Saturday, March 17, 2012

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.”




I rated this book:

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

20 comments:

  1. Brilliant review, Hilda! I said on Goodreads already - but I'm so so glad to hear there is depth to this story. I love light and fluffy reads occasionally, but I also secretly enjoy having my heart broken by books (Not that I will ever admit it while I'm reading them!). This is definitely a book I will have to pick up soon!

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I hope you're going to love this book too! It's not a secret that I love books that make me cry LOL! ;) I'll definitely wait for your review! <3

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  2. When I read this book, I was surprised to find that it was so deep too! I was expecting a light-hearted book, and that's totally not the case here. I'm really glad you enjoyed this book! I also loved Patrick and Brie's relationship, I thought it was very cute. =) Great review!

    -Aneeqah @ The Brain Lair

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    1. I was pleasantly surprised too, Aneeqah! I expected to read a book that will make me feel light and happy... the book did make me happy, but it's definitely not a light read! Their relationship is super cute! <3 Thanks, Aneeqah! :)

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  3. This one doesn't sound like its for me, but I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it Hilda! =)

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    1. Thanks, Amanda! I'm glad you like my review even though you won't read the book! :D

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  4. Fantastic review, Hilda! It really hit the spot, especially since I've been slightly interested in picking this one up. Now your review's definitely given me a green light ;)

    Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian

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    1. Thanks, Vivian! I'm so glad that my review can convince you to give this book a go! Can't wait to hear your though on this book! :)

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  5. I don't know how you can always continue amazing me with how beautifully written and convincing your reviews are, Hilda! <3 Funny and light, yet still dark and emotional? This book sounds SO PERFECT. I'd probably frown at her acts of vengeance too because I've never believed in revenge for anything and it always makes me uncomfortable (although maybe that's just me LOL). But I think I could still understand Brie like you did -- because nobody wants to die at fifteen! (*cough* I'm fifteen! *cough*) x)

    Amazingly beautiful review as always, Hilda! I have this one on my shelf right now and now I can't wait to start it! :) <3

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    1. Aww, you make me blushing, Mimi! I'm glad that you also share my peace view LOL! Brie definitely has crossed the line when she took revenge on Jason, so I'm not really in support with her! Her action is definitely understandable however. LOL I actually remember you, Mimi, when Brie said that she was only fifteen! When I was fifteen I was so full of hope... OH NO, I feel old now LOL! xD

      Thank you so much, lovely Mimi! Soooo can't wait to read your review on this book, hopefully you'll love it too! :)

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  6. Brie sounds like my kind of girl :) I love that she shows the normal range of emotions that a teenager (or anyone else for that matter) would if something that traumatic happened to them. I'm interested to see how Patrick is portrayed since dead guys don't tend to be very swoon worthy in my head! A fantastic review Hilda.

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    1. lOL, she's a little egoistic sometimes so I hope you will be able to bear with her acts, Lan! There were times I felt annoyed by her act, but when I remembered that she was only fifteen and dead... well, how can't I be angry at her?

      I can't even picture Patrick as a ghost since he is just like normal guy! Brie and Patrick's relationship is very lovely and fun to read. Thank you so much, Lan! <3

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  7. I adored your review, Hilda! I've been seeing reviews for this everywhere but somehow the premise seemed a bit too quirky for my taste. But you've totally convinced me to give it a chance! It seems so intriguing and heartbreaking and Brie sounds like a typical 15 year old!

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    1. Thank you, Ajoop! Hopefully you'll end up loving this book, just like me! Brie is a normal fifteen years old girl and I guess that is what makes this book is awesome! I so can't wait to read your review! <3

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  8. I enjoyed this book, too! Brie was sometimes frustrating because she was very vengeful, but like you, I understood her well. And Patrick? What a cutie! I thought the ending was bit too perfect as well, but in the end, the book was just really fun and surprisingly emotional. I love your review, Hilda! I agree with basically everything. :)

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    1. I agree, Sophia, Brie is really frustrating sometimes! But for obvious reasons, I can't be angry at her too long! Plus, she's really funny! I love Patrick so much, he always makes me laugh with his silly jokes! Oops sorry for fangirling! xD

      Thank you so much, Sophia! I'm really happy you like my review! x)

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  9. YES! Oh, Hilda, I want to hug you for liking this book. Twice! I agree with you that Brie's actions were sometimes not very noble and forgiving, but I too accepted them as a result of her age. Still, I kind of enjoyed that her character walked that gray line, especially since it made me appreciate the ending even more.
    Wonderful review!

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    1. I know, Maja, what makes Brie awesome is she seems very real! She's a really typical fifteen years old teenager! I usually dislike egoistic heroine, but I made exception just for her! <3 I can't phrase it better than you, Maja. Brie definitely walked the gray line, so I'm really relieved with the ending! xD Thank you so much! <3

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  10. Yayy I'm glad you loved this book too! There were times I wasn't really into Brie too but overall, she was so sweet and loveable. The book flowed really easily and it's very cute, even though it has some heavy themes in it too. Your review brought a smile to my face, Hilda! :D

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    1. Yayy! How come a book is very light yet dark? Well, you have The Catastrophic History of You and Me as the proof! x) I'm so glad that we both enjoy the book, Elena! And I'm glad that my review can bring smile to you, Elena! xD

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