After Hello Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 5-star, blog tour, contemporary, Giveaway, Lisa Mangum, Oops I Read A Book Again Blog Tours, review, romance, YA,

Welcome to my stop for After Hello blog tour! 

Author: Lisa Mangum

Release date: September 4th 2012

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour organized by: Oops I Read A Book Again Blog Tours

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository  

Add to your library: Goodreads

What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had? 

Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City. 

Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find. 

When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate? This new novel from award-winning author Lisa Mangum explores what happens after hello. (via Goodreads)

I'm so freaking thankful that I signed up for this one. I somehow remembered Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist when I read the blurb. That book is one of my ultimate favorites. And so I was sure that I'd like this. Even Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again thought so too. Hey D, thank you so much! *wink wink*

From the very first line of the book, it had me already. There was magic in the words that I can't specifically describe what. All I know is that I felt the words and the way Sara was feeling. Maybe for the reason that I love taking pictures too. I absolutely agree with her that sometimes, you have this urge to just capture that moment, you know? It probably doesn't make any sense but it does for me! And hey, if she didn't feel that pull toward Sam, there'd be no After Hello!!! 

The story was seen through 2 POVs. Sara's first person POV and Sam's third person POV. I like dual POVs. Especially if it means giving us readers a feel of what the two characters are feeling. It's scary and exciting at the same time since we get to see the two sides of the story. I don't know why it wasn't Sam's first person POV that was used. Then I thought that maybe, it would be too emotional. And if that happens, it'd somehow defy the main idea of the book. 

In a nutshell, I think that After Hello is telling us how strangers can be friends. Even if you've just met the person in less than 24 hours. That every friend you have right now has once been a stranger and that it takes a leap of faith and gut feeling for us to spend time with that person and to get to know that person. The way Sara and Sam were pulled to each other is actually swoony. I just felt how cute, sweet and innocent it was. No lust. Just pure love, really. And the feeling of being comfortable with each other. Both of them have secrets. Both of them were hurt. Both of them were trying to keep that pain. But both of them felt that they have each other to talk to, to open up to and to let go of all those memories. The idea of telling a stranger everything about yourself, even the worst ones is actually thrilling for me. Why? That person may judge you. Or not. And the fact that you may not see that person again makes me think that it's okay. 

The adventure that Sam and Sara went through was really a one-of-a-kind experience. It was playful and just really enjoyable to read about. They met a lot of cool people and got to experience weird but cool stuff. I especially like the part where they went to look at the Empire State Building. I'd be looking for sugar packets now and try to start trading. Oh! I almost forgot. I also loved how Sam was like a barter of all things. It was really cool and just awesome. Also, I love Sam's way of thinking. Seriously, he is such a man. I. Love. Him. I swear. I smiled liked an idiot throughout the book!

I know it's been long already. But I can't end this without saying how totally swoony this was. Even if they just met, there was a pull that I felt and it made me feel how realistic it was. Especially when they both opened up to each other. 

Uhh, I finally understand in the end why I felt that it was like Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist when I read the blurb. The ending was also the beginning of something. It opened a lot of possibilities both for Sam and Sara. I'm actually praying that there will be a book two but hey, I believe they'll end up together! Heehee.

I'd probably be stopping right now okay! Though I can go on and on because After Hello is really amazing. Honestly though, I think I'm not doing any justice right now. My words will never be enough to explain how amazing this novel is. In all seriousness.

After Hello is an awesome YA contemporary novel about two people who'll make you realize how time is so precious, how perspectives are that important to everyone and how love and friendship doesn't know any limits. You'll enjoy this one because you'll swoon, laugh, and ache for their sorrows and joys!

  About the Author

Lisa Mangum has loved and worked with books ever since elementary school, when she volunteered at the school library during recess. Her first paying job was shelving books at the Sandy Library. She worked for five years at Waldenbooks while she attended the University of Utah, graduating with honors with a degree in English. An avid reader of all genres, she has worked in the publishing department for Deseret Book since 1997. 
Besides books, Lisa loves movies, sunsets, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. She lives in Taylorsville, Utah, with her husband, Tracy. She is the author of The Hourglass Door (which was named the 2009 YA Book of the Year by ForeWord Reviews) and The Golden Spiral.

 Website | Goodreads | Twitter

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