Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Through to You” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Through to You

Emily Hainsworth (Goodreads Author)

3.54 · Rating details · 2,352 ratings · 379 reviews

Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. He’d give anything to have just one more glimpse of her. But when Cam visits the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees an apparition. Her name is Nina, and she’s a girl from a parallel world. When Cam follows her there and makes an unbelievable discovery, it’s as if all his wildest dreams have come t ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published October 2nd 2012 by Balzer + Bray

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Through to You, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

2012 Debut Authors (Young Adult & Middle Grade)

1,047 books — 6,567 voters

2012 YA & MG Debut Authors: The Apocalypsies!

270 books — 1,167 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.54 ·

Rating details

· 2,352 ratings · 379 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Through to You

Jun 21, 2012 B rated it it was ok

Shelves: judge-a-book-by-the-cover, read-reviewed, 2-stars, hand-me-some-tissues, 2012-reads, i-totally-saw-that-coming, netgalley-edelweiss-arc, didn-t-see-that-coming, disappointments, hurry-up

(Warning: Possible spoilers, but really nothing you won't find in the synopsis)

Actual Rating: 2.5 stars

On my one and only status update for this book, a brief discussion was held on how there are so many books in the YA genre recently that have an immense amount of potential, but, unfortunately, that potential is never met. And while unmet potential sadly is very common in YA, I went in to this book with very high expectations, sure that I would absolutely love it, only to be disappointed in th ...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2011 Wendy Darling rated it really liked it

Recommended to Wendy Darling by: Christina (A Reader of Fictions)

Shelves: read-2012, sci-fi-or-futuristic, 2012-publication, harpercollins, young-adult, october

3.5 stars A bit uneven in the middle, verging on tv drama at times, and characters certainly could have been developed more, but I still found this to be extremely unusual and enjoyable and a bit bittersweet.

Fans of Cold Kiss' meditative take on grief and loss might enjoy this one. A promising debut. ...more

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

Jan 02, 2016 Cee (The Mistress Case) rated it did not like it

Boo Hoo, I don't care.

This review sums up everything. ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Mar 20, 2011 Tamara Stone rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, apocalypsies-debuts, ya

I truly don’t know where to start with my review of Emily Hainsworth’s debut. Maybe just to say this: THROUGH TO YOU is my favorite kind of book.

I have to admit, I really wanted to love this novel before I even opened it. Emily and I are friends, so of course I hoped I’d enjoy her story. Instead I was over-the-top impressed from beginning to end.

I devoured it in a matter of days, hiding away from friends and family just to sneak in another page or two before I was missed. I ultimately finished ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Apr 04, 2012 Rose rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, tough-subjects, contemporary, drama, romance, tbr-challenge

Initial reaction: I'm on the fence about "Through to You" because I think the novel became so much better towards the end, but the beginning and middle were muddled to heck and back. I was incredibly frustrated with it in parts. I read the audiobook version provided by my library, and Jesse Bernstein is an apt narrator for it, though I think I was more frustrated with Cam's viewpoint voice in general. I understood his grief and heck, even understood the emotions and desperation that came with it ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Feb 26, 2012 Kelly rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2012

I love looking at how many genres and subgenres this book is shelved as -- fantasy, paranormal, sci fi, dystopia, romance, contemporary, and thriller are just a few. But that in and of itself is one of the greatest strengths of Hainsworth's debut. It's got a little bit of each of these and because of that, this book is very fresh.

Camden Pike lost his girlfriend Viv in a car wreck, and he walks by the utility pole memorial everyday, hoping he'll see her just one more time. The accident was the re ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 27, 2017 Dawnie rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book is very different.

I think the idea of two worlds that are connected through the place a tragic event happened on both "sides" is great.
I think how the author handled that specific aspect of the story -the two different/similar/switched worlds- was great.

I really liked how small things where different that didn't seem like a big deal but at the same time made a huge different to the actual lives of the people. Because that is just how it really is, isn't it? Even the simplest choice ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 18, 2012 Isamlq rated it it was ok

Through to You and I do not love each other. For starters, Cam’s plight had me feeling more of ‘Get on with it, mope-y grieving boy,’ instead of my usual ‘I weep for you, sad one.’ He’s just got so angsty, him and his drowning in his grief. And I got, in fact I did get it the first couple of paragraphs in… but to drag it on for what seemed like chapters? It bored me, is all.

My indifference was not at all aided by that sudden shift into Twilight Zone. Instead of piquing my interest, I wound up c Through to You and I do not love each other. For starters, Cam’s plight had me feeling more of ‘Get on with it, mope-y grieving boy,’ instead of my usual ‘I weep for you, sad one.’ He’s just got so angsty, him and his drowning in his grief. And I got, in fact I did get it the first couple of paragraphs in… but to drag it on for what seemed like chapters? It bored me, is all.

My indifference was not at all aided by that sudden shift into Twilight Zone. Instead of piquing my interest, I wound up confused and all brow a-furrow again, wondering WTF was going on. Too a jarring shift to be honest. So now, I’m struggling to sum it all up without spoiling things, but I will say things are not as they seem and once he steps through he and comes away completely changed. His view on what’s lost and his view on what’s important are altered.

But, let me try it this way: there’s a before and after to him. Most of the ‘before’ we learn from his recollections. He was top jock till’ till he got injured, then everything became simply about Viv. Forward years on when he loses her too, and his a wreck. wreck. Wreck. A fact made more obvious by his treatment of everyone still bothering with him. I mean sure, his parents are basically out of the picture, and yes the therapist says exactly what you’d think a therapist would (*predictable*), but my point is they barely don’t rate in his world at all. It’s all Viv was this and Viv was that. It’s all about her and that she’s not there. So obviously, him losing her wrecks him. That it wrecks him at all should signal that something s not quite right.

Then there’s after after, when the weird creeps in and the odd comes out. And I should have liked this introduction of the different; it’s just that I wasn’t buying it the easy explanations laid out. There’s barely any explanation actually, all just happening and no why-for. That’s my beef with it I suppose because in this after, we see how he must have been before it all. In love and happy and more than willing to do what another wants him to do (pushover?)

Revelations made and acceptance underway, it’s obvious he learns that what he made of people and what they really were weren’t always going to go together. Then there’s that obvious bit of feeling good does not equal the right thing. Mostly though it’s accepting that things are the way they are… and things change; that people do as well… I’m just wish it could have all been delivered in less angsty boy mope-y kind of way.

2/5
...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 09, 2012 Ari rated it really liked it

Shelves: must-read, arc-galley-or-author

Well, this was an interesting story. (~ 3.5 stars)

These days I try to read all different books, and so far I've managed to get my hands on some very interesting and refreshing stories.
I've come to see that grief and paranormal/sci-fi can work pretty well together - this book is a nice example.

THE GOOD

The concept:
Two different worlds so different but so similar?
Choices that could change everything?
The other side if the coin?
What happens when two worlds collide? When people are dead on one ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it really liked it

Originally posted on A Reader of Fictions.

Through to You is one of those books that reminds me, in case I could forget, why I love to read YA fiction. It's a genre-blending, throught-provoking, creepy, beautiful, unique book. Prepare to be surprised, confused and refreshed by a read that doesn't fall into the usual YA plot lines.

At first, Through to You comes off a straight contemporary. We join Cam mired in his grief, two months after the death of his girlfriend Viv in a car accident. He was wi Originally posted on A Reader of Fictions.

Through to You is one of those books that reminds me, in case I could forget, why I love to read YA fiction. It's a genre-blending, throught-provoking, creepy, beautiful, unique book. Prepare to be surprised, confused and refreshed by a read that doesn't fall into the usual YA plot lines.

At first, Through to You comes off a straight contemporary. We join Cam mired in his grief, two months after the death of his girlfriend Viv in a car accident. He was with her, but she died and he lived. He spends his time at the memorial at the site of the accident and wallowing, doing his best to avoid any connections with anyone, be it his psychiatrist, his family or his friend Mike. He feels responsible for Viv's death, and has little interest in his own life. His only real goal at this point his keeping his depression hidden enough that he won't be put on pills that might make him forget her.

Viv and Cam used to be the power couple, the star quarterback and the gorgeous cheerleader. Two years before, though, he hurt his leg in an accident and couldn't recover well enough for football. She quit cheerleading to spend more time with him. Their friends, caught up in the social activities, almost all abandoned them. They built their lives around one another. Now, with Viv gone, Cam's grief is tangible. I could feel his ache for her.

One of the most impressive things about Through to You is the authenticity of Camden's voice. He felt one hundred percent like a male to me. Writing a book from the perspective of a character with a different gender than one's own is tricky, but Hainsworth has pulled it off beautifully. The first person narration fit the story perfectly, and I really just loved Hainsworth's writing style.

The novel takes a science fiction/fantasy turn when he sees what he thinks is a ghost. Nina turns out to be a girl from an alternate universe, one where Viv still lives. What an impressive concept! If you were mired in grief, separated forever from the person you love, what would you do to get them back again? Would you leave your universe for another? The why of the situation never gets explained, but this wasn't the kind of book where that bothered me at all. The curiosity of why its happening is part of the fun.

From a philosophical perspective, I could not get enough of the alternate universe stuff. The people are the same physically, and many of their circumstances are identical. However, are they truly the same? How much can two counterparts differ? The characterization is almost entirely stunning. I say almost because I'm not entirely sure about Viv. It might have been helpful to get to see something of Viv and Cam's relationship before her death. Without it, I had no sense of who she'd really been as a person, so I had no real idea how to feel about her counterpart.

Emily Hainsworth packs a lot of emotion into this relatively brief novel. If you enjoyed C. K. Kelly Martin's My Beating Teenage Heart or Amy Garvey's Cold Kiss, get your hands on this book stat. Through to You alternately wowed me with its gorgeous prose and frightened me with its eeriness. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 03, 2011 Nafiza rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2012

This novel surprised me by its depth. It was more substantial than I had expected it to be and reading it was a pleasure. While the premise is rather bleak with a bereaved Camden trying to search a way out of his all encompassing grief and finding a second chance, the execution of the novel saves it from being depressing and too emotional. I was not sure that I would like the male narrator as I usually have trouble with them but I needn’t have worried as Camden’s voice is readable and is not…how This novel surprised me by its depth. It was more substantial than I had expected it to be and reading it was a pleasure. While the premise is rather bleak with a bereaved Camden trying to search a way out of his all encompassing grief and finding a second chance, the execution of the novel saves it from being depressing and too emotional. I was not sure that I would like the male narrator as I usually have trouble with them but I needn’t have worried as Camden’s voice is readable and is not…how should I say it, there is no obvious effort to make him sound like a guy. What I mean by this is that usually when female writers write male characters, they add stuff like “man” and “dude” to their dialogue to make them sound manlier. Okay fine, not usually but enough times that I have to come to expect it. And there usually is a stilted awkwardness about the character which indicates that the author is not quite comfortable writing in a male voice.

However, there is none of that in Through to You. Camden is simply a teenager trying to deal with the loss of the most important person in his life. I found his sessions with his shrink to be engaging and revealing of his character. He is, in many ways, a typical teenager dealing with emotion in the only way he knows: by shutting down and retreating into himself. There is a lots of angst as there are parental issues but it is not needlessly melodramatic. Instead, it serves to deepen the reader’s understanding of Camden as a person.

Another thing I liked about this novel was how the character coming across the barrier separating the alternate worlds was not Camden’s dead girlfriend but someone else entirely. If you think about it, having the girlfriend show up would give the initial creepy factor but it would be too easy and too predictable. By switching things up, Hainsworth very cleverly portrays new facets of the story and develops Camden’s character in different ways.

The novel tackles the question of second chances; it asks whether you really know the people the way you think you do and it makes you think about the things (and people) you may be missing out or not seeing just because you are too occupied with one person or thing. It is a gripping story about coming to terms with loss, both of your own self and of other people. There are many more ways to lose people than just through death.

Camden was an interesting character as was Viv. The supporting cast of characters were also were developed. I found the pace to be spot on and the narrative to flow smoothly. I liked this one, you guys, and I think you will appreciate its fresh and innovative style too. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 01, 2012 Soumi rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, review-copies, books-i-reviewed, owned-copy, paranormal-others, mystery

I always have a special place in heart for emotional stories of grief and death. A story about how hard it is to accept death of the one you love and moving on like a mechanical being. Carrying guilt for something inevitable, grief stricken Cam can't forgive himself for Viv's death.
But what if in a parallel world, Viv's death never happened and Cam is the one who died. With appearance of strange and mysterious Nina, from a parallel world led Cam to discover the doorway between two worlds where I always have a special place in heart for emotional stories of grief and death. A story about how hard it is to accept death of the one you love and moving on like a mechanical being. Carrying guilt for something inevitable, grief stricken Cam can't forgive himself for Viv's death.
But what if in a parallel world, Viv's death never happened and Cam is the one who died. With appearance of strange and mysterious Nina, from a parallel world led Cam to discover the doorway between two worlds where another version of Viv still lives. But altering fate can have many dangerous consequences.

Cam was shown as a bereaved person, mourning for his girlfriend's death, and thus unable to let go of her memories. His character was slowly reveal as readers get more glimpse of his broken heart and his way of dealing with such deep emotions. Somehow it was easy for me to relate Cam, because he seemed very real to me with his unhealed scars running deep. His decision to be with other Viv was momentary outcome of his sorrow as he thought he found his lost love, but eventually he realized this version of Viv might not be the same girl he fell in love with.

Amongst the other characters, I adored Nina, as I considered her to be the female lead. She was the best friend of dead Cam in the other world, also was dealing with his death. In spite of her own grief and family problems, she acted more like Cam's guardian angel to guide him to the truth. She was mature for a seventeen years old, and understanding. Her compassion and companionship really grew onto me, I can't deny my respect for her character.

As for Viv, she mostly made appearance in Cam's memory and her other version showed up during Cam's crossroads between two worlds. towards end of the story, Viv's character raised a thoughtful question of everything may not what it seems to be.

The story was very original, unpredictable and prominent. The overflowing emotions of loss and sorrow was beautifully portrayed in the story, however in the very beginning things were overdone a bit too melodramatic to slow the pace and progress of the story, also there was lack of character development. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2011 Kimberly Sabatini rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mg-ya

As the end of this book was rolling into the station, I found myself yelling out loud--"Oh, no you didn't!" That was directed at Emily Hainsworth because she put in a little twist that I didn't quite expect. Nicely done! But it wasn't just that one, high-impact moment that stood out. This book was about subtle but powerful nuances of character, situation and perspective. And while this story reads like an exciting, sexy adventure, it also had my brain doing some very interesting mental gymnastic ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 25, 2011 usagi ☆ミ rated it really liked it

Shelves: alternate-universe-or-history, teenage-shennanigans, reviewed, for-review, ebook, 2012, best-of-12, edelweiss, urban-fantasy, tough-stuff

Caution: those expecting lots of action and swooning heroines - this book is mostly about coping with loss - which is so very important within YA lit, where we deny loss the most. "Through to You" was a pleasantly fun little thrill ride, though there were parts that disappointed me (namely, things that weren't talked about at all but really needed to be talked about), it was mostly pretty awesome. If you're looking for a subversively quiet sci-fi/fantasy YA book, go for "Through to You".

Okay, so Caution: those expecting lots of action and swooning heroines - this book is mostly about coping with loss - which is so very important within YA lit, where we deny loss the most. "Through to You" was a pleasantly fun little thrill ride, though there were parts that disappointed me (namely, things that weren't talked about at all but really needed to be talked about), it was mostly pretty awesome. If you're looking for a subversively quiet sci-fi/fantasy YA book, go for "Through to You".

Okay, so I think it needs to be said: this is not the feel-good book of the year. But you know what? Sometimes, that's really needed. We have our MC, Cam, mourning the recent loss of his girlfriend, Viv, and how things pretty much everywhere in his life have gone to hell. Dad is gone and took most of their family's stuff. Mom is a workaholic lawyer, and isn't around. Cam has a gimpy leg from a football injury gone wrong. His popular crowd friends have rejected him because he rejected football and physical therapy for said gimpy leg. Personally, I felt Hainsworth went a little far with building Cam as this character with nearly nothing left to lose, but at the same time, it works brilliantly with everything by the end of the book - because we see that the stakes have been reversed, and there's the chance that maybe, he has everything left to lose - he just doesn't see it.

Alongside the theme of loss is that of M-Theory/the Multiverse, and how things might have been different had we chosen differently. I can't help but think that Nina's name, as well as her role within the book was a bit of a tribute to "Fringe" (similar character, same name), which I really liked. That aside, what needed to be there and what wasn't there was the more thorough explanation of the multiverse. Yes, happily it's a theme that's finally getting explored more in YA as of late (this is fourth book this year alone being published with M-Theory as a large part of the plot), but as it's still being explored within the realm of quantum physics, I felt like there needed to be a bit more of an explanation. What we got was adequate, but just not thorough enough. I didn't need a whole monologue about it, but the explanation of "in my world x, in your world y" just didn't cut it for me. That's a really big part of worldbuilding that just didn't happen, and it really needed to. Had there been a little bit more worldbuilding in the explaining department, it definitely would have boosted my enjoyment of the book.

There's also the theme of regret attached to those choices - why did I choose X instead of Y? This theme is very, very quiet throughout most of the book, and it's only within the last 10% or so that we get Cam really thinking and acting on that theme, as well as reflecting on the fact that his Viv may not have been the wonderful goddess-like figure that he'd worshipped both before and after her death.

Generally, though, this is a wonderful book when it comes to exploring loss, death, and choices. Hainsworth crafts wonderful MCs, and fleshes them out via the relationship web of character building (which can also be used for worldbuilding - it wasn't here), making them all feel real. While we can't yet go over to parallel worlds and see what might have been, it might one day become a reality. But until then, we have stories like this to remind us the gravity of our everyday choices - from the smallest thing like choosing what to eat to life-altering choices like choosing to quit sports at school (life-altering for teens). It's very quiet, contemplative, and subversively good.

"Through to You" is out from Balzer+Bray/HarperTeen in North America on October 2, 2012, so be sure to check it out then. It's really a lovely read.

(posted to goodreads, shelfari, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com) ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 21, 2012 Beth rated it it was ok

Shelves: disappointment, quick-read, loved-the-premise, whiny-girls, oooh-intriguing, it-s-not-you-it-s-me, great-expectations, couldn-t-put-it-down, wanted-to-love-but, 2012-reads

2.5 stars

I downgraded this because, in all honesty, I think I was considering more my intense love of the premise rather than the weaknesses of the novel.

I love the idea of parallel dimensions. I love it! There seemed to be so many possibilities of interesting places that Hainsworth could take this...

MY READING EXPERIENCE IN STAGES
15%: Okay, so we're dropped into the typical Angsty Narrator. Poor baby, your girlfriend died...there is zero originality in this, and there's nothing original about C ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 24, 2013 Abigail Clayton rated it really liked it

Through To You, by Emily Hainsworth
Book Review by Abigail Clayton

Through To You, by Emily Hainsworth, is a novel telling an “oh so classic” teenage love story, and what is a classic without a few twists? This teenage love story incorporates not only the drama and emotional aspects shown through the main character of Cam's life, but also the idea of there being another world. This world could be considered the “Realm of Being,” pertaining to The Great Chain Of Being. In the “Other World,” everyth Through To You, by Emily Hainsworth
Book Review by Abigail Clayton

