#youvereachedsam

[puffy-eyed-co]

There are so many moments I wish I could relive again. Especially the smaller ones. The quieter ones that we often don’t think about. Those are the moments I look back and miss the most. Us sitting on the floor in Sam’s room doing homework together, or watching movie musicals in Mika’s living room on the weekends. Or that time we decided to grab blankets and bring them to the backyard to watch the sunrise together, for no reason. We stayed up all night, talking about what we wanted to do ten years from now, waiting to see that burning red glow curve along a dark sky, oblivious to the significance of seeing another day. And oblivious to a future when one of us would be gone.

Julie // You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

[lettersfromherr]

Here i thought that nothing hurts more than a breakup but Dustin Thao proved me wrong. I don't think I'll ever be okay

[lostbookishsblog]

And when I think about my life, I think of you in it. You are my entire world, Julie. And one day, maybe I’ll only be a small piece of yours. I hope you keep that piece.”

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Totally and utterly heartbroken. I don't think I'll ever be the same person as before. Books have a way of inflicting themselves on you leading to a distinctly different version of yourself. Regardless of how small this difference is, it finds a way to mark your soul forever.

[puffy-eyed-co]

“We have too many voices inside our heads. You have to pick out the ones that mean something to you. What story do you want to tell?”

Mr. Lee // You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

[puffy-eyed-co]

I really need to focus again, and pull myself together, because what else am I supposed to do? The world keeps moving, no matter what happens to you.

– Julie // You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

[xthetichaavya91]

You’ve Reached Sam is a contemporary YA novel that follows Julie Clarke, a teenage girl who is grieving the death of her boyfriend Sam. After his sudden passing, she discovers she can send voicemails to him using a mysterious voicemail app. As she talks to Sam, she grapples with loss, guilt, and the process of moving forward.

The novel’s strength lies in its emotional exploration of grief and love. Julie’s journey feels realistic, showing how someone navigates heartbreak while holding onto hope and memories. The story balances sorrow with moments of warmth, humor, and reflection, making it heartfelt without being melodramatic.

The pacing is steady, with Julie’s personal growth at the center, rather than relying on dramatic twists. The supernatural voicemail element adds intrigue and gives the book a unique twist on the typical “grief story.”

Overall, You’ve Reached Sam is a touching, emotional, and character-driven story about love, loss, and learning to let go. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy bittersweet contemporary YA with a hopeful message. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[the-quiet-quire]

"If you need a good cry, pick up You’ve Reached Sam. A must-read.

[sisig-ackerman]

Been reading more books lately and just finished “You’ve Reached Sam” by Dustin Thao. It was really good and sad but his other book “When Haru Was Here” wrecked me - i was upset LOL.