If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak

Jul 08, 2017 C.G. Drews rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, 4-star, read-2017, contemporary

This was pretty entirely super cute! I did struggle a small squidge with feeling entirely invested in the story, but it featured a bunch of nerds and an adorakble friendship-turned-romance with plenty of fun dialogue -- SO I CAN GET BEHIND THIS. I also literally got behind it when I was reading and dropped it on my face. Thank you to all the universe, stars, and pebbles upon the shores that I read a paperback and didn't die or lose my eyes. Life can be kind.

It's dual narrated by Linny and This was pretty entirely super cute! I did struggle a small squidge with feeling entirely invested in the story, but it featured a bunch of nerds and an adorakble friendship-turned-romance with plenty of fun dialogue -- SO I CAN GET BEHIND THIS. I also literally got behind it when I was reading and dropped it on my face. Thank you to all the universe, stars, and pebbles upon the shores that I read a paperback and didn't die or lose my eyes. Life can be kind.

It's dual narrated by Linny and Sebastian. And I can't even pick a favourite?! THEY'RE SO CUTE. Linny is totally obsessed with film and Sebastian is into astrophysics. I love how their individual chapters included like scientific facts or snippets of a screenplay being written. It just really made them feel like such individuals! My only problem was: they're both in 1st person.Soooo, I always struggle with dual-narration in 1st. Their voices tend to feel super much the same? BUT AH WELL. I also appreciated that they were both diverse and POC! Linny is biracial with a Nigerian mother, and Sebastian is Mexican!

The story is basically all about missing people. Linny's sister disappeared and Sebastian is looking for his never-before-met-dad. Now I confess...because I have a cold, dead heart: I did fail to feel really invested in both their searches? I think maybe the tone of the book was TOO happy/light when coupled with something that should've felt as direly devastating as missing people???

Also it kind of didn't have a whole heck of a lot of plot. Mostly it's set in an old-people's home. Which is about as fascinating as falling into a cucumber. But I DID love the other scenes were Sebastian/Linny hung out or fell in love or stuck stars on ceilings or made bad food together. THEY WERE SO CUTE. All their cute scenes were just super sweet to read. Until, you know, I brained myself with this book. Then I read on, slightly bitter, but still pleased at least they were having a nice time.

ALL IN ALL: This is a supercute story but at the same time a little forgettable. It didn't hook me emotionally at all and I was a bit bored, I confess, with the moseying slow plot. Or lack thereof. But the dialogue was AMAZING and their voices were so fun!! I LOVE THESE TWO CUTIES POPSICLE PIECES. I think their relationship was so well done and I totally rooted for them. Definitely chase this one down if you're after a fun summery read. Also chase it down if you're after incredibly bad Mexican food and complete dorks who would rather hide in a cupboard than socialise. #relatable ...more

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Jul 20, 2018 Warda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-fell-in-love

Pre-reading review:
Tag line: “Love is what happens when you’re looking for something else.”

And because I’m feeling single AF these days (blaming The Kiss Quotient), I thought this could get me out of my funk.

Post-feelings:
Still feeling single as hell, but damn was that book imperfectly perfect. The author has poured her heart and soul into this book.

It's a story about two characters who are dealing with some kind of loss in their own way. Linny's sister disappeared without a trace. Sebastian Pre-reading review:
Tag line: “Love is what happens when you’re looking for something else.”

And because I’m feeling single AF these days (blaming The Kiss Quotient), I thought this could get me out of my funk.

Post-feelings:
Still feeling single as hell, but damn was that book imperfectly perfect. The author has poured her heart and soul into this book.

It's a story about two characters who are dealing with some kind of loss in their own way. Linny's sister disappeared without a trace. Sebastian has never known his father till his mother springs upon him that his father is a famous author, who's recently resurfaced after 3 years of no one being aware of his whereabouts.

Linny, who is obsessed with this author - as well as movies - goes on a mission to find out where exactly he has been and why he's returned. She's hoping this will bring some clarification to her sister's disappearance. At the same time, she has been keeping a diary of people who have disappeared in the past and resurfaced and seeing if there is a pattern that she can discover.

Once Sebastian finds out about his father, he searches for him and finds him. Both characters then meet as they're after the same man and the story takes off from there.

