End of the Year BONUS Book Review - Let's Get Lost, - Never, Always, Sometimes - North of Happy

3 for 1 Review Post: Books by Adi Alsaid

📖Recommended for Grades 8 and up📖

Let’s Get Lost

            While on a road trip to see the Northern Lights, Leila makes four interesting stops. At each stop, she meets a different individual, with their own story to tell that she suddenly finds herself a part of. There is Hudson, a mechanic who dreams of becoming a doctor, Bree who has run away from her overbearing older sister who is also her guardian, Elliot who needs help dealing with his unrequited love, and Sonia who has found love, but at the worst time. These four share nothing in common other than Leila entering and exiting their lives.  

            This book is broken down into five parts each with its own narrator. Hudson, Bree, Elliot, Sonia, and finally Leila. While readers may not care for every character and their story, they will enjoy the overall story of Leila’s journey and may find one individual character they are truly passionate about.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

📖Recommended for Grades 9 and up📖

Never, Always, Sometimes

            Before freshman year, best friends Dave and Julia created a list of things they will never do in order to avoid becoming high school clichés. With high school coming to an end and the fear of missing out sets in, they decide that instead of following their list of rules during senior year, they should break them, one rule at a time. Little does Julia know that when Dave starts dating Gretchen, he puts aside the one rule he wanted to break all along, “Never date your best friend.”

            While predictable at times, this is a book not to be missed, especially if you find yourself liking Alsaid’s other books. Dave and Julia are both likable characters and readers will enjoy their adventure of breaking the self-made rules they kept for three years.
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

📖Recommended for Grades 9 and up📖

North of Happy 

            After the death of his brother, Carlos, a recent high school graduate and dual citizen of Mexico and the United States decide to forgo his wealthy parent’s post-high school plans for him. Instead, Carlos leaves Mexico City and head for the Seattle area in hopes of working with his favorite celebrity chef. After securing a job as a dishwasher, things start to look up, until he falls for the boss’ daughter and things get complicated.

            Any teen struggling with living their dream, but dealing with parental expectations will find themselves relating to Carlos. The restaurant where Carlos starts working is filled with characters that are a splendid addition to Carlos’ story. The story has a hint of magical realism – Carlos finds confront in seeing and hearing his brother, but without feeling like he’s going crazy.
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio