Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

Emi is a set designer for Hollywood movies!!  I mean, how cool is that??  The problem is she's just been dumped by her girlfriend for the 7th time.  Then while scouting out props for work, Emi and her BFF Charlotte find themselves in the middle of an old Hollywood mystery which leads them to.... Ava.  Ava's life is in chaos, but Emi and Charlotte bring answers to big questions for her.  They lead her into a new life, a life that she was meant for.  And she leads Emi to finding out about relationships and what love really is.














Okay so let me get this out of my system: !!?!??*&^%^$ DID YOU SEE THAT COVER???  I'm obsessed.  Now moving on....  This is one of the most beautifully written books that I have ever read.  I was expecting excellence from Nina LaCour because I've read her other books, but I was not expecting THIS.  It seriously blew me away.  I am in awe.  There really are not adequate words to describe the level that this writing is on.

Now I didn't love everything about the book.  Even the best writing in the world isn't enough for a book to become one of my favorites.  This one is pretty close, but I don't think it's going to make the fav list for the long haul.  Reason?  I didn't LOVE Emi.  Emi has this really cool job and she kind of wears her heart on her sleeve, which is endearing.  But then she meets Ava and that whole thing just felt off to me.  Like Emi was always wanting to see Ava how SHE wanted to see her.  She wanted the fantasy and the minute the curtain started to come back, Emi would withdraw.  I didn't like that.  Ava does not need to be anything other than herself.  She doesn't need to be a mystery, she doesn't need to be perfect, and if you like her, then you should accept the fact that she's damaged and doesn't always act how you would act.  Basically Emi had her on a pedestal and wanted her to stay there for far too long.

Now that that's off my chest, I want to tell you everything I loved about this book.  I loved seeing movies from behind the scenes.  I loved how Emi notices THINGS, like just everyday objects, and what they say about a person.  It's something I never really think about, but it's SO interesting.  Like if you go into a person's house without knowing them, and get to know them just by looking at the stuff they chose to buy and where they chose to place it.  I wouldn't think that my choice of throw pillow would really say that much about me, but apparently it does.  How cool is that?

I also really enjoyed the mystery that surrounds Ava's lineage.  It was a really fun part of the book and took the focus off of the Morgan/Emi thing just when it started getting to be overkill.  Another thing that I want to mention is that if you are looking for a book about friendship, look no further.  Emi and her best friend Charlotte have such a solid, sweet friendship.  I wish there were more friendships like theirs in YA books.  It made me feel all warm inside.

OVERALL:  YES!!!  Some of the best writing I've ever had the pleasure of reading in YA.  It's about a girl who designs sets for movies and how she gets drawn into a Hollywood ancestry mystery.  Anyone who likes YA Contemporary should try this book!

This Book Contains:

• LGBT relationships
• Movie making!!
• Set design
• Friendship
• Loss
• Mystery
• The Chateau Marmont
• Venice Beach, CA (and other L.A. areas)
• Drug use
• Love

Add it to your To-Read List!!!

My Rating: 4/4

How I got this book: I bought it

Date Published: 5/15/2014