Who is Bryan and what role does he play in Devi's initial unhappiness?

Bryan is Devi's boyfriend for three years. Their relationship, while initially exciting, led Devi to neglect her friendships, academic pursuits, and extracurricular activities. His eventual breakup with her leaves her feeling empty and regretful about how she spent her high school years.

How does Devi's cell phone become the catalyst for the plot?

Devi's cell phone, after being dropped in a mall fountain, gains the magical ability to only dial her own number, but three years in the past. This malfunction is the sole means by which she can communicate with her younger self and attempt to alter her past choices.

What is the initial reaction of fourteen-year-old Devi to her future self's calls?

Fourteen-year-old Devi is initially skeptical and thinks her future self is a 'wacko' or a prank caller. It takes some convincing and proof from seventeen-year-old Devi before her younger self begins to believe and trust the advice she's receiving.

What are some of the key pieces of advice seventeen-year-old Devi gives her younger self?

Seventeen-year-old Devi advises her younger self to avoid Bryan, focus on school, join clubs, and maintain her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Megan. She aims to steer her younger self away from the mistakes she believes ruined her own high school experience.

How do Devi's friendships, particularly with Megan, change or are affected by her interventions?

In the original timeline, Devi's friendship with Megan faded due to her focus on Bryan. Through her interventions, seventeen-year-old Devi tries to ensure her younger self prioritizes Megan, leading to a stronger, more enduring friendship in the altered timeline, but also potentially changing their dynamic in unforeseen ways.

Are there any unexpected side effects or 'butterfly effects' from Devi's changes to the past?

Yes, Devi's interventions create significant ripple effects. By avoiding Bryan and focusing on other aspects of her life, her younger self develops different interests, friendships, and even a different romantic interest in the form of Jamie. This leads to a completely different present for seventeen-year-old Devi than she initially anticipated.

Does the book explore the paradoxes of time travel, even in a lighthearted way?

While not a hard sci-fi exploration, the book implicitly deals with the paradox of changing one's past and its impact on the present. Devi's future self is constantly reacting to the new present created by her past self's altered choices, highlighting the unpredictable nature of tampering with time.

How does Devi's initial motivation for changing the past evolve throughout the story?

Initially, Devi is motivated purely by regret and a desire to 'fix' her past by recreating an ideal version of her life, free from Bryan. As the story progresses and the new present unfolds, she begins to question if her 'ideal' was truly what she wanted, learning to appreciate the new, unexpected outcomes.

What psychological impact does seeing her past self make on seventeen-year-old Devi?

Communicating with her younger self forces seventeen-year-old Devi to confront her past decisions and the person she used to be. It's a journey of self-reflection and growth, where she learns to take responsibility for her choices and ultimately accept the person she has become, even with her mistakes.

How does the novel portray the concept of 'regret' in young adulthood?

The novel uses Devi's initial regret over her relationship with Bryan and her missed opportunities as a primary driving force. It suggests that while regret can be a powerful motivator for change, focusing too much on it can blind one to new possibilities and the value of past experiences, good or bad.

What is the significance of the quote, 'what if getting what you think you want changes everything?'

This quote encapsulates the central theme of the story: the unforeseen consequences of altering one's path. Devi initially believes she knows what she wants, but by achieving it, she realizes that the 'perfect' life she envisioned might not be truly fulfilling, and that growth often comes from unexpected places.

Does the book suggest that some experiences, even negative ones, are necessary for personal growth?

Yes, the narrative strongly implies this. While Devi initially views her relationship with Bryan as a mistake, the new timeline shows her a life where she didn't experience that heartbreak, and it leads to different, but not necessarily 'better,' challenges. It suggests that all experiences contribute to who we become.

How does the ending resolve Devi's dilemma, and what message does it convey about destiny versus free will?

The ending typically sees Devi accepting the new, altered present, even if it's not what she initially planned. It conveys a message that while one can influence their path, true happiness often comes from embracing the present and the person you've become through all your choices, rather than trying to perfectly orchestrate your destiny.

