📖 Overview
Emery Lord is a contemporary young adult fiction author known for writing emotionally resonant novels that explore themes of friendship, romance, mental health, and coming-of-age experiences.
Her 2014 debut novel "Open Road Summer" established her as a voice in YA contemporary fiction, following a young woman on a summer road trip with her best friend. She went on to write several acclaimed works including "The Start of Me and You" (2015) and "When We Collided" (2016), the latter earning particular recognition for its portrayal of bipolar disorder.
Lord's work frequently incorporates complex family dynamics, authentic teen experiences, and characters dealing with grief, anxiety, and personal growth. Her novels have been praised for their realistic dialogue and nuanced handling of difficult subjects while maintaining moments of humor and hope.
Her writing style weaves together contemporary issues with classic YA romance elements, garnering multiple awards and nominations in the young adult category. She continues to contribute to the YA contemporary genre with titles that resonate with both teen and adult readers.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight Lord's authentic portrayal of mental health challenges and teen relationships. Her dialogue rings true for many readers, with one noting "the conversations feel like ones I actually had in high school."
Readers appreciate:
- Complex family dynamics that avoid stereotypes
- Balance of serious topics with humor
- Realistic friendships between female characters
- Mental health representation, particularly in "When We Collided"
- Natural integration of pop culture references
Common criticisms:
- Some romance plots follow predictable patterns
- Pacing issues in later novels
- Characters can seem privileged/unrealistic to some readers
- Occasional overuse of quirky dialogue
Ratings averages:
Goodreads:
- "When We Collided": 3.8/5 (33,000+ ratings)
- "The Start of Me and You": 4.1/5 (28,000+ ratings)
- "Open Road Summer": 3.9/5 (25,000+ ratings)
Amazon averages range from 4.3-4.6/5 stars across titles, with most reviewers praising character development while noting some plot predictability.
📚 Books by Emery Lord
Open Road Summer - A 17-year-old accompanies her famous musician best friend on a summer tour while dealing with her own past and a potential new romance.
The Start of Me and You - After her first boyfriend's death, Paige Hancock creates a plan to rejoin the social world during her junior year of high school.
When We Collided - A summer romance unfolds between Vivi, who has bipolar disorder, and Jonah, who is helping care for his younger siblings after his father's death.
The Names They Gave Us - Lucy Hansson's faith is tested during a summer as a camp counselor while her mother battles cancer.
The Map from Here to There - High school senior Paige Hancock navigates college decisions, relationships, and anxiety during her final year of high school.
The Start of Me and You - After her first boyfriend's death, Paige Hancock creates a plan to rejoin the social world during her junior year of high school.
When We Collided - A summer romance unfolds between Vivi, who has bipolar disorder, and Jonah, who is helping care for his younger siblings after his father's death.
The Names They Gave Us - Lucy Hansson's faith is tested during a summer as a camp counselor while her mother battles cancer.
The Map from Here to There - High school senior Paige Hancock navigates college decisions, relationships, and anxiety during her final year of high school.
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Sarah Dessen creates stories about teenagers dealing with family dynamics, personal growth, and romance in small-town settings. Her books examine deeper issues like grief, domestic violence, and mental health while maintaining focus on relationships.
Morgan Matson focuses on summer-set narratives involving road trips, friendship evolution, and romance. Her characters face family changes and personal challenges while discovering themselves.
Kasie West writes contemporary young adult novels centered on meet-cutes and developing relationships. Her books feature realistic dialogue and explore the uncertainties of high school life and first relationships.
Katie Cotugno develops stories about complicated teenage relationships and messy life situations. Her work addresses topics like reputation, mistake-making, and the gray areas of growing up.