Parallel by Lauren Miller

Jan 25, 2013 Emily May rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, arc, 2013, sci-fi

1 1/2 stars
Parallel is a great example of how to take a fascinating subject and completely massacre it with slut-shaming and petty mean girl feuds.

Personally, I love fringe science (and the TV show, for that matter). It's that strange area that sits somewhere between fantasy and science, fiction and reality... an area with increasingly blurry lines the more you investigate it. It's also kind of hard to define and encompasses the study of many concepts that sit just outside of mainstream

1 1/2 stars
Parallel is a great example of how to take a fascinating subject and completely massacre it with slut-shaming and petty mean girl feuds.

Personally, I love fringe science (and the TV show, for that matter). It's that strange area that sits somewhere between fantasy and science, fiction and reality... an area with increasingly blurry lines the more you investigate it. It's also kind of hard to define and encompasses the study of many concepts that sit just outside of mainstream scientific study: the pursuit of eternal life, time travel, lunar effects, astrology, psychokinesis, channelling, extra-sensory perception and, as is the case here, the existence of parallel universes. These are subjects that seriously get my nerd senses tingling.

I don't know about you but I love science fiction that is explained well. The kind where the explanations are realistic and tie into real life facts enough that you can believe it as a reality. Whether it's a dark and disturbing dystopian future that has evolved from very real problems in our current society; or some exciting technological discovery with a whole world of problematic implications. And I believe that is how Parallel started out. When Abby Barnes awakens to find herself in a life that is hers but not hers, completely unaware of how she got there, she is forced to confront the likely possibility that she has been the victim of cosmic entanglement. In other words, that an earthquake caused two different dimensions to collide and now she has memories of two different lives.

Dr Mann's scientific explanation of parallel universes is complicated but equally fascinating. It might take you three reads to understand it (as it did me) but I really appreciated the thought and research that had obviously gone into this idea. I was enthralled, excited and couldn't wait to see where the story would lead... and then the first fifty (approx) pages came to an end. What came after that was little more than a story of high school/university drama, filled with bitchiness, mean girls, slut-shaming and obsessions with the "perfect shape of his bottom lip". What an awful waste of a great idea. It also turned into one of those cases where I hated the protagonist and her friend and found myself almost sympathising with the "mean girl" - she might have even been my favourite person in the book if that hadn't been the extent of her characterisation.

What had started out as some sophisticated science fiction quickly turned into something far less mature, phrases like this were thrown around: "self-appointed queen bee of the drama crowd and my nemesis since kindergarten". Nemesis. Really??? This is Ilana, the mean girl, who Abby is talking about here. Ilana is the evil school slut who Tyler is dating while he waits for Caitlin (Abby's BFF) to see he is in love with her. Frequent comparisons are made between Caitlin and Ilana who are said to look alike; but where Caitlin is naturally beautiful with her naturally blonde hair, Ilana is a "barbie doll" with bleached locks. That evil, hair-bleaching slut! We are supposed to accept it as natural that Caitlin will end up with Tyler and the evil Ilana will get dumped and deserve everything she gets.

I find it really quite amazing that Ilana is supposed to be the bitch here when all the evidence points towards the fact that Abby and Caitlin are the nasty ones. They sit around casually insulting Ilana in really bitchy ways like saying she is "shaped like a lollipop" and it just made me grow more and more annoyed at them as the story progressed. However, perhaps Tyler and Caitlin are perfect for each other as both of them are equally prepared to insult Ilana who is barely a human being because she's such a slut. Give me a break from this shit, please. Here's another great quote: "'She's fun,' Tyler replies, his euphemism for slutty." *big sigh*

I rounded it up to two because I really did enjoy the science in those first fifty pages but I certainly won't be recommending this anytime soon. ...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Ashley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, e-arc, favourites

Parallel by Lauren Miller - Your path will change. Your destiny doesn't.

BookNook — Young Adult book reviews

Let me paint a picture for you. You're crying yourself to sleep at night because you just finished reading Pivot Point and you're afraid that nothing will ever live up to the awesomeness that is that book. Well, allow me to introduce PARALLEL! This book is the perfect follow-up to Pivot Point; they're very similar in nature, but also vastly different. And I promise you that Parallel will rock your universe (the parallel ones too!).

Parallel is so much more ...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Faye, la Patata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Check out my interview with Lauren Miller over at The Social Potato! Get a chance to WIN a FINISHED COPY of PARALLEL, too! Open INTERNATIONALLY!

An ARC was provided in exchange for a review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.

When I read the synopsis the second time after requesting the galley, I thought to myself that it sounded really similar to Pivot Point's premise, a YA book about parallel realities but that which I couldn't bring myself to appreciate. I was dismayed, of course. ...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Alicia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-kindle-edelweiss, romance, science-fiction, standalone, young-adult

Parallel blew my mind.

I went into this book thinking it would be young adult science fiction, which is a genre I love. It was. But it was also a romance novel that was both heart-breaking and heart-mending. I stayed up all night to finish this book because I had to know that Abby would find her soulmate in the end.

The primary complication to Abby's love life is the fact that her world collided with a parallel one a year ago. As a result, her present state is determined by choices her parallel ...more

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Nov 01, 2013 Neil (or bleed) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, owned-paperbacks, 2014-reads

“That's the funny thing about life. We're rarely aware of the bullets we dodge. The just-misses. The almost-never-happeneds. We spend so much time worrying about how the future is going to play out and not nearly enough time admiring the precious perfection of the present.”

