3.5 Stars. 
 Review originally posted on journeyintotheshelves.tumblr.com. 
 In all honesty, I wasn't completely excited to read this book. I wasn't a big fan of If I Stay, so I tip-toed toward this book cautiously. Man, was I pleasantly surprised. 
 The novel centers around Cody and her struggles after her best friend, Meg, commits suicide. Floored by this, Cody is determined to figure out what really happened to her best friend. With the help of Meg's roommates, and a disgustingly attractive musician, Cody discovers the truth about Meg's suicide, but also about her own feelings toward Meg and about herself. 
 In the beginning, I didn't really connect with Cody. I just could not find myself empathizing with her despite the tragedy she was dealing with. (I actually liked Meg's brother more - and not just because he shares my birthday.) But then, when the real meat of the story started moving forward, I was rooting for her. I was feeling her pain. Forman explained and showed her emotional journey really well throughout the whole novel, and really made me like Cody. She made her real and honest. 
 The mystery/crime solving portion of the novel was what I didn't really enjoy about it. Everything seemed too easy and was "solved" too quickly. It seemed as if it was trying to be a suspense novel, or a least bit suspenseful, but it just didn't work for me. 
 I Was Here handles the complexities of suicide and how it effects those left behind really well. It is very much a mental and emotional journey that Cody goes through, which really resonated with me. 
 I Was Here is heartfelt, emotional, and recognizes the piece in all of us that isn't so bright. It's a great novel about suicide, friendship, and uncovering the truth.