I loved the writing style of this book. It was so whimsical and dreamlike and each chapter of both characters started off with either aspects of Linny's 'disappearance diary' or Sebastian's love for science and parallel universes. They provided insight into the characters and how they were dealing with their situation and I absolutely loved that. It added so much personality and depth to the story.

Their were hints to their cultures and backgrounds as Linny is mixed race (Nigerian and white) and Sebastian is of a Latin background, which were nicely incorporated. Alongside it, Linny was writing a script about her relationship with her sister and to cope with that particular loss.

Everything about the story was just woven so intricately and so beautifully done. I was completely transported and swept by the magic of the story. It was poetic, full of love, insight on life (it made me appreciate the elderly and their wisdom) and the characters breaking out of their shell. Needless to say, I shed some tears. It was amazing to go on that journey with them. ...more

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Jun 28, 2016 Carlie Sorosiak added it · (Review from the author)

I mean, impartially speaking, it's pretty good. Things in this book: movies, Miami, kissing, more kissing, astrophysics, missing people, love, questions about finding your place in the world, and a bird or two.

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Aug 05, 2017 Dannii Elle rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-recollections, contemporary-cuteness

My full review can be found at United by Pop.

This story chronicled an adorable blossoming romance that made this the perfect read, for this time of year. Their growing attraction was obvious to the reader but I still enjoyed reading of their emerging emotions and tentative struggles to restrain them. Scenes of an absolute adorable nature followed their accepted summer romance and I now know that no more perfect date can exist if it doesn’t involve a ball pit and a horde of energised ...more

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Aug 22, 2016 Cale Dietrich rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: swanky-17s

Maybe people fall together while they’re falling apart?

Okay, so this book was ASTONISHINGLY good. It’s addicting and super fun and stars a duo of unforgettable characters who start the summer romance to END all other summer romances.

Case in point: the ball-pit scene. I don’t think I’ve ever read a scene that was as swoony and perfect as that one. And then it just keeps getting better from there, with more incredible, cinematic and unforgettable scenes. This book really captures that that ...more

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Jul 20, 2016 Anna Priemaza rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-desperately-adore, reviewed

Holy bananas, this book was good. I loved every bit of it. The famous, elderly cult writer who shows up at the old folks' home where Linny volunteers, mysteriously reappearing after three years' disappearance. The gorgeous screenplay Linny writes to cope with the fact that her sister disappeared out the window one night and hasn't been heard from since. Linny's notebook entries about people in history who disappeared... and why they came back. The excerpts from A Brief Compendium of ...more

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Jul 16, 2017 Cam (justabookeater) rated it it was amazing

A copy was provided by the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

I don’t consider myself a big fan of summer contemporaries simply because I live on an island where it's practically summer every single day. I always find them cliche and predictable, especially with the whole tourist aspect which I hate.

If Birds Fly Back is the complete and total opposite of what I just described. In this novel, we are presented with a mystery. Linny’s older sister, Grace has disappeared to A copy was provided by the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

I don’t consider myself a big fan of summer contemporaries simply because I live on an island where it's practically summer every single day. I always find them cliche and predictable, especially with the whole tourist aspect which I hate.

If Birds Fly Back is the complete and total opposite of what I just described. In this novel, we are presented with a mystery. Linny’s older sister, Grace has disappeared to god knows where and since then, Linny has been obsessed with the disappearances (but most importantly the returns) of random strangers. Enter Álvaro Herrera, famous novelist who was supposedly reported missing over 3 years ago, now lodging and seemingly retiring at Silver Springs retirement home in Florida. His reappearance is just what Linny needs (with her logic) to figure out the mystery of her lost sister.

Then we have Sebastian. A boy obsessed with the mysteries of the universe and astrophysics but most importantly, the mystery that is his father. Unexpected news sends him straight to Florida where, as we would expect, his and Linny’s worlds collide. With Álvaro in the middle of course. Nothing spells romance like an eighty something year old novelist who seems to be losing his wits little by little.

Together, they form an unlikely alliance and camaraderie. This is definitely what I loved best about this book. Its unconventional but sweet. We have the clash of two completely different generations and how both are now learning from each other’s mistakes.

