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The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash

Candace Ganger (Goodreads Author)

3.75 · Rating details · 343 ratings · 107 reviews

Birdie never meant to be at the party. Bash should have been long gone. But when they meet, a collision course is set off they may never recover from.

Sebastian Alvaréz is just trying to hold the pieces together: to not flunk out, to keep his sort-of-best friend Wild Kyle from doing something really bad, and to see his beloved Ma through chemo. But when he meets Birdie Paxt ...more

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Hardcover, 320 pages

Published July 25th 2017 by St. Martin's Griffin

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Jul 06, 2017 The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, arc, young-adult, 2017-releases, netgalley, summer-tbr-wipeout-2017

Full Review on The Candid Cover

I am not usually one for super tragic books, but The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash drew me in. It tells the story of two people linked by tragedy, though one of them doesn’t know it. One of the main characters, Birdie, is so intelligent, and the author’s writing is whip-smart. However, it is a good idea to have some tissues nearby because this book is an emotional rollercoaster.

This book’s concept really intrigued me. Basically Bash, and his friend are in Full Review on The Candid Cover

I am not usually one for super tragic books, but The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash drew me in. It tells the story of two people linked by tragedy, though one of them doesn’t know it. One of the main characters, Birdie, is so intelligent, and the author’s writing is whip-smart. However, it is a good idea to have some tissues nearby because this book is an emotional rollercoaster.

This book’s concept really intrigued me. Basically Bash, and his friend are in the car that runs over Birdie’s baby brother, causing him severe injury. There is a low chance of survival, and Bash and his friend never own up to the accident. The plot thickens as Birdie and Bash end up working at a rollerskating rink together while Birdie is unaware of their connection. I enjoyed the suspense that built up as Bash struggled to tell Birdie what he did and being able to understand both sides of the story. This story is so complex and absolutely heart-wrenching, making it an incredible debut.

I really enjoyed Birdie’s character in the novel. She is so intelligent and not afraid to make math jokes. Birdie is also pretty sassy because of her ability to recite random facts, which provided some comic relief. She struggles a lot after the accident and blames herself, so I really sympathized with her. I found Birdie to be such a realistic character and one who is very likeable.

Candace Ganger has a very entertaining writing style. I found the writing in this book to be similar to John Green’s since it is both clever and comedic. Ganger is able to write about tragic events while still incorporating some fun scenes, which I appreciated. It is also clear that she did her research while writing this book because there are some great chemic metaphors scattered throughout the story. This amusing writing really added a lot to the book and is the perfect complement to Birdie and Bash’s story.

The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash is a clever story about two teens who are linked by a tragedy. I loved the main character and her intelligence, and the author’s writing style is so engaging. Though this book is pretty heavy, it’s worth the read. ...more

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Nov 03, 2016 Tomes And Textiles rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017

Full review on YAWednesdays.

Oh man, oh man, oh man...is this book on everyone's TBR?!?

TLDR: Obviously, this is a book that Candace poured her heart and soul into. You can feel the raw emotion of every nuance of this book bleeding onto every page. One part The Sky Is Everywhere with shades of I'll Meet You There and The Sun Is Also a Star, this is a near-perfect contemporary that will be the perfect summer beach read.

The full, gushing review is up on YAWednesdays.
...more

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Sep 18, 2017 TL marked it as dnf

Shelves: goodreads-giveaways

I received this via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own:).
----

I really hate DNFing books I've won but in this case, I couldn't stand the two main characters... the only ones I felt anything for was Bash's mom and Birdie's little brother but even they couldn't save this for me.

The writing wasn't bad, it kept my attention but, well... *points above and shrugs*

Lots of people loved this so give it a shot if it interests you still... I wish you happy read ...more

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Aug 24, 2016 Patty Blount rated it it was amazing

I'm proud to tell you I read and provided a quote for this novel. Tight writing, vividly portrayed characters, and a plot so poignant, it'll stick with you long after you close the book, BIRDIE & BASH is a smart debut that needs to be on top of your reading pile. I think fans of John Greene's ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES will enjoy this story. I know I did. ...more

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Jul 20, 2017 Vanessa Teixeira rated it it was amazing

Review on my blog ...more

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Jul 18, 2017 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fiction, 2017

In "The Inevitable Collision of Birdie and Bash," Birdie and Bash meet at a party. Birdie isn't supposed to be at the party. Bash is trying to escape from everything else in his life by going to the party. Bash is trying to do the same. At the time, neither of them can imagine the inextricable ways that their lives will be tied forever more.

