Winter Longing by Tricia Mills

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: August 12, 2010
Source: Around The World Tours
Language: English

Synopsis: When Winter’s boyfriend is killed in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, she’s robbed of the future she’d only just allowed herself to believe might be hers. Winter and Spencer had been destined for one another. And after his death, Spencer’s presence continues to haunt her.

But when her next-door neighbor becomes an unlikely friend, Winter begins to accept all that she can’t change. Can she open herself to a new future . . . and a possible new love?

After finally confessing her true feelings to her best friend Spencer, and finding out that he feels the same way, Winter is overjoyed. She's ready to fall into the romantic relationship that she's been dreaming about for so long... but tragically her dream is cut short when Spencer dies in a terrible plane crash. Left alone with a shattered heart, Winter feels like she can't go on since everywhere she turns she is reminded of Spencer. But Jesse, her next-door neighbor, offers her a world of possibilities. Possibilities that Winter thought were gone now that Spencer is no longer with her; however, as her friendship with Jesse turns into something more, Winter must decide if she's ready to take that next step--to open up her heart again and live on without Spencer.

Winter Longing is the perfect title when it comes to this novel; in two words it completely decribes what Winter is going through: she desperately longs for her first love and what could have been but she's also longing for a chance to live again--she's just afraid of leaving Spencer's memory behind. Spencer never makes an appearance in the story, at least not physically, but Tricia Mills skillfully portrays the blossoming romace of Spencer and Winter's relationship through flashbacks and notes that were sent between the two throughout the years; there were also some beautiful quotes thrown in (I'm a big fan of quotes so this was perfect!) and it went really well with the plot. Those flashbacks added a sweetness to Spencer's character since the reader is never able to meet him-instead, he's introduced to us through Winter's eyes and his death is just heartbreaking. Winter's grief was very real, and trailed her wherever she went. I grew attached to her character and felt for her since she was such a smart, kind character but her sadness was all-consuming. But Jesse, her next door neighbor, (and one of the most popular guys in school) gave her reasons to smile and his patience and kindness was so unbelievably sweet. I could feel the guy aching for Winter but he never once forced her out of her comfort zone: he gets an A in my book. ...However, as much as I enjoyed Winter Longing, I have one very minimal complaint: one would be Winter's best friend. Her character was great but there was a family issue that never gets fully resolved and I would've liked to see that happen. I liked her and I felt she needed that closure; but this was a mini-subplot so it doesn't greatly affect the overall story. I'm just picky like that ;P

So, once it hits shelves I recommend that everyone read Winter Longing. It's a beautiful, bittersweet journey about letting go of the past and embracing the future; to hoping and letting yourself dream once you let the shadows of tragedy fall behind you.

Rating: 4.5