love the flip a coin get the girl scenario, I felt like they should have gotten to know each other and then decided who had more of a connection. Overall just not for me.

Maybe I'm just burnt out on the parallel timeline thing, that is a very "in" thing right now with a lot of stories and books that I've been reading. But this one just didn't hold my interest the way that others have. The story as a whole was interesting but it was just ... okay.

Love an alternating/dual timeline. Love an unconventional love triangle. It's a book about choices and friendships and love. When Stevie comes to town, friendships will be strained when boys as close as brothers both develop feelings for her. Two timelines play out what would happen if either ended up with her - while showing that what's meant to be and Stevie's autonomy have a huge role to play.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with this book. All thoughts are my own.

My phone broke and I wasn't able to listen to this audiobook. I couldn't download it again on my new phone, I'm so sorry for not being able to review this audiobook like I wanted to.

The ripple effect of a coin flip, that is what Where it All Lands. What would have happened if there other person won?

This is an original format to me for an author to use for a “what if” situation. Stevie is new in town and best friends flip a coin to determine which of the two would be able to ask her out. I loved how the author split up the two different stories in to part of the book. I fell in love with the couple in the first part. Then part two started and I was rooting for the other guy. What a great job messing with my feelings!

I got a bit confused at the end when the sections for Heads v Tails were shorter. I kept losing track of which story line I was in. Probably my only complaint. Both sides of the coin brough tears to my eyes. The strength of young love makes me overly emotional.

I enjoyed the narrators for this audiobook. Such a great job conveying emotions which is key for me.

4.5 stars – Rounding to 5 for Goodreads

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillianaudio for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

It was fine. It didn’t ever grab my full attention, so I just ended up listening while working on other things— which really means I only half listened.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy of this book.

This whole book felt dramatic. There didn't seem to be any true peace. There was always conflict, which i think took away from any growth we saw the characters make.

Drew and Shane have always been best friends. When new girl Stevie enters their lives, and they both have feelings for her, that could all change. With the flip of a coin their lives will be altered in different ways.

When I read this synopsis, I totally got Sliding Doors vibes which was a movie I loved. I thought the story being told in dual timelines would be a great way to see how the coin toss would change things, but I wish it was told differently. The first half of the book was one flip and the second half was the other. I think it would have preferred if the stories overlapped to get a better idea of the characters and their development throughout.

My other issue was that I didn’t really like Drew or Stevie. Shane was a better character in my opinion. He was willing to do anything for his best friend which is admirable.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrators Bailey Carr, Dan Bitner, and Michael Crouch. I felt that were each suited well for the characters they voiced.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book definitely kept me on my toes. I liked that this book shifted from character-to-character and that there was a different voice actor for each character. I did not expect the ending and throughly enjoyed the character development of Drew and Shane. I spend a lot of time with band kids in high school and this audiobook reminds me of the comraderie and the competitiveness of marching band and allstate. I am also a huge fan of the 'dating bet' trope and enjoyed the way that it was implemented in the story.

I overall liked the usage of dual perspectives and hearing the mutltiude of voices when telling the story.

"Every action has its equal, opposite reaction"

Based on the cover I knew I would like Where It All Lands, but I didn't realize how much I would ADORE this novel.

Dual timelines, a love triangle, emotional turmoil, and dreams on the line all coalesce into Jennie Wexler's emotionally gripping novel Where It All Lands---a story about three teens on the verge of something beautiful, or something utterly tragic. Highly recommend this book as its take on choices and consequences will resonate deeply with readers.

Back to Newton and Hamilton: When a coin flip between two best friends determines the fate of three teens, no one can predict the intensity, the gutwrenching twists, and finality of a simple choice.

Drew and Shane are the best of friends, brothers really, and have each others' backs always. Until the new girl, Stevie Rosenstein shows up with her red saxophone strap. Both boys are instantly drawn to her and decide to flip a coin to decide who gets to ask Stevie out. NOW HOLD UP BEFORE YOU JUDGE THE GUYS TOO HARSHLY! A coin toss is a way Drew and Shane have historically settled any disagreements before they turned into fights. This toss is not for the ownership of Stevie, but a way for the guys to let fate decide who gets to ask her out. Stevie still has full autonomy here. She can and does say no to the boy she is not interested in at first...

What's remarkable about this story is that both possibilities playout for the reader and we will never know which one was the *real* timeline. There is a monumental twist around the halfway point and will leave you breathless.

Solid 3.5

I would say that this book was an unexpected read. I went into it blindly and it caught me off guard at sometimes, until I realized what was happening.

This book is told through dual storylines. New girl Stevie immediately catches the eye of BFFs Shane and Drew. Both boys immediately like her and want to ask her out. So they settle this like they would settle anything, a coin toss. Heads means Drew will get to ask Stevie out and Shane stands down, while tails means the opposite.

