I was wary going into If I Stay just because of the sheer amount of raving reviews it, and its sequel Where She Went received. But there is no denying that this is a beautiful, powerful, and heartbreaking novel. 
 The concept is a fairly simple one: after a devastating car accident, Mia narrates as an observer outside her own body and must make the choice to stay or to let go. 
 I'm still completely mind-blown how unbelievably real these characters were. Mia's parents are perhaps the coolest parents I have ever read about and I'm so jealous that she had them. Her little brother, Teddy, was beyond adorable. 
 And Adam. Oh my goodness, I am so in love with Adam. I fell in love with him right along with Mia through her flashbacks, which I felt right at home in. 
 Bit by bit this book ripped my heart out until the very end where I almost started crying in the middle of the subway train I was on. So happy I have the sequel with me already because I need to find out ASAP what happens next!