The romance is not over the top which I appreciated immensely. The story ISN’T about Linny and Sebastian’s romance. It's about love and all its imperfections and obstacles. It's about how complex and borderline irritating it is to express love and how there is no correct way to do it. Linny’s relationship with her parents is strained, to put it lightly. Sebastian feels betrayed by a mother who kept part of his life a secret. Together and apart, they must work through this or lose themselves in the process.

I loved how fleshed out these characters were more than anything They both have such complex identities; Liny is biracial with a Nigerian mother and a white father and Sebastian’s latin background won me over especially when we get to meet his aunt. There are pieces and hints of each other’s culture without them being the focus of the story. I enjoyed that but others might not and I respect that.

Linny’s love for film is fascinating and adds so much to her personality while Seb’s love for facts and scientific thought mixes surprisingly well with Linny’s personality. They’re both o likable and relatable, it’s hard not to love them. I loved the dual perspectives. Both of them had a lot to say while inside their own heads and I’m glad we got to see that.

This is the kind of story that sticks with you with its abundance of relatable passages and quotes. I felt nostalgic while reading it which is always a good sign. Nostalgia and melancholy are my signs of identifying a good contemporary. All in all, this was great book and I can see myself rereading all my favorite passages over and over again.
...more

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Jun 28, 2016 Lauren James rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is so raw and real and wonderful. You're all going to love this to pieces. And wait until you meet SEBASTIAN.

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Jun 29, 2016 Jennifer Walker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"Let me tell you something about hands. They’re not one-size fits all like hotel slippers. Ours slot together with an audible chink. (At least I can hear it.)"

I had the privilege of reading an early copy of this work. It's funny and sweet, and the characters are memorable, engaging and endearing. It reminded me of what it was like to be young again and in love. Linny is smartly written, easy to identify with and to like. Sebastian is adorable and his voice is also authentic, written as a boy ...more

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Jul 11, 2016 Jilly Gagnon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book was SO. GOOD.

I adored Linny and Sebastian--they're both such unique, interesting, lovable-but-flawed characters and I want them to be my IRL friends.

And Alvaro! He was as much a magnetic pole for the reader as he was for the characters; I was so impressed by how Sorosiak was able to convey the kind of ineffable draw he had for people even though he didn't have a ton of screen time.

There's so much to love about this book: the quirky, unique personalities of everyone in it; the sweet ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 Emily Murphy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If I were going to teach a class on voice, this book would be my assigned reading. IF BIRDS FLY BACK is told from the dual POVs of Linny and Sebastian, a couple of teenagers reeling from the loss of two important people who have separately disappeared from their lives. There was so much about this book to admire: in particular, I found the structure of it to be so clever, interesting, and unique. Linny's scraps of facts on famous disappearances; Sebastian's quotations from A Brief Compendium of ...more

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Aug 19, 2018 Kate (GirlReading) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, young-adult, poc-rep

If Birds Fly Back was a lovely story of love, loss, family and self discovery. I warmed to both Linny and Sebastian as characters and Carlie Sorosiak’s writing style made for a perfect, easy summer read.

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Jun 13, 2017 Danielle (Life of a Literary Nerd) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs, contemporary, poc-main-character, favorites, standalones, cover-envy

“Theoretically, everything should be explainable. But what if the explanation is that things are a gazillion times simpler than we think? That we don't need theorems to figure out our own lives?
What if it’s as simple as a boy loving his father? A girl loving a sister?
A boy loving a girl?”

If Birds Fly Back is a beautifully emotional story that resonates love, longing, and hope. This is a story about family and expectations and longing and grief. Linny is left reeling after the unexpected ...more

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May 28, 2017 Karen Fortunati rated it it was amazing

What a gorgeously written, absolute gem of a debut! Carlie Sorosiak deftly weaves themes of loss, abandonment and identity into one of the most captivating romances I've read. I adored Linny and Sebastian! The story's structure works brilliantly in the alternating POV of the two main characters but what elevates it to another level is the addition of the character's coping mechanisms: Linny's screenplay and excerpts from Sebastian's favorite physics text. Drafting the screenplay helps Linny get ...more

