David Levithan weaves a retelling of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol in this YA romance set over the night before Valentines Day. Ben’s life feels like it’s come to an end when his girlfriend Marly dies and with February 14th soon approaching all he wants to do is hide far, far away from the world but sometimes when we feel there’s no way out, the things we need rather than want, come and find us. On the night leading up to Valentine’s Day Ben has a visit from his girlfriends ghost heralding a night of time hopping to encounter his past, present and future to help him come to terms with the painful reality of his loss. Following the footsteps faithfully of the classic tale, David Levithan brings a whole new story full of the emotions of life. Ben’s experiences brings him sometimes pain, sometimes joy but most of all the acceptance of learning how to live again. It’s a small love letter to life, to love itself and to finding strength to carry on when you need to most.

A modern. Take on Charles Dickens Christmas carol, but instead of Christmas Ben is visited by the spirits of love past, present and future. Well written and different but so obvious from where the story came from.