Adi Alsaid

There are very few authors that can capture the true feeling of wanderlust - that deep desire to roam freely and find oneself. Adi Alsaid has not only captured the true essence of a self-journey, but he's also managed to bring five unforgettable main characters that .

Through multiple points-of-view, we learn that Leila is a girl on a mission, she is heading to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Why is this tiny girl traveling across the States all alone, no one is really sure. Each time show more someone asks, she's very vague and changes the topic. However, Leila doesn't mind getting sidetracked a few times, and it's during these times that we meet four people during the most pivotal moments of their lives.
First we meet Hunter, sweet Hunter who is doing his best to stay out of trouble and get a scholarship to go to college. However, upon meeting Leila, he is smitten with her and after doing some maintenance work on her car offers to show her around town just so he can have as much time with her before she continues on. And then, it only takes one night to turn his life upside down, and Leila just happens to be there right beside him. Will he follow his heart? Or will he do what he thinks he's suppose to do?
Next, we meet Bree, a runaway who has lost both her parents to illnesses and couldn't stand to be mothered by her sister anymore. Being on the road for months has made Bree a pro at choosing who to trust, and how to survive on pure adrenaline. Until she hits the ultimate high and finds herself in a very bad predicament, and poor Leila is right beside her. Is this the end of the road, for both Bree and Leila? There's only one option, and the percentage of that one thing working out is too close to 0.
And then we meet Elliot, the boy who wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn't know it. The boy who is so crazy in love and needs to create a magical movie moment in order to claim it. However, even though we all know how those movies from the 80's go and end, Elliot is far off script. Leila is now the unforeseen twist to his plot... and every time everyone thinks things couldn't get worse, they do...
And lastly, we meet Sonia who is grieving lost love in the throes of new love. Is it possible to love two people at the same time? Leila doesn't know the answer to that but is willing to help Sonia sort it out, even if it includes crossing the border illegally.

Just like Leila, we briefly encounter each character during the most pivotal moments of their lives. Just like life, you never know who or what you'll come across. Leila's experiences will make you question yourself... can you really make a friend, find true love, forgive and figure out the most questionable things in life within hours of meeting the right person?

The writing is poetic, imaginative but realistic, and heartwarming. I felt like I was in the backseat of Leila's car for every single second of her trip and experienced every single drop of each of the characters blood, sweat and tears. For me, the ending was unexpected and melted my heart, it was exactly what I had hoped for.
I hope to see these characters again in the near future, perhaps in a novella or short story? I do wish to see how they're all doing now...

Lovers of contemporaries, especially about books that include road trips and matters of the heart, will overly enjoy this and reread many, many times... again and again! I am really looking forward to seeing more from this author soon! He's already on my insta-buy list for sure!!!

An ARC was provided from another blogger to share our love of books.
All thoughts are mine and not influenced by any other. show less

Ever read an anthology where each story caused an impact you felt in your chest? Reading Come on in was like that. Honestly, I'm not sure if I am going to be able to adequately write how this book made me feel, I am afraid that whatever I saw won't do this book justice, but I am going to try.

The first adjective that I would use is powerful. The pen is supposedly mightier than the sword but there are not a lot of books that can display this. However, the stories in this book have the ability show more to showcase just that. The second adjective would be magical. Each story was written in a way where I felt I was transported there right along beside the characters.

I know I will never truly be able to know what any of these characters really feel considering I was born in the U.S. but my mother wasn't and it really puts into perspective of what she must have felt and gone through. it makes me feel closer to her. One of the things this anthology does, is give you information about each author after the story and since I absolutely loved each one (which is a rarity for me), so I now have a list of authors to add to my must read list.

Overall, this book is a must read to me.

*A Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this for an honest and unbiased review* show less

I love this debut novel!
LOVE.
It's told from each persons viewpoint, normally I don't like that, but this book it worked. Actually, I would want it any other way. You get a sense of each character. Then there is this epiphany moment in each vignette. It's beautiful, sometimes making me tear up, and it hits the story home. Then it all comes together with this beautiful six degree of separation thing, and you literally close the book and go wow.
At least I did.
And this is a debut novel.... I show more can't wait to read his other works as well! show less

Billed as a YA book, but is really much more — families (both birth and made ones), loss, connections, food, restaurant work, love, cultures, concocting recipes… I think the author’s use of recipes at the start of each chapter was particularly charming. I perused ingredients and flavors along with the story itself. Having lost a brother through violence, I could relate to Carlos and Felix. 16 years after his death, my brother still comes to visit me sometimes in dreams. He doesn’t show more cook, though, or give advice, but I’m still happy to see him.📚 show less