Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal - Ghosts
Edition: Hardcover; Purchased
Page Count: 412
Pub. Date: January 5, 2010
Series: Companion to I Heart You, You Haunt Me

Reading Challenge: 2010 YA

My Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.55 (Average)

Recommended For: Everyone. Especially fans of a book in verse format and books containing paranormal elements.

Book Summary:

Restless souls and empty hearts.

Brooklyn can’t sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca died a year ago, and now their friend Gabe has died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there, waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca chasing her through her dreams.

Nico can’t stop. He’s always running, trying so hard not to feel the pain of missing Lucca. But when he begins receiving messages from his dead brother, telling him to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

My Thoughts:

There is something about this book that resonates in my brain. It is absolutely beautiful. The wording, the writing, all of it. This was the first book I ever read in a versed format, and I can guarantee that it will not be the last. Haunting, inspiring, and emotional are all words that aptly describe this truly unique novel.

A year has passed since Brooklyn lost her boyfriend, Lucca, in a tragic accident. But it isn't until the death of a mutual friend named Gabe that brings both girlfriend and older brother together. Each looking for an escape, they both find unsuspecting comfort in each others company.

Nico is the eldest son of the family, the one who wasn't quite as "perfect" as his younger brother, Lucca. Never seeming to do anything right, he uses running as a method to cope with the empty space in his heart that was once filled by the love from his brother. How things have changed since his death. Especially once Nico starts receiving cryptic messages telling him to help Brooklyn. But how, why?

Meanwhile, Brooklyn is being haunted. In her dreams she is being chased by a relentless shadow that tells her "Love is the answer. Not fear." But how could she possibly not fear the ghost chasing her in the night? And why has he come?

As much as I want to delve into the real essence of the story, I feel that it would be an injustice to spoil anything about this book. Really, it's just that good. The emotion is authentic and real, that you can't help but get lost in the words. Lisa Schroeder did a fantastic job with the format - each word seeming important and placed there for a purpose.

Overall consensus: Chasing Brooklyn is a tender book about remembrance and moving forward. Dealing with love and loss in such a beautifully written way, it will have you contemplating it for days after you finish. One of my favorite reads this year!