Through To You, by Emily Hainsworth, is a novel telling an “oh so classic” teenage love story, and what is a classic without a few twists? This teenage love story incorporates not only the drama and emotional aspects shown through the main character of Cam's life, but also the idea of there being another world. This world could be considered the “Realm of Being,” pertaining to The Great Chain Of Being. In the “Other World,” everything to Real World Cam seems so perfect, but to the Other World Viv, who could be considered Cam's girlfriend, things could not be worse.
Drama is apart of a teenager's everyday life. This novel shows how everything is not always what it seems. For Cam, his drama and emotional problems are not just superficial worries and insignificant events. Cam lost his girlfriend Viv in a car accident, along with his father leaving and a debilitating knee injury. He's an emotional wreck and can't seem to keep his life or emotions in check. Cam goes to Dr. Summers and she offers him medicine to cure him, but medicine can not cure theimpact of these tragic events. I think everyone in the world can relate to losing a loved one. It is a really hard task to go through and Cam represents how an average person can relate to this experience. However, Cam does have a cure. He has a way out of the pain and emotional problems. He has another world.
A major theme shown through Cam, Other World Viv and through out this novel is the theme of letting go and moving on. Both of the main characters are faced with letting go but now that they've found each other in these different worlds, the theme has suddenly become holding on. However, Nina, a girl who has been through the portal of the two worlds has two different roles. The role of helping Cam grieve and let go, and the role of her possibly being the better choice for him and moving on from Viv. Nina and Cam's relationship is awkward but steady and hasn't been broken off. While their relationship stays steady, Nina knows that the portal is closing and Cam will soon have to make up his mind. Cam has to understand that Viv has never been the right girl for him, and that letting go and opening his eyes up to a world of options is the best thing. If he can let go, he could see a perfect life within the life he has. Sometimes the realest things are the things you can't see.
Overall, Through to You, is a good read. I would recommend this novel to teenagers, and anyone who has lost a loved one. They could easily relate to Cam's grieving, Cam and Viv's relationship, or Cam and Nina's relationship. I do not recommend this book for people under the age of fifteen due to the fact that there is cursing, and sexual scenes. This novel can easily relate to readers and has a suspenseful, drama filled quality that really gets a reader hooked. Through To You has themes such as letting go, grieving, love, and holding on, which makes the overall plot relate to the reader and keeps the reader interested. I really enjoyed Through To You, and thought Emily Hainsworth did a great job constructing an exciting, love story that readers can relate to and love.
...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 01, 2011 tarawrawr rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2012debut, challenge-dac2012

Review originally posted on my blog http://hobbitsies.net/2012/10/through...

Through to You by Emily Hainsworth is one of those books that you just know is super creepy and wrong, but at the same time you can’t stop reading. I was fascinated and sickened by Through to You. It was beautiful and haunting and just…wrong.

I loved Cam and I felt for him in Through to You. His pain over the loss of Viv broke my heart and gah, I just loved Emily Hainsworth’s portrayal of Cam. I thought his heartache and ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 22, 2011 Jena marked it as to-read

whooa this sounds good.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2018 Travis Cantonwine rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Those who love a fresh quick book that is bound to tear some emotions from your flesh

Here is a nice, spoiler-free(-ish) review, from the heart. I rated by 5 stars and as you can see from the four yellow stars above, I rate this 4 stars overall. Here is why:

Characterization
3/5 Stars

Camdon Pike lost his girlfriend, and loss is not a new thing for many people--including me. Emily Hainsworth did wonderfully (for the most part) on showing how a human can crumble, although humans crumble differently. Cam crumbled exceptionally, for his father is absent and his mother as well--sometime ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2019 Becca marked it as to-read

Shelves: fiction, quit-reading-might-still-finish, things-i-hate-to-admit-i-read, read-to-me-please, ya-books-are-cooler-than-oa-books, dumb-romance-plot

Twice I've started this book. Twice I've quit. Maybe I'll try again in 2 years. Third time's the charm? ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 11, 2019 Mary rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars. Quick read and interesting story

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 20, 2020 Carmen rated it liked it · review of another edition

It was just an enjoyable read. Nothing very special but made me spend some good time

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2017 Emily rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction

I loved the turn of events. It was a really enjoyable book

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2014 Khadiza Parvin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Khadiza Parvin
Period 6
Through To You
By: Emily Hainsworth

“For this is Wisdom; to love, to live,
To take what Fate, or the Gods, may give,
To ask no question, to make no prayer,
To kiss the lips and caress the hair

I assume that Through To You is more than a typical Twilight Series, that I have read several times, but this novel… just hits the bomb shell. As a matter of fact, Through To You is the type of book that shows me the will to love again, even though you’re facing difficulties in li ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 22, 2012 Rachel rated it really liked it

Earlier this week, this book showed up at my library because apparently I had put it on hold. I don't remember doing this, but I figured I might as well read it since I've heard good things about it and the concept sounded interesting. Just a warning, this review is going to have one spoiler, because it would be pretty difficult for me to write a. But otherwise I'm going to try to make it spoiler free :).

Through to You was definitely better than I expected it to be. The whole apparition thing ha Earlier this week, this book showed up at my library because apparently I had put it on hold. I don't remember doing this, but I figured I might as well read it since I've heard good things about it and the concept sounded interesting. Just a warning, this review is going to have one spoiler, because it would be pretty difficult for me to write a. But otherwise I'm going to try to make it spoiler free :).

Through to You was definitely better than I expected it to be. The whole apparition thing had me wary because I'm not into ghosts or anything of the sort and I was really hoping the book wouldn't be focused on that. It turns out, this Nina that Cam sees is a real girl (I think?) and lives in a parallel world. Like the synopsis says, Cam follows Nina into her world and makes a wild discovery. In the parallel world, his girlfriend Viv is still alive! But the other Cam (the parallel world one), is dead. Both Cam and Viv think all their problems have been solved if they can figure out some way to stay together. But as Cam spends more time with both Viv and Nina, he learns that things in this world are not the same as they are in his world, and the two girls are not who he thinks they are.

