Emery Lord (2016)
Genre
Psychology / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
7-8 hours
Key Themes
See below
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A summer romance between two troubled teens sparks a powerful connection, forcing them to face their pasts and shape their futures.
Seventeen-year-old Vivi DuBois and her mother, a chef, move to Verona Cove, California, for the summer. Vivi is an artistic and somewhat unpredictable girl who has a secret about her past mental health struggles. She immediately loves the town's charm and the ocean. Soon after arriving, Vivi visits the local restaurant, 'The Coral,' where she meets Jonah Daniels, a quiet and responsible boy working there. Jonah is immediately struck by Vivi's lively personality, which contrasts sharply with his own reserved nature and the heavy responsibilities he carries for his family after his father's death.
Vivi, with her bold and spontaneous nature, tries to connect with Jonah. She visits The Coral often, drawing him out with her quirky observations and artistic spirit. Jonah, initially hesitant because of his family's financial struggles and his role as the main caregiver for his younger siblings (Leo, Emmy, and Chloe), feels increasingly drawn to Vivi's energy. Their conversations deepen, and a mutual attraction begins to form, despite their different approaches to life and their individual burdens.
Vivi and Jonah spend more and more time together, sharing secrets and dreams. Vivi introduces Jonah to a more spontaneous, joyful way of living, encouraging him to embrace art and moments of carefree happiness. Jonah, in turn, offers Vivi a sense of stability and understanding she has not had. Their romance grows quickly, filled with passionate moments and deep conversations. However, subtle signs of Vivi's erratic behavior and mood swings begin to appear, causing Jonah concern, though he attributes them to her unique personality.
Jonah's life is focused on supporting his mother and three younger siblings. His mother, still grieving his father, is often emotionally distant, leaving Jonah to manage the household and the children. He works long hours at The Coral and takes on other odd jobs. Vivi, though understanding, sometimes struggles to grasp the full extent of his responsibilities, leading to minor misunderstandings. As Vivi's behavior becomes more unpredictable—including impulsive decisions and intense mood shifts—Jonah worries more, especially when her actions start to affect his family.
Vivi occasionally mentions her therapist, Dr. Finch, and hints at a 'bad time' she had before moving to Verona Cove. These hints, combined with her increasingly erratic behavior, suggest a deeper mental health issue. She experiences periods of intense euphoria followed by deep lows, and her artistic expressions become more frantic and less coherent. Vivi tries to keep her past a secret, fearing Jonah's reaction, but the pressure of maintaining the facade affects her, making her more volatile and defensive when questioned.
As the summer goes on, Vivi's symptoms escalate into a full-blown manic episode. She becomes increasingly impulsive, stays up for days, speaks rapidly, and engages in risky behaviors. She spends money recklessly, creates art obsessively, and has grandiose ideas. Her actions become more disruptive, affecting her relationship with Jonah and worrying her mother. Jonah, despite his love for her, struggles to cope with the extreme shifts in her personality and the impact her behavior has on his already fragile family life, especially his younger siblings.
During a particularly intense manic phase, Vivi makes several poor decisions that directly affect Jonah's family. She might overstep boundaries with his siblings, make promises she cannot keep, or cause a scene in public. The culmination of her erratic behavior and the stress it places on Jonah's already burdened life leads to a major confrontation. Jonah, feeling overwhelmed and responsible for his family's well-being, struggles to understand Vivi's actions and feels unable to continue supporting her in her current state, leading to a temporary but painful separation.
Following the crisis, Vivi's mother, who has quietly observed her daughter's struggles, finally intervenes. She helps Vivi acknowledge her condition and seeks professional help. It is confirmed that Vivi has bipolar disorder. This diagnosis, while initially terrifying, provides Vivi with a way to understand her experiences. She begins therapy and medication, starting the long and difficult path towards managing her mental health. This period involves self-reflection and a painful realization of the impact her illness has had on those she loves.
While Vivi is on her journey towards stability, Jonah also confronts his own unresolved grief over his father's death and the immense burden of responsibility he has carried. He realizes that he has suppressed his own emotions to be strong for his family. The experience with Vivi forces him to acknowledge his limits and seek support for himself. He begins to communicate more openly with his mother about their shared grief and the need for her to re-engage with the family, starting a slow process of healing within his own household.