On its surface, this book seems like fun romp but it is so much more than that. This book is filled with a lot of drama and questions about whether its bett In "The Inevitable Collision of Birdie and Bash," Birdie and Bash meet at a party. Birdie isn't supposed to be at the party. Bash is trying to escape from everything else in his life by going to the party. Bash is trying to do the same. At the time, neither of them can imagine the inextricable ways that their lives will be tied forever more.

On its surface, this book seems like fun romp but it is so much more than that. This book is filled with a lot of drama and questions about whether its better to hide or its better to tell the truth even with the truth has the power to rip people apart. I loved seeing the main characters and the secondary characters in the book explore what this meant for each of them throughout the book. You're pulling for the truth the whole time but the author keeps you guessing so that you are not sure on what side the characters are going to end up until the very end. I love when a book can keep me on my toes like that!

The characters really make this book. I really liked how the author gave depth to not only the main characters but the secondary characters as well (Birdie's sister and Bash's friend, Kyle - OMG! Both of these characters!). Birdie has a pretty good life. Yeah, she fights with her sister and yearns for a closer relationship. Yeah, she just lost a scholarship but things are okay until the unimaginable happens and Birdie suddenly realizes how good her family had it. Bash is struggling. His mother (the only person that she really has in the entire world) is dying and he is doing everything he can to try to forget about it. He can't confront what his life might/ will be like when he loses his mother. This book goes deep and makes you care about these characters so much.

I was left wanting the ending to draw out a bit more so we could see what happens to these characters and their families after the book ends but this isn't one of those books that would ever lend itself well to a sequel. There is a bit of beauty in the way the author left it: open with a good dose of hope for the future. ...more

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Jun 04, 2018 Jennifer rated it liked it · review of another edition

"There are moments in life, vivid ones splashed onto blank canvas, that hang in front of you, swing like a pendulum you can't grasp. But you reach, eyes wide open, because if you close them, everything changes. So fast."

"Some of those collisions, like love, or whatever that means, are inevitable, no matter what you do to stop it. I can only hope it won't hurt too bad."

"There are so many variables in everyday life, things I don't always notice at first that can change the outcome dramatically. Th ...more

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Apr 21, 2017 Ms. Yingling rated it it was ok

Wow. NOT a middle grade book! I think the descriptions of this should include the fact that it's got REALLY raunchy language. While I appreciate that this occurred on the very first page, the cartoon cover lead me to think it was more of a MG than YA book. Will NOT purchase anything with the f-word in it for my grade 6-8 readers. I was looking forward to this one, darn it. ...more

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Aug 24, 2016 K.M. Walton rated it it was amazing

I was lucky enough to read and blurb this debut novel, emphasis on the lucky. The characters of Birdie and Bash stuck with me long after I finished reading - the sign of an excellent read. Candace Granger is one talented writer. Add it to your TBR pile now.

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Aug 24, 2016 Kim rated it it was amazing

Thrilled to have had the opportunity to read this book already. I devoured it in one sitting because I couldn't pull myself away from these richly crafted characters. The plot and writing reeled me in then refused to let me go. This debut is a stunner. Add it to your must read list now! ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Luanne Ollivier rated it really liked it

I always have one YA book tapped to be my companion at the beach for a day in the summer. Candace Ganger's debut novel, The Inevitable Collison of Birdie and Bash was that book.

Birdie and Sebastian (Bash) meet at a party. There's interest on both sides, but nothing happens that night. Well, nothing between the two of them. But something does happen that will change both their lives.... The reader knows what has transpired and can only be a silent witness as events unfold. The pair meet again and ...more

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Oct 03, 2017 Jeimy rated it really liked it

I loved reading this heartbreaking book. Both Birdie and Bash are grieving. They meet at a party and were attracted to one another, but that encounter was cut short. Bash is a junkie and an alcoholic who uses these drugs to dull the ache caused by his mother's impending death due to cancer. One night after binging, Bash lets his friend drive and they run over Birdie's brother. Not knowing what they hit and afraid of the legal consequences, they flee the scene.

