YA Review: WHERE IT ALL LANDS by Jennie Wexler

YA Review:  WHERE IT ALL LANDS by Jennie WexlerWhere It All Lands by Jennie Wexler
four-stars
Published by Wednesday Books on July 6, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 352
Source: Netgalley
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FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

 

 

Jennie Wexler’s debut YA contemporary novel Where It All Lands is one of the more unique stories I’ve read recently.  It’s a story about love, friendship, missed opportunities and second chances, and it’s about how something as simple as the flip of a coin can alter the course of a person’s journey.

The story follows three teens: new girl Stevie Rosenstein and Shane and Drew, who have been best friends forever.  Both Shane and Drew find themselves drawn to Stevie and want to ask her out.  They don’t want to step on each other’s toes though and have a girl come between their friendship, so they do what they always do when they need to resolve something and move on – they flip a coin.  Whoever wins the coin flip gets to ask Stevie out and the loser steers clear.

It’s here that the story takes a unique turn because the author presents the rest of the story in a dual timeline:  in one timeline, Shane has won the coin toss and becomes involved with Stevie and in the other timeline, Drew has won and it is he who gets to ask out Stevie. I have to admit I was a little nervous when I realized it was somewhat of a love triangle, but I really loved how the author presented the relationships in each timeline. She really fleshes out all three characters and shows how sometimes even the smallest choices people make can have a huge impact on their lives and the lives of those around them.

Even though it was the unique concept of the love triangle/coin flip dual timeline that drew me to this story, what really made me love it was the cast of characters.  I adored Stevie, Shane, and Drew.  I was particularly drawn to Stevie because she had spent her whole life moving from city to city because of her father’s job.  Every time she makes friends, she immediately has to pack up and move.  She’s lonely and at this point in her life is hesitant to even bother trying to make new friends.  I felt so bad for her and was immediately rooting for her to find some great friends and convince her dad to settle in one place so she can put down roots.

I also adored Shane and Drew, especially because of their friendship.  They’ve both been through so much and no matter what, have always been each other’s number one support system.  I didn’t want them to let a girl, or anyone else for that matter, come between them, so I was anxious to see if they would really be able to abide by the rules of their coin toss or if the tension would come to a head and cost them not only Stevie, but also their lifelong friendship.  Wexler does a wonderful job creating tension and straining these relationships to the brink.  I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I’ll say that this book also had me in tears a few times.  I just became so invested in these characters that when tragedy strikes (also presented in a dual timeline with different outcomes) I was immediately a wreck.

Even though there’s definitely quite a bit of heartbreak sprinkled throughout, overall Where It All Lands is still a heartfelt and hopeful book.  If you enjoy unique stories that feature love, friendship, trust, second chances, and possibilities, you’ll want to check out Where It All Lands.

four-stars

About Jennie Wexler

Jennie Wexler spent the first part of her career producing television shows appearing on VH1, Bravo, and The Travel Channel. She has a BA in literature/rhetoric from Binghamton University and an MA in television/radio/film from The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Jennie’s debut young adult contemporary novel will be released on July 6th, 2021. She is a member of SCBWI and lives in New Jersey with her husband, son, and Havanese puppy.

14 replies
  1. Angela
    Angela says:

    The dual timeline element is always fun – I like to see how certain things will always happen regardless of how the characters got there.

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      Right? I thought the same thing but can’t remember a time when I’ve come across a dual timeline used this way before.

  2. Greg
    Greg says:

    Wow this sounds really good! I love dual timeline stories like this too (especially if done well). And the idea that even small changes can change one’s life-all the what ifs- is fascinating.

  3. Sam@WLABB
    Sam@WLABB says:

    I liked this book. I thought Wexler did a great job exploiting the structure in all the best ways, but there was that cloud of sadness. I cried quite a bit. Part 2 was my favorite, because Shane was so sunshine and rainbows. Loved him!

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      Yeah, this one had me on the verge of tears a few times. Totally agree about Shane. I had such heart eyes for him. 🙂

  4. Mica
    Mica says:

    It does sound like a good book although I prefer books that make me smile over books that make me cry, haha!

    Hope you are having a nice weekend 🙂 I had a fun girly day out shopping yesterday, it was so much fun!

  5. verushka
    verushka says:

    Oh my, I would be afraid to see what’s in two timelines and still want to know at the same time 💕 But that said, the author seems to have found the right mix of heartbreaking and hopeful in this premise.

  6. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books says:

    What an interesting premise. And I really like the sound of the friendship between Shane and Drew. This is the second very positive review I’ve seen of this one so it’s definitely on my radar now.

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