Title: Where It All Lands
Author: Jennie Wexler
Genre: Young Adult
Published On: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: physical (Goodreads giveaway)
Pages: 352
Synopsis:
CW: grief, death of parent, infidelity by a parent
Stevie Rosenstein has never made a true friend. Never fallen in love. Moved from city to city by her father’s unrelenting job, it’s too hard to care for someone. Trust in anything. The pain of leaving always hurts too much. But she’ll soon learn to trust, to love.
Twice.
Drew and Shane have been best friends through everything. The painful death of Shane’s dad. The bitter separation of Drew’s parents. Through sleepaway camps and family heartache, basketball games and immeasurable loss, they’ve always been there for each other.
When Stevie meets Drew and Shane, life should go on as normal.
But a simple coin toss alters the course of their year in profound and unexpected ways.
Told in dual timelines, debut author Jennie Wexler delivers a heartbreaking and hopeful novel about missed opportunities, second chances, and all the paths that lead us to where we are.
My thoughts
(Some very mild spoilers, but no major plot spoilers.)
I’m always intrigued by the ‘sliding doors’ concept, but it’s been several years since I read a book with the premise. So when I won a giveaway for an advanced copy of Where It All Lands, I was excited to pick it up. I had no idea from the synopsis that an important part of this young adult novel focuses on music and the three main characters are members of their high school band. If you’re a follower of my blog, you’ll know that music and books is just about my favorite combination ever.
“It’s not falling. It’s landing, finally landing where I want to be.”
Jennie Wexler, Where It All Lands
As a former band nerd (who also married a fellow band nerd), I couldn’t help but be excited when the book opens with summer band practice—something I experienced (endured) four summers in a row.
So all signs were pointing to this book being an enjoying read for me, and while I did enjoy it—speeding through it in one day—it wasn’t perfect. But I was impressed with this debut, and it’s definitely a book ripe for discussion.
Maybe some very mild spoilers here, but it’s hard to discuss the book without mentioning the whole premise: I’ve seen other reviewers say they had issues with the fact that two boys toss a coin to decide who gets to ask out the girl. I didn’t have a problem with it once I saw how the author handled it. Drew and Shane have been best friends and neighbors for years, and they’ve used coin tosses to settle many arguments. So when they both want to ask out new girl Stevie, they toss a coin in the spur of the moment. They discuss afterward how it’s really just about their friendship and the fact is Stevie may not be interested in either one of them anyway. One of the boys is decidedly against the coin toss, but does go along with it. The negatives and positives of this moment that creates both timelines is thoroughly explored throughout the book.
“You can’t be certain that one decision will mess everything up. Each new decision takes us on a different path, that’s all.”
Jennie Wexler, Where It All Lands
In the beginning, I was a bit annoyed by Stevie. She can come across as self-centered when it comes to her family, but it ended up being a significant issue in one of the timelines, so I was okay with it by the end.
All three teens are dealing with some kind of daddy issues, and most of their mothers are not big role players in the novel. I would have liked to see a little bit more of those relationships fleshed out.
I loved all the musical references, and immediately started keeping track of each one so I could build a playlist. BUT I did start noticing almost all the music was older. LIKE from my own teen years in the ’90s. Which I loved but felt a little unbelievable for teens in the current time. Maybe I could buy teens who were obsessed with Pearl Jam—but teenagers who listened to Sting?? I’m pretty sure all three of my teens have never listened to a single song by Sting unless they overheard me playing it. I kept wondering why the author didn’t just set this story in the 1990s.
But—this wasn’t a major issue since I did love all the music these teens were listening to.
Typical for most young adult novels, the story did get somewhat overly dramatic at times, but not so much that I wanted to stop reading.
I also typically have a strong preference for one love interest over another when there is a triangle involved—even though this isn’t your typical triangle storyline. And I did find myself preferring Drew in the beginning but now I’m wondering if that was only because his storyline was first.
AND I might have a thing for the more troubled love interest. Thank you Will Herondale.
I couldn’t help being pulled in by Shane, who is kind and selfless, but there was also a very large part of me that just wanted an ending where Stevie chooses no one but herself. Don’t worry, no spoilers here!
“Nothing is permanent no matter how tight you hold on. And that’s the whole point, to live the hell out of what you have.”
Jennie Wexler, Where It All Lands
While this debut had some issues, the writing was solid and I couldn’t put it down, so I would happily pick up this author’s next novel.
Thank you to Goodreads and Wednesday Books for an advanced reader’s copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
My Rating: (3.75 stars rounded up!)
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About the Author
A Song For A Book
Despite this book being full of musical references, I couldn’t find an author created playlist. That doesn’t mean one won’t be released closer to the publishing date. But I kept track of the songs and artists while I was reading and created my own playlist. I’ll share it below, but I’ll be highlighting “Oceans” by Pearl Jam, Stevie’s favorite band. The music and lyrics are hauntingly perfect.
Hold on to the thread
The currents will shift
Glide me towards you
know something’s left
And we’re all allowed
To dream of the next
Oh,
oh the next, time we touch
Have you read Where It All Lands? Did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
Like you, the coin flip didn’t bother me. I sort of understood from the onset that it was driving the story, and like you said, it was addressed. Part 1 was broody, Part 2 was sunshine for me, and Part 3 was tears, lots of tears. I also did not find the book perfect, but it was feed my emotions, unfolded in an interesting way that kept me at attention, and it was thought provoking. As for the music, it harkened back to my college years, so I approved. I think it’s the same as my friends who was all about Led Zeppelin and other classic rock bands. Grunge is sadly classic rock now. 🤣
Haha! Yeah, I guess my kids are just not into classic rock. 😉 I’m so glad you enjoyed it, too!
This sounds like a fascinating read! I love the movie Sliding Doors, but haven’t ever read any book with that conceit. I think this might be the only way I would be okay with a love triangle… LOL
I do remember enjoying the film but it’s been years since I’ve seen it. Maybe it’s time to give it a rewatch. 🙂 I hope you get to pick this one up!