When We Collided is not your typical YA love story. At its core, it follows Vivi Alexander and Jonah Daniels, two teenagers whose lives crash into each other during a summer that changes everything. Vivi is vibrant, artistic, and seemingly full of life. Jonah is grounded, grieving, and carrying the weight of caring for his siblings after their father’s death. Their connection begins with a spark, but it unfolds into something that neither of them expects—something far more emotional than physical.
This novel doesn’t glamorize romance with hot-and-heavy scenes. Instead, it chooses to show what love looks like when it’s tangled with trauma, grief, and mental illness. It’s a brave and raw representation of two young people trying to heal—individually and, sometimes, together. The simple answer is: no. When We Collided is not a “spicy” book. It doesn’t contain explicit scenes, steamy hookups, or provocative tension designed to thrill. But that doesn’t mean it lacks intensity. The book pulses with emotional spice—conversations that feel like confessions, arguments that break your heart, and moments of vulnerability that linger long after the page is turned.
There are romantic moments, of course—tender kisses, longing gazes, the kind of electricity that only first love can bring. But every touch is rooted in feeling, not fantasy. It’s more about the ache of connection than the heat of passion.
A Story About Mental Health
What truly sets When We Collided apart is how it handles mental health, especially through Vivi’s perspective. Vivi has bipolar disorder, and the novel does not shy away from portraying the highs and lows of her experience. Emery Lord writes with deep compassion, giving readers a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of Vivi’s emotions—her bursts of energy, her impulsiveness, her spiraling sadness.
Instead of using mental illness as a backdrop, the book centers it. It acknowledges the pain and beauty that can exist in someone’s life simultaneously. Through Vivi, we see a character who is both magical and struggling, full of life and full of chaos. And through Jonah, we see what it means to love someone in crisis—and how love alone cannot be the cure.
Romance With Responsibility
One of the most important themes in When We Collided is that sometimes, love isn’t enough to fix everything. Vivi and Jonah care deeply for each other, but their relationship isn’t a perfect escape from their pain. It’s not meant to be. And the book never pretends that love can replace therapy, family support, or self-awareness.
In many “spicier” YA romances, passion sweeps problems under the rug. But in this novel, love coexists with the hard stuff. It hurts. It heals. And sometimes, it walks away—because that’s the healthiest thing to do.
This is romance with responsibility. It’s not about idealizing relationships. It’s about learning what it means to show up for someone while also knowing your own limits.
A Different Kind of Intimacy
If you’re measuring intimacy only by physical acts, you might miss the deeper connections in When We Collided. The way Vivi brings color into Jonah’s life after so much grey. The way Jonah listens, patiently, to her ever-changing thoughts. The way Vivi admits her fear of being too much—and Jonah doesn’t flinch.
These moments are the heartbeat of the story. They show us that intimacy isn’t always skin-to-skin. Sometimes it’s eye-to-eye. Sometimes it’s just being there, even when words fail.
A Book That Sparks Empathy
When We Collided may not steam up your glasses, but it will open your heart. It encourages empathy—not only toward those who suffer silently, but toward ourselves. It shows us that it’s okay to break, to fall apart, to seek help. That being young and in love doesn’t mean being perfect. Readers often walk away from this book changed—not because they were swept up in romantic fantasy, but because they were grounded in emotional truth. It’s a story that lingers, because it’s real. It tells us that love isn’t always about forever. Sometimes, it’s about right now—about learning, healing, and letting go when necessary.
So, is When We Collided spicy? No, not in the conventional sense. But it is emotionally raw, unflinchingly honest, and deeply affecting. It’s a love story, yes—but one that doesn’t hide from the shadows. If you’re searching for something sexy, you might look elsewhere. But if you’re ready for a novel that dives into the complexities of young love, mental health, and growing up too fast, When We Collided will give you something even better than spice.
