Say You'll Remember Me

Drix was hands down my favorite character throughout the whole book and while McGarry always has great main and side characters, he stuck out to me, mainly because I felt like I could honestly connect with him in the sense of his social standing. While I was never necessarily convicted for something, I grew up in a city and neighborhood that wasn't as shiny as some. My house currently holds nine people and sometimes I sleep on the couch where Drix didn't have a room and slept in the attic on two beds settled together. Most would think it would be distasteful or uncomfortable, but that's what Drix's family had to do to make the means that they did have work the best they could. More than that, he was incredibly humble, something most guys his age wouldn't have whether they had money or not. Drix was comfortable with who he was and how he came to be who he is today and I was proud and inspired by that. It is hard to be so naturally amiable despite unfair circumstances. He always put his family first and thought about his actions on whether it would effect them or not. If anything, everyone should take note from Drix.Elle, of course, was a great match for Drix. I appreciated her humbleness despite her having money. She didn't necessarily flaunt it nor was ashamed but she was grateful and showed that gratefulness with giving back when she could. I giggled whenever I read of her taking in pets despite her parents telling her not to. Like Drix, her heart was good and I was glad that she got to see the sweetness in Drix that most wouldn't look too far into him to see. Their mannerisms together were too innocent that made it cute and I would be cheering them on when they were simply sitting close to one another to where their skin touched.The story line isn't all romance, there is meaning that the two characters seem to share in what sort of brings them together in that they are trying to find themselves in the midst of a society where everyone wants them to act and be a certain way - Elle as the governors daughter and Drix as the convict he is made out to be. They should in no way collide but as the only people who understand what the other is going through, what is there to do?McGarry seems to capture the voice of the younger audience near perfect and I loved being in Drix and Elle's head for while and imagine myself as 17 again (I'm 20 but I feel so old!). Her writing and stories never seem to fail me and now I want to go back and re read the rest of her works. Of course I am up for anything else Katie McGarry and I hope you all are as well once you've read this book. Continue reading down below for an except and giveaway!Overall I gave Say You'll Remember Me 5 stars and I really hope there is more to come!

“My issue is my life. It’s closing in on me, and there’s no escape.”Say You’ll Remember Me is a novel full of second chances, a trope I really enjoy (so relatable!), especially when the second chance has to do with bettering yourself and growing up, and less about relationships.Ellison (Elle) and Hendrix (Drix) are characters that come from very different backgrounds and lives but they can’t resist their connection to each other. I related to their characters even though my life experiences as a teen were completely different. They just were so real.I’ve said it before and I will say it again: I have a thing for broken boys with golden hearts. The broken just want to feel like they deserve love and I just want to love them! Drix is broken and enrolled in a Second Chance Program to help stop the school to prison pipeline. He excelled at his rehabilitation and was tasked to be a spokesperson for the Governor’s election campaign.Elle is the perfect daughter, she does whatever her parents tell her, but she isn’t taking to the whole political spotlight well these days. She has a passion for rescuing animals and computers, both of which her parents insist aren’t the best path. She lets her family change her appearance and puts her interests aside for the better of the campaign.Elle and Drix have the best meet-cute at the midway playing games and they just can’t seem to take their eyes off of each other. Drix knows she is out of his league and doesn’t think he deserves to even look at a pretty girl. Elle just can’t believe this cute boy is talking to her. They both figure out who they are under trying circumstances in which the media blows out of proportion. They start to become friends on the campaign trail even though they have been forbidden to be seen together.What Drix doesn’t know is that the Governor’s daughter is irresistible and politics are a slimy business. They break all the rules and eventually can’t imagine their lives without one another. Scandal rocks them both, and eventually they each have to decide what it is they truly want in life and what are they willing to give up to be the person they are inside.This story is full of love, growth, and emotion. Like get the tissues ready because my eyes are leaking. I can’t say what happens because it is a spoiler, but damn McGarry I am MAD at you!Katie McGarry is an auto-buy author for me, she is my number one recommended YA contemporary author and I tell everyone they should read her books. Her books always have something to learn and a love so fierce it is easy to get lost within. Say You’ll Remember Me is another winner to add onto the wonderful, poignant look she takes to the world of YA contemporary.

Say you'll remember me is a captivating and well written story with real characters and real situations that come to like perfectly. I love the way McGarry writes the dialogue so real and isn't afraid to protray the grittiness of Drix and his friends and family vs Elle's word. She didn't shy away from painting a real like portrait of the two starkly different worlds. I loved Drix and his journey to be a better person, and I loved that Ellen wasn't some cliche clueless rich girl, and there was nothing cliche at all about this book, even though there were plenty of opportunities to go that route. The book was very descriptive, at times too descriptive to the point that I would often wonder if I was reading in consistencies, but nonetheless it was a great read. I cannot express enough how much I loved the realness. The thoughts that the characters would have about each other, whether innocent or naughty were so real and well put out. It was raw and gritty and I didn't expect it all. When you were in Drix's world you could FEEL the difference from the clean cut world surrounding Elle's POV. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