I really liked Cam as the main character. I don't read many books from male viewpoints because I have a difficult time connecting, but Hainsworth did a great job getting the reader into Cam's head. His grief over losing his girlfriend was apparent, but not overdone. Viv, on the other hand, I was not a fan of. She came off as clingy, possessive, and much of her behavior was a bit bizarre. I think she's supposed to come off this way, though. Either way, she made me rather uncomfortable and I was questioning her sanity throughout. Nina was a great character. I think I connected with her the most out of the three. She's incredibly caring and thoughtful, and made a lot of difficult decisions throughout the novel that I found admirable. Overall, I was pleased with the various characters, even if I wasn't a fan of all of them (ahem, Viv).

The way Hainsworth combined elements of both the paranormal and contemporary genres was interesting. Because it was a very contemporary type novel, the paranormal part of the story came off as very realistic. How cool would it be if there was another world out there similar to our own? Ok, it would be kind of creepy, but in Through to You it felt perfectly normal. It wasn't overpowering and the paranormal elements were a minor part of the story. I think they added some depth and gave the story a twist that it wouldn't have had otherwise (considering there wouldn't really be a story without the parallel world).

Through to You was a very fast read for me. I kind of wished it would have been a longer book as some of it seemed a bit rushed, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This review (and more!) can be found at Rachel Reads ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 20, 2012 Cyle rated it liked it

Shelves: romance, ya, fantasy, mystery, scifi

GENRE: YA Science Fiction
THEME: Angst/Romance
RECEIVED: ALA
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
Through to You by Emily Hainsworth was not particularly what I was expecting, the story was very well written and definitely hits the emotional notes for the loss of a loved one. But I felt that the synopsis pretty much gave away everything that happened in the book. I’m all for mystery and guessing what’s going to happen next and was a bit surprised on predicting most of the story.

Through to Y GENRE: YA Science Fiction
THEME: Angst/Romance
RECEIVED: ALA
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
Through to You by Emily Hainsworth was not particularly what I was expecting, the story was very well written and definitely hits the emotional notes for the loss of a loved one. But I felt that the synopsis pretty much gave away everything that happened in the book. I’m all for mystery and guessing what’s going to happen next and was a bit surprised on predicting most of the story.

Through to You follows a grieving Camden Pike, his girlfriend was tragically lost in a car accident and he is pretty much lost. After giving up his friends, his family and his love for football all he had was Viv. Now that she’s gone he feels nothing until one day he meets Nina. He discovers with her that there might be a place for second chances, but not everything is the same, especially the people.

Cam is a mess through half of the book, not only because the loss of Viv, but his mother is never home and his father abandoned them. He also was injured a while back and gave up trying to heal to play football again. It’s a really tough life he lives and the readers feel it. Through the authors writing I felt the emotional break and the sadness, I wanted him to finally have some happiness. I believe many people in Cam’s situation would probably act the same, seeing that person you lost alive and wishing there was a way to be able to be with them. He looses the sight of reality for a bit but the story is about him learning how to move forward.

Nina, I think her character was the strongest along with her brother Owen. They brought life and a bit more happiness into Cam’s. I felt bad for Nina most of the time because as the reader I knew she was right and Cam just couldn’t believe her. She’s the voice of reason all the way to the end.
Viv, well a lot happens with her but overall I didn’t like her character and felt that she just frustrated me with how fake she was. It was hard to compare both Viv’s since the readers only got glimpses and descriptions from Cam about his Viv. In the end I didn’t care for her much and though the story revolved around her and Cam being together, their scenes were just stale.

Overall the writing was great and I liked the concept of two worlds, even though I wished there was a reason for the portal, I enjoyed the differences that occurred on each side. There are highs and lows but this story is really about trying to recover from losing a loved one and being happy that you were able to meet that person. The ending was strong and had a great conclusion that was absolutely perfect for this type of story.

RECOMMENDATION:
This novel is a young adult story with high emotional elements. Fans of Silver by Talia Vance and Velveteen by Daniel Marks will enjoy Through to You by Emily Hainsworth.
...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 19, 2011 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, signed

Emily Hainsworth’s debut novel is one you don’t want to miss. This story of parallel worlds will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

This review is going to be completely spoiler free but let me just tell you, it’s a little harder than normal for me to stick to that with this book. I just want to go on and on about it!

First up, the story is such a unique concept. I admit that I have been getting a little bored with all the similar stories in YA. Through To You definitely Emily Hainsworth’s debut novel is one you don’t want to miss. This story of parallel worlds will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

This review is going to be completely spoiler free but let me just tell you, it’s a little harder than normal for me to stick to that with this book. I just want to go on and on about it!

First up, the story is such a unique concept. I admit that I have been getting a little bored with all the similar stories in YA. Through To You definitely switches things up. Cam’s girlfriend is killed in a car accident and he can’t move on. Life just keeps getting worse for him until he discovers this light that leads to a parallel world where she is still alive. However things are quite what they seem in this alternate world and Cam has to figure out how to move on before it’s too late. It’s a blend of paranormal and contemporary and I adored it. And yes there were a few things that I predicted but nothing too major and nothing that made me like the book less.