Is 'Gimme a Call' more about romance or self-discovery?

While there are romantic elements, particularly with the introduction of Jamie in the altered timeline, the core of 'Gimme a Call' is undoubtedly about Devi's journey of self-discovery. It explores her growth, her understanding of her past choices, and her acceptance of her identity, regardless of romantic relationships.

How does the magical element of the phone differ from other time-travel tropes in YA literature?

The phone's unique limitation of only calling her past self, specifically three years prior, makes it distinct. It's not a full time-travel device allowing physical visits, but rather a direct communication link, focusing the narrative on advice, influence, and the psychological impact of seeing your past self make different choices.

What role do secondary characters like Jamie play in the altered timeline?

Jamie emerges as a significant romantic interest in the altered timeline, representing a path Devi might have taken had she not been so focused on Bryan. His presence highlights the vast differences in her social and romantic life when she makes different choices, offering a contrast to her original experience.

Does the book offer a clear 'right' or 'wrong' answer regarding Devi's choices?

No, the book deliberately avoids a simple 'right' or 'wrong' answer. It shows that while Devi's original timeline had regrets, the altered timeline also has its own complexities and trade-offs. The ultimate message is about learning from experiences and finding contentment in the present, not about achieving a perfect outcome.

Archivist's Choice

Gimme a Call

Name: Gimme a Call
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.75 (5307 reviews)
ISBN: 9780385735889

Sarah Mlynowski (2010)

Genre

Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance

Reading Time

300 min

Key Themes

See below

Track Your Reading

Armed with a magical cell phone, a heartbroken seventeen-year-old Devi calls her fourteen-year-old self to rewrite past mistakes, only to discover that changing the past might unravel her future in unexpected ways.

Synopsis

Devi's life is a mess. Her longtime boyfriend, Bryan, just dumped her, leaving her with no friends, no extracurriculars, and a ruined academic record. She drops her cell phone in a mall fountain, and now it only calls one number: her own, three years in the past. Initially shocked, Devi soon realizes she can advise her fourteen-year-old self. She starts by warning her past self to avoid Bryan, encouraging her to focus on friendships, school, and clubs. This advice alters her past, leading to a present where teenage Devi is popular, has a new boyfriend named Luke, and is doing well academically. However, these changes come with unforeseen consequences. The new future Devi finds is not perfect, as Luke proves to be controlling, and she has new problems. Through a series of calls, future Devi guides her past self, learning that while she can change events, she can't control every outcome. She realizes that true happiness comes from trusting her own instincts and making choices for herself, rather than relying on external advice, even from her future self. The story ends with Devi making a final call to her past self, telling her to trust her gut, before the phone's power fades. She is left in a new, unwritten present where she must navigate life's challenges independently, empowered by the lessons learned.

Reading time

300 min

Difficulty

Easy

Pacing

Moderate

Mood

Humorous, Lighthearted, Reflective, Romantic

✓ Read this if...

You enjoy lighthearted young adult fantasy with a focus on romance and self-discovery, especially if you like 'do-over' scenarios.

✗ Skip this if...

You prefer highly complex plots, deep philosophical themes, or stories without a strong romantic element.

Plot Summary

The Breakup and the Broken Phone

Seventeen-year-old Devi is devastated when her long-term boyfriend, Bryan, breaks up with her. She realizes she sacrificed her friendships, academic pursuits, and extracurriculars for their relationship, leaving her with nothing. Feeling lost, Devi accidentally drops her cell phone into a mall fountain. When she tries to use the waterlogged phone, it calls only one number: her own. However, the voice on the other end is not her current self, but her fourteen-year-old self from three years ago. Initially, both Devis are disoriented and disbelieving, with the younger Devi thinking her future self is a prank caller.