A great read, but unfortunately not the most powerful of Katie McGarry stories. Walk The Edge  still remains for me the most intense and romantic. Say You'll... is about a privileged but stifled governor's daughter and an alleged convict on a government rehab scheme. Drix was convicted of a crime he didn't commit. The time he spent away was still a reality check for the reckless lifestyle he led and when he was chosen to take part in the governor's 'Second Chance' program, it seemed like an opportunity to get his act together concerning school and family. The program aims to keep young offenders from returning to crime and reintegrate back into society, as well as providing publicity for the governor's campaign trail. His daughter, Elle faces constant pressure to be the perfect politician's daughter, in the way she acts, looks and creepily who she might be dating. Everything is planned, cultivated and controlled. This leaves little room for exploring her identity and interests, especially if she has been raised to do what she is best at rather than what makes her happy.The whiff of Drix and Elle's instant attraction is caught immediately by Elle's parents, who make it clear that Drix is completely off the radar; especially if it indicates her father's program being tainted with bias. Likewise, Drix is fully aware that getting involved with the governor's daughter, a man who has given him the only lifeline he has had in many years, is the worst first step he can make.I really wanted to be swept up in this story. There is plenty of feisty flirting, but the dialogue carried on longer than it needed. There was a lot of sentimental and motivational talk, but repeated and continued rather than amounting to action. This novel taps into many interesting topics such as controlled and abusive relationships, double standards in politics and rehabilitation programs. There is also the mystery of who actually committed the crime, resulting in an action packed struggle at the end.  However, I just didn't latch on as I normally would for a McGarry instalment, maybe just needed more punch and heat rather than emotion. I will of course keep reading and I can't wait for the story, be it in this series or a Thunder Road (please!) one.

Whilst I really loved the Pushing The Limits series by this author, this one just wasn't for me. I found the story moved on at a snails pace, which is unusual for a YA book. They normally whip along, probably due to their target market, but even at my advanced age its one of the things I like about YA. This one just seemed to take forever to get going and I admit I did skip through parts of it as nothing was happening.Then there's Elle. A 17 year old who seems to naively believe that she has to do and say whatever her parents tell her even though she's not comfortable with what they're asking. I'm just not buying it. There's no door slamming, yelling or a single act of rebellion. By 17 she would surely be at the stage where she knows without doubt that her parents know nothing. She just came across as much younger than 17.Finally there's Drix and his "family". Unfortunately they all just appeared to be far too good to be true. It was all far too nice, which again made the character difficult to believe in.Overall the way the book was written just irritated me, and the ending was as sugary sweet as could be.

Katie McGarry is a perfect cure for book slumps. There’s always an addictive quality to her writing that keeps you coming back for more. As with most McGarry books, Say You’ll Remember Me is a perfect balance of hard struggles, hope, and growth.The book follows a dual narrative of two individuals who are worlds apart on paper but are closer in heart and spirit. We have Drix, the new face of the Governor’s Second Chance Program. While innocent of the crime he was charged for, the program did give Drix some perspective on his life, and of the mistakes, he made prior to the arrest. Upon his release, he vows to not go back to being the arrogant man he was before and strives to make a better life for himself, even if that means being the Governor’s poster boy. It’s easy to root for Drix. He’s had a tough upbringing and made some questionable choices along the way, but his heart is in the right place. When we meet Drix he’s a lot more reserved and quiet than he was prior to his arrest. His readjustment into his family felt like walking on eggshells for a time, but there is no denying the bond between them. They would go to the end of the earth for each other. They’re by no means a perfect family, they all have their faults and fears, but the love between them is real, even if they struggle to say so. Drix is determined to follow the straight and narrow path and his resolve and strength to see it through shines from the start. At the end of the day, Drix is a guy that is full of passion and hope but has to fight the social hierarchy and judgments of the world in order to see his dreams come to fruition.We also meet Elle. She’s the Governor’s daughter and has long been accustomed to life in the spotlight. To the world, she is an American sweetheart, but what they don’t see is just how stifling her life is. Her parents have planned every moment of her life for her, from her appearance to her education, even to who she spends time with. They have the best intentions for her, but what they fail to do is listen to her. They take no consideration for her own desires, and while Elle respects her parents, there is a growing sense of frustration and resentment coming from how little freedom and respect they give her in return. Elle’s journey stems from her need to break free from the chains her parents have around her, and in doing so, find her own strength and determination to chase after her dreams.Drix and Elle come from two separate worlds, but they both long for that freedom to chose their own paths. The second chance program brings these two together, and while a romance between them is forbidden, they can’t fight the growing connection between them. The attraction between them was instant, but because of the nature of both their positions, they took their time to establish a friendship before giving into their feelings. It’s a beautifully developed romance and they compliment each other so well.Katie McGarry has done it again. With a strong blend of romance, friendship, and family, Say You’ll Remember Me is a book that will tug at the heartstrings. It’s endearing, emotional, and full of hope. It’s a book that sees these two trapped souls find their inner strength and fight for what they love.

A book that brings out whatever your circumstances are your problems are just as real as anyone else and each person and animal is of value.

Perfect like the rest of Katie McGarry’s work! Must check out the pushing the limits series