Cam was a fabulous character. Emily Hainsworth managed to put readers into the mind of this grief stricken teenage boy and I fell totally in love with him. Everything he was feeling came through to me and he came across as a 100% real guy. He was cute, in a messed up way, and I really wanted him to get a happy ending, somehow. Nina was also a great character although I would have enjoyed getting to know more about her. She seemed like such an amazing girl and sister to Owen (who was adorable) and I would have liked to know more about her life before Cam. There were times when I weren’t quite sure of her motives but I never disliked her. As for Cam’s girlfriend, Viv, I can’t say I ever liked her. Both the original Viv and the Viv in the parallel world came across as really controlling and just kind of nasty. I’d be surprised if any readers really liked her but I think that’s how you’re supposed to feel about her. Oh and Cam’s mom was awesome. She seemed really absent at first but she had more of a presence throughout the book and you could tell that she was really trying with Cam.

I think the best part of Through To You though is the perfect blending of paranormal and contemporary. At it’s heart it is a story of love and loss and trying to move on no matter how much you don’t want to. I could feel Cam’s grief in every single page but as the book went on I could see it lessening even knowing that it would always be there. So many paranormal stories have this unrealistic feeling to them and that was so not the case with Through To You.

Overall, I highly recommend Emily Hainsworth’s debut novel. I can’t wait to see what she does next! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 11, 2012 Paige Bradish rated it it was amazing

Wow, I agree with the back on the book this book defiantly is full of unexpected twists! In the beginning of the story we meet our main character Cam. As we know from the synopsis he has just lost his girlfriend Viv in a terrible car accident, and he's trying really hard to move on but he's having a really hard time. All of her friends set up a shrine for Viv right outside of school and Cam walks past it everyday. He's hoping that at one point it will get easier, but it doesn't seem like it's go Wow, I agree with the back on the book this book defiantly is full of unexpected twists! In the beginning of the story we meet our main character Cam. As we know from the synopsis he has just lost his girlfriend Viv in a terrible car accident, and he's trying really hard to move on but he's having a really hard time. All of her friends set up a shrine for Viv right outside of school and Cam walks past it everyday. He's hoping that at one point it will get easier, but it doesn't seem like it's going to get easier anytime soon. While lingering around the shrine late one friday night, Cam see's this green glow. He walks over and see's this transparent girl who he believes is a ghost until one day she shows up on his door step. She frantically tells him she needs to get home but needs his help. After Cam helps her climb back into the green mist i guess you would call it he grows curious and one day he decides to check out what this other place is all about. I can't tell you anymore because that would lead to spoilers but I promise you the book was really great!

I felt for Cam ever since meeting him. I don't have a boyfriend now but I've had a couple in the past and I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose on of them like that. Cam deals with it better then most people would though. According to his family and friends he needs "help" but the only reason why they think this is because he's just not acting like the same Cam he used to be.

Now in the story we have two main girls, and it's a little hard to choose which girl your rooting for. Throughout the whole book I was going back and forth between Viv and Nina and it was so hard! But now that the book has ended I know who's side i'm on. I'm a little hurt about the reason why i'm on her side but at least I know for sure. As you already know Viv is Cam's girlfriend who dies in the car accident but (this isn't a spoiler you read this on the back of the book) This new world that Cam goes and investigates is a tad bit different from the world he lives in now and he finds out that in this world Viv is still alive but she's not quite the same girl that Cam fell for in his world... Who is Nina you ask? Well she is Cam's best friend in the other world, but in Cam's world he doesn't even know who she is.

I definitely give this book a 5 out of 5 stars because it was totally unique! I've never read anything like it before. Sure I've read books about people losing there other half but never have I once read a book about finding your other half again in a different world. It's crazy right?! I would totally read another book like this in a heartbeat! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 22, 2011 Brooke rated it it was amazing

I flew through this book. Probably because Camden’s voice is amazing and I fell for him immediately!! He’s genuine and broken and an utter...guy—which I absolutely adore. *sighs* Yes, I liked Camden very much :)

But I also felt extremely bad for him. Because not only did he lose the ability to play football he also lost his girlfriend, Viv, in a terrible accident that he still blames himself for months after the fact.

So when Cam sees a girl materialize near Viv’s memorial, he thinks he’s finally I flew through this book. Probably because Camden’s voice is amazing and I fell for him immediately!! He’s genuine and broken and an utter...guy—which I absolutely adore. *sighs* Yes, I liked Camden very much :)

But I also felt extremely bad for him. Because not only did he lose the ability to play football he also lost his girlfriend, Viv, in a terrible accident that he still blames himself for months after the fact.

So when Cam sees a girl materialize near Viv’s memorial, he thinks he’s finally lost it. He’s pretty sure he’s gone insane due to an over excessive amount of grief. Until the girl, Nina, appears again, frazzled and sprouting off things that don’t make sense—like how Cam is actually her best friend and Viv is still alive. *GASP*

Enter phase step-through-the-green-ghostly-light-by-Viv’s-memorial-where-Nina-keeps-poping-through. When Cam completes said phase he discovers a crazy parallel world where Viv’s alive, he can still play football and everything else is totally different yet completely the same...