Parallel was a twisted life story of Abby, the main character. Abby was really confused of what is happening to the world, to her life. The good news was she has an idea at least, because she almost took-up Astronomy and ...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Andi (Andi's ABCs) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: amazon-review, own, favorites, books-from-m, would-recommend

This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs

I kept hearing how amazing this book was so when a friend got an advanced copy and sent it to me I was siked! Jumping in I didn't really know what to expect. Was it paranormal? Was it a contemporary? Would it be too much science and universe talk? The more I read the more I realized that it didn't matter what category it fell into. It didn't matter if there was science talk and if the concept seemed out there on the surface. All that mattered was This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs

I kept hearing how amazing this book was so when a friend got an advanced copy and sent it to me I was siked! Jumping in I didn't really know what to expect. Was it paranormal? Was it a contemporary? Would it be too much science and universe talk? The more I read the more I realized that it didn't matter what category it fell into. It didn't matter if there was science talk and if the concept seemed out there on the surface. All that mattered was how fantastic this book was and how it got me thinking. You see I have always been a fan of what I call 'The Sliding Doors Effect'(after the movie which this book reminded me of) where one small choice/decision/incident can completely alter the life you live. That by taking a taxi two feet instead of walking in the rain can change how things play out. One small thing that you don't even realize has happened can make a huge effect on everything, and Miller played that effect to perfection, hitting on everything I have ever thought about it. My thoughts are going to be hard to get down on paper as I don’t want to give anything away in regards to the story, but I will try.

Parallel is the story of Abby, a girl with a plan. She has known exactly what she was supposed to do her whole life. She was going to be a journalist after graduating from Northwestern and get a job at a huge newspaper. It was her plan, her calling, her goal. And then drama class happened and suddenly Abby was living in LA filming a movie and missing out on everything she dreamed. Resigned to her new life, but not necessarily happy about it, Abby celebrates the eve of her 18th birthday with her cast mates, but the next morning she wakes up in a Yale dorm with a completely different life like her past had been rewritten and she doesn’t remember anything. Stuck in this new life with memories of her old life, Abby has to navigate the constant changes and surprises and learn that sometimes life gets in the way of plans.

Did I mention that this book was fantastic? I mean really really really fantastic. Miller wrote this book in a pretty genius way that kept the story fresh and interesting. Knowing the background of Abby’s life and seeing the small changes that lead to her parallel life and everything different about it was done amazingly well. As you got further into the book and Abby started to remember more of her “life” it was easier as a reader to see the moment that changed things and created the situations Abby found herself it. With every turn of the page I felt like I was reading a new kind of book and I liked that.

I found Abby to be such a likable character as was her friend Caitlin. Watching them both navigate through the confusion that was Abby’s life was truly a joy given the fact that Abby had no idea what was going to happen to her on any given day. And watching as Josh, who I totally swooned over, was folded into the story was awesome. For a character that played such a minor role in the book, he was huge to the story, but in a way that you don’t really understand until you are a good chunk into the book. His presence and lack of, is one of the most important parts of the story and I loved how Miller dealt with that. It wasn’t in your face but on the surface and it worked for this story.

Honestly I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this debut novel by Lauren Miller. It touched on everything I love about a good story and kept you thinking the whole time. So much can change the outcome of your life but lead you right where you belong even if it is the last place you expect. Just because that butterfly flaps its wings in New York doesn’t mean the rain will never stop in China. You just might have to take the long way to get there. I can say without a doubt Lauren Miller has just become one of those authors that “if she writes it, I’m buying it”. Thanks Ms. Miller for awesomeness. ...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Natalie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, covers-to-die-for, favourites

"Do you believe in soulmates?"
"Ask me tomorrow," he says.

This book was so, so perfect. I loved absolutely every minute of it, and have no hesitation whatsoever in adding it to my favourites shelf. It had a good mixture of romance, drama, science, friendship, destiny - the works. I knew that I was hooked from the very first chapter, when I found myself just sitting there smiling at the pajama top/boots fiasco.

Because that's what this book was like for me. I got attached very, very quickly, and "Do you believe in soulmates?"
"Ask me tomorrow," he says.

This book was so, so perfect. I loved absolutely every minute of it, and have no hesitation whatsoever in adding it to my favourites shelf. It had a good mixture of romance, drama, science, friendship, destiny - the works. I knew that I was hooked from the very first chapter, when I found myself just sitting there smiling at the pajama top/boots fiasco.

Because that's what this book was like for me. I got attached very, very quickly, and found myself smiling, laughing, covering my face with my hands, and, on one occasion, wanting to scream "noooo!" at my kindle screen. It was, undoubtedly, a fantastic debut, and, if Miller writes another novel, I will be desperate to get my hands on it.

The plot was very complex, and, at times, I had to stop reading for a few moments, just to go over things in my head and make sure that I was understanding everything correctly. Once you understand, however, and can link everything together in your mind, the plot is very enjoyable and engaging. At times (particularly at the beginning), the plot is fairly physics heavy, but that's only for a couple of paragraphs before the plot continues. Still, I would recommend taking a break every now and then, just to think things over - the novel is so much more gripping that way!