This was a tough book to read—it is ...more

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Aug 25, 2017 Paige (Illegal in 3 Countries) marked it as abandoned

Shelves: arc, yabc

I read 75 pages and so much about The Inevitable Collision of Birdie and Bash rubbed me the wrong way. The way Bash describes Birdie when he meets her, him staring at her for literally an entire 3-4 minute song like a creep and yet she isn't creeped out, the way Birdie calls a girl named Stacey "Fat Stac(k)" in her head just because Stacey's shitty friends came up with the nickname, the dialogue Birdie and Bash exchange,...

This book isn't for me and that's okay.

Cool diversity note: Bash and his ...more

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Sep 19, 2020 jessica ☾ rated it liked it

I honestly just bought this for the cover and didn’t expect much from it, but I actually really enjoyed it! Super easy to get through and it definitely made me tear up a time or two.

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Nov 22, 2017 Kelly added it

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2017

This was slow going until about page 100. I didn't particularly find myself interested in either character. Not bad, but definitely not for me. It's a romance built upon tragedy, with two families who are struggling with death and destruction, along with financial woes (which was refreshing, though it made Kyle, the rich kid, much more of a stereotype than a fully-fleshed character, and he needed much more depth to make the impact of his part of this greater). Birdie's chapters with the attempt ...more

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Aug 17, 2017 wade rated it really liked it

A young adult novel about a pair of teens, one boy and one girl both dealing with family members with severe health issues. Bash's, (the boy) mother has advanced cancer and Birdie's (the girl) younger sister is in a coma at a local hospital. The two meet at a party and over the course of the book have an up and down relationship until the finale. They are not perfect kids. In fact they would not have been my friends. Bash is kind of a jerk and his best friend Kyle is even worse. Most teenagers ...more

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Oct 07, 2018 Lucy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great characters

Loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I felt for all of the characters in this book, the main two were exceptional but the rest of the cast was heart-warming and full of life as well. A very easy, well-written and enjoyable read.

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Jul 24, 2017 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This book was my most anticipated read of July 2017. Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an ARC! I am so thankful for the opportunity to read this book earlier, and therefore review it for you (my fabulous readers). This is a Young-Adult Fiction novel, centering around our two main characters, Birdie and Bash. Birdie is the nerd, interested in entering the medical field (if she wasn't a fictional character, I hope she would read www.futuremedicalleaders.com ) ;). Bash is just trying This book was my most anticipated read of July 2017. Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an ARC! I am so thankful for the opportunity to read this book earlier, and therefore review it for you (my fabulous readers). This is a Young-Adult Fiction novel, centering around our two main characters, Birdie and Bash. Birdie is the nerd, interested in entering the medical field (if she wasn't a fictional character, I hope she would read www.futuremedicalleaders.com ) ;). Bash is just trying to keep his life together: his personal, family, and academic life.

Being the self- proclaimed chemistry nerd I am, I adored the chemistry relations to this book. The equations, balancing, variables, it all soothed my chemistry soul. There were often Lesson of the Day's at the end of each chapter. These were often chemistry related, but also served as a great way to really see how our beloved main character(s) were doing.

Birdie was a great female protagonist, and I found her personality to be very relatable. She frequently enjoys witty bantering with Bash which was the cutest thing to read about. While there was a slight coming of age story for each, I enjoyed reading about Bash grow up and into the person he was meant to be.

The dramatic irony was crazy, and a great literary touch to this novel. Ganger writes with beautiful imagery which added to this beautiful reading experience. This book is very touching, and with that said, it is a similar writing style to John Green. I enjoyed all of the characters, and how they worked together to create a unique plot line. This book will make you "feel all the feels" as us fangirls say.

The pace of this book was fast, and the plot line "threads" all sorted themselves out. Sometimes when you read a book, you can read 100 pages, and not remember a thing that happened. However, this novel, was the opposite, where I remembered every detail, and by page 40, was already able to give my mother the run down on the plot and tell her how much I loved this book.

Reading this book, I heard so much of the author's voice. The characters wrote are Ganger's and her writing style and literary voice helped to call these character's her own. This is her debut novel, and I can't wait to read more books from her, as again, her writing was breathtakingly unique. I would recommend this book to fans of the writing style of John Green, fans of Young-Adult Fiction, and YA contemporary and romance. Overall, I give this book 5/5 stars.
...more

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Jul 28, 2017 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: for-review, net-galley

From its title, THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE & BASH may lead one to believe it’s a lighthearted story about two young people who are destined to meet. Perhaps in some chaotic or bizarrely funny way. But while destiny and chaos may play a part in this story, the events that bring Birdie and Bash together are anything but light or fun.

