Book Review: "Amelia, If Only" by Becky Albertalli
You know how certain books find you at just the right moment? For me, that book was Amelia, If Only. As soon as I saw Becky Albertalli’s name attached to this delightful tale, I was instantly hooked. This is the very same author who gifted us with Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and her knack for capturing the nuances of teen life is something I can’t resist. Add to that a sapphic romance starring an Amelia—hey, that’s my name!—set in Westchester, and I knew I had to dive in.
Right from the start, the book zips us through a whirlwind of emotions over the course of just four days. The central theme revolves around friendships, love, and the messy entanglements of growing up. Amelia, along with her vibrant queer friend group, navigates those intoxicating highs and painful lows of adolescence, but what really drives the story is the authenticity of their relationships. Albertalli’s writing brims with humor and a sense of urgency that had me flipping pages late into the night. I confess—there were moments I found it hard to put the book down, even when the clock inched past 3 AM.
What really stood out for me was how dialogue-driven the narrative is. The chapters often begin with Amelia’s vivid thoughts, before plunging into snappy conversations with her friends. There’s something special about the way Albertalli captures the cadence of youthful banter; it felt like eavesdropping on a hilarious and relatable group chat. However, I do wish there was a bit more character description at the outset; I often found myself scrambling to picture who was who, especially since the characters are depicted on the cover. A sprinkle of physical description would have enhanced my connection to the characters from the get-go.
One quote that really resonated with me was, “you don’t actually remember feelings – you remember their echoes.” It encapsulates the bittersweet nature of young love and the nostalgia that often comes with it, especially as we grow and change. Those echoes are what make Amelia, If Only feel so real; the portrayal of heartbreak, joy, and everything in between is spot-on.
That said, it’s not without its quirks. Albertalli’s choice of verbiage sometimes felt a touch too polished for teenage dialogue, leading me to think, “Do real teenagers talk like this?” Yet, I found that it didn’t detract much from my reading experience; the lighthearted nature of the story keeps it fun and approachable. It’s not about creating an award-winning masterwork; it’s about delivering a joyful and hopeful queer narrative.
In conclusion, I’d recommend this book for anyone—especially younger readers—looking for a sweet love story sprinkled with relatable humor and unforgettable characters. If you’re a fan of contemporary YA that captures the essence of being young, queer, and finding yourself in the age of social media, Amelia, If Only might just be the perfect escape. This book made me smile, and honestly, that’s exactly what I needed. Happy reading!