By Isabelle M., South River High School
When You Get the Chance is incredible! The story is one that keeps you turning the pages. In fact, this has now become one of my very favorite books! It follows the life of sixteen year-old Millie Price, a total theater kid who dreams of one day performing on Broadway. She's a spunky, sassy, confident girl who takes the world by storm. Raised alone by her Dad and Aunt, Millie knows how to reach for what she wants, no hesitation whatsoever. This comes into play when one day, Millie and her best friend Teddy, stumble upon an old LiveJournal written by her Dad. It's moody and not at all like the father she knows. So, Millie and Teddy decide to set off on an epic journey to find Millie's mom. And as if that wasn't enough, Millie's rival from school, Oliver, gets the same internship as her, leading to constant but light-hearted arguments, challenges, and races that lead the duo to explore the life of musical theater all around NYC. But when exhaustion catches up and reality explodes, Millie is forced to let go and hold on to the people around her and her dreams ahead.
The story is sweet, and leaves you thinking about the characters even after you close the pages. I think this book did a really good job of showcasing the fantasies we chase and how we sometimes look for what we've had all along. It's full of heart and pizzaz. It's an extra bonus if you love musical theater, like me, but if you don't, I can almost guarantee you will still like this book. Although part of the plot may be centered around Millie's quest for Broadway and beyond, the themes of friendship, love, and family, along with mystery and the life of a teenager still make this story a perfect read for anyone.
There wasn't much I didn't like about this book; some of the events towards the end seemed a little far-fetched to me and a couple of the characters were written a little one-dimensional, but overall still believable and lovable. This is a must-read for teen girls who are looking for a good book to sink their teeth into, and for any young adult looking for a romantic read full of friendship, family, adventure, and spirit.
Click here to check out When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord.