I cannot even begin to explain how much I loved this book. It was such a surprise favorite. It wasn’t necessarily a book I would have picked up on my own, yet it stole my heart with the full force of a tornado.
Where to begin?
First, this book is written entirely via letters between our two protagonists. I know very few books that can really deliver when it comes to the epistolary format. So it’s a breath of fresh air to find one that does it and does it well. From the get go, Cath and Scott have distinct voices which match their personalities perfectly. You get a sense of who they each are right up front, and every letter thereafter adds depth to their characters.
Second, there is a very sweet romance to be found here, and it develops so perfectly. I really really liked that while the romance is cute, it definitely doesn’t dominate the story. This book deals much more with friendship, growing up, and working through hard things. I loved the quippy back-and-forth between Cath and Scott, and I really felt like I knew both of them intimately.
Third, bad things happen in this book, and the characters dealt with them very realistically. I never felt myself rolling my eyes or thinking, that would never happen in real life. Instead, I got swept up in their pain and their heartbreak and their loss, and I rooted for them to pull through together.
Fourth, the setting. I’m honestly not a huge fan of the 80s being used in literature (probably because I didn’t live through them so I’m not nostalgic?), but it really is well-done here. The 80s plays a role in the story, but mostly just to add a certain mood to everything. I never felt like it was overdone or that there were too many obscure 80s references.
I seriously read We Are Still Tornadoes in one setting, and I felt immensely satisfied from beginning to end. You know how some books just give you that warm fuzzy feeling? This is one of those books. It’s a quick, fun read that anyone looking for a lighthearted romp should pick up.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 4.5/5 stars