Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between by Jennifer E Smith, published September 2015 by Headline.
Read: April 2016
Genre: Young Adult/Romance/Contemporary
Source: Publisher – this does not affect my opinion of the book.
#Pages: 248
Get It Now: Wordery
Goodreads Synopsis: One night. A life-changing decision. And a list… Of course Clare made a list. She creates lists for everything. That’s just how she is. But tonight is Clare and Aidan’s last night before college and this list will decide their future, together or apart.
It takes them on a roller-coaster ride through their past – from the first hello in science class to the first conversation at a pizza joint, their first kiss at the beach and their first dance in a darkened gymnasium – all the way up to tonight.
A night of laughs, fresh hurts, last-minute kisses and an inevitable goodbye. But will it be goodbye forever or goodbye for now?
The Review
Good ole Jennifer has done it again with this one! For me, her books are always light and entertaining reads, that are perfect if you’re in a slump or just fancy some solid escapism reading. Just don’t overthink them, or expect anything particularly deep or philosophical, and you’ll be fine. Check out the Babes and Books review for The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Smith.
Unlike most YA romance novels, this book takes place when the couple have already been together for some time (rather than covering the start of the relationship). The reader is taken on a whirlwind 12 hour scavenger hunt of sorts, as the couple reminisce about their history while trying to decide if they should stay together, or not (long-distance University life looms!).
Due to the incredibly short time frame, we don’t get to know these characters too well, which may have contributed to the difficulty I had relating to Clare (that, or her logical/cold outlook is at fault). Aidan was much easier to like, and because of him, I was rooting for the two of them. Smith’s simple, yet effective, writing style works really well in contemporary YA. While she doesn’t blow my socks off, there’s nothing “offensive” about her writing, therefore it’s very hard not to enjoy it, and just get carried away with the story.
While overall I enjoyed this book (it gets a solid three stars, it’s not mind-blowing fiction, folks, but it’s addictive and light, and I usually finish Smith books in one sitting), I’m a massive romantic at heart, and I’m all about making a good relationship work. So when I read anything about a supposedly strong relationship that hangs in the balance because a teenage girl is being angst-y about it, it kinda makes me wanna scream. What, you haven’t heard of WhatsApp, SnapChat, or Skype? Come on!
Quotables
“Maybe the world isn’t full of signs so much as it’s full of people trying to use whatever evidence they can find to convince themselves of what they hope to be true.”
The Rating
3/5
Have you read Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!
Confessions of a Book Geek 
You’re on fire with your posting lately. Sounds like Jennifer E. Smith is what Kasie West is for me. I can always rely on her for a fun, light contemporary read. Hope you’re enjoying your week!
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Until now… as my scheduling has ran out! Lol I take bursts, and hopefully I’ll be able to schedule more this weekend. Do you really like Kasie West though? I really like Katie McGarry, a solid 4/5* contemporary YA/NA writer… Smith is a little younger-targeted, and fluffy/entertaining, but not… gripping. She’s always a 3 for me.
My week is going well, if RIDICULOUSLY busy. Work is just mental, and will be until May at least!!! 😥 R xx
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I read this a while back and liked it. Smith always rights very satisfying reads. They aren’t always too complex but they are always enjoyable and no one can complain about that in a book. I get your gripe about Clare creating unnecessary problems but I kind of get it. I saw friends at uni struggle with long distance relationships and I can see why people are hesitant to commit to one, especially at 18 but it was a bit ridiculous at the same time. I can forgive Clare though because the story itself was really sweet and so I liked the trips down memory lane they had, it was just nice.
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I find them to be enjoyable and very much in the “OK” category – I rarely think long and hard about them, and they don’t tackle anything particularly difficult. I think 12 year old me would have LOVED them, but they don’t strike much of a chord in adult-me. They’re PERFECT if you’re in a slump and looking for something fluffy though. R xx
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