The Impossibility of Us by Katy Upperman - OPTIONAL

The Impossibility of Us by Katy Upperman, 303 pags.  Swoon Reads (Macmillan), 2018.  $18.  

Content: Language: R (93 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Elise and her mother move to a small beach town the summer before her senior year, so that they can help Elise’s niece and sister-in-law after Elise’s brother dies as a soldier in Afghanistan.  One day while Elise is walking her dog, she saves a young man from drowning named Mati and they start to have feelings for each other.  The only problem is that Mati is from Afghanistan and that brings up a lot of prejudices from Elise’s mom.  

I enjoyed this book and I think it helps readers to empathize with people from war-torn countries and the prejudices they face.  My only complaint is the countdown to when he has to return to Afghanistan is drawn out and then the ending is tied up quickly.  The violence is a hate crime and the mature content is heavy kissing.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.