After Hello by Lisa Mangum

Synopsis:
What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had? 

Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City. 

Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find. 

When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate? This new novel from award-winning author Lisa Mangum explores what happens after hello.

My Thoughts:

I’ve had an ARC of After Hello since late July. My initial reaction after finishing this book was, Why the heck didn’t I read this sooner? The book has become one of my favorite books of 2012. I don’t read a lot of contemporary fiction, but the plot of After Hello is unlike anything I have read before. It definitely makes me want to read more of the genre in the future. In After Hello Sara (without the h) is stuck in New York City alone while her dad attends an important business meeting. While in New York, she meets a boy named Sam and helps him with his job. His job is trading things. He trades people different things for things they want and need. The book is told in alternating points of view, which is something I normally hate. However, in this book it works out wonderfully. The reader learns quite a bit about both characters before the other characters do. It kind of felt like the character was sharing a secret to the reader that no one else knew until they shared it with the other character. It was fun to read that way. The plot had me mesmerized. I liked the learning about all of Sam’s friends and seeing Sara’s reaction to them. I liked all of the characters. Even though Sara’s dad was a jerk, he had good intentions. My favorite character was Vanessa. She was highly intelligent and had a lot of wisdom to share. She also had a lot of mystery surrounding her. I wish the author would have given a bit more background on her. However, I think the mystery added to her charm. I assumed that the book was going to end the way it did but it still made me sad. I’m hoping that the author writes a sequel about Sara and Sam meeting again, but it’s doubtable. I loved Lisa Mangum's novel. I will definitely read anything else she writes. 

I give After Hello: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.leosdungeon.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2830341.Lisa_Mangum

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.