I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I first started but I loved reading it. It really pulled on the heartstrings, especially near the end. It has some twists which were unpredictable. I feel this book is a solid YA contemporary read.

I loved both Rainey and Liam as main characters, although they are very different, they both have similar characteristics. The book is told in the perspective by both Rainey and Liam. I did get confused by a certain scenario by who was narrating it because I was expecting it to have come from the other character. I feel like Liam is influenced by Rainey’s kindness which is why I thought I was reading in her perspective. Rainey is such an interesting character, she has a wonderful family and has a somewhat seemingly perfect life. She, however, has a sister with a heart condition so that causes some complications for her and her family. Liam has a troubled past and has some deep trauma. He is reminded of his families past by members of his class which I can imagine to be very frustrating. I found how the pair came together to be generic but their story is wonderful. I only wish we could hear more of them two.

The story line was very intriguing and it was such an easy story to fall into. I love how easy YA books are to read. It was very descriptive and eventful. I enjoyed learning more and more about Rainey, Liam and their friends and family. It was lovely to read about the blossoming relationship between the two main characters. I don’t want to give any spoilers but it is a rollercoaster of emotions, it had me smiling, laughing and crying.

I loved the writing style of the author, it was easy to understand and easy to follow. The journey the characters go on is very unique and the ending is very dramatic. I loved the Epilogue and it left a lot to the imagination for the reader.

Chasing Fireflies tells the story of Rainey Collins and what it's sometimes like to be the awkward teenager who feels different than everyone else. With her sister who means the world to her and world that she can't figure out, Rainey meets someone who will help her navigate through it all in Liam. Chloe Fowler writes an endearing story that will leave you reaching for the tissues.

“Do you ever wonder about that? About the fact that life is coming at us so damn fast? And we’re…we’re racing towards it with our heads down, and so we’re so busy running that we won’t even notice when it hits us? I wonder what happens to us when it does. I mean, what if the impact completely annihilates us, and we just disappear into dust without even realizing what happened?”

Well, I was damn near annihilated when that ending came out of nowhere and slapped me in the tearducts.

With apologies to author Chloe Fowler, I requested this book from Netgalley thinking that it would be a fluffy YA romance with the typical teen angst and a heartfelt, yet predictable ending. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong! Holy Unexpected Twist, but I did not see that ending coming. I thought it would be one of those 11th hour, miraculous donor-comes-through and everyone lives happily ever after, but apparently Fowler does not like clichés. Neither do I, which is why this was surprising and refreshing, and hopefully only the first book in a series of many with these characters, who were well written and well developed.

I liked that Rainey was a socially awkward wallflower who preferred baking cookies with her little sister to attending drunken parties full of football thugs and the typical bitchy high school girls that wallflowers tend to avoid by any means necessary. I found it funny that she read “trashy” romance novels, yet was completely overcome when she finally kissed the boy she was crushing so hard on. And it was cute that she had no idea when boys liked her. Her obvious love for her chronically ill sister and her fear of a future without her really tugged the heartstrings. There was an innocence and sweetness about Rainey that was endearing, something uncommon in a world where children seem to grow up so fast.

My heart went out to Liam who didn’t have a single person in his life who truly cared about him. I am not counting Mercedes because she acted like a selfish bitch, and she is definitely on my Not Real People Who I’d Slap If I Could list. With a mother who had given up, a father in prison for murder, and a step-father who was a drunk, abusive ass, Liam was completely alone in the world until he finally let some of his walls come down when he met Rainey. Despite his terrible upbringing and his life that no one would envy, he was a caring and generous person who deserved something good in his life.

This book exceeded my expectations, and I hope that Chloe Fowler will write more. I am very curious about some of the other characters. What happened to Carson? He could’ve been sweet if he hadn’t been so easily influenced by Chase. And, as much as an ass, as he was, I do wonder about Chase. His father seemed like an overbearing bully (probably where Chase learned it from) and that situation with his mother was terrible. So, did Chase get sent to boarding school? Will he suffer the same hereditary fate as his mother? What will become of this cast of characters? Will life annihilate them or will it give them a better path to follow as it did with Liam? I hope we all get to find out.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Chasing Fireflies in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't like the narrative style of Chasing Fireflies (in my opinion, a combination of bluntness and excess adverb use made it feel stilted and ruined immersion) which would normally ruin my enjoyment of the book as a whole since narrative beauty of compelling writing is often the thing I seek out in the genre, but the ending got me all emotional anyways so I can't justify not giving this at least 3 stars.

Chasing Fireflies is a dual narrative between Rainey, a shy girl who is incredibly close with her family, and Liam, whose family life is less than stellar to say the least. Rainey and Liam form a connection, and begin to navigate the makings of a relationship. Will the obstacles they encounter keep them from the possibility of happily ever after?

Chasing Fireflies is a read in one sitting kind of book. Rainey's family bond is so sweet, especially her relationship with Maverick and how they handle Maverick's health issues. Liam's story is nothing short of heartbreaking; the reader will easily become frustrated with his family dynamic over and over again.....and again. The relationship between Rainey and Liam is fragile and innocent, and it feels like the odds are constantly stacked against them. And no spoilers here, but the ending is unexpected and definitely a stunner. YA fans should check out Chasing Fireflies, and be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions.

Thanks to Netgalley and Chloe Fowler for this ARC; this is my honest and voluntary review.

Chasing Fireflies is such a great story. This book grabbed me from the start and I couldn't put it down. Rainey and Liam are two characters you can't help but fall in love with and root for them till the very end. The ending was very shocking but I still love every second of this book. I can't wait to read Chloe's next book because this one was so good!!!!!