The book follows both storylines. Part one is Drew's storyline, while part two is Shane. Part 3, however, is unique because it flips back and forth between heads and tails. I refuse to believe the heads storyline actually happened. I would much rather think that this book ends in tails and you'll see why when you read this book.

The writing is unique. I have read multiple timelines before but none of them were like this. At first, I didn't really like it much, but it grew on me and I enjoyed more. This book was definitely an experience. Loved the audiobook readers!

I gave this book 4.5 stars on Goodreads. I listened to this as an audiobook and it was very good. The premise is great, don't get me wrong, but this book actually exceeded any expectations that I may have had before going into it. I love how this book is written. Part 1 follows the course of a year if the coin landed on heads, part 2 follows the course of the same year if the coin landed on tails, and part 3 goes alternates between heads and tails. Though each part of the story is told in the same timeline (August---December) I feel that is is important to note that it was not repetitive in the slightest. Each part was different and unique. Though some events occurred in multiple timelines they were altered, in some fashion, by the other events in each respective timeline. It was fascinating to see what changed and what stayed the same in each timeline.
The 'love triangle' trope in books typically are NOT my thing. I just do not enjoy them, they often feel so unnecessary and unrealistic. Jennie Wexler puts such a unique spin on the trope in "Where It All Lands" that I actually don't mind it, at all! This is an example of the 'love triangle' trope done right. Before listening to this audiobook, I went into it blindly. I hadn't read the synopsis or read any reviews about this book. Parts 1 and 2 are great, but part 3 is an absolute masterpiece. The first two parts are more sweet and romantic, but part three is a whirlwind of heartbreak and all of the emotions at once.
This book also made me think about how one action, regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem, can change the trajectory of your life. Overall, this was definitely an interesting read and I highly recommend it. There is some adult language used throughout, but I think that this would be suitable for readers 15/16+.

🥁 Where It All Lands is a story about love and loss and finding out who you really are.

🥁 Could a coin toss change the way you do things in life?

🥁 I really enjoyed everything about this book. It’s a fun but also meaningful YA Contemporary Romance about three characters stuck in a love triangle.

🥁 I really enjoyed all three characters and was rooting for both of the guys. However, I just really liked Shane and the way Wexler described him. I was also interested in the friendship Shane and Drew have, and the change love can do to that friendship.

🥁 Jennie Wexler has written an amazing book. This was a great way to start off my July reading. The writing style was so well done. I loved reading how this story had different timelines, we get to follow the side of heads and the side of tails. It’s just so well written!!

🥁 I was not expecting this book to hit my emotions but part 3 just wrecked me. It was so beautifully done and the way everything turned out was just amazing.

🥁 I honestly can’t explain enough on why this book was so good. The characters were great. I loved the love triangle and friendship between the guys. The way this story was written. That unique and meaningful ending. The overall storyline.

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Best friends Drew and Shane have always been there for each other, and have learned that the best way to resolve their conflicts is to leave it up to fate by flipping a coin. So, when Stevie moves to town and both boys are immediately drawn to her, they decide to use their usual method to decide who gets to ask her out, and who has to fall back. Heads, Drew pursues Stevie. Tails, Shane does.

Where It All Lands is told in three parts, via parallel storylines, and through three perspectives that follow Stevie, Drew, and Shane following the coin flip. Wexler explores concepts related to fate vs. free will, coercion and deceit within relationships, music, grief, and mental health.

Stevie, Drew, and Shane are all skilled musicians struggling with their own pasts. Stevie’s pro-football coach dad’s job has changed so often she’s never felt able to make friends. Drew feels like he can’t measure up to his music producer father. Shane is still grieving the loss of his own father and often feels like he lives in Drew’s shadow.

It’s like Jennie Wexler mined my brain for all of my favorite things when she was writing this book. I often talk about how much I love books that play with time and timelines, and this is no exception. Wexler did a fantastic job of exploring two storylines that took place over the same period of time without it ever feeling redundant. I loved the role that music played in this book, and love love loved the way that characters talked about and supported each other’s mental health. Shane’s “top 5” strategy is certainly something I’m going to start using with clients. The characters were well developed, and while I rooted for all of them, Shane reminded me so much of my teen self (except I had zero musical talent) and has my whole heart as a result.

*Minor spoilers live here* I did find myself a little bit frustrated with the conflict, because it felt to me like it was primarily a communication issue, but I also know that that’s one of my less favorite tropes in books.

I listened to this on audio and absolutely loved the way that it was narrated by Bailey Carr, Dan Bittner and Michael Crouch. Having different narrators for each point of view was an excellent decision, and helped to add depth to the characters’ development.

I loved this one so much, and will be adding a physical copy to my shelf for future rereads.

