Tell Me Three Things
A New York Times Bestseller
“Here are three things about this book: (1) It’s . . . funny and romantic; (2) the mystery at the heart of the story will keep you turning the pages; (3) I have a feeling you’ll be very happy you read it.” —Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
With the perfect mix of comedy and tragedy, love and loss, and pain and elation, the characters in Julie Buxbaum’s Tell Me Three Things come to feel like old friends who make any day better. This YA novel is sure to appeal to fans of Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven, and E. Lockhart.
Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son, and to start at a new school where she knows no one.
Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?
In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?
More praise for TELL ME THREE THINGS
“Three Things about this novel: (1) I loved it. (2) No, really, I LOVED it. (3) I wish I could tell every teen to read it. Buxbaum’s book sounds, reads, breathes, worries, and soars like real adolescents do.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Leaving Time and Off the Page
“The desire to find out whether Jessie’s real-life and virtual crushes are one and the same will keep [readers] turning the pages as quickly as possible.” —PW, Starred
“A heartfelt, wryly perceptive account of coming to terms with irrevocable loss when life itself means inevitable change.” —Kirkus
“Buxbaum’s debut is hard to put down because of its smooth and captivating text. The addition of virtual conversations through email and chatting adds to the exciting plot twist.” —SLJ
“Here are three things about this book: (1) It’s . . . funny and romantic; (2) the mystery at the heart of the story will keep you turning the pages; (3) I have a feeling you’ll be very happy you read it.” —Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
With the perfect mix of comedy and tragedy, love and loss, and pain and elation, the characters in Julie Buxbaum’s Tell Me Three Things come to feel like old friends who make any day better. This YA novel is sure to appeal to fans of Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven, and E. Lockhart.
Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son, and to start at a new school where she knows no one.
Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?
In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?
More praise for TELL ME THREE THINGS
“Three Things about this novel: (1) I loved it. (2) No, really, I LOVED it. (3) I wish I could tell every teen to read it. Buxbaum’s book sounds, reads, breathes, worries, and soars like real adolescents do.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Leaving Time and Off the Page
“The desire to find out whether Jessie’s real-life and virtual crushes are one and the same will keep [readers] turning the pages as quickly as possible.” —PW, Starred
“A heartfelt, wryly perceptive account of coming to terms with irrevocable loss when life itself means inevitable change.” —Kirkus
“Buxbaum’s debut is hard to put down because of its smooth and captivating text. The addition of virtual conversations through email and chatting adds to the exciting plot twist.” —SLJ
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Community Reviews
Every time I see a waffle now I'll think of this sweet story. #wafflelove ❤❤❤
I LOVED it. The main character, Jessie, is lovable and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. With the loss of her mother, she and her father are facing a lot of changes and Jessie courageously navigates her way through them with grace. I especially liked that Jessie was not a rebellious teenager but instead, she was absolutely lovable and honest. The author tells the story beautifully and transports you to this age and place with characters you can connect with. I was engaged from the first chapter. A clever, endearing story of loss, family, courage, teen life, friendship, and young love.
I LOVED it. The main character, Jessie, is lovable and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. With the loss of her mother, she and her father are facing a lot of changes and Jessie courageously navigates her way through them with grace. I especially liked that Jessie was not a rebellious teenager but instead, she was absolutely lovable and honest. The author tells the story beautifully and transports you to this age and place with characters you can connect with. I was engaged from the first chapter. A clever, endearing story of loss, family, courage, teen life, friendship, and young love.
Once I read the premise of Tell Me Three Things, I knew it would be something I loved. As a blogger, I spend a lot of time connected to the internet and talking with people who in some cases, I have never met. Many of those have impacted my life greatly, or are part of my every day life. The anonymity of it has its pros and cons, but opens up so many doors for us individually. And at times, it's easier to talk to someone who you technically "never met." Julie captured it perfectly and I couldn't have been happier.
Of all the things I loved about this book, Jessie's character was by far my favorite. Jessie reminded me so much of me at her age, it was uncanny. She's snarky, smart, witty and her voice was just so REAL to me. She was selfish at times, childish too, but yet she was unapologetic about it. You can't help how you feel. I couldn't image going through everything that she did - losing her mom, moving and losing apart of herself as well.
Another aspect I loved was the deep-rooted friendships and family. Sure, starting over with a stepmom, step brother and new school isn't easy, but she opened herself up slowly, allowing herself to love each in turn. It's not easy to say but she gained so much love, and figured out so much about herself after she felt she was completely lost.
Somebody/Nobody. I loved their conversations! They vary from mundane things, to deeper conversations about the loss both have suffered. I for one, figured out who the person was quite early on, but did second guess myself throughout the book. I also loved the formatting of it - starting in email and going to IM. So help me, I wanted to know what platform they were talking on, too!
The writing. Julie's writing is beautiful, deep yet simplistic at the same time. She is able to snag the reader from page one. The pacing of the book was perfect, never having a dull moment but effortlessly flowing from page to page.
It's hilarious. I love it when a book has the effect to make you double over laughing. There are many hilariously quotable lines in it and I can't wait for everyone to be able to see them!
Overall - I absolutely loved Tell Me Three Things. It's funny, adorable and just GOOD. Highly recommend it! Go forth and pre-order.
I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Of all the things I loved about this book, Jessie's character was by far my favorite. Jessie reminded me so much of me at her age, it was uncanny. She's snarky, smart, witty and her voice was just so REAL to me. She was selfish at times, childish too, but yet she was unapologetic about it. You can't help how you feel. I couldn't image going through everything that she did - losing her mom, moving and losing apart of herself as well.
Another aspect I loved was the deep-rooted friendships and family. Sure, starting over with a stepmom, step brother and new school isn't easy, but she opened herself up slowly, allowing herself to love each in turn. It's not easy to say but she gained so much love, and figured out so much about herself after she felt she was completely lost.
Three More Things I loved
Somebody/Nobody. I loved their conversations! They vary from mundane things, to deeper conversations about the loss both have suffered. I for one, figured out who the person was quite early on, but did second guess myself throughout the book. I also loved the formatting of it - starting in email and going to IM. So help me, I wanted to know what platform they were talking on, too!
The writing. Julie's writing is beautiful, deep yet simplistic at the same time. She is able to snag the reader from page one. The pacing of the book was perfect, never having a dull moment but effortlessly flowing from page to page.
It's hilarious. I love it when a book has the effect to make you double over laughing. There are many hilariously quotable lines in it and I can't wait for everyone to be able to see them!
Overall - I absolutely loved Tell Me Three Things. It's funny, adorable and just GOOD. Highly recommend it! Go forth and pre-order.
I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A beautiful exploration of loss, grief, youth and young love
I really enjoyed reading this YA debut. Jessie is a sweet girl who’s lost her mother and is trying to adjust to the new life she has after her father remarries and moves them to LA. The tricky and poignant navigation of all the usual teenage experiences is tempered by the grief she feels and the loss she’s had- one not all of her peers would understand. With the help of an anonymous friend who’s reached out to help her come to grips with her new surroundings, Jessie learns and grows to see how everything shifts and changes- including relationships new and old.
I really enjoyed reading this YA debut. Jessie is a sweet girl who’s lost her mother and is trying to adjust to the new life she has after her father remarries and moves them to LA. The tricky and poignant navigation of all the usual teenage experiences is tempered by the grief she feels and the loss she’s had- one not all of her peers would understand. With the help of an anonymous friend who’s reached out to help her come to grips with her new surroundings, Jessie learns and grows to see how everything shifts and changes- including relationships new and old.
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