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When We Collided

Emery Lord

Start date: July 1, 2016

Finish date: July 31, 2016

Discussion: Stand Alone

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the stand alone BOTM
[close] Won the poll for the stand alone BOTM

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Stand Alone

* Stand Alone- Maybe Meant to Be
By Bailey · 3 posts · 29 views

last updated Aug 18, 2025 12:04PM

* Stand Alone- The Summer of Broken Rules
By Bailey · 4 posts · 48 views

last updated Jul 08, 2025 08:57AM

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What Members Thought

Mar 21, 2016 Courtney rated it really liked it

Shelves: teens, netgalley

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were very interesting. There are many themes explored, such as love, loss, mental illness, grief, friendship and many more. The story follows Vivi, a girl full of life trying to start over in the town of Verona Cove, California after she hit rock bottom in Seattle. Her mother is an artist and the two of them are set to spend the summer in the small coastal town. After loosing control and causing all sorts of harm, Vivi was diagnosed with bipolar disord I really enjoyed this story. The characters were very interesting. There are many themes explored, such as love, loss, mental illness, grief, friendship and many more. The story follows Vivi, a girl full of life trying to start over in the town of Verona Cove, California after she hit rock bottom in Seattle. Her mother is an artist and the two of them are set to spend the summer in the small coastal town. After loosing control and causing all sorts of harm, Vivi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, among other things. She has two medications she is supposed to take. Unfortunately, she only thinks she needs to take the one that keeps her from completely losing it. The other one keeps her from feeling, and she is not willing to give up her emotions. She spends most of the book on a high. You can't help but wait for it all to come crashing down, yet hoping it won't. She is a very fun, energetic girl. When she crosses paths with Daniels family, none of their lives will ever be the same. While Vivi is high on life, they are drowning in sorrow. Six months earlier their dad died. Soon after, their mother sank into a deep depression and rarely leaves her room. As a result, the three oldest kids, the bigs, are left with the burden of taking care of their family, especially their three younger siblings, the littles. All are sad, yet trying to make the best out of their horrible situation. When Vivi comes across them, they all fall into her orbit. The littles learn to smile and shine again. Most impacted though is seventeen year old Jonah. She is exactly what he needs to start really living again. She pushes him in ways that no one will and soon he is thinking and dreaming about the future again. The only problem, she hasn't told him about her disease. Even worse, she stops taking her medication. This book does a wonderful job of highlighting the effect bipolar disorder has not only on the one suffering from it, but on the people surrounding that person. The characters are wonderful and you can't help but be drawn into their lives. I thought this story was really well written and was a complete success in tackling a topic that many shy away from. I highly recommend reading this adventure. ...more

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Sep 04, 2016 Shelbycat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I've never read a book about a character with bipolar disorder so that was a first for me and i have to say that this was probably the most perfect first. I found myself coming away from this book with a much better understanding of bipolar issues, for instance i had no idea there were so many different types. I enjoyed reading this story from both POVs especially Vivi watching her personality change as her disorder took control of her, it gave a real insight into this mental health issue. I als ...more

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