Emergency Contact

I’m fascinated by books that take place in college, a rich transitional time where characters are still teens–insecure and figuring things out–but also with new adult responsibilities and freedoms. 

This book took me back to those late teen years of uncertainty and new adventures. The protagonist, Penny, is thrilled to be away from home at the University of Austin, Texas, but even more thrilled by meeting Sam, an aspiring filmmaker who works in a local café. These two couldn’t be more awkward, and through most of the book, they are too anxious to actually meet up and only communicate through… show more.

Talk about an all-out emotional whirlwind in this Texas-based book that explores that all-too-often overlooked time of incredible growth during the college years for main characters Penny and Sam. Woven together through a textual relationship, love grows in a charmingly authentic, open, and honest way. Well-developed secondary characters, a deep exploration of a range of emotions, and some yummy baked goods make this book unputdownable! 

This is one of those all the feels books that’ll make you laugh, cry, worry, and wonder. Emergency Contact’s main characters, Penny and Sam, sparkle with charisma and yet, they’re so layered and complex and real, they read as a pair you might meet at your own university. Their awkward new-relationship moments feel innately relatable, their chemistry smolders, and their story’s conclusion will leave you feeling warm and filled with hope.