Review: Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

Book Blurb:

When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve.

Find out more about the book on Goodreads

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Heart-Wrenching, Romance, Teen--

As with all Katie McGarry books, I knew that Say You'll Remember Me would be a great story with developed characters, real life situations, epic romance and emotional heart break. And I can happily say that I was not let down. Katie is the master of the emotional YA contemporary romances with hands down the best flawed characters that I can't help but root for.

"Drix turns away from me and walks toward the midway. I stay rooted to the spot because I don't want this moment to end. Some people live their whole lives for the past few minutes I just had, and I want to savor it a little longer."

This book introduced Ellison and Hendrix, two teens who could not be farther apart when it comes to living situations. Elle is the pampered daughter of the Governor, on display and sought after as if she was a celebrity. She may appear to have it all, but in reality she is lonely and controlled, rejected for who she really is until her personality and spirit was almost destroyed. My heart hurt for Elle and the fact she could not see the abuse she experienced, as subtle as it was, it was still abuse and brought her so low.

And then we have Hendrix, the poster boy for the Governor's new juvenile delinquent rehabilitation program, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks who was found guilty of a crime- a crime he admitted to to save someone else. Hendrix came from a broken home, where drugs, abuse, violence and criminal activities are a daily occurrence, but he fights so hard to be a good person and forget his past ways. Hendrix has the perfect example of a made family, with random people needing shelter and becoming part of his family unit- they may not have much, but what they do have they are willing to share. His brother is basically a saint and I loved every encounter with Hendrix's made family.

This had the most wonderful of endings (of course after the shattering heartbreak- Katie how could you??!!), with so much heart and feeling that I could not help but to tear up. Just thinking about it now to write this review makes me emotional. I will always be a fan of Katie's books and I can't wait to grab my next read by her.