History Is All You Left me - Adam Silvera

History Is All You Left Me – Adam Silvera

History Is All You Left me is the first book I have read by Adam Silvera, and it certainly will not be the last. I went into this book not really knowing what to expect, I had seen a few reviews, but nothing to really spoil the journey I was about to experience. I was actually quite grateful that this was the case.

When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course.

To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin’s downward spiral continues. He’s losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he’s been keeping are tearing him apart.

If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life.

History Is All You Left Me is an amazing contemporary novel. We follow the journey of Griffin, who is dealing with his grief and slowly piecing together his history with his ex boyfriend and best friend Theo, to see just how we have gotten to this point. I have to say within the first few chapters of this book Adam Silvera’s writing had me instantly feeling for these characters. I knew nothing really of Theo, and yet there I was, upset and with a lump in my throat with the memory of him through Griffin. This was something I noticed Adam did a lot through this novel. You may not know much about a person, but you felt for them and deeply.

I’m not going to sugar coat it, this book is sad. For someone who knows what it is like to deal with grief, or those who can imagine what it is like. Even those who have experienced love loss, or heartache at what could have or should have been. This book will have you feeling all of the feels. You could be laughing one second or revelling in the cuteness of a moment, to suddenly having it all snatched away from you, with what felt like a fist straight through the chest to feel that heartbreak and sadness. Extreme to say maybe. But it will get you, every time.

The characters in this book are brilliantly written, all of them so deeply flawed and human. Everyone had their own battle to fight, or their own issues to work through. With the addition of grief in itself just being that darkened cherry on top of a pretty craptastic cake. But this is what you will love about these characters. They are all so real and all so flawed, you will find a way to relate to them.

History Is All You Left me is a story following love, loss and friendship within a circle of boys. Who all find their own way of trying to deal with heartache. Jumping between present day and the past or ‘history’ as it is known. To tell the story that is needed to be said, needed to be resolved in order to move on and come to terms with what has happened. Such a complex story unfolds, with a web of relationships all weaving together, and yet all circling around that singular character, Theo. Revelations are made, and twists and turns were unexpectedly thrown in as serious curve balls you would not expect. This really is one massive emotional rollercoaster, and yet one you don’t want to stop.

I would say if you are looking for a good contemporary, with brilliant characters and to which is beautifully written. Drawing you in even deeper as each chapter passes. Then I would seriously suggest this book. The writing style is brilliant and the story flows perfectly, even when jumping between varying time lines. I can honestly say, I am now looking forward to the next book I pick up from this author and what other journey he has planned for me.

I have given this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.