Emmy & Oliver Review

Emmy & Oliver
Robin Benway
HarperTeen
June 23, 2015
4/5
Quotes: 

“Could you please stop dripping your sarcasm all over my car’s interior?”
“The only way I could describe what kissing him felt like was, like the last day of school, knowing that months of freedom and sunshine lay before you, the feeling that you could do anything you wanted and time stretched out in endless possibilities.”
“That’s when I first learned about true frustration, that wrenching ache when the thing that matters the most to you barely makes a ripple in other people’s lives.”
“The world continues to spin even when we want it to stop, I thought. Especially then.”

Emmy & Oliver is a book that tackles a tough topic like kidnapping in a teachable manner. Due to this subject alone, it’s actually not as heavy as you’d think it would be, it has some fun and easy going moments. It’s a book that you’ll be unable to put down once you pick it up for the first time.
Emmy’s next door neighbor and best friend Oliver disappeared ten years ago and never came back. Now, he suddenly enters Emmy and the rest of her friends and families lives as quickly as he left it. The book is really about how everyone in the town was massively affected by Oliver being kidnapped. Emmy’s parents became afraid to let her out of their sight, his mom became a mess, and many other similar stories. Oliver was kidnapped by his own father. His parents were separated and his father knew it was unlikely that he’d get to see his son often so he took off with him and told Oliver his mother left them. The novel deals with the aftermath of Oliver’s return.

Emmy is actually rather boring besides her love for surfing. No worries, her best friends Caro and Drew make up for her lack of personality. Caro is sassy, organized, and downright hilarious. Drew also has his own level of sass and funny moments throughout the novel that you can’t help but love. Emmy’s father is protective of her, but at the same time, he says these hysterical things that make you laugh out loud without a doubt.

The relationship between Emmy & Oliver is one of my favorite YA relationships that I’ve read recently. I think the awesome thing about it is how they were best friends as kids and it’s sweet how they have flashbacks in order from the last time they saw each other to the first, spread out throughout the novel. I love that things aren’t always perfect between them, they banter a lot but it’s a playful and adorable romance that fans of Young Adult books can’t help but love.

Emmy & Oliver stands out because I personally have never read a YA book that has this type of kidnapping storyline. I particularly love how Benway explores the mixed feelings that Oliver feels towards his father. He hates him for taking him away from his life, but he also grew so used to living life with his father, who kept him safe and happy, and doesn’t know how to be without him. The childhood best friend turned lovers as teenagers isn’t a new one, but Benway still adds a fresh perspective through the distinctive flashbacks.

This is the second best book I’ve read this summer (Saint Anything is first) and I definitely recommend it. As I previously mentioned, it’s not anything heavy, but it’s still a powerful and lovely read that you don’t want to miss out on. I especially think that it’s geared towards those who obviously enjoy these types of books, but I also believe that adults might love it just as much.