Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet romance sequel's got some underage drinking, kissing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In YOU'VE FOUND OLIVER, Oliver lost his best friend, Sam, a year ago in a car accident. Though he's been connecting with Sam's ex-girlfriend, Julie, Oliver isn't making other friends, nor is he motivated to excel in his college courses. He continues to visit places he and Sam spent time together and to text Sam's old number. One day when he's texting Sam's number, something unusual happens. Will he find the courage to pursue a new connection and life experiences? Or will he remain stuck with a foot in the past?
Is It Any Good?
Chatty, sweet, a little cloying, this sequel embraces life after tragedy with a fantasy element. You've Found Oliver certainly sticks the ending, which readers will appreciate, but some of the perplexed musings de-emphasize the beauty of the moment, and are more focused on the self-consciousness of the main character, which some won't find as interesting. Fans of Dustin Thao's romances will dive into Oliver and Julie's world happily. You don't have to read You've Reached Sam first, but readers who pick this one up first may miss the moving depth that first book offers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about curiosity in You've Found Oliver. How does a series of open-ended questions posed by a philosophy teacher change the main character's life? What do you achieve when you look more intently at life's mysteries?
The main character admits he doesn't have much of a sense of his own future because he is focused on his past. How does a sense of integrity inspire him to move forward? What happens when he does?
The main character in this book is shy and not willing to open himself easily to new friends. How does he gain the courage to try new things and open up? Has shyness kept you from doing what you wanted? How might you try again in the future?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dutton Books
- Publication date : September 25, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate