There are few childhood books that can be reread as an adult and inspire the same emotion. My 18-year-old self rated one of my favourite books of all time, Dream Factory, co-written by Heather Hepler, a 3.5 on my beginner blog. You can find that review here. I was a tough critic! I’ve softened up in my old age, I guess (I’m 23). When I think about it now, Dream Factory is an easy 5 star. It has lasting power - I read it for the first time 12 years ago and I still think about it! That book made me jump to purchase this one when I saw it online.
“It's been a year since fifteen-year-old Mia Hopkins was in the car crash that killed her older sister and left her terribly scarred. The doctors tell her she was lucky to survive. Her therapist says it will take time to heal. The police reports claim there were trace amounts of alcohol in her bloodstream. But no matter how much she tries to reconstruct the events of that fateful night, Mia's memory is spotty at best. She's left with accusations, rumors, and guilt so powerful it could consume her. As the rest of Mia's family struggles with their own grief, Mia is sent to New York City to spend the summer with a grandmother she's never met. All Mia wants to do is hide from the world, but instead she's stuck with a summer job in the bustling kitchens of the cafe down the street. There she meets Fig--blue-haired, friendly, and vivacious--who takes Mia under her wing. As Mia gets to know Fig and her friends--including Cooper, the artistic boy who is always on Mia's mind--she realizes that she's not the only one with a painful past. Over the summer, Mia begins to learn that redemption isn't as impossible as she once thought, but her scars inside run deep and aren't nearly so simple to heal ... especially when Mia finally pieces together her memories of the night Rachel died.”
This was another 3-hour-straight reading session. I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want to.
Ms. Hepler writes in a very straightforward manner but still makes me teary when she describes Mia’s trauma, stressed from the tension of being in a stranger’s house, and nearly sick from the sweetness of Mia’s interactions with Cooper. She captures the ups and downs effortlessly, without adding words that detract from the sentiment. Her side characters are distinct, vivid, and within a few sentences you know exactly the type of person they are. This is most clear with Simon, who we meet very briefly but within a page, you know the guy. This takes enormous skill. I find character introduction can be very jerky, awkward, and forced in YA - but not here.
I did have to choke back some tears. Quarantine has me crying all the time, so I’m not sure if this book hit the sweet spot or I was still hurt that my cat turned her nose (and tail) up at me when I needed cuddles. Ever fed and cared for a creature and have them be consistently ungrateful? Every parent just nodded yes.
She also painted a great picture of New York City, by making it accessible to visitors. The last book I read was also set in New York City, but from a local’s perspective, which means I immediately felt like an outsider looking in. Seeing it through Mia’s eyes was much more relatable as she came from Maine, and Maine is basically Canada. At least, with the description of the loon’s harrowing calls on the lake and the bats feasting on mosquitos, it felt like it.
I found a typo or two, but that made it feel as if I was sharing in the process with the author -and it reminded me to sit back, smile, and remember that I was reading and losing myself completely in the story.
A 5-star read. My first 5-star review this year. It’s a momentous occasion! And has made Heather Hepler the first author on my insta-buy list.
Happy reading,
Holly
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