Tell Me Three Things
by Julie Buxbaum
Pages: 328
Published on April 5th 2016
by Delacorte Press
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Narrator: Jorjeana Marie
Length: 8 hours 54 minutes
Source: Purchased for Audible
Amazon | B&N | BookDepository | Goodreads
Also by this author: Tell Me Three Things, What to Say Next
Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?
It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.
In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?
Julie Buxbaum mixes comedy and tragedy, love and loss, pain and elation, in her debut YA novel filled with characters who will come to feel like friends.
Hi everyone! I have no idea why it took me so long to read Tell Me Three Things. I mean, it seems like absolutely everyone I know loved this book. As a matter of fact, Bee – one of my awesome co-bloggers – adored it too. Now, since Bee already did a stellar review (read it HERE), I will instead tell you the four top reasons why you should read it (although I’m sure everyone read it already!)
- The characters – Are amazing. There is depth, growth, pain, happiness, love… So many changes and emotions that make Jessie, his dad, his new step-mother and step-brother’s life chaotic, hard, and eventually better. There are mean girls, knights in shining armor, new and old friends, and then there’s Somebody/Nobody (SN).
- The story – Waffles, IM, email, moving to a new city, a new family, a new school, new work. Feelings of abandonment, friendship, love, bullying, bereavement, homesickness. The bright beacon that SN becomes in Jessie’s life and her in his. I absolutely loved their banter, their exchanges, and their three things.
- The writing – Is flawless, moving, engrossing, fluid, packed with emotion. In short, pure awesome.
- The romance – Ah. Buxbaum masterfully introduces characters that seem like they could be SN, but there is no love triangles (or squares), we know who Jessie likes and grows to love above all other possible suitors. In her mind there is only one and I adore the ending of the book. It is truly amazing and masterfully done.
Overall? Go read Tell Me Three Things and What to Say Next to your list ASAP.
Jorjeana Marie is one of my favorite narrators and she was stellar in Tell Me Three Things. Her voice acting is masterfully executed, the characters voice’s distinctive from each other and carrying clear emotions. SO good.
About Julie Buxbaum
Julie Buxbaum is the New York Times best selling author of Tell Me Three Things, her young adult debut, and the critically acclaimed novels The Opposite of Love and After You. Â Her work has been translated into twenty-five languages. Julie’s writing has appeared in various publications, including The New York Times. She is a former lawyer and graduate of Harvard Law School and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two young children, and an immortal goldfish.
Born in Puerto Rico, hola :), military wife for 22-years, and mother of three boys.I work full time doing something else that I love (sadly I don't get paid for reading!)
- {Liza Reviews} Re-reads Her Favorites - July 13, 2018
- {On a Personal Note} Liza’s Updates - July 9, 2018
- {Liza’s News and a Goodbye of Sorts} - April 30, 2018
[…] What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum Pages: 292 Published on July 11th 2017 by Delacorte Press Genres: Adolescence, Contemporary, Young Adult Format: Audiobook Narrator: Abigail Revasch, Kirby Heyborne Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins Source: Publisher Amazon | B&N | BookDepository | GoodreadsAlso by this author: Tell Me Three Things, Tell Me Three Things […]
Twitter: madalynhardwickgmail.com
I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews for this book! I bought the ebook in a sale recently, and I’m saving it for when I feel myself slipping into a reading slump (cute contemporaries like this one always manage to pull me out of slumps). The romance and characters sound so lovely! Great review, Liza. 🙂
This book has SUCH an awesome cover, but I’m generally not a fan of contemporaries. For me, a contemporary has to have a special “zing” to it that makes it really memorable. Would you say Tell Me Three Things has this?
Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality
Twitter: Liza
I tend to love fantasies, paranormal, and even historical better than contemporaries, but I for sure can recommend Tell Me Three Things. Are there any contemporaries that you’ve liked lately?
Twitter: Alyssa Susanna
I am sooooo glad you enjoyed this book, Liza! As you know, I’m not a big fan of YA contemporary, but this one was so, so good. I’m looking forward to reading What To Say Next. 😀 Great review!
Have a lovely week, Liza. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Twitter: Liza
I know Alyssa – we are more of fantasy/historical lovers- but this one was SO good.
Twitter: kagunderman
I’m probably one of the few who hasn’t actually had the chance to read this book yet. It has such a lovely cover and the story sounds amazing though. So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Twitter: Liza
Well, it took me forever to read it too Kelly, I hope you get the chance to read it.
Twitter: Sydney
This book seems so cute. I hope I get a chance to read it.
Twitter: Liza
I hope so too Sydney 🙂