Dude. It’s so cray! Like holy snap! The concept of walking through a portal into a different world!? Where everything you’ve lost is suddenly...not anymore?!? Insane.

But all that really matters to Cam is that he has Viv back.

And I actually really liked the alternate universe Viv. I was rooting for her and Cam most of the book because she made him SO HAPPY—and Cam’s just one of those guys you want to see happy, ya know!?

But the more time Cam spent in the alternate universe...the more time he talked with Nina too and I liked her a lot as well! Cam’s relationship with both girls was such a switch from the typical triangle and I loved every second of it!

Annywho! Cam tries to balance his time in that world and this world, but it proves to be difficult. Especially when a certain girlfriend refuses to stay where she belongs. So, INSERT A FREAKING HUGE TWIST HERE and you'll see me speechless and stunned. Like WHOA! Whoa. Insane.

This book ended way too quickly! And it was SO bittersweet, it was adorable in a way that made my heart clench and shocking in a way that made me not want to say goodbye to the characters!

Overall, Through to You is incredible story and I’d definitely say it’s a debut that should not be missed! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 26, 2012 J.E. Rogers rated it it was amazing

It’s not often that one is given the opportunity to review a book that has yet to be released. I am pleased to say that I was lucky enough to be offered this opportunity by Byrd’s Books of Bethel, Connecticut. Byrd’s Books is one of those very rare ‘birds’ in today’s world; an independent, small shop book seller. Located in the center of the town of Bethel, the store resides in the upper floor of an old house, which is as quaint as the town itself. If you ever get to Connecticut you must visit B It’s not often that one is given the opportunity to review a book that has yet to be released. I am pleased to say that I was lucky enough to be offered this opportunity by Byrd’s Books of Bethel, Connecticut. Byrd’s Books is one of those very rare ‘birds’ in today’s world; an independent, small shop book seller. Located in the center of the town of Bethel, the store resides in the upper floor of an old house, which is as quaint as the town itself. If you ever get to Connecticut you must visit Bethel (http://byrdsbooks.com).
One day while visiting the shop, I picked up a book; Through to You, by Emily Hainsworth. First, the cover caught my eye, which is usually the case, and I found the back cover blurb to be awfully intriguing. When I asked the price, the shop owner simply said, ‘Free. Just give me a review and it’s yours.’ Best price for a book ever, and a review, well, I can do that. The only concern was that the book was the author’s debut. Ummm… But I thought, why not. To say that I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. The book is a YA, sci-fi, romantic thriller. Wow, that seems to cover a lot of ground, but the story meets all the criteria. The main character is a young man, a high school student named Camden Pike, who is desperately trying to recover from the loss of his girlfriend, Viv. Viv died in a car accident; Camden survived it. Suffering from pangs of guilt, and ‘what-ifs,’ he would love to see Viv again, and would do just about anything to do so. When he visits the site of the accident, he sees an apparition of another girl. Nina is not a ghost. She is part of a parallel world, and in this parallel world Viv is still alive. But the Viv of this other world is not the same one he remembers, and she, and Nina, have secrets to hide. The doorway to this parallel world is slowly closing, and Camden must make choices before he can no longer cross into it. Filled with numerous plot twists that keep your eyes to the page, Through to You, was a very unexpected, face paced thriller that kept me guessing. I truly enjoyed the read. The book will be officially release on October 2, 2012, and I highly recommend it.
Enjoy!
Jeanne
...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Young Adult

137 users

Fantasy

67 users

Romance

61 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

49 users

Science Fiction

36 users

Contemporary

36 users

Fiction

24 users

Science Fiction > Time Travel

18 users

Thriller

14 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

14 users

See top shelves…

About Emily Hainsworth

Emily Hainsworth

245 followers

Emily Hainsworth was raised in Syracuse, New York, until she fell in love and fled its gray skies for the sunny Rocky Mountains. Before she started writing full time, she worked as a turndown maid at a fancy golf club, scooped poop at a dog boarding kennel, worked retail in an upscale pet boutique, and owned a dog grooming business. She currently resides in Denver with her family. Emily's debut no ...more

Books by Emily Hainsworth

More…

Horror, Weird Fiction, and Slasher Justice in ‘The Only Good Indians’

With his new horror novel, The Only Good Indians, author Stephen Graham Jones conjures one of the most effective scary images to ever hover in that...

Trivia About Through to You

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Through to You

“It doesn’t matter why I want to leave. You’re the reason I want to stay.” — 11 likes

“Who needs them when we have each other?” — 6 likes

More quotes…

See a Problem?

Preview — Through to You by Emily Hainsworth

Through to You

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Emily Hainsworth

Books by Emily Hainsworth

Related Articles

Trivia About Through to You

Quotes from Through to You

See a Problem?

Preview — Through to You by Emily Hainsworth

Through to You

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Emily Hainsworth

Books by Emily Hainsworth

Related Articles

Trivia About Through to You

Quotes from Through to You

new topic
Discuss This Book