You've Reached Sam

You've Reached Sam

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • TIKTOK SENSATION • HEARTBREAKING YA NOVEL

Written by Dustin Thao, You've Reached Sam is an emotional, speculative young adult novel that explores grief, second chances, and the difficulty of letting go of someone you love.

Seventeen-year-old Julie Clarke had her entire future mapped out alongside her boyfriend, Sam: leave their small town, attend college in the city together, and spend a summer traveling through Japan. But those plans shatter when Sam unexpectedly dies. Overwhelmed by grief, Julie skips his funeral, throws away his belongings, and attempts to move on. Desperate to hear his voice one last time, she dials his cell phone number expecting to reach his voicemail—only for Sam to answer from beyond the grave. Granted a temporary connection, Julie gets a second chance at saying goodbye, but every call makes it harder to face the reality of letting him go forever.

"How do you say goodbye to someone when you're not ready to let them go?"

Core Themes & Key Highlights:

• The Weight of Grief & Processing Loss: Depicts the non-linear, messy nature of mourning, showing how denial, guilt, and fear can prevent healing.

• Second Chances & Closure: Explores the fantasy of having one last opportunity to talk to a loved one, while confronting the reality that holding on too long can stall life.

• First Love & Broken Dreams: Examines how young relationships shape future ambitions and the pain of having shared plans cut short.

Key Characters & Settings:

• Julie Clarke: A high school senior grappling with overwhelming grief and guilt following Sam's sudden death.

• Sam Obayashi: Julie's sweet, supportive boyfriend whose magical phone connection gives Julie a lifeline through her mourning process.

• Jay & Mika: Friends and family who are also grieving Sam's death, highlighting the different ways people navigate loss.

• Grain Store & Small Town Setting: The quiet, intimate backdrop where Julie and Sam shared their most cherished memories.

Perfect For:

• YA Contemporary Romance Readers: Anyone who enjoys emotionally charged stories about first love and heartbreak.

• Fans of Speculative Realism: Ideal for readers of If I Stay by Gayle Forman, They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab.

• Readers Exploring Grief & Healing: A comforting read for those seeking stories that address emotional resilience and finding the courage to move forward.