The characters were easy to relate to, and I loved Abby. She was amusing, fearless, and I admired the way that she just accepted things as they came, almost always appearing level-headed; Miller did an amazing job of transferring the teenage mind onto paper - as an eighteen-year-old girl myself, it is often difficult to find a protagonist that seems real, and Abby most definitely was. It's also rare that, when there is a "triangle" (I'm using that term loosely, considering Abby was in love with them in two different parallel worlds), I don't pick a side and root for that guy. But, for what is probably the first time ever, I loved them both. And I didn't want her to have to give one of them up (which is ridiculous, I know). Having said that, however, I think that the way Miller made a compromise at the end (so that both Team Josh and Team Michael fans won) was very clever, and unexpected.

Which brings me to the ending. Woah. Again, it was perfect (and completely unpredictable), and rounded off the story well. It not only makes the book a brilliant standalone, but also leaves the possibility of a sequel open, since I, personally, would love to read about where Abby goes from here. The fact that Abby would be at that football game, no matter what had happened, was a very beautiful concept, regarding destiny and soul mates. It really made me think; the message was very strong, and I loved the philosophy behind it.

In conclusion, I literally cannot fault this book (which, believe me, is rare). The tension that was created kept me on the edge of my seat, particularly during the "There" chapters, since I was constantly trying to make links and figure out how parallel Abby's actions were going to affect Abby herself; consequently, I was dying to get to the next chapter. The book took on a "Sliding Doors" concept, which, in my opinion, was incredible; I've never read a book like that before (in one world, she takes drama; in the other, astronomy - it really is remarkable how different her two lives are). I didn't expect the romance to be such a big part of the novel, but it was a very pleasant surprise, and I adored it. So, so much. I didn't want it to end, and thus would recommend it to women of all ages. Unputdownable!

*Thank you to Harper for providing this book for free; it was a truly fantastic read* ...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Christy LoveOfBooks rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2013, arc-galley, e-book

4.5
It’s no secret that time travel is my favorite thing to read about, but I would include parallel universes as a subcategory to that. So of course I was pretty excited to get Parallel, but wasn’t going to go into it with too high expectations. Oh boy, even if I had gone it with high expectations, they would have been met. I loved Parallel!

Abby is in Hollywood making a movie, but that’s not where she is supposed to be. At least not in her eyes. She had her life planned out, all the way down to 4.5
It’s no secret that time travel is my favorite thing to read about, but I would include parallel universes as a subcategory to that. So of course I was pretty excited to get Parallel, but wasn’t going to go into it with too high expectations. Oh boy, even if I had gone it with high expectations, they would have been met. I loved Parallel!

Abby is in Hollywood making a movie, but that’s not where she is supposed to be. At least not in her eyes. She had her life planned out, all the way down to the perfect high school class schedule that would get her into the one and only college she wants to go to. Her plan got thrown off course, and now she just wishes she could be where she wanted to be, instead of where she is. Then everything changes on her eighteenth birthday.

I only read the blurb once when I first got Parallel, which was a month or more before I actually read it. So I knew nothing of what it was specifically about when I started it. I’ve been doing that more lately and really enjoy the experience it brings, because there’s no preconceived notions. This was the perfect book to that with.

Admittedly, the very beginning of the book was a tiny bit rough for me. It was a lot of background information about her friends, family, and how she got to where she is at that point, so I found myself getting a little bored. However, it’s all important information and it doesn’t go on for very long at all. Once the shift happens, though, it is so on! This is a great example of what I love in a book. It’s not told in a straightforward manner. Instead, there is some complexity as it alternates between an unfamiliar past and the present in a parallel universe. Even though there is some complexity, I found it very easy to follow.

I absolutely loved not knowing how it was going to play out, not only overall, but chapter to chapter. One chapter would end, and my stomach would be in knots from anticipation of how what happened in it would change what was going on in the next chapter. I appreciate a book so much more when it keeps me on my toes and has me needing to know what’s going to happen.

The story is told from Abby’s point-of-view when she’s both seventeen and eighteen. I really liked her, especially as the story went on. She’s not the most popular girl, but she’s not an outcast either. Abby has great friends, she’s smart, funny, an athlete, and is close with her family. In fact, her relationships with family and friends was one of my favorite thing about this book. The incredible bond she has with her best friend Caitlin had me in massive tears at one point. Caitlin is gorgeous, but she’s not just a pretty face. The girl is a super science geek, which comes in handy for what Abby goes through. Their other best friend Tyler was a crack up! I loved his character so much. I really liked that even though they were best friends since elementary school, he had a lot of guy friends and did his own stuff. The three of them together was absolutely great.

The romance in Parallel was done wonderfully. There is Michael and Josh, but believe me when I say that this isn’t a love-triangle. And yes, there is science talk in this, but I found it fascinating and easy to follow. The author did a great job with connection everything. I even tried finding holes and inconsistencies, but failed.

Overall, I thought Parallel was smart and engaging. The whole thing unfolded beautifully. I did not want the book to end, but at the same time I was dying to know what happens. I’m telling you to read this book! I think it’s safe to say that it will be a strong 2013 Top Ten contender for me, and I will not hesitate to buy Miller’s next book. ...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.75 Stars

You will notice that I took .25 stars from 5 stars. That's for my own inability to completely conceptualize string theory, space time continuum, and anything having to do with the brilliance of Albert Einstein. That's right. My pride.

