This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills

This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills
Release Date -  October 4, 2016

Publisher Website - Raincoast Books
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 320 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Sloane isn't expecting to fall in with a group of friends when she moves from New York to Florida—especially not a group of friends so intense, so in love, so all-consuming. Yet that's exactly what happens.

Sloane becomes closest to Vera, a social-media star who lights up any room, and Gabe, Vera's twin brother and the most serious person Sloane's ever met. When a beloved painting by the twins' late mother goes missing, Sloane takes on the responsibility of tracking it down, a journey that takes her across state lines—and ever deeper into the twins' lives.

Filled with intense and important friendships, a wonderful warts-and-all family, shiveringly good romantic developments, and sharp, witty dialogue, this story is about finding the people you never knew you needed.

This Adventure Ends is a book I picked up on a whim. The pretty cover caught my eye and the synopsis seemed like a book I would want to read. It turned out that randomly picking this book up was a fantastic choice. Falling in love with a random book always feel special because you discovered it accidentally. This is a book of friendship, romance, and most importantly finding a way to let others in. To accept friendship and love and ourselves. It also happens to be completely charming and wonderfully written.

I had not read anything by Emma Mills before. I really wasn't sure what to expect. I found within these pages a wonderfully constructed story filled with writing that complemented the genre beautifully. There are beautiful passage of writing, but also simple and clear passages that left the story and characters take the focus. This balance works perfect for this novel and for me in general. The writing illuminates the characters and plot, and doesn't overshadow it.

Sloane is, I imagine,  deeply relatable for many people. She's someone who doesn't see the qualities in herself that everyone else loves. She doesn't see what makes her Sloane. She has a hard time letting down the walls she has built. Walls that she may not even realize are there. It was a relief to get a character like Sloane. Her flaws felt realistic to who her character is. Nothing about her felt forced and created simply to have conflict within the story.

This novel boasts a strong cast of secondary characters. Each of them is entirely captivating and fully realized character. From the outgoing and vivacious Vera, the serious but huge hearted Gabe, to the insightful and fabulous Frank, each of the shines in their own way. I would read an entire book about Frank. He's charisma and charm made him steal every scene he was in. These characters are the heart of the novel. This is a group of friends you would want to join instantly. One that cares deeply, protects viciously, and loves unconditionally.

Parents in YA are rare. Even more rare are ones that are important and vital to the storyline. Sloane's father is vital to the story and highlights one of the novel's major themes. Her father is a Nicholas Sparks type writer who is currently suffering from writer's block. He becomes obsessed with fanfiction, mostly thanks to Vera. Not just any fanfiction, but fanfiction written about what is basically the equivalent of a CW show. It provides plenty of humour and fun moments, but it's real purpose is quietly underneath. The things we care about challenge and change us. They, often, make us better people. It can be other people, books, TV shows, or any other artistic outlet. These passions make us happy, and invigorate and inspire us. That drive is a beautiful thing, and something everyone should embrace. Sloane is learning to chase that passion in her own messy, complicated way, and Emma Mills lets that be okay. They can be messy and sometimes hurt us, but they are worth it. I love the care and respect Emma Mills gave fans and fandoms because they truly are magical. A fandom, much like deep friendships, can offer support, and like minded people to bond with and finding those people means everything.

A book about the friends you would 'straight up kill for' and the unexpected ways we find our people. A story that firmly lands Emma Mills into the 'one to watch' category for contemporary young adult reads.