Theirs is a story that is devastatingly heartbreaking, incredibly moving, achingly hopeful. Their lives are consumed by pain, tragedy, and loss. But their conn From its title, THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE & BASH may lead one to believe it’s a lighthearted story about two young people who are destined to meet. Perhaps in some chaotic or bizarrely funny way. But while destiny and chaos may play a part in this story, the events that bring Birdie and Bash together are anything but light or fun.

Theirs is a story that is devastatingly heartbreaking, incredibly moving, achingly hopeful. Their lives are consumed by pain, tragedy, and loss. But their connection is more than one based on shared sorrow. And their love story, while bittersweet, cannot be called tragic.

If Birdie hadn’t been so upset about the news she received about her scholarship, she never would have gone to the party. She never would have met Bash that night. She never would have felt the need to try and confess to her mother, setting in motion the events that led to the worst thing to ever happen to her family.

If Bash had listened to his mother, he never would have stayed friends with Kyle. He never would have been at the party where he met Couch Girl, a.k.a. Birdie. He never would have witnessed Kyle doing the stupidest thing in his life, setting in motion the events that led to Bash making the worst mistake of his.

If either had done just one thing differently, it might have been enough to alter both outcomes. So many things had to come together just right for them to meet, for their lives to become inextricably interwoven, and for their worlds to be forever changed.

Candace Ganger created a story about love and family and friendship that is unexpected and beautiful and heartrending. She introduces two characters who are interesting, kind, strong, sympathetic, and immensely likable. And she challenges them to find their way through their anguish and to each other.

Told in alternating points of view, THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE & BASH promises to put readers and characters alike through an emotional wringer. It invites them to question destiny, fate, and scientific theory. It is sad but not dark. It is sweet but not saccharine. It is gorgeous and intense and absolutely unforgettable. ...more

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Mar 25, 2018 Anita O'brien rated it really liked it

I’m an emotional wreck right now, having just finished this book. The beginning was painful to read with such seriously bad things happening to both main characters but wow, the second half was amazing and ended with such a powerful, feel-good, punch in the gut. I loved everyone in this book, all the characters except for Wild Kyle and would love to read another book by this author again. Once I clear the tears from my eyes.

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Jul 25, 2017 Haley Isabella BellaTheBibliophile rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, arcs, books-i-own

I absolutely loved this book, it was an emotional roller-coaster read for me but it was exactly what I needed at the time.

See my full review here ; http://bellathebibliophile.blogspot.c... ...more

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Nov 07, 2017 Jeanmarie rated it it was amazing

Oh man oh man oh man. This is an epic love story at its finest. One of my favorites of all time, for sure.

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Jun 20, 2017 Charlotte rated it liked it

I don't want to be TOO hard on this book since it did hold my attention and stir some emotions in me. But I also have some issues with it. It tried really hard to use science as an analogy for love. But all the talk of chemical reactions and equations missed the mark in my opinion. In the same vein, I didn't believe Birdie as a nerd. It was only on the surface - glasses, a math t-shirt, good grades. I didn't buy it. It also didn't feel realistic that a minor was living on his own with no money, ...more

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Apr 01, 2017 Katherine rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf, instalove-express, i-knew-it, bloody-awful, contemporary, young-adult, dishonor-on-your-cow, romance, arc

I received an advanced copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks!!!

I'm going to have to agree with another reviewer when they said that they had never read about two more reprehensible characters before. And while I wouldn't go that fare, Birdie and Bash certainly rank up there in terms of unlikability.