Thanks to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Macmillan Audio for copies of the book and audiobook to review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! I enjoyed how it went back and forth between two alternate realities. It was a very thought-provoking book.

This book was amazing but also emotionally overwhelming in the best and worst ways possible. HA! Yeah that’s a bit counterintuitive but just wait till you get to part 3. This book is set up in 3 sections detailing two separate timelines that occur as a result of a coin toss between two best friends, Drew and Shane, over who should ask out the new girl, Stevie. Part 1 is for the “Heads” outcome, Part 2 is for the “Tails” outcome and Part 3 ricochets back and forth between both time lines (and has your heart in your throat the entire time).

When I started this book I was worried that it may get repetitive with dual time lines starting and ending at the same point, that the third section would be hard to follow and keep in the groove of the correct storyline and, that this would turn out to be an annoying love triangle book. However, Wexler surprised and surpassed all my concerns to turn out a truly masterful thought provoking, and emotionally charged story. She flawlessly tells the same timeframe (August to December) twice without it being redundant or boring. In the final section she instantly snaps you back into the correct timeline with three words at the start of every “Heads” chapter. As for my fears about the love triangle, it was more about three people trying to sort out their feelings for each other and themselves as two best friends meet someone special.

Since I’m a total Drew fan my major criticism about this book is that you don’t get as much of his character progression in the “Tails” time line, as you do with Shane in the “Heads” plot, which disappointed me. I did want just a little bit more at the end of the “Tails” timeline. Some people may complain about the epilogue, I thought it was fitting and the perfect way to end a book about the mystery and uncertainty of how much control we have over or lives and the effect the decisions we make have.

Special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sharing this digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book tells two parallel stories of romance and friendship. Two best friends flip on coin to decide who gets to ask out the new girl at their school. The book shows what would happen depending on which side the coin landed on. It really shows an honest view of teen feelings, insecurities and mistakes. As an adult an adult I found myself thinking why would they do this then I remembered that they are teenagers and likely I would have made some of the same choices. The teens all have issues with their parents and love music. The music references in the book are amazing and I think will draw in a lot of teen readers. I liked that the book showed the vast impact of one coin toss.

We have all contemplated it - how our lives would be different if we had made one choice over another. We come across so many of these life-changing moments over the course of our lives, and it is easy to get caught up in the "what-ifs." What if I hadn't taken that job? What if I didn't agree to that first date? What if I hadn't picked up the phone that day? What if I had left the house 5 minutes later? What if I chose one guy over the other? That's the what-if explored in Jennie Wexler's debut YA novel, Where It All Lands, a book that examines the choices of three New Jersey teens.

Where It All Lands begins with a coin toss after two best friends, Drew and Shane, both lay eyes on the new girl, Stevie, and want to ask her out. Of course, they both can't, so they flip a coin to determine who will receive the honor. That coin toss alters the trajectory of all three of these teenagers' lives, which is the premise of this novel.

It helps to have some understanding of the book's arrangement before going into it. The first half of the novel spotlights what would have happened had the coin landed on "heads," giving brooding and mega-rich heartthrob Drew the opportunity to ask Stevie out. The latter part of the book highlights what would have happened if the coin had landed on "tails," and Shane, the sensitive and gifted musician, had received the chance to go for Stevie. Just who will Stevie choose by the end of both of these stories? And how big a part does our everyday choices play in our destinies?

The concept of Where It All Lands is really interesting. It made me think and consider my life choices, and also opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities awaiting at the end of every "what if." On the other hand, I didn't really care for the characters, especially Drew, who was volatile, pretentious, and spoiled. Stevie wasn't much better, constantly lamenting over her dad's job as a NFL coach. The book reeks of privilege, and Stevie and Drew come off as whiny and ungrateful. The plot was also not the most compelling, focusing on typical teenage fare - friendships, relationships, and problems with parents - without offering up much to provoke the senses. But the coin toss makes it interesting and turns this story into something more than a typical teenage love triangle. If you are looking for a unique storyline format, then you may quite enjoy Where It All Lands.

I listened to an audiobook production of this novel narrated by Bailey Carr, Dan Bittner, and Michael Crouch. I have listened to all three of these voice artists in previous works - Bailey Carr in The Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, Dan Bittner in Tweet Cute, and Michael Crouch in The Knockout Queen - and have enjoyed all of their work, but especially that of Michael Crouch. Going into this audiobook, I didn't realize he would be narrating Shane's half of the novel, so when I heard his unique voice come across my earbuds, I was pleasantly surprised. He totally sold the second half of the story for me, turning Shane into someone who was no longer flat and childish, but multi-dimensional and sensitive. I will listen to anything Michael Crouch narrates because he does such a good job and makes the books he reads that much more enjoyable!