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Say What You Will
John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park in this beautifully written, incredibly honest, and emotionally poignant novel. Cammie McGovern's insightful young adult debut is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about how we can all feel lost until we find someone who loves us because of our faults, not in spite of them.
Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.
When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. As they begin to spend time with each other, what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into something neither expected.
Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.
When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. As they begin to spend time with each other, what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into something neither expected.
336 pages, ebook
First published March 27, 2014
340 people are currently reading
24200 people want to read
About the author
Cammie McGovern
13 books648 followersCammie McGovern was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford and received the Nelson Algren Award in short fiction. Her work has been published in Redbook, Seventeen, Glimmer Train, TriQuarterly, and other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,187 reviews
January 12, 2015
REBECCA FUCKING LOWMAN. I had to get that off my chest.
Say What You Will and I were getting along great for the most part -- yes, even despite my dislike of this narrator -- until the main character, Amy, decided she didn't give two shits about anyone but herself. Matthew goes out his way for Amy and cares for her, helps her when no one else does. And what does Amy do to repay him time and time again? She insults him, cheats on him and still expects him to show up when she is at her lowest. I just hated seeing a character used so much. It bothered me to no end. Make no mistake, Amy was a Mary Sue with a walker. Her only flaw besides just being a shitty person was her cerebral palsy, which she uses to her advantage. When she's called out on this by Matthew, she brushes him off.
I do not understand what the point of this book was.
Say What You Will and I were getting along great for the most part -- yes, even despite my dislike of this narrator -- until the main character, Amy, decided she didn't give two shits about anyone but herself. Matthew goes out his way for Amy and cares for her, helps her when no one else does. And what does Amy do to repay him time and time again? She insults him, cheats on him and still expects him to show up when she is at her lowest. I just hated seeing a character used so much. It bothered me to no end. Make no mistake, Amy was a Mary Sue with a walker. Her only flaw besides just being a shitty person was her cerebral palsy, which she uses to her advantage. When she's called out on this by Matthew, she brushes him off.
I do not understand what the point of this book was.
January 24, 2016
I was skeptical going into this book because I know absolutely nothing about cerebral palsy (and eventually I did some research in the middle of this book), so I had no clue what to expect-- if this book was about friendship, or something extra. I think it definitely proves a great point that nonverbal people can still be intelligent and witty, and as someone who's never read a book about anyone with CP before, I appreciate that this story exists. But on the other hand, I think Matthew's OCD was done less cleanly. It's a huge task to write about two characters that both have very real disorders that are easy to trivialize or romanticize in YA fiction. Whereas I think the CP and OCD was well-written, I didn't appreciate how Amy had this idea that she could help fix Matthew. I didn't like the little "tests" she gave him to get over his OCD. I think books about mental illness really need to start stressing going to therapists and getting help instead of trying to get your friend/love interest to fix you.
Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised that this book wasn't as cliche as I thought it would be. It took some turns I wasn't anticipating, and they were events that really made me think and question myself. In the end, I didn't really feel enough connection between the two characters that I would have liked to see. This book was great to read because I got to be put into new experiences I'd never considered before, but also made me question if a friendship like this one would actually happen in the real world, or if it was just overly-romanticized for the sake of YA fiction.
Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised that this book wasn't as cliche as I thought it would be. It took some turns I wasn't anticipating, and they were events that really made me think and question myself. In the end, I didn't really feel enough connection between the two characters that I would have liked to see. This book was great to read because I got to be put into new experiences I'd never considered before, but also made me question if a friendship like this one would actually happen in the real world, or if it was just overly-romanticized for the sake of YA fiction.
October 19, 2020
3.5 stars
Say What You Will is cute, honest and eye-opening. I believe the story is written to give the readers a better understanding of cerebral palsy (CP) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and I admire the author for courageously choosing to write a love story about characters that have these conditions.
Matthew who is supposed to help Amy with her physical limitations caused by her CP ends up being helped by Amy on his mental and emotional limitations caused by his OCD and throughout the story, this is what the two do for each other. They help, inspire and accept each other for what they are and I think the author is able to realistically portray this.
Both characters have serious flaws and issues because like every other human being, they too make bad choices and decisions and also end up hurting each other. In effect, their love story is essentially like any other love story. I would have preferred the first person POV but as it is, I think the writing is adorable. Just take a peak.
“But I’ve decided that it’s possible to love someone for entirely selfless reasons, for all of their flaws and weaknesses, and still not succeed in having them love you back. It’s sad, perhaps, but not tragic, unless you dwell forever in the pursuit of their elusive affections.”
Even though the characters could use a deeper, more dynamic development and the plot a little less condensed because I think the conflicts got a bit too overwhelming down the middle of the road but overall, I think this is a surprisingly good book that offers YA readers a powerful message. I definitely recommend it.
Say What You Will is cute, honest and eye-opening. I believe the story is written to give the readers a better understanding of cerebral palsy (CP) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and I admire the author for courageously choosing to write a love story about characters that have these conditions.
Matthew who is supposed to help Amy with her physical limitations caused by her CP ends up being helped by Amy on his mental and emotional limitations caused by his OCD and throughout the story, this is what the two do for each other. They help, inspire and accept each other for what they are and I think the author is able to realistically portray this.
Both characters have serious flaws and issues because like every other human being, they too make bad choices and decisions and also end up hurting each other. In effect, their love story is essentially like any other love story. I would have preferred the first person POV but as it is, I think the writing is adorable. Just take a peak.
“But I’ve decided that it’s possible to love someone for entirely selfless reasons, for all of their flaws and weaknesses, and still not succeed in having them love you back. It’s sad, perhaps, but not tragic, unless you dwell forever in the pursuit of their elusive affections.”
Even though the characters could use a deeper, more dynamic development and the plot a little less condensed because I think the conflicts got a bit too overwhelming down the middle of the road but overall, I think this is a surprisingly good book that offers YA readers a powerful message. I definitely recommend it.
June 5, 2014
Say What You Will is a moving story about two people facing incredible challenges that fall in love and find hope in each other. It's sweet and wonderful, but also sad and frustrating at times. 3rd person is always hard for me to connect to characters in a book, and this is where my inability to love this one stems from. I also found it a tad long which is probably related to the latter. But it's a book I'm glad I read; the raw honesty of these people's harsh lives ended up being both eye opening and inspiring.
Told in dual POV, we have Amy who has cerebral palsy, she needs the help of a walker to get around, and she can only speak using a computerized voice box. She's also extremely intelligent and highly aware of how people see her, not to mention very lonely. I found her characters highly compelling. I enjoyed how brutally honest she was with herself, and how she was bold enough to try and connect with people who simply did not get her. Not everyone would have her high spirits in her situation, and especially not her guts. She even had an amusing sense of humour that made me chuckle with regularity. Then we have Matthew who I didn't click with as much as I did her. I found him a bit frustrating, to be honest, even offensive at times. It's like he didn't even want to try and kept living in the past. I did find it interesting to look into the perspective of someone with OCD, but I simply didn't find him to be a very likeable character. He does go through a great deal of character growth by the end, however, which helped.
Together is where they shine. They help each other overcome their fears and end up connecting in a way neither of them expected. This made for a sweet romance that is both cute and believable. I appreciated the true depiction of a first-love romance. It's filled with anxiety, confusion and insecurities, but also with excitement, anticipation, and forgiveness. There's a twist in the story that's heartbreaking, but gives the book that much more depth. I liked how realistically and delicately that was handled, as well.
If only the book wasn't written in 3rd person, I would have felt much closer to the characters. As it lay, I was kept at a distance due to the narrative choice. My emotional attachment was not as strong as it could have been. I understood that it was a beautiful, heartbreaking journey, I understood the importance in the book's message, but I didn't exactly feel it, if you know what I mean. Similarly, the characters' personalities were not as well defined as they could have been - especially the supporting cast - and I didn't feel I got to really know them. Still, the power of this novel lays in its message of being the absolute best you can be, no matter how people see you, and no matter the hand life dealt you. Also, be kind to those who look different on the outside, because on the inside they're just the same as you!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Told in dual POV, we have Amy who has cerebral palsy, she needs the help of a walker to get around, and she can only speak using a computerized voice box. She's also extremely intelligent and highly aware of how people see her, not to mention very lonely. I found her characters highly compelling. I enjoyed how brutally honest she was with herself, and how she was bold enough to try and connect with people who simply did not get her. Not everyone would have her high spirits in her situation, and especially not her guts. She even had an amusing sense of humour that made me chuckle with regularity. Then we have Matthew who I didn't click with as much as I did her. I found him a bit frustrating, to be honest, even offensive at times. It's like he didn't even want to try and kept living in the past. I did find it interesting to look into the perspective of someone with OCD, but I simply didn't find him to be a very likeable character. He does go through a great deal of character growth by the end, however, which helped.
Together is where they shine. They help each other overcome their fears and end up connecting in a way neither of them expected. This made for a sweet romance that is both cute and believable. I appreciated the true depiction of a first-love romance. It's filled with anxiety, confusion and insecurities, but also with excitement, anticipation, and forgiveness. There's a twist in the story that's heartbreaking, but gives the book that much more depth. I liked how realistically and delicately that was handled, as well.
