DigeeBooks

From debut author Mary H. K. Choi comes a compulsively listenable 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 79 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 17 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.

In a world where technology reigns supreme and online interactions shape relationships, "Emergency Contact" by Mary H. K. Choi delves into the complexities of modern love and the boundaries between digital and real-life connections. This captivating novel introduces readers to Penny and Sam, two strangers brought together by a simple wrong number. As they start texting, they develop a strong bond, sharing their deepest secrets and vulnerabilities, despite never meeting in person.

Penny, a lonely high school senior, finds solace in her anonymous connection with Sam, who seems to understand her better than anyone else. Sam, on the other hand, is a mysterious college student grappling with his own demons and seeking comfort in the faceless conversations with Penny. As their virtual bond grows stronger, Penny and Sam find themselves questioning their own identities and the nature of their connection. They begin to wonder if their online chemistry can translate into a real-life relationship.

The novel explores the nuances of digital communication and its impact on relationships. Choi deftly captures the exhilaration and intimacy that can arise from virtual interactions, while also highlighting the challenges and misunderstandings that can occur when people hide behind screens. Through Penny and Sam's journey, readers are invited to reflect on the boundaries between online and offline worlds and the complexities of navigating relationships in the digital age.

"Emergency Contact" is a poignant and thought-provoking story that examines the intersection of technology, identity, and love. With its relatable characters and authentic portrayal of modern relationships, this novel resonates with readers who have experienced the joys and pitfalls of digital connections. Choi's writing is both insightful and emotionally resonant, leaving readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of human relationships in the digital era.