I Heart You, You Haunt Me

Reader reviewed by c-alexis

This is one of those books that are written in a series of poems and verses. It is a book about a young girl who has to deal with her boyfriend's death. And his return as a ghost of some sort. Throughout the book, you question why the narrator is so distressed and filled with guilt. And how she eventually learns to let go and live her life. It's a good book for any readers, even younger ones who have been touched with grief. It presents death and its aftermath in an interesting and unique format.

Reprinted here with author's permission.

Reader reviewed by Tia

This book was hauntingly awesome. but if you don't like books written in a rythmic poem kind of way i wouldn't read it. but if you don't mind those kind of books I would recomend it completely. It was written beautifully.

Can love last without life? When Ava's boyfriend Jackson dies she is devistated. When he comes back she is happy. But how can you keep a relationship with a ghost?

Reader reviewed by Vanessa

Summary (courtesy Amazon.com):

Girl meets boy.

Girl loses boy.

Girl gets boy back...

...sort of.

Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear his voice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here. Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

My Review (no spoilers): Very quick book. Seriously, its like something you read in an hour. It wasn't something that was horrible (because it was quite good) but it just wasn't super amazing. I think the reason for Jackson's death is rather odd. I would never do what Jackson did to die... c'mon now, common sense. Jackson is what any girl wishes a guy to be. Sweet, funny, witty, laid-back, go-with-the-flow and it was very sad to put yourself in Ava's position. I understand why she kept trying to connect with Jackson, even though he was dead and a ghost. Ava is going through many emotions in this book: love, hate, regret, guilt, etc. The free verse was perfect for this kind of book. I felt as though I was in one of those cafes where they snap their fingers while someone reads their poetry. I thought the reason Jackson was around was kind of corny. I still loved the poetic-way of how the book told Ava's tale and it kept me reading it. I liked how it finished and how Ava was different as a character by the last line. The poetry is beautiful, the metaphors are equally beautiful.

My Thoughts (contains spoilers): Spoiler time! First off, what was Jackson thinking? Jumping off a cliff like a crazy person. No siree, that's not for me. Second, the Lyric bit was predictable (at least for me). I feel kind of bad for Ava's friend (I think her name is Jessa?) but in the end Lyric doesn't sweep Ava off her feet. He was cute as a character although I never wanted Ava to become romantically involved with him because I still wanted Jackson to come back. I wish Jackson could come back. Nick was weird, acting all nice when he had cheated on Ava. Ava's friends were like down-to-earth real friends which was cool. I hope Ava can move on from this tragic event and stop blaming herself. Overall it was good, but the thing is is that it was just that: good... nothing higher.

Reposted from whatvanessareads.wordpress.com

Reader reviewed by Tasha

Jackson and Ava are head over heels in love. They promise one another that they will never leave each other's side. Everything changes when Jackson dies at a beginning of summer vacation party. Ava is distraught. After the funeral she slips into a deep depression, especially because she thinks it was all her fault that Jackson died. Only a couple days after Jackson is buried Ava thinks that she sees his reflection in the mirror. Of course she thinks she is going crazy, but there is a part of her that really wants Jackson to be there. Ava can't believe it when other weird things start happening and then she hears Jackson speaking to her. After this Ava doesn't want to leave the house for a second, afraid she will miss a visit from Jackson. Ava wonders why Jackson could be visiting her and when she does some research she reads that when most spirits continue to haunt the living they are doing so because there is something holding them back from crossing over. Ava wonders if this is why Jackson is haunting her. She discovers the answer after many attempted conversations with Jackson and through the help of her best friends. Over time Ava learns to move on and that you need to embrace the life someone lived and not wallow in the loss of a loved one.




This book blew my breath away. It was that good! After reading this I admit I shed a few tears, and books don't often make me cry! Written in a lyrical fashion this book was so unique and had a rhythm to it. I've never read anything like I Heart You, You Haunt Me and to be honest I was a little skeptical at first. Like I said though, the book was just phenomenal. Ava was an incredibly deep character and there was nothing flat about her. I could feel her pain and her lust to have Jackson return. I just felt like I wanted to jump into the book and comfort Ava. Lisa Schroeder created an incredible, stunning, amazing first novel and I cannot wait to read what she has coming our way next.

Reader reviewed by The Story Siren

I finally got my hands on a copy of this book! Ive heard so many good things about it, I couldnt wait to read it for myself. I was a little worried about how it would work out telling a story in verse, but I loved it! Even without using a lot of words you were still able to feel the intense emotions Ave was having.


If you havent heard what this story is about yet, Ill give you a brief overview. The story starts as Jacksons funeral. Jackson was is Avas boyfriend. Throughout the story Ava is dealing with the loss, and she isnt dealing with it well. Then she feels his presence and realizes he hasnt left her at all. But when she is finally starting to move on with her life, she cant help but feel guilty knowing that Jackson is still with her.


If you havent read this book yet, I recommend that you get a copy. It is a quick read, but the story is intense. I was hooked from the first line.

Reader reviewed by jocelyn

I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME is a love story. Ava and Jackson are teenagers whose romance is at its best when Jackson accepts a dare. Hes a daring sort of guy, but this dare is his last; he jumps off a high rock into some water and hits his head on a rock and dies. Ava is, understandably, devastated now that Jackson is gone.

Or is he? She cant see him, except for glimpses in the mirror, cant touch him except in her dreams, but the sudden rushes of cold air, the electronics being turned on as if by a ghost&Could it be Jackson, her love come back to her? Most people would think shes nuts, but Ava knows the truth. Jacksons back. She just isnt sure why or how or even if thats truly the way she wants it.

This is a lovely verse novelhaunting, a beautiful story, beautifully written. I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME is a powerful story of life, love, loss, grief, and moving on (but not forgetting)of finding hope after a tragedy. There is a ghost, but this isnt really a paranormal story. Not a ghost story, really, just a love story, and no matter if their passion was powerful enough to keep Jackson around even after death, they are still fifteen, and this is a real, honest story of what teenage love is usually like.

I read this book in Books-a-Million (I have resolution not to spend so much money on books, and the way to remedy this is to go sit for an hour or two at the bookstore and read), but its one Id go back to time and time again, one Id like on my shelf. So go! Read it! It comes highly recommended.

Reposted from http://teenbookreview.wordpress.com

Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince

Avas heart is broken. Jackson is dead. They were so in love, and now hes gone. The worst part is, its all her fault.

Hes on her mind constantly, so when Jackson first appears to 15-year-old Ava, she thinks shes losing it. She knows her family and friends would think so, too, if she told them she could smell his aftershave and that when no one else is around, he plays songs for her on the CD player. So, she keeps to herself and carries on secret trysts with her ghostly boyfriend, hearing his faded words in her thoughts. Shes just glad hes still around. Sort of.

This is an innovative book in verse. Avas voice comes through so clearly, its easy to ride waves of emotion with her, especially in this unique format.

I read it in one sitting, mostly because I couldnt keep from turning pages. Avas feelings seemed so real they were nearly tangible. I wanted to find out what would happen next. If Jacksons ghost was really there. If Ava was really guilty of his death. I had to know what was on the next page.

Long after finishing it, this book is still haunting me.