If only the book wasn't written in 3rd person, I would have felt much closer to the characters. As it lay, I was kept at a distance due to the narrative choice. My emotional attachment was not as strong as it could have been. I understood that it was a beautiful, heartbreaking journey, I understood the importance in the book's message, but I didn't exactly feel it, if you know what I mean. Similarly, the characters' personalities were not as well defined as they could have been - especially the supporting cast - and I didn't feel I got to really know them. Still, the power of this novel lays in its message of being the absolute best you can be, no matter how people see you, and no matter the hand life dealt you. Also, be kind to those who look different on the outside, because on the inside they're just the same as you!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
April 14, 2017
This was a major disappointment for me. I thought it sounded great when I first read the synopsis and so I bought it right away when it first came out. It then sat on my tbr pile forever since I just kind of lost interest. Finally I decided to pick it up this weekend and wow... that was... I don't even know.
This was much too juvenile for my tastes. It was very much "HERE IS THE LESSON YOU SHOULD LEARN FROM THIS BOOK OKAY" and that was just kind of annoying.
The characters were okay although they made some pretty stupid decisions a lot of the time.
The plot was just ?????? I really don't even know what happened.
So yeah, this book was just weird. I'll be doing a spoiler free review as well as a spoilery discussion of my channel soon so stay tuned for that!
This was much too juvenile for my tastes. It was very much "HERE IS THE LESSON YOU SHOULD LEARN FROM THIS BOOK OKAY" and that was just kind of annoying.
The characters were okay although they made some pretty stupid decisions a lot of the time.
The plot was just ?????? I really don't even know what happened.
So yeah, this book was just weird. I'll be doing a spoiler free review as well as a spoilery discussion of my channel soon so stay tuned for that!
March 15, 2014
Just when I thought I was maybe growing 'out' of young adult books, along came Cammie McGovern, and alongside her came Amy and Matthew, reminding me exactly why I fell in love with YA in the first place.
Amy and Matthew seems like a book that was written for me - it contains everything I love and most importantly, two imperfect protagonists who were easy to admire from the very beginning. Both characters have diagnosable 'disabilities', Amy has Cerebral Palsy and Matthew has OCD. Though both conditions can be very disabling, the characters certainly don't just sit back and let their problems dominate them, which is probably the main reason why I admired them so much. Their lives are undoubtedly affected, as anybody who has (or who has had) an illness will know, and it that's certainly a largely covered issue in the book, but I absolutely loved, and was so relieved, that the personalities of the characters were at the forefront. I enjoyed seeing how the two characters leaned on each other and how their relationship helped improve their wellbeing.
Amy and Matthew learn a lot about themselves through each other and this creates such a perfect chemistry between the two and it's something very special. Amy and Matthew are, quite simply, perfect for each other. If I was Amy, I would love a guy like Matthew, and if I was Matthew, I'd love a girl like Amy. I don't think that anybody could deny that. The two characters are really quite different and that is patly why they work so well together. Though Amy is less physically able than Matthew, she's perhaps slightly stronger emotionally, where as Matthew is more physically able but has a harder time with his emotions. I was very interested to see what Amy was really like, what she really thought and felt, as she seemed like, and was, a very complex person. I can only imagine what it must be like to be in her situation, but I think that McGovern portrayed her amazingly well. I liked seeing how both characters changed throughout the book - I was particularly impressed with Matthew's improvements and recovery.
As someone who has both chronic physical pain and mental illnesses, from what I understand of Amy and Matthew's issues, they were described well and I am glad that their issues were portrayed in a very frank, but not hyperbolic way. I sympathised with them, but didn't pity them. It is good to finally be able read a book about real people with real issues, trying to lead a normal lifestyle.
I hope it's clear how much I loved this book! It's difficult to write in a review, as you really do have to 'meet' Amy and Matthew through reading. I can not thank McGovern enough for getting me back into this genre and reminding me of everything I love about contemporary YA. Amy and Matthew is definitely one of the top YA books out there at the moment. Move over, The Fault In Our Stars and make way for Amy and Matthew!
Amy and Matthew seems like a book that was written for me - it contains everything I love and most importantly, two imperfect protagonists who were easy to admire from the very beginning. Both characters have diagnosable 'disabilities', Amy has Cerebral Palsy and Matthew has OCD. Though both conditions can be very disabling, the characters certainly don't just sit back and let their problems dominate them, which is probably the main reason why I admired them so much. Their lives are undoubtedly affected, as anybody who has (or who has had) an illness will know, and it that's certainly a largely covered issue in the book, but I absolutely loved, and was so relieved, that the personalities of the characters were at the forefront. I enjoyed seeing how the two characters leaned on each other and how their relationship helped improve their wellbeing.
Amy and Matthew learn a lot about themselves through each other and this creates such a perfect chemistry between the two and it's something very special. Amy and Matthew are, quite simply, perfect for each other. If I was Amy, I would love a guy like Matthew, and if I was Matthew, I'd love a girl like Amy. I don't think that anybody could deny that. The two characters are really quite different and that is patly why they work so well together. Though Amy is less physically able than Matthew, she's perhaps slightly stronger emotionally, where as Matthew is more physically able but has a harder time with his emotions. I was very interested to see what Amy was really like, what she really thought and felt, as she seemed like, and was, a very complex person. I can only imagine what it must be like to be in her situation, but I think that McGovern portrayed her amazingly well. I liked seeing how both characters changed throughout the book - I was particularly impressed with Matthew's improvements and recovery.
As someone who has both chronic physical pain and mental illnesses, from what I understand of Amy and Matthew's issues, they were described well and I am glad that their issues were portrayed in a very frank, but not hyperbolic way. I sympathised with them, but didn't pity them. It is good to finally be able read a book about real people with real issues, trying to lead a normal lifestyle.
I hope it's clear how much I loved this book! It's difficult to write in a review, as you really do have to 'meet' Amy and Matthew through reading. I can not thank McGovern enough for getting me back into this genre and reminding me of everything I love about contemporary YA. Amy and Matthew is definitely one of the top YA books out there at the moment. Move over, The Fault In Our Stars and make way for Amy and Matthew!
July 4, 2014
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
3.5 stars
Say What You Will is hands down, the most surprising novel I've read so far in the year of 2014. Everything about it--the characters, the twists, the romance, the plot; all of it was remarkable. I do have my qualms, but this is going down as one of the most incredibly unique novels I've read. EVER.
Cammie McGovern's novel is surprising and unique for one main reason: the characters. Amy was born with cerebral palsy and cannot walk without the aid of her walker or talk without a screen that speaks what she types for her. Her overbearing mother decides that for Amy's senior year that she should have peer helpers to look after her throughout the day and make friends. Matthew is one of those peer helpers. Matthew has problems of his own as well; he's got obsessive compulsive disorder and is constantly wanting to wash his hands and make sure no one is hurt. McGovern characterizes these characters brilliantly. Rarely have I encountered novels where such illnesses are written realistically and so unflinchingly. It has definitely left it's mark in that sense.
My biggest gripe with Say What You Will is how it was written. The writing was beautiful and emotional. I could see that. But I couldn't really feel it. I wanted to laugh and cry and scream and curl up into a ball of anxiety for the protagonists. However, I just didn't really feel it. Say What You Will is written in 3rd person and that's what makes it so hard to connect to the characters. I found it to be a huge difficulty to get under the characters' skin despite them being so well written and authentic. Additionally, I personally would have liked more on the other characters in the story. I felt like this book was a little too narrow with the characters. I wanted to know more about Matthew's family as well as Sanjay, Sarah and Chloe.
The second half is definitely more eventful than the first. Both have their quirks; the first half is definitely more about setting up these two protags and watching them fall for each other whereas the second half was packed with shocking new truths and twists. I definitely got some odd looks thrown my way on the train when I was reading this. I can most certainly see people shedding a few tears in this novel. It does have emotional potential, but I guess I was the minority for that aspect.
I guess I do agree with the pitch that was given to this novel. I don't like it when popular books are included in pitches because like...seriously? But this did feel like a dash of The Fault in Our Stars plus a bit of Eleanor & Park. This being said, they are not all that similar in the sense of characters or plot line but I can see where the pitch was coming from.
In all, I really liked Say What You Will. It delivers a strong message and I know this book won't be leaving my mind any time soon.
3.5 stars
Say What You Will is hands down, the most surprising novel I've read so far in the year of 2014. Everything about it--the characters, the twists, the romance, the plot; all of it was remarkable. I do have my qualms, but this is going down as one of the most incredibly unique novels I've read. EVER.
Cammie McGovern's novel is surprising and unique for one main reason: the characters. Amy was born with cerebral palsy and cannot walk without the aid of her walker or talk without a screen that speaks what she types for her. Her overbearing mother decides that for Amy's senior year that she should have peer helpers to look after her throughout the day and make friends. Matthew is one of those peer helpers. Matthew has problems of his own as well; he's got obsessive compulsive disorder and is constantly wanting to wash his hands and make sure no one is hurt. McGovern characterizes these characters brilliantly. Rarely have I encountered novels where such illnesses are written realistically and so unflinchingly. It has definitely left it's mark in that sense.
