This is a book about a boy and a girl who meet through the song I'll be there by the Jackson 5 (one of my favorite songs, what a coincidence). Emily Bell is a perfect girl, goes to church, is in the church choir, gets good marks in school, has a loving family. Just an ordinary life. All of this changes when Sam Smith walks into her church on a Sunday morning and looks straight at her when she sings I'll be there in her church. Not perfectly but purely.Sam is a boy who was taken away from his mom by his schizophrenic dad, along with his little brother Riddle. Ever since his dad has been taken them everywhere and nowhere. They leave as soon as the people in the town start to know them. Never staying in one place for long in fear of getting caught. The boys practically have to raise themselves because their dad is not taking care of them, not even feeding them. They are scared of him. When Sam meets Emily everything changes for him too.She starts to see there is more to life then what is in her small town. He starts to see that normal people aren't all that bad and that maybe he should get him and Riddle away from that awful man. It's a love story that breaks you into pieces because of all the pain the boys have to go through.I had a hard time getting through the book because the way it was written. Some parts were skipped over too quickly. The characters were rushed. But other parts took forever. It couldn't really get my attention. Nevertheless the story was pretty good. There is a lot of potential there. The ending was a bit predictable. I really, really enjoyed this book. A lot of people did not like the "tell not show" aspect of the writing style, but I did not mind it. I really liked the Bell parents in this novel - they were thoughtful, hard-working parents who were in tune with what was going on with their children. I adored Riddle, who was a wonderful character. The character of Bobby cracked me up and allowed for well-placed humor. Ironically, the only thing I didn't like was the instant love at first sight, instant connection between Emily and Sam (I'm not a love at first sight kind of girl). The depth of emotion between the two seemed too Hollywood-ish for me and there were a few times where I just wanted to shake Emily. I really like books with various characters who are all interconnected and I found the ending quite enjoyable. And, who doesn't like a little Jackson 5 as a mental soundtrack? I am looking forward to reading "Just Call My Name", and after finishing a not-so-great read ("Book of Spies", I'm looking at you), this was a pleasant spur-of-the moment pick.
Do You like book I'll Be There. Siempre Contigo (2012)?
Loved this book it was full of emotion and i loved it
—Nina
