BOOKS

Cass writes a letter to her best friend Julia. The only problem? Julia is dead. She had been killed in a car crash a few months earlier and Cass is trying desperately to deal with it.

From that first letter written to Julia, which is how the story begins, you can’t put the book down. Emily Horner, the author, does an awesome job of making you empathize with Cass and her friends, and you quickly find yourself rooting for Cass to figure out how to deal with her relationships.

Through Julia’s death, Cass learns how to find herself and accept her sexuality. She realizes that Julia’s death was not only tragic because she lost a friend, but that she also lost the first person she thought she ever loved, too.

Cass tries to accept Julia’s death by taking a trip to California—one she and Julia were supposed to do together—only on bike. Readers will discover that the story’s viewpoint shifts from “Then” (Cass’ time on her bike trip) to “Now” (Cass and Julia’s other friends making sure that the last play Julia ever wrote, Totally Sweet Ninja Death, makes it to the stage). The play helps to tie up some loose ends between Julia’s friends, and even brings in Cass’s enemy, Heather, who rudely commented on her sexuality through middle school. 

A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend is definitely for a more mature audience, who are ready to read about the troubles gay teens can face today. It’s a story about friendship, love and traveling hundreds of miles for self discovery.

Be sure to check out A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner  (releasing tomorrow, June 10) and let us know your thoughts.

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