*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Title: I’ll Be Waiting for You
Author: Mariko Turk
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: April 30, 2024
ISBN: 9780316703444
Synopsis:
Natalie and Imogen are inseparable, and wildly different—Imogen is infuriatingly humble and incredibly intelligent, while Natalie is brave, jumping into danger and new adventures. Still, one thing ties them together: their love of the supernatural. Every summer, they vacation with their parents at the famously haunted Harlow Hotel. Then, Imogen suddenly passes away from an undiagnosed heart condition that no one saw coming, and Natalie is left to take on the summer before senior year alone.
Without Imogen, Natalie throws herself into her senior project. Her passion is still horror, so she plans to spend her summer back at The Harlow Hotel recording fun fake footage that will get her on the teen ghost hunting show of her dreams. But, when strange things start happening at the Harlow, Natalie wonders, could there really be something to these ghosts after all?
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This unique young adult novel tells the story of loss, grief, and healing, set against the backdrop of a haunted hotel, the appearance of ghosts, the mystery of spiritualists, and the unknown fluttering of a burgeoning romance. In I’ll Be Waiting for You, Natalie is left reeling from the sudden and unexpected loss of her best friend. She entrenches herself in the one thing the two of them shared: horror stories. By connecting with the ghosts of the hotel that once brought her such great joy, Natalie must navigate her grief and rediscover who she is after the loss of Imogen and the shadow she left behind.
In this story of connection, both with the living and the dead, Natalie explores her own truth, learning to breach through her own barriers and protections to truly be honest. Inspired by Leander, the boy from school who shows up to complete his senior project at the haunted hotel along side her, Natalie begins to shed her reservations and open up about how she really feels. After so long of hiding behind the facade of fine, this isn’t an easy task. When Natalie reaches her breaking point, she has two options: run like she always has, or turn to face her ghosts head on.
Leander and Natalie are both engaging characters, with Leander being my personal favourite. He’s the male lead that all YA novels should have: thoughtful, introspective, considerate, encouraging, and questioning of societal norms in the right way. He isn’t afraid to speak out against the status quo and to ask others to look more deeply at why they think or do the things they do. He’s seeking growth and improvement of his world, and he doesn’t stop to question what others might think of him. He’s someone that Natalie can lean on, and look to for inspiration as she navigates her own journey. His bravery and encouragement helps her to open up and come out of her shell. He makes space for her to be herself and to heal in her own time. Natalie finds safety and understanding in him, forging a bond as she navigates her grief.
It’s a heartfelt story that stands apart. The ghosts and the spiritualism provide a unique backdrop to a journey of self-discovery and healing, and made this book engaging to read.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 