2016 Most Anticipated - When We Collided

I saved one of the final spots in my 2016 Most Anticipated event for this book. I've had the chance to read it, and every single thing about it will linger after you've finished. It's a book that breaks your heart and mends it. It's a book that leaves you devastated, but also leaves you soaring. It has nabbed the spot of favourite book by this particular author by a landslide.

The  Goodreads synopsis should be enough to entice you to pick up this incredible book.

Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them.

Vivi and Jonah couldn't be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the answer to everything. But soon Vivi's zest for life falters, as her adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her safe, but there's something important Vivi hasn't told him.

Perfect for fans of E. Lockhart and Jandy Nelson, When We Collided is a powerful story of two teens whose love is put to the test by forces beyond their control.

It really is everything that blurb promises and more. It's beautiful, and important. It's the type of book that will make you want to push it on everyone after you've finished.

Emery kindly took some time to answer a few of my questions and share what drink she thinks pairs nicely with When We Collided (among other things).

1 Twitter pitch When We Collided (140 characters or less) 

A boy who had to grow up too soon, a girl who refuses to, and what happens when they collide.

2 If someone were to make a signature drink in honour of your book, what might be included? 

I think sparkling basil lemonade. Sunny tart lemonade for Viv- earthy, versatile basil for Jonah.

3 Your blog post about what inspired this book was incredible. You mentioned wanting to drive back stereotypes, shame and silence by using words. What do you feel makes words the best way to fight these? 

Thanks! There's a lot of private suffering with mental illness- not just those who are trying to navigate it, but their loved ones too. It's like a different language that you speak only with family, closest friends. But the truth is that SO MANY people speak it. To find out who, sometimes you have to say a word in that language first- "depression" or "lithium" or "manic episode." When you realize how many people deeply understand- or have experienced- what you've been through, you feel less alone. And for people who don't know the language? Seeing how many people speak it gives them a sense of how diverse the population of mental illness is.

4 Let us in on one secret about one of your characters. 

It's not really a SECRET, but...in my mind, my characters all live in the same universe, so they could conceivably meet. And a few do, in the bonus material I wrote for The Start of Me & You paperback!

5 If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

ANYWHERE? Frell, to hang out with Ella and Prince Char :)

6 What three things do you need while revising? 

playlists, kettle corn & Diet Coke

7 What 2016 release are you most anticipating? 

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson!

IS ANYONE ELSE FLAILING ABOUT THIS BONUS MATERIAL CHARACTER MEET UP?! OMG!

Her answer to question 3 should be flashing and starred but just go back and read it again if you skimmed. This is why this novel is so important. On a different note - how can you not love her answer of Frell?! Emery's also the only author to choose a literary place to go to (and I did say anywhere).

When We Collided releases April 5, 2016 and can be pre-ordered right now from any retailer.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble

You can also follow Emery on Twitter, visit her website, and find out more about her books on the publisher website.

Be sure to stop by Monday where I showcase a few other books to add to your 2016 lists (along with reasons I am anticipating them).

Have you read an Emery Lord book before? If not, fix that immediately. Let me know in the comments what your favourite part of reading contemporary novels is.