First Contact and the 'Warning'

After several attempts and much convincing, future Devi makes her fourteen-year-old self, who is just starting high school, believe her story. Future Devi's immediate priority is to prevent past Devi from dating Bryan. She explains how Bryan will eventually break her heart and lead her to neglect everything else. Past Devi, however, is smitten with Bryan and initially dismisses the warnings, finding it hard to believe that the cute, charming boy she likes could cause such future pain. This initial resistance shows how difficult it is to change the past, even with perfect foresight.

The First Change: Avoiding Bryan

Future Devi persists, detailing specific events and feelings that only past Devi would know. Convinced, past Devi follows her future self's advice and actively avoids Bryan. Instead of pursuing him, past Devi focuses on her friendships with Sarah and Alana, joins the school newspaper, and dedicates herself more to her studies. These small changes immediately ripple through her timeline. Future Devi notices subtle shifts in her own present: her memory of her first kiss with Bryan changes, and details about her high school years become fuzzy, showing that the past is indeed being altered.

New Friendships and a Different Prom Date

As past Devi continues to make different choices based on future Devi's guidance, her social life changes. She spends more time with Sarah and Alana, strengthening their bonds. She also becomes closer to Luke, a boy she previously knew but never considered romantically because she was too focused on Bryan. Future Devi learns through their phone calls that past Devi attends prom with Luke, a significant departure from her original timeline where she went with Bryan. These changes delight future Devi, who believes she is successfully crafting a better past for herself.

The Unforeseen Consequences: Luke's Role

Future Devi starts to realize that while she successfully removed Bryan from her past, Luke seems to be a more persistent presence. In her original timeline, Luke was a friend who had a crush on her, but she never returned his feelings due to her obsession with Bryan. Now, past Devi is developing genuine feelings for Luke. Future Devi, in her present, finds herself interacting with Luke more frequently, but their dynamic is different. She begins to question if simply avoiding Bryan was enough, or if she inadvertently created new, perhaps more complicated, romantic situations.

The Ripple Effect on Future Devi's Present

As past Devi makes more choices, future Devi's present reality transforms in increasingly significant ways. Her memories shift, sometimes mid-conversation, making it difficult to remember her 'original' past. Her apartment changes, her job prospects vary, and her relationships with friends like Sarah and Alana are different. She finds herself in situations she does not recall, interacting with people in new ways. This constant flux creates disorientation and anxiety for future Devi, as the future she thought she was fixing becomes an entirely new, unpredictable present.

A New Boyfriend and New Problems

Past Devi and Luke become a couple, much to the initial satisfaction of future Devi. However, the new timeline has challenges. Past Devi and Luke face typical teenage relationship drama, including jealousy and misunderstandings, which future Devi never experienced with Bryan. These new problems show that simply changing the person does not eliminate all difficulties. Future Devi realizes that even with her guidance, past Devi still has to navigate the complexities of life and relationships, and not all outcomes are perfectly 'better'.

The Phone's Limitations and the Final Call

The magical cell phone, which is Devi's lifeline to the past, begins to show signs of breaking down. Calls become staticky, connections drop, and the battery drains rapidly. This signals to future Devi that her window of opportunity to influence the past is closing. She realizes she needs to make her final, most important advice count. The impending loss of communication forces future Devi to confront whether she truly improved her life or just traded one set of problems for another, and if she became too reliant on trying to control the past.

The Final Advice: Trust Yourself

In their last coherent call, future Devi gives past Devi her most vital piece of advice: not to rely solely on her future self's guidance, but to trust her own instincts and make her own choices. She emphasizes the importance of balancing relationships with personal goals, maintaining friendships, and pursuing her own interests. Future Devi understands that true happiness comes from within and from making authentic decisions, not from a perfectly engineered past. She encourages past Devi to live fully and learn from her own experiences, good or bad.

The Reset and the New Present

The phone finally dies, severing the connection between the two Devis. Future Devi wakes up the next morning to a completely new present, a culmination of all the changes she influenced. She finds herself in a different apartment, with a different job, and with her friendships with Sarah and Alana stronger than ever. Luke is a significant part of her life, but their relationship is established on a different footing than her original past with Bryan. She has memories of a high school experience that is largely positive, filled with personal growth and balanced relationships.

Confronting Bryan in the New Present

In her new present, Devi eventually encounters Bryan. This time, however, the interaction is completely different. Bryan is still charming, but Devi is no longer captivated or heartbroken by him. She sees him as just another person, without the intense emotional baggage of her original timeline. This encounter is a powerful validation that her efforts to change the past were successful in freeing her from the pain of their original breakup. She has moved on, emotionally unattached, and confident in her choices.

Embracing the Changed Future

Devi fully embraces her new reality. She realizes that while she set out to fix her past relationship with Bryan, she ended up creating a much more fulfilling and well-rounded life for herself. Her friendships are solid, her career path is exciting, and her relationship with Luke is built on a foundation of mutual respect and genuine affection. She understands that the journey, with all its unexpected twists and turns, was ultimately about self-discovery and learning to trust her own decisions, rather than simply avoiding past mistakes.

Principal Figures

Devi

The Protagonist

Devi transforms from a regretful, dependent individual to a self-assured young woman who trusts her own judgment and embraces the unforeseen outcomes of her choices.

Bryan

The Antagonist/Catalyst

Bryan remains static, serving as a catalyst for Devi's initial despair and her desire to change her past. His character's purpose is to be overcome.

Luke

The Supporting/Romantic Interest

Luke's arc is largely dependent on Devi's choices. He transitions from a background character to a significant romantic partner, representing a healthier relationship model for Devi.

Sarah

The Supporting

Her relationship with Devi strengthens as Devi prioritizes friendship over romantic obsession.

Alana

The Supporting

Her relationship with Devi strengthens as Devi prioritizes friendship over romantic obsession.

Themes & Insights

The Consequences of Choice and Regret

The novel explores how past choices, particularly in relationships, can lead to regret. Devi's initial devastation over her breakup with Bryan comes from her feeling she 'wasted' three years. The magical phone offers her a chance to undo these regrets, but it quickly becomes clear that altering the past has unpredictable consequences. The story shows that every choice, even small ones like joining a club or spending time with friends, contributes to one's future, and that focusing too much on one aspect (like a romantic relationship) can lead to missed opportunities and a sense of loss. Ultimately, Devi learns that some 'mistakes' are necessary for growth.

“What if getting what you think you want changes everything?”

The Nature of Time and Identity

A central theme is the fluidity of time and how changes in the past affect present identity. As Devi advises her younger self, her own present continuously shifts, causing her memories and circumstances to change. This raises questions about what constitutes 'Devi' if her past is constantly being rewritten. She struggles with disorientation as her personal history becomes unstable, showing that identity is deeply intertwined with one's experiences and memories. The story suggests that while one can alter events, the core lessons learned through experience are what truly shape a person.

“It was like watching a movie of my life, but the director kept changing the script mid-scene.”

Self-Reliance vs. External Guidance

Initially, Devi believes that her future self holds all the answers and can perfectly engineer a better life. She acts as a guide, telling past Devi what to do. However, as the story progresses, she realizes that constantly relying on external guidance (even from oneself) prevents genuine growth and self-discovery. The new problems that arise in past Devi's life, even without Bryan, show that life's challenges are inevitable. The ultimate lesson is for Devi to trust her own instincts and make her own decisions, rather than trying to perfectly control every outcome. True happiness comes from embracing one's own path, mistakes and all.

“You can't live your life based on someone else's playbook, not even your own future playbook.”

