Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on
Fair warning, this was a sick kid book, and if you don't already know anything about cystic fibrosis, it can be brutal. Watching David suffering in the hospital was really tough at times, though, I gained some comfort in his friendship with Jamie. She was someone in his life, who he could be honest with about his illness. She didn't flinch or try to ply him with platitudes. She listened to his fears and concerns, and supported him as he tried to figure out his future.
Jamie's life had taken quite a turn since her father's suicide. Her family was forced to relocate due to economic hardship, and her own depression became unmanageable at one point. I met Jamie following her in-patient treatment, and she was still struggling. Her battle with depression was very authentic and realistic, but her friendship with David not only kept her occupied, it helped her adopt a new perspective. And, though it was emphasized, that her depression would always be a hurtle for her to overcome, her self-awareness regarding her condition had changed over the course of the book.
Some of my favorite parts of this story were those quiet moments spent with these two in David's hospital room watching old films and doing origami. McGovern did a beautiful developing this friendship and letting it gradually build into more.
For those of you, who need to know, the ending was very positive and hopeful. This book took me through a wide range of emotions, and I found myself really clinging to the idea of appreciating the time we have and making the most of it, which is always a good idea, if you ask me.
Overall: Realistic, but hopeful.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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Reading updates
- Started reading
- 19 November, 2019: Finished reading
- 19 November, 2019: Reviewed