Review Detail

In You've Found Oliver, it starts by explaining the recent events in Oliver's life and how he hasn't moved on from his best friend, Sam's death. He is still messaging the number that Sam has until he accidentally calls and someone picks up. Ben has been receiving Oliver's messages this whole time, and now they are going to meet in person.

What I Liked: While Ben and Oliver are almost instantly into each other, the relationship between them feels organic because of how much Ben already knows about Oliver. Oliver is an easy character to root for; while he is dependent on the people around him after Sam's death, this is a realistic portrayal of what grief can do to someone.

The pacing of this story is perfect, and at times feels like you are reading a slice-of-life book. This is a lot more than that, though, when you stop to think about all the layers that this book contains. This is a story about grief, holding onto the past, and what it takes to move forward, while also showcasing what can happen if you remain in the past and don't allow yourself or others to move forward from grief.

There are mixed feelings regarding the concept of multiple universes throughout this book. This is a fun addition and intriguing as Oliver gets trapped in the past because of his feelings surrounding Sam's death. There are so many questions left unanswered regarding this alternate universe that leave you wondering if that might be the point. Maybe we aren't supposed to get answers, and the point is that everyone is going to leave this book with a different takeaway.

What Left me Wanting More: While the addition of alternate universes was intriguing, it also left so many questions unanswered. Oliver is surprised when he discovers that Ben is in the past and can't come into the current timeline, yet he doesn't spend much time trying to figure things out. Oliver is too accepting of this alternate universe, even when he realizes that his being stuck there has shifted a lot of those around him. He asks himself a lot of questions regarding the alternate universes, which are similar to the ones we are asking, but those don't ever get answered.

Final Verdict: You've Found Oliver is a heartwarming story about grief and moving forward after losing someone you love. This book is perfect for fans of Dustin Thao's other books, and a must-read if you enjoyed You've Reached Sam. While this is in the same universe that You've Reached Sam takes place, this is a good book on its own, and best to read before the other one.