When We Collided

When We Collided follows seventeen-year-old Vivi Alexander during a summer in the California coastal town of Verona Cove. She meets local resident Jonah Daniels, whose family is still reeling from the recent death of his father. Vivi brings color and spontaneity to Jonah's life as he manages his family's restaurant and helps care for his younger siblings. The two teenagers navigate their growing relationship while dealing with their individual struggles - Vivi with her mental health and Jonah with his grief and family responsibilities. Through alternating perspectives, the story explores how two people can impact each other's lives during a pivotal summer. The novel examines mental illness, family dynamics, and the complexities of first love while highlighting the importance of seeking help and finding support in others.

Readers appreciate the book's portrayal of mental health, particularly bipolar disorder, and its impact on relationships. Many note the authentic depiction of grief through Jonah's character and his family dynamics. The romance receives praise for avoiding typical YA tropes. Common criticisms focus on Vivi's character, with readers finding her "exhausting" and "difficult to connect with." Some reviews mention the plot feels rushed in the final third. Multiple readers note the dual perspective narration makes it challenging to fully invest in either character's story. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (27,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (200+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "The mental health representation feels real and messy, but Vivi's manic episodes sometimes overshadow the deeper emotional core of the story." - Goodreads reviewer Readers frequently compare it to "All the Bright Places" and "It's Kind of a Funny Story" in terms of mental health themes.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven Two teens with mental health struggles find connection and healing through their relationship.

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella A fourteen-year-old with social anxiety discovers romance while working through her recovery.

Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton A high school student navigates first love and friendships while managing his schizophrenia diagnosis.

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert A teenager returns home from boarding school to support her bipolar stepbrother while discovering truths about herself.

How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow A girl deals with grief, depression, and the foster care system after her mother's death.

🌊 "When We Collided" was inspired by author Emery Lord's personal experience with mental health, particularly her journey with anxiety. 🎨 The novel's setting, Verona Cove, is a fictional California coastal town that Lord created by combining elements of several real seaside communities. 💫 The book tackles the stigma around bipolar disorder while simultaneously weaving in themes of grief, first love, and family dynamics. 🏆 The novel received a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection in 2017 and was praised for its authentic portrayal of mental illness in teenagers. 🍳 The main character Jonah's cooking abilities and family restaurant storyline were influenced by Lord's own passion for food and cooking, which she developed while working in restaurants during college.