I Was Here

When Cody Garrett's best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is left with questions about what led to this devastating choice. She travels to Meg's college town to pack up her friend's belongings and begins investigating the circumstances surrounding Meg's death. During her search for answers, Cody discovers her friend had a private life she knew nothing about, including an online suicide forum and unexpected relationships. She meets several people from Meg's college life, including Ben McAllister, a musician who may have been the last person to have contact with Meg. As Cody pieces together clues about her friend's final months, she confronts difficult truths about friendship, guilt, and the limits of what we can know about those closest to us. The novel explores mental health, the impact of secrets between friends, and the complex ways people cope with loss.

Readers found this YA novel tackled teen suicide with sensitivity while exploring grief, guilt, and mental health. Many connected with the authentic portrayal of a friendship's aftermath and praised Forman's research into online suicide forums. Readers appreciated: - Complex examination of depression beyond surface-level tropes - Main character Cody's raw emotional journey - Realistic depiction of small-town life and family dynamics Common criticisms: - Romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Some found Cody's investigative actions unrealistic - Several readers wanted more depth from secondary characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (61,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (380+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "The book handles survivor's guilt in a way that feels honest," noted one Goodreads reviewer, while another criticized that "the mystery element undermined the emotional core of the story."

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🔖 Author Gayle Forman was inspired to write "I Was Here" after reading a true story about a college student who joined a suicide support group that actually encouraged members to take their own lives. 💌 The book's main character, Cody, is named after Forman's daughter - though the author has stated the character's personality is very different from her child's. 🌟 Following the publication of "I Was Here," Forman partnered with mental health organizations to raise awareness about suicide prevention among young adults. 📚 The novel addresses the complex issue of "suicide catchers" - people who lurk in online forums pretending to offer support while actually encouraging self-harm. 🎬 Like several of Forman's other novels, including "If I Stay," the film rights to "I Was Here" were optioned by Hollywood, though a movie has not yet been produced.