Rajiv's Reviews

We Are Still Tornadoes by Michael Kun, Susan Mullen - Book Review

Release: January 11, 2016

Format: Paperback

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: Amazon

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: It’s the summer of 1982, and for Scott and Cath, everything is about to change. Growing up across the street from each other, Scott and Cath have been best friends for most of their lives. Now they’ve graduated high school. Cath is off to college while Scott stays at home trying to get his band off the ground. Neither of them realized that their first year after high school would be so hard. Fortunately, Scott and Cath still have each other. And it’s through their letters that they survive heartache, annoying roommates, family dramas. There is also pressure of figuring out what to do with the rest of their lives. Through it all, they realize that the only person they’ve ever wanted to turn to is each other. But does that mean they should think about being more than friends? One thing is clear. Change is an inescapable part of growing up. We all share unbreakable bonds with the friends who help us navigate it.

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About the Author Michael Kun, Susan Mullen: Michael Kun is the author of the novels You Poor Monster, The Locklear Letters, and A Thousand Benjamins. He is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Virginia School of Law. He practices law in Los Angeles, California, where he lives with his wife Amy and their daughter Paige. We Are Still Tornadoes is Susan Mullen’s first novel. She is a graduate of Duke University, where she studied English literature, and the University of Virginia School of Law. She practices law and lives in Northern Virginia. Sue has married her law school classmate Kevin Mullen for 26 years, and they have two daughters.

  We Are Still Tornadoes tells its story through handwritten letters between best friends Scott and Catherine, set in 1982–83. Cath starts college while Scott works in his father’s clothing store. Through their letters, they navigate relationships, scandals, dreams, personal loss, and self-discovery over the course of a year.   The letter format immediately draws you in and creates a strong personal connection with the characters. The pacing feels smooth, and the story shows how they support each other through challenges. Scott’s character stands out, especially in how he matures, and the 80s music references add charm.   However, the ending feels rushed, with their relationship suddenly shifting in the final pages. The format also limits detail—we don’t get vivid settings, deeper family insights, or clear scenes of their in-person meetings.   Overall, it’s a sweet and engaging read, worth picking up at least once.   Secondly, while I loved the way the story was written, the downside is that we don’t get a clear description of their surroundings, insight to their families and know what exactly happens when Scott and Cath meet in person.    Still, this is a very cute book that is definitely worth reading once.

We Are Still Tornadoes

by

3.5
★★★ ★ ★ ★
3.5 out of 5 stars
We Are Still Tornadoes book cover

Synopsis

"It’s the summer of 1982, and for Scott and Cath, everything is about to change. Growing up across the street from each other, Scott and Cath have been best friends for most of their lives. Now they’ve graduated high school. Cath is off to college while Scott stays at home trying to get his band off the ground. Neither of them realized that their first year after high school would be so hard. Fortunately, Scott and Cath still have each other. And it’s through their letters that they survive heartache, annoying roommates, family dramas. There is also pressure of figuring out what to do with the rest of their lives. Through it all, they realize that the only person they’ve ever wanted to turn to is each other. But does that mean they should think about being more than friends? One thing is clear. Change is an inescapable part of growing up. We all share unbreakable bonds with the friends who help us navigate it. "

Release
Format Paperback
Publisher St. Martin's Griffin
Source Amazon

My Review

 

We Are Still Tornadoes tells its story through handwritten letters between best friends Scott and Catherine, set in 1982–83. Cath starts college while Scott works in his father’s clothing store. Through their letters, they navigate relationships, scandals, dreams, personal loss, and self-discovery over the course of a year.

 

The letter format immediately draws you in and creates a strong personal connection with the characters. The pacing feels smooth, and the story shows how they support each other through challenges. Scott’s character stands out, especially in how he matures, and the 80s music references add charm.

 

However, the ending feels rushed, with their relationship suddenly shifting in the final pages. The format also limits detail—we don’t get vivid settings, deeper family insights, or clear scenes of their in-person meetings.

 

Overall, it’s a sweet and engaging read, worth picking up at least once.

 
Secondly, while I loved the way the story was written, the downside is that we don’t get a clear description of their surroundings, insight to their families and know what exactly happens when Scott and Cath meet in person. 

 

Still, this is a very cute book that is definitely worth reading once.

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