Book Review: Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure for more information.

If you like coming-of-age, college-centered young adult books, you will enjoy “Emergency Contact” by Mary H. K. Choi!

“Emergency Contact” follows Penny Lee who’s moving to college to study writing. She’s happy for the distance as it gives her space from her clingy mother.

The story also follows Sam who works at the coffee house Penny’s roommate drags her to. Sam is messy – his life is a mess. He’s been through a bad breakup and he too, has a strained family life.

Penny and Sam meet through unforeseen circumstances and they exchange numbers. They become each other emergency contact and together they navigate their darkest secrets.

I actually have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I “enjoyed” it enough – and it was quick and easy to read -, as in I wanted to know how it would all unravel… 

But the hype around this book? In my opinion, unfounded. Disappointing. 

The two main characters – Penny and Sam – are both a bit shallow, hallow. I am not discrediting any of their problems. But it felt like somewhere along the way there was a disconnect even when it came to their interests and characteristics. Sure, we see Penny excited writing her short stories and Sam happily shooting his film project. Sure, we explore their traumas and familial ‘mom’ problems. 

And yet, it felt lacking. A very significant lack. Real-life situations (cheating, pregnancy, abuse, divorce, absent parent, etc.) were literally brushed under the carpet… discarded partly for the romance and the drama. 

But I don’t know? Overall, the writing was so cringe? With lapses of strong vocabulary that I don’t even understand. When they come up – their intent are completely lost. 

I guess in general this book suffered from inconsistency. 

“Loving someone was traumatizing. You never knew what would happen to them out there in the world. Everything precious was also vulnerable.”

“I like knowing that you exist. It doesn’t make me feel any less lonely, because life is lonely, but it makes me feel a lot less alone.”

⭐⭐