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Aug 29, 2016 Ellen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is absolutely, positively amazing. I am normally a slow reader but I could NOT put this down. While the amazingly sweet, true-to-life romance will definitely draw you in, there is so much more to discover and think about in this book. Alvaro's character is so perfectly written, the relationship between Linny and Grace is so painful and raw but so beautifully written that you just want to drown in it with Linny. The friendships are genuine and all the characters are people you would ...more

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Jul 03, 2016 Kate Watson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The idea of this book sounded so good, but the reality of it is so much more. IF BIRDS FLY BACK is lovely and heart-wrenching and hilarious and unique and beautiful, all at once. I couldn't help but fall in love with Linny and Sebastian, as well as the minor characters, like Alvaro and Linny's dad. Linny's and Sebastian's stories are compelling and their emotions feel real. Sorosiak hits every emotional beat perfectly. I cried and squealed and swooned in every place that I wanted to and in ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 Kayla rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It's only been a few hours since I finished reading If Birds Fly Back, but I cannot stop thinking about it. This world and its characters felt so, so real—I loved seeing the world through the perspectives of Linny and Sebastian, and I absolutely adored Álvaro, the eccentric elderly man who brought them into each other's lives. The Miami beach setting was vibrant and distinctive, too; every time I picked the book up, I was easily and immediately transported to their world.

While I adored If Birds ...more

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Jul 24, 2017 Jenna rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, review-copy, young-adult, romance

3.5 stars.
This review also appears on my blog, Reading with Jenna.

I received a review copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If Birds Fly Back is a summer contemporary about missing people and those who are left behind. The book follows Linny and Sebastian and is told from dual perspectives. Linny’s sister, Grace, ran away from their stifling home environment and Linny has been trying to understand what happened ever since. When she shows up to her volunteering job at a 3.5 stars.
This review also appears on my blog, Reading with Jenna.

I received a review copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If Birds Fly Back is a summer contemporary about missing people and those who are left behind. The book follows Linny and Sebastian and is told from dual perspectives. Linny’s sister, Grace, ran away from their stifling home environment and Linny has been trying to understand what happened ever since. When she shows up to her volunteering job at a nursing home and finds Alvaro Herrera, who was presumed dead three years ago, she decides that this is her chance to figure out why people disappear in the hopes of bringing her sister back. Sebastian is in Miami in search for his long lost father, whose identity he has only just learned. His and Linny’s paths cross and both mysteries start to unravel.

I enjoyed the concept of this novel a lot and thought that it had a wonderful message. However, I didn’t find the plot to be very engaging and I had a little bit of trouble staying invested in the story. It was a bit of a slow-paced novel that didn’t have a lot of plot so I found the middle third of the novel to be a bit hard to get through and slightly forgettable. The themes weren’t as fully developed as I would have liked and the whole book felt a little bit too light despite the heavy topics that it was tackling. However, I enjoyed the reveal towards the end and the way the story came together at the end. I also really enjoyed some of the alternate formatting in the book, such as the film transcripts, and appreciated what they added to the story.

My favourite part of the book was the characterisation. I loved both Linny and Sebastian’s characters and liked how well-developed they were. Linny is a film geek and it was great to see that she was so passionate about it. Sebastian is an aspiring astrophysicist and I also really enjoyed seeing him display his knowledge of scientific theories. It was these aspects that kept the book enjoyable for me. I also liked the side characters for the most part but they had very minor roles in the novel and were a little bit forgettable. Having said that, Linny and Sebastian more than made up for this and I would happily read another book about these two characters.

Despite how much I loved Linny and Sebastian as individuals, I wasn’t as big of a fan of the romance. The novel really isn’t about the romance so I found it to be a little bit unnecessary, especially in the middle of the novel where nothing was really happening except the romance. However, I thought it was really cute and they were wonderful together. I just wish that more focus had been placed on the plot and the themes rather than the romance.

Overall, I enjoyed If Birds Fly Back and thought that it was a unique story that I haven’t really encountered before. The characters were beautifully written and I enjoyed the relationships in the novel. ...more

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Jun 23, 2017 Chayse Sundt rated it it was amazing

Everyone handles the loss of someone differently as well as reconnecting with someone you didn't know was still alive. Sometimes we pretend that a person is still there, that they have just run away or are vacation. But most importantly we always wonder if they would every fly back.

The books follows two characters. Linny, a girl intrigued by people who disappear for days, months and/or years at a time suddenly reappear, and Sebastian, who although is fascinated by space and the amount of ...more

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Jun 30, 2017 Stacee rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss, contains-the-evil-sentence, title-in-the-story, read-in-2017

When it came time to read this book, I wasn't quite sure why I requested it in the first place.

I liked Linny and Sebastian well enough. I loved that she was into film and he was into physics. They're both dealing with some things and it's an elderly man that brings them together.

Plot wise it was just meh. There were some cute moments, but nothing really stood out. Nothing grabbed me. I'm struggling to write a review to explain anything and the fact that it took me 5 days to read it should ...more

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May 25, 2017 Samantha (WLABB) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, 2017diversereads, 2017-debuts, favorites

Wait, I need to dry my tears. That was so beautiful!

I am not even sure where to start with this book. But, the gif above pretty much sums up what I looked like when I finished reading If Birds Fly Back. You know, where you are so happy and emotional, that you are simultaneously laughing and crying. That was totally me.

I immediately fell in love with the characters in this book. Both Linny and Sebastian were so cute and unique. Linny was an aspiring filmmaker, who was trying to come to terms with Wait, I need to dry my tears. That was so beautiful!

I am not even sure where to start with this book. But, the gif above pretty much sums up what I looked like when I finished reading If Birds Fly Back. You know, where you are so happy and emotional, that you are simultaneously laughing and crying. That was totally me.

I immediately fell in love with the characters in this book. Both Linny and Sebastian were so cute and unique. Linny was an aspiring filmmaker, who was trying to come to terms with her sister's disappearance. She felt like her world had dimmed without her sister in it, but Linny just did not see herself the way others saw her. She was vibrant, sweet, and charming. And Sebastian! He was the geek that you could not resist. His mother had finally revealed the identity of his father, and he was in Miami trying to connect with said father trying to solve that puzzle of why his father left him. Sebastian was a lover of astrophysics, who always felt like there was a piece of him that was missing, when in fact, he was a a perfect package of loving son, awesome friend, and quirky genius. These two were awesome on their own, but even better together.

This story really won my heart, because both Linny and Sebastian were searching for someone, but along the way, they found themselves and each other. This type of story always pierces my heart and brings me joy, and If Birds Fly Back was no exception to this rule. This tale masterfully blends so many themes together. Sorosiak tackles family, first love, identity, and friendship. I obviously latched onto the love story with both hands, as I always do, but it was made better by all the other parts of the story.

Something which enhanced my reader experience was the way Sorosiak told the story. The book alternates between Linny and Sebastian's POV. Linny's chapters contain excerpts from her Journal of the Lost and Found, as well as scenes from her screenplay, The Left-Behinds. Sebastian's chapters contain quotes from A Brief Compendium of Astrophysical Curiosities, as well as his own very well named theories. Each excerpt and quote was used thoughtfully and fit properly in the part of the story it was placed. They provided interesting background information, and also helped me focus on important ideas in that chapter. I especially loved The Left-Behinds. These snippets spoke so much as to the feelings Linny kept deep down inside, and we filled with gorgeous imagery.

This book was the perfect blend of fluff and substance, hard and soft, heavy and light, happy and sad. It took me through just about every emotion, and left me with my heart bursting with joy. If Sorosiak continues to write books like this, I will read every one of them.

**I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book

BLOG|INSTAGRAM|BLOGLOVIN| FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS ...more

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Jun 26, 2017 Amber ~ The Reading Addict rated it really liked it

"I tell you un secreto pequeno, nina. Only two things matter in life.
How we love and how much we love."

It's rare that I thoroughly enjoy a book as much as I did If Birds Fly Back. Smart, carefully crafted, and full of heart, this summer debut had me falling in love with Sorosiak's story and characters.

At times, this novel reminded me of Paper Towns and Wherever Nina Lies, two other books that revolve around the disappearance of a spirited young woman. Although there are clear similarities, ...more

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Jun 30, 2016 Jago T.K. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book doesn't come out for a long while, so I won't do a proper review just yet. However, it's funny, smart, and charming. I'm reticent to admit this, but I even choked up during a few parts. You're going to want to add this one to your to-read list.

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Mar 01, 2017 Anna Reads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

THAT WAS SO GOOD.