This is a similar concept as a book I recently read called Pivot Point. Also, a movie I saw from the Sundance Film Festival called Sliding Doors. Essentially, one decision or event alters the trajectory of a life. This would be an easy enough concept to 4.75 Stars

You will notice that I took .25 stars from 5 stars. That's for my own inability to completely conceptualize string theory, space time continuum, and anything having to do with the brilliance of Albert Einstein. That's right. My pride.

This is a similar concept as a book I recently read called Pivot Point. Also, a movie I saw from the Sundance Film Festival called Sliding Doors. Essentially, one decision or event alters the trajectory of a life. This would be an easy enough concept to write about. Safe, tried and true. Instead, the author includes a theory basically based on String Theory. For every decision, parallel lives are lived out on different planes or possibly the past is changed based on the changes made and everybody's memory is rewritten. That's where my comprehension suffered. Because I don't get String Theory. Not that the book is written in a difficult form. It's pretty straight forward and I actually really liked the idea of introducing physicists or astronomy science with Dr. Mann and Wagner.

So Abby falls asleep the night before her 18th birthday and feels some kind of collision occur in her sleep. She wakes up and it's the day before her 17th birthday and her senior year is being rewritten because there was some sort of tremor that knocked out the power and she's late for school. This changed her elective class and the trajectory of her life. In her "real" time, which starts on her 18th birthday, everybody's history has been rewritten and they remember it in the rewritten form. Abby only remembers it one day at a time which is exactly one year and one day behind today.

So Abby senior year is significantly different than the one she lived a year ago. Every day is just a little bit different and more information is added. She is introduced to different people at different times in her parallel lives. Although the book is not touted as a religious book, and it isn't, there are Deity undertones that add a nice stabilizing effect to the story. There is some discussion of fate vs. chaos and chance. Does the collision of parallel lives and Abby's subsequent memories cause events to occur? How much free will does she have?

The characters are well written and multi-layered. The first chapter sets up Abby's whirlwind senior year and the events leading to her current circumstances. It's a nice life and the reader would be drawn to that reality. The next chapters leap frog between the new reality caused by the collision that reset events a year ago and the events from a year ago. Unlike other books I've read with alternate realities, this one paints both with pros and cons. The ending is a little abrupt for my taste but succinctly answers the questions of free will, fate and parallels.

Altogether, a very enjoyable read. ...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Kara-karina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Well, I refuse to call this book anything less than amazing. At the same time it's so convoluted, Lauren Miller must have had a room full of charts on the walls so she won't get confused. I certainly felt like I needed charts.

Abby's life as we know it is split on her 18th birthday. One night she goes to sleep with her head full of her fellow actor and her movie lines in L.A., the next thing she knows she wakes up in a dorm room in Yale with no recollection of the last year's version of her ...more

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May 08, 2013 Henrietta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A story that explores free will and destiny, Parallel offers interesting insight to the meaning of “staying present”. I like that even when the story has to give us some explanation on the cosmic collision of parallel universes, the plot is not dense. With the spotlight focusing on the life of Abby and her relationship with those who are close and dear to her, I enjoy reading about the subtle changes that are going on in Abby’s as well as her parallel self’s lives and how these changes affect ...more

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May 13, 2013 Jasprit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: out-2013, ya, read-in-2013, sci-fi

4.5 stars

“Your path will change. Your destiny doesn’t”

Parallel is a book which has been receiving the most conflicting reviews from my friends, with a few not finishing it, some two star ratings and a few four star ratings. Books with mixed rating are ones which often intrigue me the most. I also tend to have a weird track record with these books, with my last couple of one’s ending up as memorable reads. Also I’ve noticed that parallel worlds seems to be the new trend in YA, this is another 4.5 stars

“Your path will change. Your destiny doesn’t”

Parallel is a book which has been receiving the most conflicting reviews from my friends, with a few not finishing it, some two star ratings and a few four star ratings. Books with mixed rating are ones which often intrigue me the most. I also tend to have a weird track record with these books, with my last couple of one’s ending up as memorable reads. Also I’ve noticed that parallel worlds seems to be the new trend in YA, this is another concept I’ve been hugely intrigued by especially when it’s done well and the book leaves you all frazzled.

Parallel was a book which ticked off a lot of boxes for me, despite the initial slow start, I’m not the most patient reader. But I’m glad I stuck out the sluggish start, as I was just left mind blown afterwards. Miller took a really unique concept and really flipped it on its head. Due to a cosmic entanglement, the world Abby lived in ends up colliding with a parallel world. The Parallel world is set a year and a day behind the current world, with the parallel self creating new memories for the current self and erasing all the memories the current self may have created. The only person that could remember this had happened was Abby. This concept is a lot to take in but Abby was lucky that her best friend had been studying under one of the professors, who established and believed this theory in the first place. Caitlin was a great best friend despite things not being great in the past year due to Abby in the parallel world. Caitlin was the friend Abby needed the most in the most confusing situation ever. Abby in the parallel world was causing a ruckus, with things being completely blown off course and endless dreams and happily ever afters being destroyed. Because of this I was quick to side with our current Abby. She found herself in a mess with no control over what could happen. I truly hoped that she could get back to things the way they used to be. But as the story progressed I began to hugely appreciate parallel Abby and her world. Miller did a great job in toying with my feelings, there were so many end results possible through the course of the book, and I was up for nearly all of them.

