If I Stay - Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The last thing Mia remembers is the music.

After the accident, she can still hear it. And she can see her damaged body being taken from the wreck of her parents' car - even though she can't feel a thing.

All she can do is watch as doctors rush to save her life, as her friends and relatives gather outside her room, as the boy she loves struggles to be near her.

As the next twenty-four hours unfold, Mia must come to terms with what came before the crash - and what could come after. And she knows she must make the most difficult choice of all.



When I got sent this from the publishers to read and review I couldn’t wait; I heard that it was going to be made into a film and I was keen to read this before its release. Being just over 200 pages I knew it wasn’t going to take me long.

At the beginning we are introduced to Mia, a seventeen year old who has a typical teenager’s life. We can identify with her, her family relationship and the relationship she has with her boyfriend Adam. Although this story is a Young Adult’s novel, I feel there are adult themes in the book and adults can relate to aspects of Mia’s life. Looking back and reminiscing.

The opening chapter of this book we discover the close relationship Mia has with the rest of her family, I particularly loved Teddy, her younger brother. I have a younger brother myself so some of the feelings Mia have towards her brother I could relate too as I have felt myself. It doesn’t take long though for the tension and suspense in the book to shift and by page 11 or 12 we are thrown into a family tragedy.

Mia is awake and can see what is happening in front of her, she can hear, speak and see. She is unable to feel anything though and soon realises that something is wrong, she is not the same as she was, when she woke up this morning and where are her family. Mia has to make one of the most difficult decisions anyone would ever have to make over the next 24 hours or so and that is should she stay?

The book alternates from the past and to the present, along the way we discover more about Mia and her family. This is truly a touching story and one that has evoked many emotions. I rarely feel sad during books; this one however has really got to me. I have found myself sitting thinking about what I have read and questioning myself. This is a deeply touching story that will have a lasting effect on anyone who reads it.

Although the book is just over 200 pages I found that I thought it was a lot longer and this is because of how it has been written and how it makes you feel. It is truly moving and touching. I didn’t read this in one sitting; however it is completely possible to do so. I am so glad that I have been able to read this before the release of the film. This is a book that I urge everyone to read, it also makes you realise how short life is and that you should embrace it. You never know what is round the corner and should live life to the full.

I cannot wait to read Where She Went the sequel of If I Stay.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

Below is the trailer for the film...