Review: The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

A heartbroken moment can turn deadly.

Brie’s life ends even before she has a taste of sweet sixteen. Her boyfriend, Jason, said the deadly words, “I don’t love you.” The shock in his words breaks Brie’s heart literally. Now Brie is a ghost, unable to rewind anything. She is determined to make Jason pay for his fault. Along with his new ghost partner-in-crime Patrick, Brie goes to visit Jason and take revenge on him. But things on Earth have been different after her death. Her family is torn apart, and Jason seems to have a special relationship with Brie’s best friend, Sadie.

Brie has to go through five stages before she can go to Heaven for real. She has to learn about forgiving… before it is too late and she can’t save people she loves anymore.

Even though The Catastrophic History of You and Me sounds like an incredibly funny and hilarious read (just take a look at the cover!), this book turns out emotional. Brie’s death, however surprising the cause is, is a shocking and sorrowful thing. Her father can’t accept her death and he’s obsessed to find the cause of her daughter’s death, even if it means abandoning his family. Jason is confused and lost, and I can tell that he’s feeling guilty of Brie’s death. I can’t hate any of the characters in this book, however wrong their decisions.

Sure, there were times when I frowned at Brie’s vengeful acts. It’s not easy for her to accept that she’s dead now, especially when everything around her world was perfect before her death. I can understand her confusion and anger perfectly. If you have a great life with all possibility in your future, wouldn’t you feel sad if you have to die in such young age? Brie is a completely relatable character. She’s only fifteen when she’s dead, so it makes sense that sometimes, she can be really egoistical and full of herself.

Other than the tearful part in this book, there are many funny lines and witty remarks thrown in the book. Patrick, Brie’s ghost partner-in-crime, is such an adorable and swoon-worthy character. He’s incredibly funny and he also plays really important part in the story. This book also got to surprise me in some parts, and the ending is really beautiful. I personally think that it’s a little too perfect for my taste, but I assure you, the ending really suits the story.

This is a lovely book and I’ll recommend this even for people who are no fan of sad story. The Catastrophic History of You and Me definitely crosses the line between fun and heartbreaking. 

“Love sucks, huh?” said Patrick.
 

I nodded. “Yeah. It does.”

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I rated this book:

  Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.