I immensely enjoyed how just one little decision could change Abby’s current world in an instance. It truly had me thinking about all the decisions I had made in the past and if I had decided something else would things have ended completely different? Parallel was such a thought evoking story, never have I found myself so caught up in the two worlds at the same time. Abby’s world was everything to me for the five days that I read this book, I hated all the normal day activities that I had to do such as going to work because it cut in to my crucial reading time. Another thing which made Parallel stand out for me as a brilliant read was its characters; I seriously loved them all even when parallel Abby screwed things over. Even with a potential love triangle (view spoiler) couldn’t ruin this story for me because I found myself totally invested and totally torn with who I wanted Abby to be with. Both guys were really different to one another and definitely brought the swoon factor in their own respective ways. With all the chaotic things happening I really looked forward to these sweet and tender moments (view spoiler)

Okay I’m totally digressing; this is what these guys do to me. As you can tell from my mini-novella of a review I absolutely loved Parallel, Miller in my eyes has written one of the best debuts of this year. It had crazy twists and turns which were totally unexpected, it had some truly heartbreaking scenes, moments which had me frightened that everything would be screwed over in Abby’s world and some really dreamy scenes. If this year you are on the lookout for a brilliant debut which truly takes the concept of Parallel worlds up a whole another notch I highly recommended Parallel, you seriously won’t regret giving the wonderful story a go.
...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-2013

Parallel is one of the years best young adult science fiction reads, without a doubt! You will definitely not want to miss out on the awesomeness of this book. Amazingly compelling, the story Lauren Miller pens is extraordinary in so many wibbley-wobbley-timey-whimey ways. It is intensely rich with atmospheric chemistry and bursting to life with incredible amounts of excitement. Such a brilliant saucy little read, I was entranced from the beginning.

The characters are truly engaging and ...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Lindsay Hall rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I am a fan of YA novels, so it wasn't difficult for me to enjoy this sophisticated teenage love triangle. Miller presents a sci-fi-esque reality of changing timelines within the life of the protagonist, Abby Barnes. The concept of the parallel reality was simple enough that it didn't muddle the plot yet complex enough to create intrigue. Some of the twists were predictable, but that didn't stop me from anticipating how the details would unfold, and for the most part, I was greatly surprised by ...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Dayla rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, best-friends, cool-concept, family, powerful-women, sassy, school, young-adult, edelweiss, beautiful-writing

Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Parallel by Lauren Miller is a young adult sci-fi debut that explores the “what-if” theme. It is a very unassuming novel that begins like many other young adult novels with fluffy story lines. But when we get accustomed to Miller’s fictional world and begin to guess at what will happen next, we are literally lifted from one place to another, which is quite mind-bending—and oh, so, ...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Celeste_pewter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Two-minute recap: Lauren Miller takes the the idea of parallel universes, and completely turns the concept on its head. Parallel incorporates the themes of self-identity, love, friendship, and cosmic entanglement, all into a stunner of a debut novel.

***

Full review:

I've always been fascinated with the idea of parallel universes. The idea that there's another me, existing in another dimension, making choices and taking a path that I wouldn't have taken myself, generally makes for a lot of fun ...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Jen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of chick-lit who want to try sci-fi

Parallel by Lauren Miller comes out on May 14, but a friend with impeccable taste lent me her advance reading copy to review. This is my first advance review, and I'm pretty darn chuffed about it! I hate to say this, but Parallel didn't make a good first impression on me. The first thirty or so pages seemed like insipid chick-lit. The main characters are effortlessly, superlatively perfect, and I kind of hated them all for it. Especially when they made fun of a girl who has to work out to stay Parallel by Lauren Miller comes out on May 14, but a friend with impeccable taste lent me her advance reading copy to review. This is my first advance review, and I'm pretty darn chuffed about it! I hate to say this, but Parallel didn't make a good first impression on me. The first thirty or so pages seemed like insipid chick-lit. The main characters are effortlessly, superlatively perfect, and I kind of hated them all for it. Especially when they made fun of a girl who has to work out to stay slim!

Just when I was ready to put the book down, it started to explore free will, parallel dimensions and parallel selves, and the impact of even our smallest choices. I was hooked. This is good sci-fi dressed up to look like Sweet Valley High. And the author knows exactly what she's doing; she calls it sci-chic. She takes all the best elements of a genre that isn't exactly known for being popular with women, and creates something smart that girly-girls can call their own.

Have you ever wondered how your life might be different if you'd made just one different choice? For three years, I was obsessed with becoming an attorney. I was in love with a guy who showed no sign of ever being able to support himself, and I figured that going to law school would give this English major a shot at being a good breadwinner. So I lived and breathed LSAT practice tests and Princeton Review law school reviews. The day after I broke up with that guy, I woke up and thought Now I don't have to be an attorney. I can be a librarian! Y'all, I didn't even know I'd wanted to be a librarian until that moment. That morning changed my life, and I have no regrets. But sometimes I wonder how I'd be different if I'd gone to law school instead of library school. Imagining myself carrying a briefcase and wearing a power suit is pretty hilarious. If I think about it too hard, I start to wonder Who is that girl?

