"180 Seconds" by Jessica Park. ©2017 Jessica Park. Published by Skyscrape, New York. 289 Pages.
Quick Summary: Allison Dennis grew up in a life full of uncertainty and never really learned to trust anyone. She never lets anyone close, even her adoptive father and she's set on keeping it that way. Starting her third year of college she finds that keeping her distance from everyone is starting to become more difficult. One afternoon she's been roped into doing a social experiment with social media star Esben Baylor and no chance of escaping it.180 seconds of pure eye contact. It only takes 180 seconds to spark a change in both Allison and Esben with an outcome neither were expecting.
(Spoilers ahead)
My goodness everyone this book had my emotions all over the map! I read this all in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down. Over spring break I decided to binge read as much as possible and I am so glad I did. This is my second book I've read and now reviewed by Jessica Park. I think her writing it just so fantastic. She knows how to write a damaged character(s) without over doing it which I just love.
Allison has had an incredibly tough life, she lost more than just hope along the way. Steffi her best friend who she met in the foster system is her rock. It's them versus the world. Even after being adopted at 16 (a little late in the game) she still can't seem to let even Simon (her adoptive dad) close. Park makes this very clear from the very first page. I found myself connecting with her on the level of keeping people at a distance. I find that a book instantly becomes better when you're able to connect somehow to the character. She doesn't feel like she has a place except with Steffi.
The whole idea of incorporating a social media star into this book makes it that much more relatable to the average audience of young adults reading this book. You all probably have a content creator that you look up to or adore. That is not the case for Allison though, she knows nothing of social media. So when she bumps into Esben Baylor she has no idea who or what he is.
I found the idea of the 180 seconds project pretty spectacular. To look a stranger in the eye for three minutes is extremely intimidating for anyone. Searching for their story in their eyes. When Allison and Esben finish their three minutes it something completely unexpected (a little cheesy if you ask me but hey I like cheese). Through their journey they let down walls (Alison mostly) and bared each others souls. Esben kicks back the chair, flips the table and embraces Allison into a heated and passionate kiss. Only when the clapping starts does that bring her and her walls back to reality. She runs like her life depends on it.
Then the next big chunk of the book is Allison accepting that she can let Esben in and the world won't end. They work on building a relationship that actually does build through a timeline which is nice. The book mentions how Esbens followers call it instalove which is very true for them. But what's nice is that not only does she build a relationship with Esben, she also builds one with her dad Simon. All the while keeping Steffi updated on everything, she notices her strange behavior.
(SPOILERS AND LOTS OF THEM!)
Now let's talk emotions. It really take's a lot for me to cry while reading a book. I did really well until the last few chapters of the book. I was cradling a box of tissues while trying to get through the some of the chapters. We all have those people in our lives where we truly can't imagine what we'd do or who we'd be if they were no longer there. Allison has to face all these dark thoughts when Steffi calls her one day to tell her that her cancer is back, she is dying, and she won't put her through that ends all contact with Allison. Allison is devastated by this, she can't understand why Steffi is giving up and won't let her help.
Allison gets a call one day and it's Steffi, telling her that she's made such a huge mistake and that she doesn't have long and doesn't want to be alone when the time comes. Esben being Esben takes it to social media and asks everyone across the nation to help get Allison from Massachusetts to Los Angeles in one day (theres no flights because theres an airline strike happening). People start giving up plane tickets, cars, limos and even a pair of motorcyclists help to make this happen. This is where I started to break because everyone would tell them why they gave up their flights, etc. Some were sisters who were in foster care, some lost someone to cancer, some just wanted to help. It tugged at me because it's so realistic to me, I could see a social influencer needing help IRL and people would drop everything to help.
Then comes Allison and Steffi in the hospital. There final moments together absolutely slayed me. I was balling reading the final sentences of that chapter. "She does not leave this world alone. She leaves this world whole." Just so many emotions. Just when you think it's over it's not!
Allison has Steffi's phone and is shocked by what she's finds on there. Messages between her and Esben, dating back to when the 180 seconds video went viral. Him knowing that Steffi was sick and was in contact with him after she cut ties with Allison. Obviously feeling betrayed and already an emotional wreck she flees from Esben and Los Angeles back to Simon.
Blah blah blah things happen and they make up. Happy ending and all that good stuff. Long story short I gave this book 4 stars. You can never go wrong with a Jessica Park book.