My biggest gripe with Say What You Will is how it was written. The writing was beautiful and emotional. I could see that. But I couldn't really feel it. I wanted to laugh and cry and scream and curl up into a ball of anxiety for the protagonists. However, I just didn't really feel it. Say What You Will is written in 3rd person and that's what makes it so hard to connect to the characters. I found it to be a huge difficulty to get under the characters' skin despite them being so well written and authentic. Additionally, I personally would have liked more on the other characters in the story. I felt like this book was a little too narrow with the characters. I wanted to know more about Matthew's family as well as Sanjay, Sarah and Chloe.
The second half is definitely more eventful than the first. Both have their quirks; the first half is definitely more about setting up these two protags and watching them fall for each other whereas the second half was packed with shocking new truths and twists. I definitely got some odd looks thrown my way on the train when I was reading this. I can most certainly see people shedding a few tears in this novel. It does have emotional potential, but I guess I was the minority for that aspect.
I guess I do agree with the pitch that was given to this novel. I don't like it when popular books are included in pitches because like...seriously? But this did feel like a dash of The Fault in Our Stars plus a bit of Eleanor & Park. This being said, they are not all that similar in the sense of characters or plot line but I can see where the pitch was coming from.
In all, I really liked Say What You Will. It delivers a strong message and I know this book won't be leaving my mind any time soon.
~Thank you HarperTeen for sending me this copy!~
May 21, 2016
Oh, how I had such high hopes for this book.
I read the description on Amazon and immediately thought, "I NEED to buy this book." So I did just that, the day it came out, and I read it essentially in one fell swoop, only pausing to sleep.
And I was so very disappointed.
The first part of the book was incredible; learning Amy and Matthew's story, watching their friendship bloom and transform into something possibly more, something neither of them had ever planned. It felt a little bit like Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, though definitely not as eloquently executed. But when I had read about half of it, I had no idea what was going to happen in the second half; and not in a good way. The story wasn't building in an appealing way, it was just continuing.
And then the author threw in a plot point that seemed completely unlike Amy, a character I had grow to love, essentially ruining the story for me. Then, it continued with that plot point until the end, beating a dead horse into incalculable pieces. I'm trying not to be too spoiler-y, but this "event" that occurred is something that seems to pop up a lot in stories nowadays, and each time it feels contrived, cliche. Authors need to stop using this as a crutch in their novels and start creating more original plot transitions.
So, in the end, the failure of the novel was that it didn't follow through. And it's a tragedy. This book had immense potential to be something incredible, but the second half of the story ruined the whole book entirely for me.
I read the description on Amazon and immediately thought, "I NEED to buy this book." So I did just that, the day it came out, and I read it essentially in one fell swoop, only pausing to sleep.
And I was so very disappointed.
The first part of the book was incredible; learning Amy and Matthew's story, watching their friendship bloom and transform into something possibly more, something neither of them had ever planned. It felt a little bit like Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, though definitely not as eloquently executed. But when I had read about half of it, I had no idea what was going to happen in the second half; and not in a good way. The story wasn't building in an appealing way, it was just continuing.
And then the author threw in a plot point that seemed completely unlike Amy, a character I had grow to love, essentially ruining the story for me. Then, it continued with that plot point until the end, beating a dead horse into incalculable pieces. I'm trying not to be too spoiler-y, but this "event" that occurred is something that seems to pop up a lot in stories nowadays, and each time it feels contrived, cliche. Authors need to stop using this as a crutch in their novels and start creating more original plot transitions.
So, in the end, the failure of the novel was that it didn't follow through. And it's a tragedy. This book had immense potential to be something incredible, but the second half of the story ruined the whole book entirely for me.
July 4, 2014
***This review has also been posted on The Social Potato
When I first heard about this book, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it but as the reviews started rolling in and many people I knew liked it, I became more and more interested, so that's why when I finally picked Say What You Will up, I had soaring expectations. They were met at first, but that eventually changed and a twist near the end of the book was too much for me. It made this book take on a soap opera-like feel and there was just too much unnecessary drama.
Amy, at first, was a very fun character. In fact, the first thing I wrote down in my notes about this book was how I already liked her. She had an optimism surrounding her that was infectious and I liked that in spite of everything she could be cheerful. EVEN when Matt told her that he saw right through her façade. And perhaps it was a façade, but she realized it and owned up to it and tried to make changes in her life to help change that. Her need to be a ‘normal’ teenager, however, got to me. I may sound harsh, but.. she wasn't a normal teenager and she won’t ever be one.
Matt was absolutely adorable. He was shy and sensitive and so, so sweet. I loved his awkwardness and I loved seeing him finally admit to having a problem and then going so far as to actually get help. All the progress he made over the course of the book was admirable and I was so proud of him. The problem that I had with him was his insecurity. Sometimes, even though it added a dimension to his character, I just got fed up of him questioning everything. In fact, both of their insecurities led to so much drama that I really just couldn’t.
They said they were best friends, yet at times I wondered why they were so insecure about their relationship. I understand their insecurities, but they are best friends and sometimes, sometimes, communication works wonders. With that said, their relationship was definitely interesting. They contrasted each other in many ways and it was so fun to watch the two support one another and help each other morph into people who were more confident about themselves.
I also liked how although both had an air of maturity around them, they were still teenagers and prone to making many silly mistakes, because really, if you were perfect then you wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow as these two had.
Another thing I really liked was that while Amy’s disability faded into the background at times, it was never really forgotten about. The reader was always aware of it. The author normalized Amy, but at the same time, she never made it seem like Amy was normal because she wasn’t.
The secondary characters were an interesting set and perhaps not as well developed as I would have liked. Amy’s parents, though, played a major role. At first it seemed that her mother was annoying and would turn out to be a ‘bad parent’ (some of the things she did..) but the author never let that happen. Her mother could be too involved and overbearing but she was a mother who was just overprotective and with a child like Amy, you couldn’t really blame her.
With me saying all these positive things, you might wonder why I didn’t enjoy this book. I mean, the narration wasn’t an issue, even the dual POV worked out pretty well, I didn’t have many issues with the characters and her parents were good, too, so what was my problem? My problem was the drama. OH SO MUCH DRAMA.
Perhaps I sound insensitive but I am the kind of person who has never in her life enjoyed unnecessary drama. Drama is good, wonderful even if done well but in this book, it served no purpose or at least in my opinion it didn’t. I found myself getting annoyed that these two wouldn’t say the three words they both so desperately wanted to and they kept on messing up again and again. They’d make up and hide their feelings and then something else would happen that would tear them apart. The one ‘twist’ in the end was just so unbelievable for me and so dramatic that at that point I kind of just gave up. After a certain point, this book wasn’t fun and humorous; it was drama drama and DRAAAMAAA. It seemed like it was about all the obstacles the two would have to jump over to get to the HEA they both wanted.
In the end, I fell out of love with this book and was sorely disappointed when I didn’t get what I had hoped for. There will be people out there who will love this but if drama for no reason is not your thing, I’d say skip it or if you’re curious, beware for you have been warned!
When I first heard about this book, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it but as the reviews started rolling in and many people I knew liked it, I became more and more interested, so that's why when I finally picked Say What You Will up, I had soaring expectations. They were met at first, but that eventually changed and a twist near the end of the book was too much for me. It made this book take on a soap opera-like feel and there was just too much unnecessary drama.
Amy, at first, was a very fun character. In fact, the first thing I wrote down in my notes about this book was how I already liked her. She had an optimism surrounding her that was infectious and I liked that in spite of everything she could be cheerful. EVEN when Matt told her that he saw right through her façade. And perhaps it was a façade, but she realized it and owned up to it and tried to make changes in her life to help change that. Her need to be a ‘normal’ teenager, however, got to me. I may sound harsh, but.. she wasn't a normal teenager and she won’t ever be one.
Matt was absolutely adorable. He was shy and sensitive and so, so sweet. I loved his awkwardness and I loved seeing him finally admit to having a problem and then going so far as to actually get help. All the progress he made over the course of the book was admirable and I was so proud of him. The problem that I had with him was his insecurity. Sometimes, even though it added a dimension to his character, I just got fed up of him questioning everything. In fact, both of their insecurities led to so much drama that I really just couldn’t.
They said they were best friends, yet at times I wondered why they were so insecure about their relationship. I understand their insecurities, but they are best friends and sometimes, sometimes, communication works wonders. With that said, their relationship was definitely interesting. They contrasted each other in many ways and it was so fun to watch the two support one another and help each other morph into people who were more confident about themselves.
I also liked how although both had an air of maturity around them, they were still teenagers and prone to making many silly mistakes, because really, if you were perfect then you wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow as these two had.
Another thing I really liked was that while Amy’s disability faded into the background at times, it was never really forgotten about. The reader was always aware of it. The author normalized Amy, but at the same time, she never made it seem like Amy was normal because she wasn’t.
