Zac and MIA

by A J Betts

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

The audiobook of Zac and Mia was enchanting. Shortly after the weather turned here in Iowa, I grabbed my iPod Touch, queued up the story and went for a walk. I did gradually finish the book over a few longer driving trips. As the story progressed and Zac’s and Mia’s health changed, I was worried I was in for another The Fault in Our Stars.

While I have not been touched by cancer like Zac and Mia, I feel like the portrayals of how they deal with the progression of their disease are realistic. It hits all the right notes creating the tension and happiness for you to hope for the best. Each character had their coping mechanisms for good or the bad that added depth and dimension to the characters. I won’t deny that a few tears were shed and I did get angry with Mia because she seemed so unreasonable at times. However, I had to remind myself she is only 17 or 18 and dealing with the stuff she had to deal with is obviously traumatic. I was invested in the outcome of the story. I wanted the best for Zac and Mia and their families. How would Betts leave Zac and Mia at the end? Would it be like Gus and Hazel?

This book may be a difficult read for anyone touched deeply by cancer. But Zac and Mia is hopeful and realistic. Dealing with a devastating disease that has a mind of its own will never be easy. In Zac and Mia, Betts creates two characters that leap of the page creating a kinship with the reader can make them see the brighter side of the darkest day.

This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews