The review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs 
 Perfection. That is the only word that comes to mind when I think of this book. Emery Lord easily has given us the perfect book with her second novel The Start of Me and You. If you know me you know how much I loved her debut Open Road Summer. It was fun and smart and sassy and serious. It has a special place in my heart and life. Honestly I didn't think I would love anything she wrote as much as I did Open Road Summer. And then I read The Start of Me and You and everything changed. This book. Oh this book! 
 The Start of Me and You is about Paige. Paige has a great group of core friends, a basic home life with divorced parents and an all-consuming crush. But Paige also has the looks of pity given to her every day. A year ago her boyfriend died in a freak accident and her life was upended. Trying to get back to normal Paige decides she is going to accomplish a list of things and on that list is to date her crush Ryan Chase. But as Paige knows so well, nothing goes as planned. Soon she finds herself spending time with Ryan's nerdy cousin Max, joining Quiz Bowl and learning that getting back to normal is different than you expect. 
 Okay so my summary doesn't do the book justice. I mean it is impossible to describe perfection. It just is. What I can say is that Emery Lord is the master at writing strong friendships, adorable boys, and swoon worthy romance. Every part of this story just felt real. Paige's grief, her relationship with her parents, her crush on Ryan, her friendship with Max, and finally her three best friends. Paige, Tessa, Kayleigh and Morgan were a thing of beauty. Having a core group of friends myself I can say with certainty that Lord nailed every aspect of a great, strong friendship. Every person needs friends like these. Emery wrote something that felt true and real and genuine and I love her even more for it. 
 Another bright spot, as I mentioned, was the development of a friendship between Max and Paige. Paige was so lost when Max came into her life. She was living in this horrible in between phase, scared to step out of her comfort zone or to get close to anyone. But there was something about Max. He came around right when she needed someone. They were total opposites but that was okay. They formed a solid friendship and possibly the foundation for something else, but the friendship was the part that really got me. And that endeared me to them and Max in general. 
 I don't know what else to tell you besides you just need to read this book and maybe give your besties a hug. As I've said for Open Road Summer, Emery Lord has all the elements you look for in a book. It was true for that book and true for The Start of Me and You. Bring tissues and your feels and prepare to enjoy the beauty that is Emery's writing. I beginning to think the girl can't write fast enough as I already need MORE!