After some time apart, Vivi and Jonah begin to tentatively reconnect. Vivi, now more stable and understanding of her illness, can articulate her experiences and apologize for her past actions. Jonah, having processed some of his own pain, is better equipped to listen and understand. Their reunion is not a simple return to their passionate summer romance but a more mature attempt to build a relationship based on honesty, empathy, and a realistic understanding of Vivi's condition and Jonah's responsibilities. They learn that love, while powerful, also requires work and understanding.
By the end of the summer, Vivi has made significant progress in managing her bipolar disorder, and Jonah has found a healthier balance in his life. They recognize that their relationship will be different, requiring ongoing effort and communication. Vivi decides to stay in Verona Cove, enrolling in the local high school for her senior year, showing her commitment to stability and her connection to Jonah and the town. Their journey concludes with a hopeful outlook, as they commit to supporting each other through their individual challenges, understanding that their collision, though difficult, ultimately led them to personal growth and a deeper, more resilient love.
The Protagonist
Vivi moves from a state of denial and uncontrolled manic episodes to accepting her bipolar diagnosis, seeking treatment, and learning to manage her mental health for a more stable and authentic life.
The Protagonist
Jonah learns to confront his own grief and the weight of his responsibilities, finding his voice and learning to ask for support, ultimately growing into a more emotionally integrated and resilient young man.
The Supporting
She moves from a state of passive observation to active intervention, becoming a strong advocate for Vivi's mental health and supporting her through diagnosis and treatment.
The Supporting
She slowly begins to process her grief and re-engage with her family, taking on more responsibility and supporting Jonah in his own struggles.
The Supporting
He experiences the highs and lows of Vivi's presence and learns to adapt to the changing family dynamics.
The Supporting
She experiences the summer's events through a child's eyes, adapting to the shifts in her family life.
The Supporting
She remains largely a symbol of innocence and the family's need for stability.
The novel explores living with bipolar disorder, mainly through Vivi's experience. It highlights Vivi's internal struggle to understand and accept her condition, as well as the external challenges of societal stigma. The book shows the impact of an undiagnosed and untreated mental illness on an individual and their relationships, detailing the chaotic highs of mania and the debilitating lows of depression. It also stresses the importance of diagnosis, therapy, and medication as steps towards managing mental health, moving beyond the idea that love alone can 'fix' such conditions. Vivi's reluctance to reveal her past and her fear of being seen as 'broken' are central to this theme.
““You can’t fix a person who doesn’t want to be fixed. But you can love them. And you can stand for something. And you can get a person out of a burning building. You can start again.””
Grief is a common theme, particularly in Jonah's family, who are still dealing with the death of his father. Jonah carries immense responsibility and suppressed grief, which affects his ability to handle new emotional challenges. His mother is overwhelmed by her own sorrow, leaving the children to cope largely on their own. The novel illustrates how grief can appear in different ways—from Jonah's quiet burden to his mother's withdrawal—and the long, difficult process of healing. It also shows the resilience of the human spirit, as both Jonah and his mother slowly begin to face their pain and find ways to move forward, individually and as a family.
““It’s not wrong to be sad. It’s not wrong to cry. It’s not wrong to want a hug. It’s not wrong to need someone.””
The novel portrays love not as a simple, all-conquering force, but as a complex emotion requiring empathy, understanding, and personal growth. Vivi and Jonah's initial romance is passionate and intense, but it is tested by Vivi's illness and Jonah's responsibilities. The story challenges the idea that love alone can cure mental illness, showing that true love involves supporting a person through their struggles, even when it is difficult, and recognizing that individual healing is most important. Their love evolves from an impulsive summer fling to a more mature, realistic, and resilient bond, built on honesty and a commitment to understanding each other's full selves, flaws and all.
““Love isn’t a state of perfect grace. It’s a field of wildflowers where every flower is a different color and you love them all, even the ones that are a little bit broken.””
The theme of family and responsibility is central to Jonah's character. After his father's death, Jonah takes on the immense burden of caring for his younger siblings and supporting his grieving mother. This responsibility shapes his decisions, limits his freedom, and often forces him to put his own needs last. The novel highlights the sacrifices made for family and the emotional toll it takes. It also explores the dynamics of a family in crisis, showing how each member copes differently and the importance of open communication and shared responsibility in healing and moving forward. Vivi's presence both complicates and ultimately helps to resolve some of these family tensions.
““Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.””