The secondary characters were an interesting set and perhaps not as well developed as I would have liked. Amy’s parents, though, played a major role. At first it seemed that her mother was annoying and would turn out to be a ‘bad parent’ (some of the things she did..) but the author never let that happen. Her mother could be too involved and overbearing but she was a mother who was just overprotective and with a child like Amy, you couldn’t really blame her.
With me saying all these positive things, you might wonder why I didn’t enjoy this book. I mean, the narration wasn’t an issue, even the dual POV worked out pretty well, I didn’t have many issues with the characters and her parents were good, too, so what was my problem? My problem was the drama. OH SO MUCH DRAMA.
Perhaps I sound insensitive but I am the kind of person who has never in her life enjoyed unnecessary drama. Drama is good, wonderful even if done well but in this book, it served no purpose or at least in my opinion it didn’t. I found myself getting annoyed that these two wouldn’t say the three words they both so desperately wanted to and they kept on messing up again and again. They’d make up and hide their feelings and then something else would happen that would tear them apart. The one ‘twist’ in the end was just so unbelievable for me and so dramatic that at that point I kind of just gave up. After a certain point, this book wasn’t fun and humorous; it was drama drama and DRAAAMAAA. It seemed like it was about all the obstacles the two would have to jump over to get to the HEA they both wanted.
In the end, I fell out of love with this book and was sorely disappointed when I didn’t get what I had hoped for. There will be people out there who will love this but if drama for no reason is not your thing, I’d say skip it or if you’re curious, beware for you have been warned!
March 30, 2016
I don't know where to start. I didn't know what the book was about and I like to be surprised. When I started reading and saw that it was the story of a girl with cerebral palsy and a boy with severe OCD and socially inept, I soon realized that this novel was different, I had never read anything like it. It was a real learning, overturn prejudices, to see beyond the disability ... I liked it a lot and think it would be great if the schools students had to read this book, learn to respect the difference. And just I did not give 5, because he liked to have had a different ending.
July 31, 2014
I could not put this down...the characters are genuine and captivating. Their struggles with their issues are honest and heart wrenching. This should be a Printz contender.
For older teens or the New Adult category.
For older teens or the New Adult category.
November 3, 2014
I, like many of you sticklers out there who feel the need to compare previously popular books such as The Fault in Our Stars, Twilight, and The Hunger Games to new ones, have been shown up yet again. I completely expected a Fault in Our Stars knock off with cerebral palsy instead of cancer, because that's what a bunch of reviews told me. Suffice to say, it was not. A book about illnesses does not constitute a rip off of John Green. I mean it can sometimes, I've read some, but anyways!
Amy has cerebral palsy and the left side of her body is unpredictable, causing her to rely on a walker and an aide to carry her books in between classes, use the bathroom, etc. It's her senior year and she's not exactly what you would call popular. In fact, she hasn't really got one friend. So she decides to switch out her adult aides for peers that will help, five different students for each day of the week. She let's her mom pick four, but Amy has her eyes set on making Matthew, the guy that inspired her idea, to be number five.
Matthew is very compulsive. In fact, he's obsessively compulsive. He needs to check the faucet at least three times to make sure it is completely off, tap every other locker, and he prefers when things have an even amount such as the tiles on the wall or vowels in a word. He's surprised when he gets the call to be Amy's aide, a wee bit hesitant, but he does it since she emailed him directly telling him of her choice.
A friendship ensues, and it's a rather cute one. Of course, the entire time I was screaming something along the lines of this. With a "you" instead of "we"
And then something happens that I honestly did not see coming at all. It was really out of the blue. I was left gaping, completely dumbfounded at how unlucky Amy was.
Then came the ending, where yes, I was pleased, but then I was like really? That's all I'm going to get. An almost promise of something more. I don't know about you, but I like seeing couples I ship get married at the end, gives me a sense of fulfillment. Okay, not necessarily married, but in this case, I would've liked more solid insurance. Instead....
All in all, an enjoyable, humorous read!
Happy Reading!!!
Amy has cerebral palsy and the left side of her body is unpredictable, causing her to rely on a walker and an aide to carry her books in between classes, use the bathroom, etc. It's her senior year and she's not exactly what you would call popular. In fact, she hasn't really got one friend. So she decides to switch out her adult aides for peers that will help, five different students for each day of the week. She let's her mom pick four, but Amy has her eyes set on making Matthew, the guy that inspired her idea, to be number five.
Matthew is very compulsive. In fact, he's obsessively compulsive. He needs to check the faucet at least three times to make sure it is completely off, tap every other locker, and he prefers when things have an even amount such as the tiles on the wall or vowels in a word. He's surprised when he gets the call to be Amy's aide, a wee bit hesitant, but he does it since she emailed him directly telling him of her choice.
A friendship ensues, and it's a rather cute one. Of course, the entire time I was screaming something along the lines of this. With a "you" instead of "we"
And then something happens that I honestly did not see coming at all. It was really out of the blue. I was left gaping, completely dumbfounded at how unlucky Amy was.
Then came the ending, where yes, I was pleased, but then I was like really? That's all I'm going to get. An almost promise of something more. I don't know about you, but I like seeing couples I ship get married at the end, gives me a sense of fulfillment. Okay, not necessarily married, but in this case, I would've liked more solid insurance. Instead....
All in all, an enjoyable, humorous read!
Happy Reading!!!
February 21, 2014
I loved this. I loved Amy and Matthew. I can't remember the last time I read a YA book with such flawed but lovable characters. They both make bad decisions through the course of the book, but I love how they handled the consequences, and in the end isn't that what you want from your protagonists? For them to make mistakes and grow?
If you liked ELEANOR & PARK you're not going to want to miss this one.
If you liked ELEANOR & PARK you're not going to want to miss this one.
February 13, 2017
All of my reviews are spoiler free (unless stated otherwise) so you can go ahead and read my review!
This story is absolutely beautiful and I feel like there needs to be more books like this out there in the YA community! Amy has severe cerebral palsy and has to use a walker to get around and a special machine to speak for her. Amy is super intelligent and is sick of living in a shell, so for her senior year, she decides to get peer helpers instead of teacher aides in order to make friends and make the most of her final year of school. Matthew is one of her new peer helpers and they immediately have a connection. Matthew isn't your average boy. He's teased relentlessly for having severe OCD and their relationship really helps both Amy and Matthew with different fears and personal issues.
Firstly, the writing is amazing and really brought to light a disease that people may not know about. Personally, I had a friend in primary school who had cerebral palsy and he was in a wheelchair and couldn't speak either, but he was such a lovely boy and he used to let me ride in his wheelchair. I regret not keeping in touch with him, because now I have no idea where he is or if he's alright or what he's doing, but I often think about him.
This was a really realistic story with absolutely no instalove and it shows the progress of two people's friendship growth and also their own personal growth as individuals. The way this was done was absolutely stunning and eye opening. There were also some really unexpected twists in the book that I definitely didn't expect and it was so exciting and scary and askdfhakbh!
The main thing that I took away from this book is to face your fears and communicate with people. TELL PEOPLE HOW YOU FEEL! The majority of the time, speaking up will solve your problem! This was one of the most beautiful and inspirational books I've ever read and I want everyone to read it and be enlightened and appreciate this beautiful work. <3
This story is absolutely beautiful and I feel like there needs to be more books like this out there in the YA community! Amy has severe cerebral palsy and has to use a walker to get around and a special machine to speak for her. Amy is super intelligent and is sick of living in a shell, so for her senior year, she decides to get peer helpers instead of teacher aides in order to make friends and make the most of her final year of school. Matthew is one of her new peer helpers and they immediately have a connection. Matthew isn't your average boy. He's teased relentlessly for having severe OCD and their relationship really helps both Amy and Matthew with different fears and personal issues.
Firstly, the writing is amazing and really brought to light a disease that people may not know about. Personally, I had a friend in primary school who had cerebral palsy and he was in a wheelchair and couldn't speak either, but he was such a lovely boy and he used to let me ride in his wheelchair. I regret not keeping in touch with him, because now I have no idea where he is or if he's alright or what he's doing, but I often think about him.
This was a really realistic story with absolutely no instalove and it shows the progress of two people's friendship growth and also their own personal growth as individuals. The way this was done was absolutely stunning and eye opening. There were also some really unexpected twists in the book that I definitely didn't expect and it was so exciting and scary and askdfhakbh!
The main thing that I took away from this book is to face your fears and communicate with people. TELL PEOPLE HOW YOU FEEL! The majority of the time, speaking up will solve your problem! This was one of the most beautiful and inspirational books I've ever read and I want everyone to read it and be enlightened and appreciate this beautiful work. <3
August 23, 2015
Edit like a year later- thinking back, this book is nowhere near a 4.5 for me. Amy actions in the last half of this book really bothered me. Can't do it.
Original review - 4.5 stars I think. I adored this book and these characters to pieces, but there's just something keeping me from giving it a full five stars. That being said, I still really liked the plot and I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Rainbow Rowell. So cute.
