You’ve Reached Sam Review: A Touching Yet Stretched YA Romance

You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao has a heart-tugging premise – what if you could say goodbye to someone you lost? It’s a bittersweet exploration of love, grief, and second chances that keeps the reader asking, “What would I do?”

My Rating:

❤️❤️❤️🤍🤍

“A touching yet slightly stretched YA romance.”

Check You’ve Reached Sam on Goodreads

What’s You’ve Reached Sam About?

Julie and Sam had their future mapped out—escape their small town of Ellensburg, head to the city, and build a life together. But fate had other plans when Sam died in an accident. Heartbroken and desperate, Julie calls Sam’s phone one night... and miraculously, he picks up.

This sets the stage for a story that drifts between the present and past, filled with memories of their love, and Julie’s struggle to hold on to Sam through their surreal phone calls. The novel explores how she deals with the impossibility of hearing Sam’s voice again, the push and pull of moving on while keeping the connection alive.

What Works?

The concept is definitely intriguing. The idea of reconnecting with a loved one after their passing hits all the right emotional chords. Dustin Thao’s writing captures the heartbreak and emotional depth of Julie’s loss. You can feel her pain, her longing, and her hesitation to let go of someone who was such a big part of her world.

For readers who enjoy love stories drenched in longing and sentimentality, You’ve Reached Sam will pull you in. The back-and-forth between Julie’s memories and the present helps build a fuller picture of her relationship with Sam.

Thao’s style makes it easy to empathize with Julie, and at times, you’ll feel like you’re in her shoes—laughing, crying, and trying to cope with the impossible.

What Falls Short?

Despite its emotional premise, You’ve Reached Sam felt a bit... stretched. It’s touching, but the execution, especially in the latter half, starts to drag. There were moments when I found myself skimming through the pages, particularly during the last third of the book. Around 100 pages could have been trimmed without losing much of the story.

The book’s writing style may not be engaging for everyone. The repetitive nature of Julie’s internal struggle and the somewhat predictable emotional beats left me feeling like the novel didn’t fully evolve. And the lovey-dovey parts, though cute, feel overdone.

Who Should Read It?

If you’re a fan of YA romances with an emotional punch, You’ve Reached Sam is a solid pick. The characters are vivid enough, and though it’s not the best in the genre, it’s a good effort. Teens and young adults might find the heart-wrenching connection between Julie and Sam relatable and engaging.

Final Thoughts 

You’ve Reached Sam offers a poignant glimpse into grief and love, but its pacing and drawn-out plot might leave some readers losing interest toward the end. It’s a clean, emotional read that’s great for teens seeking a bittersweet romance. For adults, it’s just an okayish one.

Liked this book review?

Join Book Blabbers WhatsApp group to bond over books, memes and quotes.

Subscribe to Book Blabber's Bulletin to get book summaries, reading tips and occasional hugs in your inbox.