This book asks the same question: If you made choices that led you down a different path in life, who would you be? Would you still be the same person? And if your reality and the reality in which the "parallel" version of you existed were to somehow collide, what would happen? That's what happens to Abby Barnes in Parallel. The two realities literally collide, and one overtakes the other. But the realities don't exist on the same timeline; one is happening a year ahead of the other. So when Abby goes to bed at night, she might wake up to a completely different life the next day. It all depends on what sort of choices her Parallel made a year before.

It all starts on Abby's 18th birthday. She goes to bed in Hollywood, where she is filming an action movie opposite the Sexiest Man Alive. Yeah, it sounds cheesy, but bear with me. The next morning, she wakes up in a dorm room at Yale, with no clue how she got there. But she has memories from both realities. With the help of Caitlin, her physics geek best friend, and a kooky professor who has wacky theories about parallel realities, Abby realizes what's happened. Abby remembers that her Parallel fell deeply in love with a guy named Josh during her senior year of high school. Abby is casually dating Michael, a cute Yalie, but their relationship isn't nearly as special as the bond she remembers sharing with Josh. Abby scrambles to make sense of it all, and eventually she tries to manipulate the situation to create the best romantic outcome.

If you've seen the movie Sliding Doors (hands down my favorite chick flick of all time), the premise will be familiar. But Miller takes it a step further by making Abby aware of her two parallel lives. When Abby sees both options and takes action to create the life she wants, she becomes a much stronger character than Helen in Sliding Doors.

So I like the strength of Abby's character, but mostly I like Parallel because it builds a story upon a philosophical framework that I hold dear. Have you ever shared such a profound connection with someone that you knew they were meant to be part of your life, no matter what? Yeah, me too. I believe that destiny and free will are not mutually exclusive: Certain events and people are destined to be part of our lives, but we choose the path we take to get there.

And that doesn't just apply to romance! Abby's soulmates are the touchstones that keep her grounded as she sorts through her parallel lives. In one parallel life, Abby's friendship with Caitlin falls apart. Abby can't get back on track until she's made things right with Caitlin; Caitlin is one of Abby's soulmates. Men aren't our only soulmates! That's one of my favorite things about this book. Lauren Miller shows that friendships with women have just as much value as romance.

Do you believe in destiny, free will, or some combination of both? ...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Lisa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I cannot remember when I last read a novel. It is not that I am NOT READING. I tend to read biography, histories, "religious" books. I don't read contemporary novels because I really REALLY don't like coming upon graphic sex or profanity in the middle of a good story. Often novels that do not include the above are not very engaging.
My daughter recommended this book as said, "You can handle this, Mom, it's teen fiction."
She was right. Not only could I handle it, I loved it. Granted, I love ...more

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May 13, 2013 Willa David rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: best-books-of-2013

My friend who's a book blogger got an ARC of this and let me read it. OMG. This book is amazing. I usually read non-fiction with some YA thrown in, but nothing I've read recently even comes close to the awesomeness of this book. Abby Barnes is basically me -- a girl who likes to plan, who likes to be in control of everything. When her parallel self starts re-writing her past, Abby's plans for the future go out the window, forcing Abby to learn to live in the present. It's so cool to see how ...more

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Feb 22, 2017 Grace {Rebel Mommy Book Blog} rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-physical-copy

Review
This book just cemented that I have a thing for parallel universe books. I so love this little subgenre that I must find them and read them all!!

Abby Barnes knows her plan. She will graduate high school, go to Northwestern and then be a journalist. One tiny decision the first day of senior year kind of derailed that plan as she ended up on a Hollywood movie set on nearing her 18th birthday. Then on her birthdayshe wakes up at Yale with what seems a totally different life. In what seems ...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Philippa (Tea in the Treetops) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: review-written, young-adult, review-books-read, 2013-read

This review was originally posted at Tea, Daydreams & Fairytales on 11th May 2013.

Actual Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Parallel lives/universes seem to be an “it” thing in 2013 with at least 3 YA releases coming to mind and I for one am not the least bit disappointed because I LOVE the concept of alternative realities and fringe sciences.

Parallel definitely didn’t disappoint either I absolutely loved it and read it over a weekend, it was a really enjoyable book. Just imagine how confused and freaked ...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Karen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book was AMAZING. It just had this quality to it, a quality I found it impossible to turn away from. Putting this book down was painful! And when it ended? I was SAD! Hahaha. I wasn't ready for the story to end! I really wanted to keep going on Abby's journey with her, the story was that engaging and real. I can't overstate my enthusiasm for this book.

Parallel introduces us to Abby, a girl who wakes up in a life she can't remember. She's transported from LA to a dorm room in Yale, with no ...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Melanie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, e-arc, young-adult, contemporary, me-likes-you, romance, sci-fi, omg-the-cover-people, books-i-own, love-triangle

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

Thank you HarperTeen for the review copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.

'A decision that appears 'life-altering' might ultimately not be. Often it is the choices that seem inconsequential that uproot us.'

Debuting in 2013, Lauren Miller, among many other authors, whisk readers into a journey of parallel universes. To be honest, I'm getting sick of them- I can count at least seven that have been/are being published this year- the See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

Thank you HarperTeen for the review copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.

'A decision that appears 'life-altering' might ultimately not be. Often it is the choices that seem inconsequential that uproot us.'

Debuting in 2013, Lauren Miller, among many other authors, whisk readers into a journey of parallel universes. To be honest, I'm getting sick of them- I can count at least seven that have been/are being published this year- the major issue with each and every one of them is that they have unanswered questions and plot holes. While Parallel was no exception, I rather enjoyed this novel. It shows it's own parallel sides as a book itself; powerful and cute, humorous and tear jerking, light hearted and deep. To say that Parallel was a jumpy read is an understatement.

Just yesterday Abby was filming the next hottest movie and at her birthday party with Bret Woodward, most legendary movie star ever. But that was yesterday. Now, waking up in Yale next to someone- her roommate- she never met, Abby realises, with the aid of her science-savvy best friend, Caitlin that she is living in her alternate life. What life would have been like if she chose science over drama just one year ago.

When the elements of alternate lives was introduced, I was in some sort of coma-of-mind-blowing-ness. It took me ages to comprehend the concept of Miller's world but eventually, as the story progressed, the sprinkles of helpful clues Miller threw at me were extremely beneficial. I recommend for people to read the book at a slower rate than their normal speed as just skipping the slightest paragraph could result into future confusion and mind fuck.

In my perspective, I found Abby crawling under my skin a lot in Parallel. Yes, she is struggling to grasp the concept that she is living in her parallel world that is exactly a year and a day ahead, but she seemed to be way too involved with other relationships that meant nothing to her. She was like a Cupid that never got anything correct. In fact, I found the whole book a little flooded with romance, with the main character, best friend, roommate, brother, parents of the boyfriend. There was no need for any of this whatsoever. (Even though I found Caitlin and Tyler a perfect couple) Even though, Abby was still exceptionable. She could think indubitably and positively on a constant basis which is crucial for the MC to have in this genre if writing. A minute problem for me was the supporting characters. (Caitlin, Llana,Tyler etc...) Most of them were stereotypical and cliché which really infuriated me. If they weren't irritating, they were unnecessary additions to the cast of Parallel altogether.

'"I mean, it's not like we can prove it empirically, but quantum theory says there's a parallel world for every possible version of your life. And most mainstream physicists would probably stake their careers on it."'

Romance in this book was applied, in most civil terms, generously. Or, basically the foundation of Parallel. Despite my grudge I hold against it, the chemistry between Caitlin and Tyler; and the MC and her love triangle were quite entertaining and adorkable, especially Abby's best friend, Caitlin. However, I mustn't elaborate on that relationship as well... SPOILERS...! Being parallel universes, it can be concluded obviously that there'd be a love triangle, and in this case, a surprisingly well crafted one. But I wasn't a fan of who was in this love triangle. Josh, a guy who's cute and has a great sense of humour but trite and Michael, arrogant and just.... plain stupid. (In my opinion) Being not 100% pleased with the love interests, I stuck with Team Josh. I relished the scenes with Abby and Josh, they seemed to fit perfectly with each other!

Linking back to what I me filmed earlier on, plot holes and unanswered questions disappointed me. Once again, I want to know, why is it only Abby who is aware that she has been living on two different paths. And why is 09/09/09 so special.

Parallel, despite many flaws, wrapped up skilfully in the end. It was entertaining to watch the alternate worlds and character development expand here and observe Abby's clear thinking when she makes life changing decisions as the story comes to a stop. I recommend to people who loved Between the Lives and Pivot Point. ...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Brandi Kosiner (Brandi Breathes Books) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I just love concepts like these. The idea of parallel lives and how each little decision can effect so much is something that I have though about so much, and in Parallel I get to go through this with Abby. It was executed really well. She would wake up and rely on her friend Caitlyn to fill her in, and it was frustrating for her to have the gaps. She still remembered what she'd learned and the memories come back, but if it was changed by her parallel life then it felt more distant.
I was torn I just love concepts like these. The idea of parallel lives and how each little decision can effect so much is something that I have though about so much, and in Parallel I get to go through this with Abby. It was executed really well. She would wake up and rely on her friend Caitlyn to fill her in, and it was frustrating for her to have the gaps. She still remembered what she'd learned and the memories come back, but if it was changed by her parallel life then it felt more distant.
I was torn over which year I liked better, and it was neat to see the different aspects of her personality come through in different ways in the different realities we get a glimpse of. She has the same characteristics, wanting to be in control, stubborn, strong and smart in all of them it just comes through in different ways. I think it is so interesting how she fights the decisions that have been made and she felt like there was no control.
It was hard to see some of the best outcomes, or things that I liked keep changing by past decisions, and the people who get hurt along the way. But it is all what makes Abby develop and grow as a character, the pain and guilt and weight of experience that only she can remember. The hard times are also what makes the novel so deep and rich; the plots all tie together beautifully.
The Josh and Michael plot line was especially trying! I couldn't decide which one was the right choice, but I love how it all worked out, and how destiny and fate played out to make the right choice obvious. It added a great element to the story, and while I wouldn't call it a traditional love triangle, it is definitely something that adds a lot of tension and ultimately resolve and closure to the story. It was so romantic though, and I loved every second, and was on the edge of my seat as to what would happen and how destiny would nudge things in the right way.
I liked her character and I totally empathized with her as far as her confusion and jumbled feelings while all of this is going on. There are a few plot lines (actress by accident anyone?) that are a little far fetched, but its sci-fi and it's a novel, so I didn't have any issues with it.
I also liked the constants, her friend Caitlyn was also fun to read about. I loved the combo of super-smart and nerdy plus fashionista. It made her realistic to me. I loved how she rolled with the punches and was a good friend no matter what choices or what seeming "craziness" Abby came up with or what she'd forgotten or changed. It is a true friendship and I liked watching that play out.
There were some elements that went a little over my head like when Caitlyn and the professor were talking about sciences, but luckily I had Abby who didn't quite get all of that either, so it was broken down. I just enjoyed the ride and the time jumps, putting all of the pieces together and Abby as a main character so even if I didn't fully understand the whys, I still had a great time reading it.
I had no idea how Ms. Miller was going to tie everything up and fix the wrongs, but the ending was awesome. It left just the right amount of resolve, and while I wouldn't mind going back into Abby's world, I also know that the beautiful ending she wrote for this story would be messed up. But let me just give a shout out for an awesome standalone with a beautifully tied up ending meaning no cliffie. Great resolution, plot, character growth and swoony romance in one book.