Original review - 4.5 stars I think. I adored this book and these characters to pieces, but there's just something keeping me from giving it a full five stars. That being said, I still really liked the plot and I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Rainbow Rowell. So cute.
August 7, 2016
Okay, so. I very much appreciate the fact that this book exists. Because books about characters who have disabilities and yet lead perfectly normal lives are few and far between. And I've NEVER come across a book where the protagonist had cerebral palsy before, so that was great. I also liked the fact that McGovern was all "HEY, GUESS WHAT? PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN HAVE SEX!". Because I know that friends who have disabilities really struggle with people being all "........wait, you can have sex?!?!" Um. Duh?
BUT.
- Amy is a pretty unlikable character a lot of the time. She thinks she knows what's best for people solely because she's read a few books on the subject.
- Matt can be a bit holier-than-thou at times.
-
- I remain unconvinced that the school would have let Amy COMPLETELY do away with her support staff in favour of student helpers, especially when she said at the beginning of the book that her support staff did things like HELPING HER GO TO THE BATHROOM AND CHANGING HER SANITARY PADS. And then suddenly she was scheduled to have entire days where she didn't have female student helpers?! Either she miraculously had sufficient control of her arms to manage those things herself, or those student helpers were NOT being paid enough. I sure as hell wouldn't deal with someone else's sanitary pads for $60 a fortnight.
- The school may also have been in legal difficulties if something happened to Amy on campus because she had student helpers rather than properly trained support staff, so yeah. Super not convinced that she'd have been allowed to get rid of her support staff altogether.
- But maybe I'm wrong.
- IDK.
- But yeah. There were...problems...with this book.
- Also, publishers REALLY need to stop comparing every freaking young adult book about mental illness/disability/teenagers falling in love against all odds to The Fault in Our Stars and Eleanor & Park. Just stop. Because you're setting your readers up for disappointment when the book is nothing like either of those.
In short, this had a lot of positives, but also a hell of a lot of negatives, and it balanced out to meh.
BUT.
- Amy is a pretty unlikable character a lot of the time. She thinks she knows what's best for people solely because she's read a few books on the subject.
- Matt can be a bit holier-than-thou at times.
-
- I remain unconvinced that the school would have let Amy COMPLETELY do away with her support staff in favour of student helpers, especially when she said at the beginning of the book that her support staff did things like HELPING HER GO TO THE BATHROOM AND CHANGING HER SANITARY PADS. And then suddenly she was scheduled to have entire days where she didn't have female student helpers?! Either she miraculously had sufficient control of her arms to manage those things herself, or those student helpers were NOT being paid enough. I sure as hell wouldn't deal with someone else's sanitary pads for $60 a fortnight.
- The school may also have been in legal difficulties if something happened to Amy on campus because she had student helpers rather than properly trained support staff, so yeah. Super not convinced that she'd have been allowed to get rid of her support staff altogether.
- But maybe I'm wrong.
- IDK.
- But yeah. There were...problems...with this book.
- Also, publishers REALLY need to stop comparing every freaking young adult book about mental illness/disability/teenagers falling in love against all odds to The Fault in Our Stars and Eleanor & Park. Just stop. Because you're setting your readers up for disappointment when the book is nothing like either of those.
In short, this had a lot of positives, but also a hell of a lot of negatives, and it balanced out to meh.
April 7, 2016
An Electronic Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review. Quotes have been pulled from an ARC and may be subject to change.
Say What you Will spotlights disabled characters and that's something I was looking forward to reading in this one. I love the fact that we get to see a different perspective of someone with cerebral palsy and another with an obsessive compulsion disorder. Both points of views let the readers in on a glimpse of what it's like to live as someone who has a disability. Both refreshing and unique, I recommend this one for its sheer character development.
Unfortunately, I was looking for a huge story-line. It's literally day to day interactions and I solemnly grew bored. Even if it meant for one of them achieve their goals like graduating to go off to college. But alas, I couldn't find a story that made it worth sticking to. I read 85% of the e-ARC, only to skim the rest of the book because I felt like it was extremely long. I did care what happened to them which is why I didn't just DNF the entire thing.
As for the characters, I liked reading from their point of views. As for Amy I didn't like her at all. Amy is extremely bossy but she masks it with good intentions. She took Matthew's wonderful friendship for granted at EVERY chance she could get. I found her to be extremely selfish who would do anything to get what she wanted, eventually even cheating on someone she claims to love? Um no. I eventually didn't really care what she did because I knew I couldn't condone how she treated Matthew. Also, Amy's mom is insanely overprotective and yes I understand that she's different from other children, but how will she learn to be independent and grow up if she doesn't have her parents there 24-7? I was happy when she finally went off on her own. Matthew on the other hand had a thought process that I couldn't understand, but mostly I just thought he was extremely paranoid until he started to count and do OCD like actions. Even though he had this disorder, and Amy tried to help him, I thought her way was too forward. It felt like she just pushed him into the deep end, and he learned how to swim on his own. He was just so fond of Amy, and he treated her so nicely, even when she starts to get mad at him. I couldn't understand why he didn't see that either. I did love how incredible close they got, how their friendship blossomed, but I didn't see the romance at all.
Overall, I would definitely give this one a try if you want to read more about characters with disabilities, but if you're looking for a cute love story, tr to find it somewhere else. It's more a friendship than anything.
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
"I don't know what it would feel like to be beautiful, but I can guess that it makes demands on your time."
"I have learned that some people who look fine are more crippled than I am, by fears they can't explain."
"I see the way some people handicap themselves."
"Just because you're too scared to take any risks doesn't mean the rest of us should be."
"I don't like them saying hi suddenly when they've spent the last eleven years ignoring me."
"Most boys aren't interested in models. It's girls who think they're beautiful. Boys look at that and see a paper-thin nothing. We're not interested in that."
"Even smart girls like me care about stupid things like prom."
"You aren't afraid of things and you're always true to yourself and I've learned a lot from you."
"If you care what they think, they have all the power."
"You're the only person I think about with any feeling like happiness."
"I don't think you have to tear up all your relationships to get away from people's expectations of you."
Say What you Will spotlights disabled characters and that's something I was looking forward to reading in this one. I love the fact that we get to see a different perspective of someone with cerebral palsy and another with an obsessive compulsion disorder. Both points of views let the readers in on a glimpse of what it's like to live as someone who has a disability. Both refreshing and unique, I recommend this one for its sheer character development.
Unfortunately, I was looking for a huge story-line. It's literally day to day interactions and I solemnly grew bored. Even if it meant for one of them achieve their goals like graduating to go off to college. But alas, I couldn't find a story that made it worth sticking to. I read 85% of the e-ARC, only to skim the rest of the book because I felt like it was extremely long. I did care what happened to them which is why I didn't just DNF the entire thing.
As for the characters, I liked reading from their point of views. As for Amy I didn't like her at all. Amy is extremely bossy but she masks it with good intentions. She took Matthew's wonderful friendship for granted at EVERY chance she could get. I found her to be extremely selfish who would do anything to get what she wanted, eventually even cheating on someone she claims to love? Um no. I eventually didn't really care what she did because I knew I couldn't condone how she treated Matthew. Also, Amy's mom is insanely overprotective and yes I understand that she's different from other children, but how will she learn to be independent and grow up if she doesn't have her parents there 24-7? I was happy when she finally went off on her own. Matthew on the other hand had a thought process that I couldn't understand, but mostly I just thought he was extremely paranoid until he started to count and do OCD like actions. Even though he had this disorder, and Amy tried to help him, I thought her way was too forward. It felt like she just pushed him into the deep end, and he learned how to swim on his own. He was just so fond of Amy, and he treated her so nicely, even when she starts to get mad at him. I couldn't understand why he didn't see that either. I did love how incredible close they got, how their friendship blossomed, but I didn't see the romance at all.
Overall, I would definitely give this one a try if you want to read more about characters with disabilities, but if you're looking for a cute love story, tr to find it somewhere else. It's more a friendship than anything.
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
"I don't know what it would feel like to be beautiful, but I can guess that it makes demands on your time."
"I have learned that some people who look fine are more crippled than I am, by fears they can't explain."
"I see the way some people handicap themselves."
"Just because you're too scared to take any risks doesn't mean the rest of us should be."
"I don't like them saying hi suddenly when they've spent the last eleven years ignoring me."
"Most boys aren't interested in models. It's girls who think they're beautiful. Boys look at that and see a paper-thin nothing. We're not interested in that."
"Even smart girls like me care about stupid things like prom."
"You aren't afraid of things and you're always true to yourself and I've learned a lot from you."
"If you care what they think, they have all the power."
"You're the only person I think about with any feeling like happiness."
"I don't think you have to tear up all your relationships to get away from people's expectations of you."
March 30, 2014
You can read more of my reviews at Queen of Contemporary
You know a novel is truly flawless when you feel as if it’s natural; the words flow into one and you are witnessing the events through the characters’ eyes without fault. That’s how I felt when reading Amy & Matthew.
