Chad Alan Gibbs

"A smashing debut that's both intimate and epic." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Adventure, Romance, and heartache await when a lovesick boy and a mysterious girl take a WWII veteran back to France in search of his long-lost love.

Two Like Me and You

Candyce Kirk

3.5 stars

Two Like Me and You is a quirky, but fun debut book. Chad Alan Gibbs takes us on an adventure with three people you wouldn't expect together. This is a fast read with short chapters, so the book goes at a fast pace. I love the way it was told, like a story. The main character was telling us about the journey he went on. My favorite part is the little title under each chapter, for example Chapter 44 "In which public opinion takes a nose dive". Things like that make a book unique and I enjoy little touches like that.

Our main character Edwin, is still trying to deal with his famous ex-girlfriend breaking up with him. To get her back he's determined to become famous himself, but that plan isn't going like he thought it would. His life has a set schedule until a history project partners him with Parker, a mysterious new girl, and an elderly gentleman Garland (a World War II veteran).

While interviewing him, they find out Garland wants to find his long lost love in France. This is where our journey starts. Parker and Edwin free him from the nursing home and decide to take the risk and bring him to France. I have to say that this is when the book gets quirky. I mean two teenagers freeing an elderly man from a nursing home and hopping on a plane to France isn't something that would really happen. Add a chase between them and the French authorities, blowing up a car, etc. and you get a wild ride. I do like my contemporary stories a little more realistic.

In between the over the top moments, I love the little moments when Garland will tell them stories about the past that seem really genuine. I am a big sucker for happily ever after, so I would give anything to see him reunited with his long lost love. The fact that two teenagers would take such a risk to help him is pretty heartwarming!

I loved the concept of this story and its execution, but I had a little bit of a difficult time connecting with our main characters. I think for me this had to do with the fast pace feel of this story and everything that was happening. That made me miss a bit of emotion and Parker stayed a bit too much in the background. We get to learn a bit about her, but I would've liked a lot more. Maybe even a few chapters from her POV.

If you're looking for a fun summer journey to find love, some over the top events, a lot of moments that make you laugh and smile out loud, definitely pick up this book. Chad Alan Gibbs gave us a book that makes you look at things differently and really hope for love. Two Like You and Me is definitely a perfect book for a warm summer day that will leave a smile on your face!

Ruth Parker 

I really enjoyed this book; cute characters, great story and fantastic pacing. A great YA book that can be fully appreciated by adults alike. One of my favourite books so far this year. Well deserved 5 stars.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Michelle Boyea

** spoiler alert **
           I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
     From the first sentence, I was drawn into this book. Right away I knew that it would be humorous and entertaining.     Edwin was a fantastic main character. I loved the way that the author showed Edwin's progression throughout the book and it showed how Edwin grew to better understand himself and the situations that he was a part of. I loved the way that the author used Parker and Garland to teach Edwin who he truly was, without letting him know that they were doing so.
     The development of Parker somewhat surprised me to be honest. While I did see the progression of her and Edwin's friendship, I was not expecting the way it concluded. However, I did 100% predict the way that Edwin and Sadie's relationship would end up.
     I both loved and was disappointed by Garland's story. I wish that there had been more detail into who he truly was, I also hoped for a better resolution for his story. For that reason, I read this book a 4/5 stars.     Overall, this was a very engaging and humorous read. The storyline was easy to follow, the characters were relatable, and the story finished well.

JacQueline Roe

There are so many wonderful things to say about this book, I will start with a few. The main character hooked me. The idealistic, overly cautious high-schooler? Yeah, I get you. The pacing was swift, the main cast quirky, and it was an interesting view of history. The humor kept me giggling & I thank the author.
I'm in a quandary as to whether or not recommend the book because of the constant profanity (which may be realistic, but overdone), sexual references (same thing), and the fact this another book where all the Christians are hypocrites, morons, & or bigots. This can be the case, but I hope not all of us fit this stereotype.
All that to say, overall I enjoyed it & hope to see more from the author.