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melannrosenthal 's review for:
Emergency Contact
by Mary H.K. Choi
Ahhhhh I felt butterflies, I felt joy, I got into several public laughing fits- this book was, for me, all that and a bag of chips. It made me feel as good as [b:To All the Boys I've Loved Before|15749186|To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)|Jenny Han|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1372086100s/15749186.jpg|21442106] AND [b:Fangirl|16068905|Fangirl|Rainbow Rowell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355886270s/16068905.jpg|21861351] both did. Penny who, let's be clear is wholly unique and likely written with some of Choi's own weird/awesome shine, had a bit of Cath's personality and Lara Jean's confidence plus a combination of their humors and awkwardness- she and the book were just... excellent.
I couldn't help but fly through and fall in love with the two main characters as they try to pursue what they love while keep abreast of work and school and their mental health while navigating complex relationships with each of their mothers. Penny has a hot mom, Celeste, who so easily connects with her peers, but doesn't have a very close relationship with her daughter, not anymore. When she goes off to college just over an hour away from home Celeste expects Penny to remain present in their little life, but Penny is emotionally independent and just wants to focus on her creative writing class with one of her favorite authors.
21-year-old Sam, or "Uncle Sam" as Penny's roommate Jude calls him, is thrown into Penny's life alongside Mallory, Jude's BFF, when Jude drags the trio to the local coffee shop he works at. Jude's grandfather was briefly married to Sam's spacey, alcoholic mother and while they were only sort-of-family briefly, Jude loves hard and is happy to be at school so near her "uncle". Penny doesn't do well with strangers or physical contact but her new roommate is determined to provide some balance (and FUN) to Penny's otherwise tame college experience. She and Sam have a brief, nerdy connection chatting in the café and while Mallory drools after his departure, Jude insists that neither of the girls get involved with Sam no matter how hot he and his tattoos are.
When Sam gets shocking news from his ex-girlfriend he steps up but freaks out and passes out in the street downtown. Luckily Penny was nearby spending too much on trendy food during a break from classes and homework and recognizes him from their initial introduction with Jude a few days before. Penny is neurotically prepared always and insists on exchanging numbers so that he has her as his "emergency contact" should he ever find himself in a similar situation again.
Even though she doesn't even know him (yet) she can see how he's struggling and so insists he let her know when he's home and being there for him via text. He's overwhelmed and grateful, initiating a conversation the following day. Their back and forth messages quickly escalate to exchanges that last through the day and into the night, talking about everything, cracking jokes, just relying on each other in a way they don't with the other people in their life.
I was as addicted to their exchanges as they were and I'm disappointed that their story is over but so glad to have had the chance to giggle/cringe/swoon over their budding friendship.
I couldn't help but fly through and fall in love with the two main characters as they try to pursue what they love while keep abreast of work and school and their mental health while navigating complex relationships with each of their mothers. Penny has a hot mom, Celeste, who so easily connects with her peers, but doesn't have a very close relationship with her daughter, not anymore. When she goes off to college just over an hour away from home Celeste expects Penny to remain present in their little life, but Penny is emotionally independent and just wants to focus on her creative writing class with one of her favorite authors.
21-year-old Sam, or "Uncle Sam" as Penny's roommate Jude calls him, is thrown into Penny's life alongside Mallory, Jude's BFF, when Jude drags the trio to the local coffee shop he works at. Jude's grandfather was briefly married to Sam's spacey, alcoholic mother and while they were only sort-of-family briefly, Jude loves hard and is happy to be at school so near her "uncle". Penny doesn't do well with strangers or physical contact but her new roommate is determined to provide some balance (and FUN) to Penny's otherwise tame college experience. She and Sam have a brief, nerdy connection chatting in the café and while Mallory drools after his departure, Jude insists that neither of the girls get involved with Sam no matter how hot he and his tattoos are.
When Sam gets shocking news from his ex-girlfriend he steps up but freaks out and passes out in the street downtown. Luckily Penny was nearby spending too much on trendy food during a break from classes and homework and recognizes him from their initial introduction with Jude a few days before. Penny is neurotically prepared always and insists on exchanging numbers so that he has her as his "emergency contact" should he ever find himself in a similar situation again.
Even though she doesn't even know him (yet) she can see how he's struggling and so insists he let her know when he's home and being there for him via text. He's overwhelmed and grateful, initiating a conversation the following day. Their back and forth messages quickly escalate to exchanges that last through the day and into the night, talking about everything, cracking jokes, just relying on each other in a way they don't with the other people in their life.
I was as addicted to their exchanges as they were and I'm disappointed that their story is over but so glad to have had the chance to giggle/cringe/swoon over their budding friendship.