Alternating chapters from Vivi's and Jonah's viewpoints.
The novel is told through alternating first-person perspectives of Vivi and Jonah. This device is crucial for understanding the internal worlds of both characters. Vivi's chapters offer direct insight into her thoughts, feelings, and the escalating chaos of her manic episodes, allowing the reader to experience her condition from the inside. Jonah's chapters reveal his burdens, his grief, his growing concern for Vivi, and his struggle to cope with her unpredictable behavior. This dual perspective creates empathy for both protagonists and highlights the different ways they perceive and react to the same events, deepening the reader's understanding of their individual struggles and the complexities of their relationship.
Vivi's painting and creative impulses reflect her internal state.
Art, particularly painting, serves as a powerful metaphor and vehicle for expression for Vivi. When she is manic, her art becomes prolific, vibrant, and often chaotic, mirroring her racing thoughts and boundless energy. As her condition worsens, her art can become frantic and less coherent. Conversely, when she is stable, her art is more focused and meaningful. Art also represents her desire for self-expression and her unique way of seeing the world. Jonah, initially reserved, is drawn into this artistic world by Vivi, finding his own forms of creative expression, which helps him process his emotions and connect with her on a deeper level.
A picturesque coastal town that initially offers a fresh start.
Verona Cove, a charming coastal town in California, serves as more than just a backdrop; it is a character in itself. For Vivi, it represents a fresh start and a place of beauty and inspiration, initially embodying the freedom and joy she seeks. For Jonah, it's home, but also the place where his family's struggles are rooted. The town's idyllic facade contrasts with the internal turmoil experienced by both protagonists. The ocean, in particular, becomes a symbolic element, representing both vastness and tranquility, as well as the unpredictable depths of emotion and mental states. The 'Coral' restaurant acts as a central hub, a place of work, connection, and conflict.
The central metaphor for the intense, life-altering encounter between Vivi and Jonah.
The title 'When We Collided' serves as a central metaphor for the intense and transformative encounter between Vivi and Jonah. Their meeting is not just a gentle coming together but a forceful impact, signifying the disruptive yet ultimately life-changing nature of their relationship. The collision represents the clash of their vastly different personalities and life circumstances—Vivi's vibrant chaos meeting Jonah's burdened stability. It implies both destructive potential and the creation of something new, forcing both characters to confront their deepest fears and undergo significant personal growth. The metaphor underscores the idea that profound connections can be both beautiful and painful, irrevocably altering the trajectory of their lives.
“The thing about falling in love, I'm realizing, is that you can't just like the good parts. You have to like the bad parts too. You have to like the parts that make you want to rip your hair out.”
— Vivi reflects on the complexities of love and relationships.
“Maybe that's what love is: finding the one person who makes you feel like you're not crazy, even when you are.”
— Jonah contemplates the unique understanding in his relationship with Vivi.
“You are not your illness. You have an illness. It's a part of you, but it's not all of you.”
— A supportive character reminds Vivi of her identity beyond her bipolar disorder.
“Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help. And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is accept it.”
— Vivi learns about the strength in vulnerability and seeking support.
“We all have cracks. That's how the light gets in.”
— A metaphor for embracing imperfections and finding beauty in brokenness.
“It's not about being fixed. It's about learning how to live with the cracks, and knowing that you're still whole.”
— Vivi's journey of self-acceptance regarding her mental health.
“Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.”
— A character reflects on the nature of grief and coping with loss.
“The world is full of beautiful things, even when you can't see them. Sometimes you just have to look harder.”
— Jonah tries to encourage Vivi to find beauty and hope during a difficult time.
“Falling in love with someone who has a mental illness isn't a burden. It's an honor. Because they've let you into a part of themselves that they don't let everyone see.”
— Jonah's perspective on loving Vivi with her bipolar disorder.
“Sometimes the most important conversations are the ones you have with yourself.”
— Vivi engaging in introspection and self-reflection.
“You don't have to be perfect to be loved. You just have to be real.”
— A message of authenticity and unconditional love.
“The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.”
— Vivi learning to move forward from past traumas and mistakes.
“It's okay to not be okay. What's not okay is pretending you are.”
— Emphasizing the importance of honesty about one's feelings and struggles.
“Love isn't about fixing someone. It's about seeing their broken pieces and loving them anyway.”
— Jonah's understanding of true love for Vivi.
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