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Jun 06, 2017 Kelly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-read, 5star-books, favorites, contemporary, 2017-reads, 2017-releases-read, young-adult

If Birds Fly Back is a gorgeous debut from author Carlie Sorosiak. Filled with emotion and feeling, this book is a beautifully written story of love, loss and finding yourself. From the first few pages I knew this book was going to be special.

I loved the dual narrative of this book and thought it was so well written. I really got to know both of our main characters and felt invested in both of their stories. First up we meet Linny who is struggling to come to terms with the disappearance of her ...more

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Mar 27, 2019 Cheska the Great is Not Okay marked it as did-not-finish · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, its-not-you-its-me

I read almost 150 pages and still nothing important has happened. It's not that it's completely boring but it is way, way slow considering it's supposed to be somewhat of a mystery.

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Apr 13, 2017 Madison rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, young-adult

If Birds Fly Back is a poignant debut. This book is refreshingly heartwarming. A little sad, a lot realistic, and something a bit magical.

Linny is obsessed with people who disappear and then reappear again. Her sister Grace left home one night and hasn't been seen since. Linny believes if she can study enough reappearances she might be able to bring Grace back somehow. So, when Linny spots Alvero Herera - missing, presumed dead for three years - at the nursing home where she volunteers, she If Birds Fly Back is a poignant debut. This book is refreshingly heartwarming. A little sad, a lot realistic, and something a bit magical.

Linny is obsessed with people who disappear and then reappear again. Her sister Grace left home one night and hasn't been seen since. Linny believes if she can study enough reappearances she might be able to bring Grace back somehow. So, when Linny spots Alvero Herera - missing, presumed dead for three years - at the nursing home where she volunteers, she knows she needs to learn his secrets. Sebastian too wonders why people leave, why they can turn their backs on their families. He, too wants to know Alvero, to know his secrets. But Sebastian has a secret of his own.

At first Sebastian and Linny repel each other. They get in each other's way, they think they are so different from the other. I love it when characters begin by disliking each other. It brings so much more growth to the story. As Sebastian and Linny start to share their secrets, they learn that they have more in common than they originally thought. And, through a summer of piecing together secrets, they form a strong relationship.

If Birds Fly Back is told in alternating chapters, which switch between Sebastian and Linny's points of view. They both have experienced the grief of losing someone who disappears without warning. They both are compelled by mysteries and questions, disappearances, theories, and reappearances. They are both wonderful characters. And yet their voices are unique. Sebastian has a colourful imagination, enhanced by his love of science and theories and testing the unknown. Linny has an artful creativity. Added to her chapters are sections from the screenplay that she is writing about losing her sister and trying to find her again.

The book has great imagery, from birds to colours, and is set against Florida's sun-baked beaches and suburbia. Linny's screenplay and Sebastian's astrophysics quotes and theories just add to the richness of their characters. There are also a great set of secondary characters, from Alvero himself, to Grace, who we only see through Linny's thoughts and screenplay, as well as Linny and Sebastian's friends.

This is a story about growing up, learning who you are, who you want to be, where you came from, where you are going, and better understanding who the people around you are, even when it feels like you don't understand them at all.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library. ...more

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Apr 22, 2017 Bee rated it it was amazing

This is actually a surprisingly good book! At first I thought it was going to be another mediocre YA romance, but the characters are adorable, the plot - in some ways - is pretty unique and it definitely had me hooked! It's a very cute, colourful love story that should be up there with the Jennifer Niven's and the John Green's!

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Apr 19, 2017 Trisha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, diversity-in-ya, conflict, dual-narrators, family, ya-literature, grief-loss, lgbt, review, friendship

Another well written story about a girl who comes out of her sister's light to find her own place. I like that Linnie isn't searching for love, and yet...

Some geeky moments, especially with Sebastian's passion for astrophysics.

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Apr 21, 2017 Danielle (Love at First Page) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2017, disappointing, lgbtq, own-no-copy, contemporary, e-arc, genre-young-adult, plotberg-lower-rating

An unfortunate case of "crash and burn". I was enjoying it, if more on a superficial level than actually feeling a strong connection to the characters, but then about 3/4 of the way through I lost all patience with them. Talk about total derailment. :/

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