The Start of You and Me duology by Emery Lord

“It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?”  - taken from Goodreads.com

I adored this book and loved Paige Hancock,her struggles over the death of her boyfriend and her incredible circle of friends. Determined to move on with her life and date the newly single Ryan Chase, it's his cousin, Max Watson, who eventually finds his way under her skin. reminiscent of a Hallmark channel movie, readers will need to stick to the very end to see the real magic happen.

SPOILER ALERT! Please don’t read any further if you don’t want to ruin the rest of the story.

The Map From Here to There - book 2

“It's senior year, and Paige Hancock is finally living her best life. She has a fun summer job, great friends, and a super charming boyfriend who totally gets her. But senior year also means big decisions. Weighing "the rest of her life," Paige feels her anxiety begin to pervade every decision she makes. Everything is exactly how she always wanted it to be--how can she leave it all behind next year? In her head, she knows there is so much more to experience after high school. But in her heart, is it so terrible to want everything to stay the same forever?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This second book picks up at the beginning of Paige Hancock's senior year of high school. She has a lot on her plate: college, a job, her parents, and of course Max Watson. And in true Paige fashion, she doesn't know how to cope. I was a bit frustrated with her and that she shut out her friends and family but Paige finally realizes that she needs to learn to live in the now and not obsess over the future.

Visit Emery Lord’s website.