Bottom Line: I cheered for the best possible ending for Abby and loved reading the ways that even the small choices effected her life and those she loved in such a big way. ...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Lindsey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Parallel is a compelling story that questions the impact of everyday choices and will surely resonate with anyone facing a big decision -- where to go college, what career to pursue, who to marry, where to live. Abby is a loveable, smart narrator who weaves together complex ideas about science, religion, and fate with the day-to-day musings of a college freshman. It brought me right back to the happy yet anxiety-ridden days of my last few months of high school and my first few years of college ...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Kate rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, read-in-2013

This book confused me, the main character's choices and attitude bothered me at times... but then the book made me stay up way too late, gave weird and wonderful dreams, and the ending made me smile. loved it!

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Feb 17, 2013 Berenice rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads

First book that at the end leaves me all

We’ve all wonder what “would have been” “what could have happened” but that doesn’t mean we always want to know what “could have been”.
It is try I was unhappy with my life, my life’s long plan was between my reach but one small deviation and getting closer to my dream of being a journalist I end up shooting a movie in Hollywood and on my way to stardom.
Then… the earthquake comes, and changes everything. I am no longer Abby Barnes an up and rising movie First book that at the end leaves me all

We’ve all wonder what “would have been” “what could have happened” but that doesn’t mean we always want to know what “could have been”.
It is try I was unhappy with my life, my life’s long plan was between my reach but one small deviation and getting closer to my dream of being a journalist I end up shooting a movie in Hollywood and on my way to stardom.
Then… the earthquake comes, and changes everything. I am no longer Abby Barnes an up and rising movie star, but Abby Barnes a girl that is trying to figure out why she is in a Yale dorm, with no memory of how I got her or why do all their memories don’t match my own.

I first heard of Parallel thanks to Tea Time with Team EpicReads and let me tell you it wasn’t what I expected, the little blurb they gave was enough to catch my interest but I think they didn’t do enough justice to this book.
The story starts whit Abby being unhappy with her life, of how one tiny change on her school schedule changed her life radically, but after an earthquake on her 18 birthday she discovers that knowing how you arrived to a place in your life is better than having everything you ever wanted but having no idea or control on how you got it.
This book picked up my nerdy sensibilities, with Caitlin trying to help Abby figure things up and the theories they come up with helps the story involve the reader in a story that is so out of our control.
The whole out of control thing is part of the fun of reading this book, you have no idea where it’s going to lead us next, yet it’s the theories behind everything that is happening to Caitlin that may not give us some of the control we are used to but they give us hope on pin pointing and figuring out everything that is happening and will happen while enjoying every twist in this book
This is a story about parallel worlds, of friendship, a story that makes us wonder if there is such a thing as a destiny and meant to be. A great debut novel for Lauren Miller in the YA world. ...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Marissa (Rae Gun Ramblings) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: review-wish-list

It is like this book was written just for me. Almost all the things I love thrown into one book. I like to describe it as Groundhogs day but in reverse. Every day she wakes up but her YESTERDAY has changed so she has to figure out where she is, who her friends are, what's she's supposed to do in the day it's really awesome because time still continues but with this weird flow. As a person with a few philosophy degrees and a love for ya literature this was right up my alley. It has the feel of a ...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Tammy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads, my-favorite-books-of-2013

First off, I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks to HarperCollins. Where to begin.. this book was crazy good right up to the end. I might have had some brain confusion concerning the scientific background on parallel universes but the relationships in this are endearing and you are cheering for Abby (the book is from her POV) to be OK w/ friends, boyfriends, and parents. I gave this book 5 stars because I loved and would read it again. This is a must read if you liked Before I Fall ...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Tyler Mann rated it it was amazing

It was about halfway through Parallel that I realized that I was reading not just a page-turning, suspenseful story of a girl searching for the truth about her rapidly changing reality but, more importantly, an incisive, thoughtful commentary on how each of us identifies and defines herself. I was totally sucked into the lives of the characters (especially Abby!!). The goosebump-inducing ending was the icing on the cake. So good!!!

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