One of the easiest ways to describe Amy & Matthew is to quote from the text itself: ‘there were many ways to be a freak. Amy had no choice, but other people did. If you worked hard and concentrated, you could hide your freakish thoughts.’ Amy has cerebral palsy, which limits her communication and movement. It’s her senior year and she decides she’s going to replace the aides who usually help her with students. Step in five peer helpers. Matthew has noticed Amy since they were young and so offers to help. The thing is, Matthew has his own problems to battle. For fans of Eleanor & Park and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Amy & Matthew will blow you away.
I think I fell in love with this novel from the first page. It was understanding and meaningful and it had me completely hooked. I can tell this book will touch a lot of people once released, just as it touched me. I was wary before I started reading it, I must admit. Books dealing with such subjects are becoming ever popular (and for good reason) but there is a certain atmosphere surrounding them that isn’t needed. As it’s only a recently emerging trend, it can always be worrying beforehand; you never really know what to expect. I didn’t need to be worried though, because I loved Amy & Matthew.
The thing I loved most about this book was it wasn’t your typical romance book. From the title you would expect it, but it’s really not. To call it a romance novel would be a dishonour because it’s so much more than that. It’s the blooming friendship between two people as they discover themselves at the same time and explore the changes of the world around them; it’s the differences between the two and how they bridge the gap. In two words: truly stunning.
I don’t want to talk too much about both Amy and Matthew because I think the brilliant thing about this book is discovering their personalities and hidden depths for yourself. I thought I knew who they both were but then things would happen and I had to reassess. It was such a refreshing way to read because you don’t often get that.
Simply, you should go out and buy Amy & Matthew straight away. It challenges preconceived notions and will blow you away.
You know a novel is truly flawless when you feel as if it’s natural; the words flow into one and you are witnessing the events through the characters’ eyes without fault. That’s how I felt when reading Amy & Matthew.
One of the easiest ways to describe Amy & Matthew is to quote from the text itself: ‘there were many ways to be a freak. Amy had no choice, but other people did. If you worked hard and concentrated, you could hide your freakish thoughts.’ Amy has cerebral palsy, which limits her communication and movement. It’s her senior year and she decides she’s going to replace the aides who usually help her with students. Step in five peer helpers. Matthew has noticed Amy since they were young and so offers to help. The thing is, Matthew has his own problems to battle. For fans of Eleanor & Park and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Amy & Matthew will blow you away.
I think I fell in love with this novel from the first page. It was understanding and meaningful and it had me completely hooked. I can tell this book will touch a lot of people once released, just as it touched me. I was wary before I started reading it, I must admit. Books dealing with such subjects are becoming ever popular (and for good reason) but there is a certain atmosphere surrounding them that isn’t needed. As it’s only a recently emerging trend, it can always be worrying beforehand; you never really know what to expect. I didn’t need to be worried though, because I loved Amy & Matthew.
The thing I loved most about this book was it wasn’t your typical romance book. From the title you would expect it, but it’s really not. To call it a romance novel would be a dishonour because it’s so much more than that. It’s the blooming friendship between two people as they discover themselves at the same time and explore the changes of the world around them; it’s the differences between the two and how they bridge the gap. In two words: truly stunning.
I don’t want to talk too much about both Amy and Matthew because I think the brilliant thing about this book is discovering their personalities and hidden depths for yourself. I thought I knew who they both were but then things would happen and I had to reassess. It was such a refreshing way to read because you don’t often get that.
Simply, you should go out and buy Amy & Matthew straight away. It challenges preconceived notions and will blow you away.
December 6, 2013
I was so happy to get my hands on this book as an ARC.
Sure, there are a few notable books about teens with disabilities--Marcelo in the Real Worldand The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Timejump to mind--but never have I read a book like Cammie McGovern's latest, Say What You Will.
Say What You Will gives us a typical teen-age love story. What is not typical, though, are the teens themselves. More often than not, teens with disabilities in fiction have wings, or can read minds or can taste emotions in their lemon cake. Matthew and Amy have no such disabilities, and their portrayal in this book is one of the most sensitive and honest I have ever seen. Because the author sees them as nuanced and flawed, the reader is invited to do the same while getting a look at the experience of young adults with physical disability and mental illness.
All that aside--and it really shouldn't be; this is a progressive and important shift in the conversation around realistic fiction--the plot and style of the book are great. McGovern uses text messages and emails alongside her narration to fully immerse the reader in the world of her characters. A clever new discovery that might become a trope in fiction: the unsent emails written late at night and saved to drafts for fear of their ramifications. Never again will anyone have to read a chapter that starts, "Dear Diary."
And the ending! Oh, man, the ending. Some books hit you like a bus, knocking you flat. Cammie McGovern pulls the brakes just before collision and the shock is that we survive.
Sure, there are a few notable books about teens with disabilities--Marcelo in the Real Worldand The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Timejump to mind--but never have I read a book like Cammie McGovern's latest, Say What You Will.
Say What You Will gives us a typical teen-age love story. What is not typical, though, are the teens themselves. More often than not, teens with disabilities in fiction have wings, or can read minds or can taste emotions in their lemon cake. Matthew and Amy have no such disabilities, and their portrayal in this book is one of the most sensitive and honest I have ever seen. Because the author sees them as nuanced and flawed, the reader is invited to do the same while getting a look at the experience of young adults with physical disability and mental illness.
All that aside--and it really shouldn't be; this is a progressive and important shift in the conversation around realistic fiction--the plot and style of the book are great. McGovern uses text messages and emails alongside her narration to fully immerse the reader in the world of her characters. A clever new discovery that might become a trope in fiction: the unsent emails written late at night and saved to drafts for fear of their ramifications. Never again will anyone have to read a chapter that starts, "Dear Diary."
And the ending! Oh, man, the ending. Some books hit you like a bus, knocking you flat. Cammie McGovern pulls the brakes just before collision and the shock is that we survive.
July 10, 2015
Meine Rezension: https://youtu.be/ym0u4OrlVCg
March 10, 2021
Welp.
It started strongly. Loved the highly interesting relationship dynamic between these two. Third of the way in though things fell apart. Once it made the shift from high school to college it started falling down a hill, gaining momentum and unable to stop sucking like a hooker really trying to work for her cash. When it was YA it was fine, but I feel like it lost its direction and then it turned into New Adult MUCH too quickly and I wish it wouldn't have went in that direction at all. Character growth is important but it should be done much more subtly than all this. Then of course I was triggered by the pregnancy and now I just wanna forget the whole story.
Nope.
It started strongly. Loved the highly interesting relationship dynamic between these two. Third of the way in though things fell apart. Once it made the shift from high school to college it started falling down a hill, gaining momentum and unable to stop sucking like a hooker really trying to work for her cash. When it was YA it was fine, but I feel like it lost its direction and then it turned into New Adult MUCH too quickly and I wish it wouldn't have went in that direction at all. Character growth is important but it should be done much more subtly than all this. Then of course I was triggered by the pregnancy and now I just wanna forget the whole story.
Nope.
February 10, 2014
o I'm not a Huge contemporary fan. I like books that are far away from the truth as possible. But when I read the summary of this book I felt a huge draw to it, and I am so glad I read it.
Literally something I've never ever read about, never would think of reading. A girl with cerebral palsy and a boy with OCD. Sounds like a disaster love story yes? In some ways but in others an amazing tear jerker.
I loved the writing style in this book. A lot of inner monologue which was so refreshing. Carries writing is very clever, addicting and a huge emotion jerker.
I loved the characters. Amy the seventeen year old girl with cerebral palsy trying to get through high school. And Matthew who's OCD is effecting his life pretty badly. I found these characters so refreshing to read. Their not perfect they have issues like real people. They come together to help each other and end up falling in love. I think Cammie has handled cerebral palsy amazingly in terms of being so despcriptive, but not taking away from the story itself so much.
This book felt really real. It brought out emotions I never thought I could feel. That little pain in your chest when someone is just so emotional literally happened every other page. It's just an all around epic love story not about the generic hot guy and non popular girl in school, this is so much better.
A warm, magnificent and delicate love story that will break your heart and stitch it back together again.
Literally something I've never ever read about, never would think of reading. A girl with cerebral palsy and a boy with OCD. Sounds like a disaster love story yes? In some ways but in others an amazing tear jerker.
I loved the writing style in this book. A lot of inner monologue which was so refreshing. Carries writing is very clever, addicting and a huge emotion jerker.
I loved the characters. Amy the seventeen year old girl with cerebral palsy trying to get through high school. And Matthew who's OCD is effecting his life pretty badly. I found these characters so refreshing to read. Their not perfect they have issues like real people. They come together to help each other and end up falling in love. I think Cammie has handled cerebral palsy amazingly in terms of being so despcriptive, but not taking away from the story itself so much.
This book felt really real. It brought out emotions I never thought I could feel. That little pain in your chest when someone is just so emotional literally happened every other page. It's just an all around epic love story not about the generic hot guy and non popular girl in school, this is so much better.
A warm, magnificent and delicate love story that will break your heart and stitch it back together again.
