DigeeBooks

“Smart and funny, with characters so real and vulnerable, you want to send them care packages. I loved this book.” —Rainbow Rowell From debut author Mary H.K. Choi comes a compulsively readable novel that shows young love in all its awkward glory—perfect for fans of Eleanor & Park and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.For Penny Lee high school was a total nonevent. Her friends were okay, her grades were fine, and while she somehow managed to land a boyfriend, he doesn’t actually know anything about her. When Penny heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it’s seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can’t wait to leave behind. Sam’s stuck. Literally, figuratively, emotionally, financially. He works at a café and sleeps there too, on a mattress on the floor of an empty storage room upstairs. He knows that this is the god-awful chapter of his life that will serve as inspiration for when he’s a famous movie director but right this second the seventeen bucks in his checking account and his dying laptop are really testing him. When Sam and Penny cross paths it’s less meet-cute and more a collision of unbearable awkwardness. Still, they swap numbers and stay in touch—via text—and soon become digitally inseparable, sharing their deepest anxieties and secret dreams without the humiliating weirdness of having to see each other.

Journey into the world of "Emergency Contact" by Mary H. K. Choi, a captivating novel exploring the complexities of human connection in the digital age. Dive into the story of Penny Lee, an introverted high school senior, and Sam Kim, a mysterious and enigmatic college student, as their lives intertwine through anonymous text messages.

Follow Penny as she navigates the challenges of adolescence, dealing with a strained relationship with her parents, struggling to find her place in the world, and harboring a secret crush on her best friend, Alex. In contrast, Sam is dealing with his own demons, grappling with a difficult past and searching for meaning in his life.

Through a series of unexpected events, Penny and Sam's paths cross, leading them to connect anonymously via text messages. As they share their deepest thoughts, fears, and dreams, they find solace and understanding in each other's virtual presence. Their bond grows stronger, and they develop a profound emotional connection, blurring the lines between reality and online personas.

As the story unfolds, Penny and Sam's virtual connection begins to seep into their real lives, leading to chance encounters and a growing desire to meet in person. The tension builds as they navigate the complexities of their online and offline worlds, questioning the authenticity of their connection and the potential consequences of taking their relationship to the next level.

"Emergency Contact" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of human connection, identity, and the boundaries between the digital and real worlds. Choi's writing is raw, honest, and relatable, capturing the nuances of teenage emotions and the challenges of navigating the modern world of technology and social media.

Readers will find themselves engrossed in the story of Penny and Sam, rooting for their connection to flourish while contemplating the complexities of online relationships and the impact of technology on our lives. "Emergency Contact" is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeply moving and thought-provoking story about love, friendship, and the power of human connection.