I have read a few reviews of this book, and even before that I had it in my TBR pile. I actually haven't read any of Lisa's books; but I had heard that she writes in what I believe is called prose. This book isn't like your normal YA books. At first when I saw how many pages were in it, I was a little daunted. I know I read a lot of 400 page books, but after finishing a 325 page read I was wanting something light.
So after flipping through the book, I was glad to see that it wasn't pages upon pages filled with tiny little test!
Chasing Brooklyn is the story of two teens that are struck by tragedy twice. Once when Lucca, Brooklyn's love and Nico's brother dies on New Year's. One year later Gabe, the driver of the car and a friend to both Brooklyn and Nico; dies of a drug overdose. The story alternates what would be considered journal entries of Brooklyn's and Nico's thoughts. With both being "haunted" by the ghosts of Lucca and Gabe, the story has a great start.
It starts of with Gabe haunting Brooklyn in her dreams and then slowly escalates, I was confused as to why exactly Gabe was haunting Brooklyn and what he meant by the things he would say to Brooklyn, but by the end of the story I began to understand.
Nico is haunted by Lucca; his brother. Lucca comes to Nico with the plea "Help her", talking about Brooklyn. I thought maybe at first that Brooklyn's dream hauntings from Gabe may injure her in some way; but soon realized that maybe Lucca just wanted Nico to help Brooklyn learn to live again.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book and I now have Lisa's other books on my TBR list! ( )

A year ago Brooklyn's boyfriend Lucca died in a car crash now his best friend Gabe committed what suicide? Or was it an accident? She doesn't even know because they grew apart after his death. He overdosed and she can't believe it. He was given a chance while her boyfriend was not. Now the pain is even more unbearable. Everyone keeps dying around her. People keep leaving even her mother left with her twin brothers leaving her alone with her father who can't do anything so she does it for him. Making dinner, cleaning the dishes, doing the laundry.

She writes in her journal well Lucca's journal everyday. Tells him how much she misses him. Tells him how much she loves him. She has changed after his death. She won't make art like she used to. Won't draw her flowers. Everything is grey now. And then her dreams turn gray and ugly too because Gabe comes in them and then she runs away fear gripping her. He won't leave her alone either. Why is she dreaming about him when she's supposed to be dreaming about Lucca? What does he want?

Nico is running faster than ever. Running from the pain of losing his brother. He may be all cheery on the outside but it's only a mask. Impenetrable. Not only did his brother die but his best friend and even though he feels that everyone rather have Lucca here than him he still misses him. Bad. And when Gabe dies he feels it again but more anger then pain. How could he do that when his brother is dead? Why did he have to create more pain. Now the school is up to three deaths the first being a boy named Jackson that died about 6 months before Lucca or something like that. Then Lucca comes to him. Telling him to help Brooklyn. How's he going to do that? He isn't him.

I have been waiting to read this over a year and when I finally open it I'm like "What the...?" It's all because

The book
is written
like this.
It's called
verse
which I
have no idea
what that is.

And I was like "Oh no!" Only because then I wouldn't be able to get to know the characters more. I liked it at times because some of the things said were powerful but other times I didn't especially towards the end because it was just too much. I wanted to get to know the characters. I wish there was only some verse. Or maybe it wasn't that. Maybe it was just that the characters didn't have much depth.

The whole thing with Gabe was really engaging me into the story. But then when he finally caught up to her I was disappointed. I thought it was just dumb. Why? It was just disappointing. Nico and Brooklyn's relationship was the good part of the book. Nico was sweet to her but then that's it. It wasn't as great as I hoped. It was just okay.

There were two sneak peeks of her other books and they sound exactly the same. Sorry but I don't think I'll be reading them. ( )

"Chasing Brooklyn" was a beautifully written, easy read that had me hooked from the first page. In fact, I was surprised how much this book moved me.

Written in verse, it was touching, sad, sweet and with a touch of paranormal, something I didn't think I would like but, somehow, it all worked. Nico and Brooklyn are both suffering from grief and loss, unable to move forward. Flawed, hurting and vulnerable, they are drawn to each other, and the development of their relationship is both gentle and realistic. Nico and Brooklyn narrate the story in short, alternating chapters allowing the reader to feel their struggles and despair, and finally a sense of hope. A refreshing read. ( )

A novel in verse treatment of the tragic deaths of three students at Brooklyn's school; one of the deaths -Lucca, killed in a car accident, was Brooklyn's (protagonist) boyfriend. The other narrative voice, Nico, is Lucca's older brother. Realistic treatment of the depression & grief teens go through, with some really spooky nightmares/dreams thrown in. Fast read; upbeat ending. ( )

Another compelling YA read by Lisa Schroeder. Like "I Heart You, You Haunt Me," this is also written in verse. It also shares the same universe and a few of the same characters. I wish I'd had this novel to recommend when I worked in the young readers' section of a bookstore and was asked for good, non-depressing books for a teen struggling with loss. ( )