If I could compare what this book was trying to be, I would say that this book was trying to be John Green mashed up with Eleanor & Park with a side ...more

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Jul 26, 2017 Dory rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-own, summer-reads, young-adult, i-cried, review-copies, romance-somewhere, the-feels-got-me, smilies, cute, high-school

There is no book better to pull you out of a reading slump than one that will move you, break you and inspire hope. The Inevitable Collision Of Birdie & Bash did just that to me, marking the beginning of a great summer with this fabulous read. However, with character to watch as they go through trauma and a slow burning but glorious romance, the beginning failed to intrigue me and keep me reading. Lucky for me it was the only book I had for a long car ride, so I pushed myself through those 40 p There is no book better to pull you out of a reading slump than one that will move you, break you and inspire hope. The Inevitable Collision Of Birdie & Bash did just that to me, marking the beginning of a great summer with this fabulous read. However, with character to watch as they go through trauma and a slow burning but glorious romance, the beginning failed to intrigue me and keep me reading. Lucky for me it was the only book I had for a long car ride, so I pushed myself through those 40 pages in search of entertainment.

Those 40 pages really struck me as a bad middle-grade novel with their simplicity of character and plot which seemed like it was a story created by the common 12-year-old. It was boring, the characters were one dimensional and most of all, it was as emotional as half a pack of stale crackers. On exactly page 41 I became invested, heck I almost cried on that page, the emotions were gone and then it all came and hit me as hard as a car. Bad analogy? TICoB&B was still predictable, it was easily ignored as the shine of the characters blasted throughout the book. The characters kept me entertained through their worries, moments and methods of recuperating. TICoB&B had me on edge with every event from the initial accident to the drawings. Gagner puppeteered this character's beautiful, creating a story to break and move readers.

Throughout their issues, Gagner revealed more of their true character, pulling them far away from the cookie cutter characters from early on. Each character with their own methods of dealing with loss and trauma, I felt for them and began to cheer them on in their moments of light. Bridie was a hot nerd who placed so much guilt upon her own shoulders, it was sad. While Bash placed, even more, guilt and pain on himself, in his and Birdies relationship, Bash has issues allowing himself to love her. He was kind, however often an angsty jerk at times. Sarge was one of my favourite character with his bubble wrap and moments of wisdom. However, the minor character of Dr. Stein has a special place in my heart as he changed the book, and its characters' lives, for the better.

One major thing I did not understand nor enjoy about this book was the chemistry pushing through the seams. It was very forced and difficult to understand. Most of the time I just skipped the chemistry paragraphs in order not to bore or distract myself from the story

The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash broke and moved me, but it was still predictable with a very weak start.

This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest unbiased review. ...more

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Jul 20, 2017 Samantha rated it really liked it

The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash took me by surprise in the best of ways. This cute, shockingly deep contemporary is the epitome of not judging a book by its cover. You look at the pretty swirls, the bright red and purple, and the roller skates, and you think it's just another sugary contemporary - oh how wrong you are.

This book leads you in through a double-helix spiral. It is an emotional roller coaster that shakes, turns, and spins you out of sorts in the best way possible. The Inevi ...more

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Aug 21, 2017 Stephanie Elliot rated it it was amazing

I fell in love with Bash. He is a broken boy who has had a hard life and his mom is dying of cancer. When he meets Birdie after a terrible tragedy, he tries to keep away from her but, just like chemistry, their components keep bringing them together. This book is heartbreaking and sad, it's definitely a hard read, but so very worth it. You may cry, you will laugh, and you will root for a happy ending! Some books I read and can't remember the characters the next day. Birdie and Bash will be in my ...more

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Apr 07, 2017 Ellen rated it liked it

First two chapters are really rough, but if you can power through that, it's a good story.

I received this ARC from the publisher. ...more

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Mar 27, 2021 Tracy Henn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Cathartic.

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Jul 11, 2017 Sara rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, arc-netgalley, own, read-in-2017

Birdie and Bash meet at a party on a night that will change both of their lives -- not because of their meeting, but because of the tragedy that befalls them later that night. Although both are dealing with their own separate problems, fate seems to be throwing them together. With everything stacking up against them, can they overcome all the obstacles they face and be happy together?

So, first off, we all know that we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover. I judged this book by its cover ...more

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About Candace Ganger

Candace Ganger

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Candace Ganger is a mother, blogger, Entertainment writer for Showbiz Cheat Sheet, and contributing writer for sites like Romper, Teen Vogue, TWLOHA, Bustle, XO Jane & Hello Giggles. She’s also an obsessive marathoner and continual worrier (yay!). Her debut YA novel, THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE & BASH, is out now via St. Martin’s Griffin, and she’s part of a YA mental health anthology, LIFE ...more