This is a summary based on my understanding of the novel. Please also note that this summary contains spoilers. You may want to read the entire book first before proceeding
Julie and Sam are lovers. They go to the same school and have plans on moving away together in college. They have been in a relationship for 3 years. Julie was new to town. Julie first saw Sam in the bookshop she is working in, they had their first conversation in the coffee shop Sam works.
Sam died – Julie got back from Seattle and Sam was supposed to pick her up. When Julie called Sam, he was still with his friends and it would be a 1 hour drive to get her. Julie said she would just walk and refused to answer any of his calls. Sam left the bonfire ans went to fetch Julie, but on his way, he got into a car accident and he died.
Julie mourned Sam but she didn’t go to his funeral or any vigil. This made people doubt if she really cared for him. Sam’s cousin, Mika, who is also close to Julie, also got angry.
A week after Sam’s death, Julie decided to call Sam’s phone and to her surpise – he answered. It was really Sam. They talked for hours. Julie felt like she didn’t lose him.
Julie told no one about this. Sam also mentioned that it may affect their connection if Julie tells someone else.
Since Sam’s death has been affecting Mika a lot, Julie decided to tell her. Sam didn’t answer the phone at first, but when the phone rang, it was Sam. Mika and Sam were able to talk.
After Mika and Sam talked, their connection has been affected. There was also static every now and then.
Julie also had to tell someone else about Sam being on the phone. Sam’s younger brother, James, thinks that he hates him. So Julie let Sam and James talk.
Their connection got affected. They had to schedule their calls and their calls are no longer as long as before.
During graduation, Julie and Sam scheduled their last call. Both of them know that they already need to move on. Julie’s phone got broken that day and she was afraid that she could no longer say goodbye to Sam.
Sam mentioned before that only their phones are connected, so this gave Julie an idea to use Sam’s phone instead. She was able to call sam and they said their goodbyes.
After they said goodbye, Sam asked Julie that when he calls, she should no longer answer the phone. Julie did that.. Sam was able to leave a message for her and she plays that when she misses him.
The End of You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
Forever Winter 