The Value of Friendship and Balance

Devi's initial regret comes from neglecting her friendships with Sarah and Alana in favor of her relationship with Bryan. A significant positive outcome of altering the past is the strengthening of these platonic bonds. The novel emphasizes that a fulfilling life requires balance, not just a successful romantic relationship. By prioritizing her friends and personal interests alongside romance, past Devi (and consequently future Devi) builds a more robust support system and a richer, more well-rounded life. This theme shows that diverse relationships and personal pursuits contribute significantly to overall happiness and well-being.

“I’d spent so much time on Bryan, I’d forgotten how much I loved just hanging out with my girls.”

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

The Magical Cell Phone

A broken phone that acts as a portal to the past.

The waterlogged cell phone serves as the primary magical plot device, enabling Devi to call her past self. Its malfunction (only calling her past self) is the inciting incident, and its eventual breakdown creates narrative tension and forces a resolution. It acts as a literal 'time machine' for communication, allowing the exploration of 'what if' scenarios without complex scientific explanations. The phone's limited functionality and eventual failure also provide a natural end to the time-altering intervention, preventing an endless loop of changes.

Parallel Timelines/Shifting Reality

The immediate and continuous alteration of the present based on past changes.

This device is crucial for demonstrating the consequences of Devi's actions. Instead of a single, fixed timeline that she changes and then 'jumps' to, Devi's present reality continuously shifts and changes with each decision past Devi makes. This creates a sense of disorientation and urgency for future Devi, highlighting the unpredictable nature of altering the past. It allows the narrative to explore the 'butterfly effect' in real-time, making the stakes personal and immediate for the protagonist.

First-Person Narrative (Present Tense)

The story is told from Devi's immediate perspective, enhancing her disorientation.

Telling the story from Devi's first-person perspective, often in the present tense, immerses the reader directly into her experience of a shifting reality. This choice amplifies her confusion, anxiety, and eventual acceptance as her memories and present circumstances change. It makes her emotional journey more immediate and relatable, allowing the reader to experience the bizarre effects of her time-traveling calls alongside her, rather than from a detached viewpoint.

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“The past is like a foreign country; they do things differently there.”

— Lindy reflects on how much her past self's life was different from her present.

“What if the choices you made then were the right ones for that person, but not for the person you are now?”

— Lindy grapples with the consequences of her past self's decisions.

“Sometimes, you have to break things to fix them.”

— Lindy realizes that changing her past might have unforeseen positive outcomes.

“It's not about changing the past, it's about understanding it.”

— A realization Lindy has as she tries to navigate her altered timeline.

“Every choice you make sends ripples through your life, affecting things you can't even imagine.”

— Lindy observes the butterfly effect of her phone calls to her past self.

“You can't live your life looking in the rearview mirror.”

— A friend's advice to Lindy about moving forward.

“Maybe the perfect future isn't about having everything go exactly as planned, but about being happy with what you have.”

— Lindy re-evaluates her definition of a perfect life.

“Sometimes the biggest mistakes lead to the greatest discoveries.”

— Lindy finds unexpected joy and understanding after her attempts to fix her past.

“Love isn't about finding the perfect person, it's about seeing an imperfect person perfectly.”

— Lindy's reflection on her romantic relationships.

“Being seventeen is complicated enough without adding time travel to the mix.”

— Lindy's humorous internal thought about her predicament.

“You can't really know where you're going until you know where you've been.”

— Lindy learns the importance of her past experiences.

“It's funny how one tiny thing can change everything.”

— Lindy muses on the small changes she made and their large impact.

“The person you were yesterday doesn't have to be the person you are today.”

— Lindy embraces the idea of personal evolution.

“Sometimes the best way to help yourself is to help someone else.”

— Lindy finds purpose in guiding her younger self.

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Key Questions (FAQ)

The book centers on Devi, a seventeen-year-old girl who, after a bad breakup with Bryan and feeling her life is a mess, drops her cell phone in a fountain. Miraculously, the phone then only calls her past self, specifically her fourteen-year-old self from three years prior, giving her a unique opportunity to change her past.

About the author

Sarah Mlynowski

Biography coming soon.

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