July 1, 2014
This book promised to be a cross between "Eleanor and Park" and "The Fault in Our Stars" and sadly, I did not think it delivered. Matthew takes on a job to be an aide to a disabled girl named Amy who has trouble walking and speaking. She had adult aides in the past, but she decided she needed to learn how to make friends so her mother hires students to help her in school. Amy is attractive but she drools and cant' speak. The book is about the relationship that develops between Amy and Matthew. The book moved VERY slowly and felt like it was 1000 pages instead of 300. Nothing really amazing happened throughout the book, and I found it to be not very emotionally involving. I also found that the CAPS WAS ANNOYING, I understand it representing a computer talking, but it felt like the old days on AOL when kids would use caps to be annoying.
October 15, 2014
The very first thing I'd like to point out in this review is that: this is NOT like the Fault in Our Stars. This is NOT like Eleanor and Park. This is NOT a story about 2 kids with cancer who fall in love and then they die and then they mourn and whatever. No. It's not even close to that. Say What You Will takes TFIOS and stomps on it, in fact it trumps it on so many levels I don't know why I'm spending so much time trying to convince you that this book is unique. It is. You'll know from the very first page, actually, from the synopsis alone, that this book is not what you expect it to be. Cammie McGovern did a very good job at releasing a debut novel that absolutely took my breath away. Of course I say this with no exaggeration at all, because books like these are the absolute epitome of YA contemporary and all its glory.
The rawness, the reality, of this book is so true and so deep that it cuts you straight to the core. You're allowed into the mindset of Matthew who almost severely has OCD and it's nothing I've ever read before, he's worried about things a million times more than what any other person would be worried about, he's all over the place and at the same time he's not. I related to him on the basis of constant excessive worrying and you truly feel the realism this character has in the story. He has great friendship with Amy that you could just see blossom and bloom and he was so unbelievably frank about most things with her and whenever he held back it just makes you genuinely upset that he didn't tell Amy that ONE THING HE SHOULD'VE TOLD HER!!!! Okay, let me calm down for a bit...
[5 minutes later] I'm fine. I can continue this review. The thing I loved about this book was that it took its time for the relationship/love to develop, from the very beginning you fall for their sweet friendship and the way Amy and Matthew just naturally communicated, it was wonderful. The thing about Amy was that you never felt like she had cerebral palsy because her thoughts were that of any normal teenage girl and I really felt like McGovern did her research because honestly everything was so accurately described I loved it. Amy had her faults as any human being should have and I felt like this is what made the book so enjoyable for me and so utterly painful to read about 65% of the time. This book was so heartwarming and surprising and I love a book that surprises me. The one thing that I might've really disliked about it was the abrupt ending, maybe because I was so engrossed in the story that I expected more but other than that I enjoyed this. A lot. I can't wait to read more of Cammie's YA-based books because this one sold me.
P.S: if you're looking for a book with this long lasting impression & a lot of inspirational stuff that kind of just sticks with you and I don't mean the self-help book kind of inspirational I mean the kind that just takes your heart and fills it with good quotes and fluffy moments. Then read this. Read it.
The rawness, the reality, of this book is so true and so deep that it cuts you straight to the core. You're allowed into the mindset of Matthew who almost severely has OCD and it's nothing I've ever read before, he's worried about things a million times more than what any other person would be worried about, he's all over the place and at the same time he's not. I related to him on the basis of constant excessive worrying and you truly feel the realism this character has in the story. He has great friendship with Amy that you could just see blossom and bloom and he was so unbelievably frank about most things with her and whenever he held back it just makes you genuinely upset that he didn't tell Amy that ONE THING HE SHOULD'VE TOLD HER!!!! Okay, let me calm down for a bit...
[5 minutes later] I'm fine. I can continue this review. The thing I loved about this book was that it took its time for the relationship/love to develop, from the very beginning you fall for their sweet friendship and the way Amy and Matthew just naturally communicated, it was wonderful. The thing about Amy was that you never felt like she had cerebral palsy because her thoughts were that of any normal teenage girl and I really felt like McGovern did her research because honestly everything was so accurately described I loved it. Amy had her faults as any human being should have and I felt like this is what made the book so enjoyable for me and so utterly painful to read about 65% of the time. This book was so heartwarming and surprising and I love a book that surprises me. The one thing that I might've really disliked about it was the abrupt ending, maybe because I was so engrossed in the story that I expected more but other than that I enjoyed this. A lot. I can't wait to read more of Cammie's YA-based books because this one sold me.
P.S: if you're looking for a book with this long lasting impression & a lot of inspirational stuff that kind of just sticks with you and I don't mean the self-help book kind of inspirational I mean the kind that just takes your heart and fills it with good quotes and fluffy moments. Then read this. Read it.
February 23, 2016
Cammie McGovern's YA debut Say What You Will is a wonderful novel about first love, friendships, and being who you truly are. While, I admit, I wasn't fully able to engross myself into Amy and Matthew's story as I would have liked (probably due to the third person narration), I still found it to be a fabulous and intriguing glimpse into what life would be like with cerebral palsy and OCD.
16-year-old Amy was born with cerebral palsy and can't walk without a walker or talk without a voicebox. When she starts school for the first time, she puts up an advertisement for a student helper.
When Matthew, plagued by OCD, sees this advertisement, he decides to volunteer. Little does he know that he and Amy are more alike then they realized.
I think one of the minor problems I had with Say What You Will was the writing. I feel it would have been more effective if the story was written in the duel perspective of Amy and Matthew in first person. The third person narration it was written in simply made me feel a bit distant from Amy and Matthew because we were never really able to get "inside their heads."
Speaking of which, I feel virtually all the characters could have been a bit more developed. I enjoyed them, but they never really stood out to me. It would have been helpful if they were given a little more backstory and their personalities were more defined.
All in all, despite the minor flaws it had, Say What You Will is definitely worth the read. It's heartbreaking and beautiful, and I have no doubt that it will be widely accepted and read by teens. Matthew and Amy's story is one that will ultimitely stick out and grab your heart, and you'll be thrown in to their wonderful romance, and the many ups and downs it has along the way.
March 20, 2017
First DNF of the year and what a corker it was too.
I immediately began to struggle with this book because Matthew instantly started to grate on me - he irritated me, he upset me, he annoyed me... he just isn't a very nice character and he is so hard to get to like. He's mean, he's too blunt, he's too forward, and he's a little bit of a pain.
Amy is a character that I like - if I could read about Amy without having to put up with Matthew, I would. Because Amy has some real potential and I love the immediate character development and learning about her. She's a great character and I love how her illness was brought into it and written (unlike Matthew's). I think the author needs to learn how OCD *actually* works without just making some loose assumptions from cliché OCD assumptions and the old "oh, people with OCD obviously wash their hands hundreds of times a day", acting as if it's a really simple thing when in fact, it isn't. She downplayed OCD massively and made it out to be something to take lightly; something to almost mock and just spontaneously add into a random conversation.
I just didn't like Matthew.
I didn't like the writing style either. It felt very juvenile and as if it was trying far, far too hard to be different and quirky, which it certainly wasn't. It was boring, extremely so, and read more like an account that was going to head to a therapist for a psyche assessment than a YA novel.
And don't get me started on Matthew's constant "she is so much prettier than I thought, too" and commenting on her sex appeal as if she's an object.
This fell massively short, extremely so because I couldn't even finish it - for that, I'm extremely disappointed. The premise held so much promise and potential and I was so excited for the story to pan out.
Since I decided to DNF this I decided to read some spoilers and I can only say one thing: I'm glad I jumped ship when I did.
Disclaimer: I hate leaving bad reviews. I do. But I also prefer to write honest reviews. If I didn't write a bad review, I'd be lying and damaging my integrity as a reviewer and book lover.
I immediately began to struggle with this book because Matthew instantly started to grate on me - he irritated me, he upset me, he annoyed me... he just isn't a very nice character and he is so hard to get to like. He's mean, he's too blunt, he's too forward, and he's a little bit of a pain.
Amy is a character that I like - if I could read about Amy without having to put up with Matthew, I would. Because Amy has some real potential and I love the immediate character development and learning about her. She's a great character and I love how her illness was brought into it and written (unlike Matthew's). I think the author needs to learn how OCD *actually* works without just making some loose assumptions from cliché OCD assumptions and the old "oh, people with OCD obviously wash their hands hundreds of times a day", acting as if it's a really simple thing when in fact, it isn't. She downplayed OCD massively and made it out to be something to take lightly; something to almost mock and just spontaneously add into a random conversation.
I just didn't like Matthew.
I didn't like the writing style either. It felt very juvenile and as if it was trying far, far too hard to be different and quirky, which it certainly wasn't. It was boring, extremely so, and read more like an account that was going to head to a therapist for a psyche assessment than a YA novel.
And don't get me started on Matthew's constant "she is so much prettier than I thought, too" and commenting on her sex appeal as if she's an object.
This fell massively short, extremely so because I couldn't even finish it - for that, I'm extremely disappointed. The premise held so much promise and potential and I was so excited for the story to pan out.
Since I decided to DNF this I decided to read some spoilers and I can only say one thing: I'm glad I jumped ship when I did.
Disclaimer: I hate leaving bad reviews. I do. But I also prefer to write honest reviews. If I didn't write a bad review, I'd be lying and damaging my integrity as a reviewer and book lover.
September 18, 2015
Amy, a senior in high school, has cerebral palsy. Pushed by her mother to excel academically, Amy has never truly had a friend or opportunities to experience the social aspects of school. So, for her senior year, she convinces her mother to hire peer helpers to assist her at school. One of her helpers is Matthew, an awkward boy who has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). For each, daily life can be a struggle, but they both proved obstacles can be overcome. As Amy and Matthew navigate senior year, I felt I was walking the halls with them. I appreciated that the author allowed you into the thoughts and inner emotions of Amy and Matthew, and the window it offered on living with a disability. Though not a unique plot line, it's a worthy YA read.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
March 24, 2014
4.5 stars!
This book was so beautifully written and had such amazing characters!
I will say this book spoke to me on a more personal level as a lot of the issues in this book are things that are personal to my life!
This book was so beautifully written and had such amazing characters!
I will say this book spoke to me on a more personal level as a lot of the issues in this book are things that are personal to my life!
April 28, 2014
**This review will post to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.**
There are so many things I can’t say about this book, simply because I feel like there are no words that can accurately describe it. If ever a standout in the YA genre, it is Say What You Will, in almost every aspect.
The obvious way is that it deals with two characters who have their own handicaps: Amy, with her disability, and Matthew, who seems fine but you learn has his own disabilities that cripple him—perhaps not in the same visual way as Amy, but he has them, certainly. And it is astounding to see how they are handled in a young adult book, amongst all the usual drama and stress and emotions of a Senior year.
These characters are also incredibly unique to any book I’ve read. They’re both quite strong, as people and as they are written. Their downfalls and their own handicaps are integrated really well into their personality, and I love that both are much more than their issues. Just as we always hope “cancer books” aren’t just about the cancer, this book is most certainly not just about Amy’s disability.
I want to talk so much about Amy and Matthew, about how they are together and separate, how they really are better with the other…but I really can’t without saying what exactly ails Matthew, without saying what exactly they endure. So I’ll have to leave it at this: I’ve never met anyone quite like the two of them, with their quiet, strong demeanors. Who are somehow both closed off and entirely open to new people and things. Who confront being uncomfortable with a resolve I wish I had.
But I can say that this story is beautiful, that this is a friendship built on so much more than days spent together. That it’s written so well, with their words and emails and texts and her Text. That I was caught by surprise in so many instances, both big and small, in big moments and small ones. There is so much heart and tenderness in these pages, I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to control all the out-of-control beating of my own heart. And I can also mention that I was not impressed with all the parents in this book—not in terms of the writing, that was still great. But the parents themselves and what they do (and didn’t do) in the book make me very crabby when I think of it haha.
Say What You Will is a stunning addition to the YA contemporary world, introducing new characteristics while retaining all the emotions and feelings we crave and love. It is a beautiful story of friendship and love, and friendly love and loving friends. It’s also about confronting and accepting faults and flaws, and learning to not necessarily overcome them, but absorb them into who you are. And that is a fantastic lesson for us all to learn.
There are so many things I can’t say about this book, simply because I feel like there are no words that can accurately describe it. If ever a standout in the YA genre, it is Say What You Will, in almost every aspect.
The obvious way is that it deals with two characters who have their own handicaps: Amy, with her disability, and Matthew, who seems fine but you learn has his own disabilities that cripple him—perhaps not in the same visual way as Amy, but he has them, certainly. And it is astounding to see how they are handled in a young adult book, amongst all the usual drama and stress and emotions of a Senior year.
These characters are also incredibly unique to any book I’ve read. They’re both quite strong, as people and as they are written. Their downfalls and their own handicaps are integrated really well into their personality, and I love that both are much more than their issues. Just as we always hope “cancer books” aren’t just about the cancer, this book is most certainly not just about Amy’s disability.
I want to talk so much about Amy and Matthew, about how they are together and separate, how they really are better with the other…but I really can’t without saying what exactly ails Matthew, without saying what exactly they endure. So I’ll have to leave it at this: I’ve never met anyone quite like the two of them, with their quiet, strong demeanors. Who are somehow both closed off and entirely open to new people and things. Who confront being uncomfortable with a resolve I wish I had.
But I can say that this story is beautiful, that this is a friendship built on so much more than days spent together. That it’s written so well, with their words and emails and texts and her Text. That I was caught by surprise in so many instances, both big and small, in big moments and small ones. There is so much heart and tenderness in these pages, I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to control all the out-of-control beating of my own heart. And I can also mention that I was not impressed with all the parents in this book—not in terms of the writing, that was still great. But the parents themselves and what they do (and didn’t do) in the book make me very crabby when I think of it haha.
Say What You Will is a stunning addition to the YA contemporary world, introducing new characteristics while retaining all the emotions and feelings we crave and love. It is a beautiful story of friendship and love, and friendly love and loving friends. It’s also about confronting and accepting faults and flaws, and learning to not necessarily overcome them, but absorb them into who you are. And that is a fantastic lesson for us all to learn.
February 29, 2016
This was my first book by Cammie and I. Loved. It!
This book follows Amy and Matthew during their senior year in high school and on. They both have fears to face and overcome before the thing between them can work and it was a rough road to take in. They are put into situations where a weaker person would've given up.
Amy is disabled and I loved that she didn't let it turn her into a shell. Her humor shined and it made me super happy. I loved watching her help her best friend who is a peer that helps her get through the school day...
In comes Matt. He is her peer and that is where their story starts. My heart went out to him time and time again. He has his own disability and it hurt seeing it eat away at the person he really is. His humor had me laughing more often than not and his loyalty to Amy warmed my heart to the point where I thought it would explode. It's safe to say that he is my favorite out of this story. Not because he's a guy, but because I felt like he opened up more than Amy did and I grew so attached to his pain and sorrow that in his moments of happiness... they were a miracle to me.
This was like nothing I have ever read before and I loved every moment of it. The sad part about loving a book is when things aren't going the way you want it to. And this book is guilty of that. I was heart-broken by the unfairness of their situation and the selfishness of a particular character!! I kept crying my eyes out since this story took a hold of my heart immediately and has yet to let me go. I wanted these two wonderful beings happier, more than anyone. I want to be optimistic about that ending but I don't know if I have a reason to.
Cammie explained things so beautifully that I was swept into their shoes. I felt like I was the one going through what these characters were and it was scary at times. I read this in one sitting and if I could turn back time and read it again, I would. I miss Matt so much, it's ridiculous.
The plot twist hit me pretty hard, which is surprising. I usually, in the back of my mind, yearn for this exact plot twist with every character I read about but somehow I was too invested in this story to think about it. Until it hit me in the face. I loved witnessing Amy and Matt handle the situation in the best way they could. I would have written a completely different ending but hey, too late now. Can Cammie write a sequel PLEASE!?!?!?! I miss these characters so much it isn't even funny. My heart hurts just thinking about them. I want to know more!!
4.5 stars!
This book follows Amy and Matthew during their senior year in high school and on. They both have fears to face and overcome before the thing between them can work and it was a rough road to take in. They are put into situations where a weaker person would've given up.
Amy is disabled and I loved that she didn't let it turn her into a shell. Her humor shined and it made me super happy. I loved watching her help her best friend who is a peer that helps her get through the school day...
In comes Matt. He is her peer and that is where their story starts. My heart went out to him time and time again. He has his own disability and it hurt seeing it eat away at the person he really is. His humor had me laughing more often than not and his loyalty to Amy warmed my heart to the point where I thought it would explode. It's safe to say that he is my favorite out of this story. Not because he's a guy, but because I felt like he opened up more than Amy did and I grew so attached to his pain and sorrow that in his moments of happiness... they were a miracle to me.
This was like nothing I have ever read before and I loved every moment of it. The sad part about loving a book is when things aren't going the way you want it to. And this book is guilty of that. I was heart-broken by the unfairness of their situation and the selfishness of a particular character!! I kept crying my eyes out since this story took a hold of my heart immediately and has yet to let me go. I wanted these two wonderful beings happier, more than anyone. I want to be optimistic about that ending but I don't know if I have a reason to.
Cammie explained things so beautifully that I was swept into their shoes. I felt like I was the one going through what these characters were and it was scary at times. I read this in one sitting and if I could turn back time and read it again, I would. I miss Matt so much, it's ridiculous.
The plot twist hit me pretty hard, which is surprising. I usually, in the back of my mind, yearn for this exact plot twist with every character I read about but somehow I was too invested in this story to think about it. Until it hit me in the face. I loved witnessing Amy and Matt handle the situation in the best way they could. I would have written a completely different ending but hey, too late now. Can Cammie write a sequel PLEASE!?!?!?! I miss these characters so much it isn't even funny. My heart hurts just thinking about them. I want to know more!!
4.5 stars!
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