Xenniah G., Old Mill High School
Another First Chance by Robbie Couch is a novel that follows River Lang, a teen who lost his best friend, Dylan, to a car accident one year ago. Feeling lost and uncertain in his grief for Dylan, River is angry that no one seems to care about his friend’s death, as Dylan has simply become a cautionary tale for not texting while driving, reflected in the billboards River sees around town and the conversations he has with other people in his life.
Something that I liked in this book was the way River truly cared about Dylan. River really admired, cared for, and loved his best friend; not only did it hurt him to lose someone he was so close to, but it also hurt him more and more every day when he saw people only remember Dylan as a lesson not to text and drive. River solely wanted people to remember Dylan based on the type of person he was. He wanted his friend to be seen as something more than a warning.
I didn’t dislike anything about the book whatsoever. I loved the plot, I loved all the emotion, and I loved the way the story developed naturally. I loved how the story starts at a low point for River, when he is mourning his best friend, and how, towards the end of the story, River finds love. River decides that he deserves that “second chance” at happiness, since he loved his best friend. I think this book is appropriate for all ages and anyone who loves sad stories.
Click here to check out Another First Chance by Robbie Couch