It is not often that a book makes me cry, gives me that “What now?”-feeling once I’ve finished or makes me question everything about life. But Phantom Limbs did it all, in a good way. It talks about heavy topics like love and loss in a way that really makes you think. It tackles these subject with a certain (dark) humour, inevitable truths and a touch of horny 16-year old boy. Combine this with the writing style of Paula Garner and you get a novel with no shortage of absolutely beautiful quotes.

The only reason I didn’t give this book the full five stars is that I somehow couldn’t warm up to Meg. And Otis thinks and talks about Meg like, a lot. Dara was my absolute favourite character, such a strong yet vulnerable character with an intense backstory. Forever rooting for her. Otis was seriously lovable too, even though you’ll sometimes wish you could make him SEE what’s right in front of him. All possible emotions come alive on these pages and the characters make you feel every bit of hurt, anger, grief and regret as if you’re right there with them.

Phantom Limbs is definitely a book that I would recommend to anyone on the lookout for a YA Contemporary to sweep them off their feet. Also if you’re not looking… read it anyways. You won’t be disappointed.