Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a well-executed grief story with a creative magical realism twist, but let's be clear: it's a commitment. The premise is compelling—your dead boyfriend answers his phone—but the execution is slow, emotionally heavy, and at times exhausting. Multiple reviewers note the pacing drags.

For the right reader—a teen who wants to explore grief, who's processing their own loss, or who loves emotional contemporary YA—this can be powerful and validating. The 4.3 Amazon rating and 'best of' accolades show it connects deeply with many readers.

But for teens looking for light romance or adventure? This will be a slog. It's not a fun read; it's an emotionally enriching but draining one. The magical element is handled thoughtfully but could be triggering for kids dealing with real loss.

Bottom line: A solid choice for mature teens seeking catharsis through fiction, but definitely not for everyone. Know your kid and whether they're in the headspace for this level of emotional intensity.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14+ who are emotionally ready for intense grief themes. This isn't for younger teens or tweens—it requires emotional maturity to process the subject matter. Upper teens and adults who enjoy contemporary YA with magical realism will appreciate it most.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

Models healthy grieving processes, genuine friendship, and family relationships. Julie's journey through loss shows emotional authenticity—she struggles, makes mistakes, and learns to let go. The romance with Sam is tender and age-appropriate. Some readers may find the pacing slow and the emotional intensity overwhelming, which can feel exhausting rather than cathartic. The book handles death and grief with care, though the magical realism element (Sam answering his phone) could be emotionally complicated for some teens processing real loss.

Imaginative

72

The premise—calling a dead boyfriend's phone and having him actually answer—is a creative twist on grief narratives. The magical realism element adds intrigue to what could be a standard contemporary YA story. However, the execution is fairly conventional within the YA grief genre, and some reviews note the pacing drags. It doesn't particularly invite reader creativity or exploration beyond the emotional journey, but the 'what would you do with one more conversation' concept is thought-provoking.

Safe

65

This is emotionally heavy content centered entirely on death, grief, and loss. A main character dies suddenly (car accident), and the protagonist experiences intense grieving including skipping the funeral, throwing away belongings, and falling into depression. While there's no graphic violence, sexual content, or inappropriate language, the subject matter itself is triggering. This isn't something you'd want a younger teen stumbling into without preparation. Common Sense Media confirms it's 'heartbreaking' and 'emotionally overwrought.' Safe for its target audience who choose it knowingly, but definitely not light reading.

Enriching

76

Offers genuine insight into grief, loss, and the importance of saying goodbye. The book explores regret, second chances, and learning to move forward—valuable themes for teens who will inevitably face loss. It can help readers develop empathy and emotional vocabulary around death. The Japanese cultural elements (Julie's planned summer in Japan, Sam's background) add some diversity. However, multiple reviews note it's 'slowly paced' and 'emotionally overwrought,' which can make the reading experience feel like homework rather than enrichment. Strong 4.3 Amazon rating suggests it resonates with many readers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Handles grief with emotional authenticity—Julie's messy, realistic journey through loss can validate teens processing their own experiences
The magical realism hook ('what if you could talk to them one more time?') is genuinely compelling and thought-provoking
Models healthy relationships and the importance of closure and saying goodbye
Includes Japanese cultural elements and diversity in a contemporary American setting
Strong reader ratings (4.3/5 on Amazon) and multiple 'best of' lists suggest it resonates deeply with its audience

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What to Watch For

This is HEAVY—death, grief, and loss permeate every page. Not a casual beach read
Slow pacing and emotionally overwrought moments may feel exhausting; some teens will DNF
The magical element (Sam answering calls from beyond) could be confusing or upsetting for kids processing real loss
Best for teens who actively want to read about grief, not those looking for light YA romance

Conversation Starters

"If you could have one more conversation with someone you've lost, what would you say?"
"Why do you think Julie avoided Sam's funeral and threw away his things? Have you ever avoided something painful?"
"Do you think the phone calls helped Julie or made it harder for her to move on?"
"What does 'saying goodbye' really mean? Is it about the other person or about yourself?"
"How do Julie's friends and family try to support her? What actually helps someone who's grieving?"

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