Violet Page is having a rough time. This former popular girl is lost. Her parents uproot everything after her younger sister’s suicide, moving states away to escape the lingering pain of loss. She doesn’t fit in anywhere, but finds herself strangely drawn to the boy she watches view the world through a telescope. Finnley Crawford isn’t your typical boy next door. Being autistic has always set him apart from kids his age. None of them quite knows how to approach him or interact, leaving him only one friend in the form of his support dog. His lack of friendships lead him to a unique love of space and aspirations of one day reaching the stars. For in the stars, he sees a peace and beauty he can’t find on Earth. The more time these two seemingly opposite teenagers spend together, the more they learn it isn’t what’s on the outside that counts. So much can be found on the inside if you only care to look.

My Review

“Fear is an illusion. The only true thing in life we have to fear is ourselves.”

Micalea always surprises me with what she pulls out of her magic bag of tricks and I’m constantly blown away. I knew that this book was going to be something special and it was. I prepared myself for the tearjerker that this would be and I still wound up crying my eyes out at seven in the morning. 😭😭

The more that I sit here and think about the story of Violet and Finn, the more this touches my heart with its strong message and its absolute beauty. When two broken people find each other and support one another, big and better things can happen. It wasn’t an easy feat but it was worth the wait. You’ll instantly be pulled into the world of Violet and how she lives her life after the loss of her sister.

Finn and Violet start off rocky but Violet is a fighter and won’t take no for an answer. She brings him out of his shell and shows him the better side of life, away from harsh judgments, away from stereotypes, and away from dark inner thoughts. Not only did Finn grow from Violet being his friend, but she also grew right alongside him. It was a story that I couldn’t look away from and it made me a better person after reading.

Whatever Happens, was a touching and beautiful story of two broken souls finding their place in this world. I loved this book so much and it’s one of my favorite YA reads of this year. I really enjoyed the fact that the lead male character was autistic. I’m grateful that authors are finally noticing that we are all different! Just remember that we are all different and we have no idea what others are dealing with or going through. Treat people how you want to be treated!