Scan barcode
ella_e's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jutdwaehugs's review against another edition
4.0
This book gives off The Fault in Our Stars vibes, replacing the teenage relationship with a love between friends and family.
nikkihrose's review against another edition
4.0
Lia (Amelia) Linehan is a badass teenager in her senior year of high school. She takes on every chance that crosses her path, and pushes her obstacles aside – figuratively and literally through her roller derby team. It's her dream to attend Amherst College and compete for a state-wide derby team so as to not be pinned against her best friend, Sibby.
But all of this comes to a halt when a dormant illness from her childhood resurfaces, causing Lia to put her dreams, her lifestyle, and even her friends in perspective.
Living a brave life often results in not feeling as though it's okay to feel vulnerable. Fear of death and the unknown cloud Lia's mind, leaving her a girl that she hardly recognizes – inside, anyway. Because she won't let anyone know what's really going on with her. Not until she reaches her breaking point.
Her parents are afraid of the what-ifs, her brother is away at school, her best friend is on a Save-Lia mission, and her brother's best friend Will is the only person who manages to distract her from her own reality. And it's a distraction she greatly needs.
Balancing her job, her art, her roller derby team, her college aspirations, and her relationships, Lia becomes overwhelmed fairly quickly. It's just a matter of whether her illness or her mindset will be the final blow to her immune system.
Jen Malone beautifully crafts a heartbreaking story about a girl who cannot get luck on her side. But sometimes the ending isn't the luck that's needed – sometimes it's the people who join you and go along for the ride that's most important.
But all of this comes to a halt when a dormant illness from her childhood resurfaces, causing Lia to put her dreams, her lifestyle, and even her friends in perspective.
Living a brave life often results in not feeling as though it's okay to feel vulnerable. Fear of death and the unknown cloud Lia's mind, leaving her a girl that she hardly recognizes – inside, anyway. Because she won't let anyone know what's really going on with her. Not until she reaches her breaking point.
Her parents are afraid of the what-ifs, her brother is away at school, her best friend is on a Save-Lia mission, and her brother's best friend Will is the only person who manages to distract her from her own reality. And it's a distraction she greatly needs.
Balancing her job, her art, her roller derby team, her college aspirations, and her relationships, Lia becomes overwhelmed fairly quickly. It's just a matter of whether her illness or her mindset will be the final blow to her immune system.
Jen Malone beautifully crafts a heartbreaking story about a girl who cannot get luck on her side. But sometimes the ending isn't the luck that's needed – sometimes it's the people who join you and go along for the ride that's most important.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
I received this as an eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Amelia is a take no prisoners feminist, who plays roller derby, and is an awesome artist. She is getting better and better at roller derby and has landed a prestigious art gig that allows her to paint a mural on the side of a restaurant. Life is going great, and even though she has always had a liver disorder, it will remain nothing like it has up to this point. Until, Amelia collapses in a bloody mess and learns that she needs a liver transplant. Her uncertain life changes all of her plans, but maybe if she doesn't think about it then it won't be happening. Even as her parents and friends are desperate for her to get a new liver. Amelia has trouble dealing with her own morality and trying to decide how she is going to react.
In my summary, I didn't talk about Will, the romantic interest, because truly this book isn't about Will or romance. It is about morality and deciding how to react or not react to difficult things in life. I liked the concept of Amelia, I liked what she was involved in, I liked how she interacted and explored her world, I just wish she was stronger in relation to her best friend. The best friend was the most challenging part of this book and many times I wanted to slap her, especially when she was being "bluntly honest," which came across as sanctimonious. I liked Will and I like him with Amelia. This was a solid novel that I will certainly recommend.
Amelia is a take no prisoners feminist, who plays roller derby, and is an awesome artist. She is getting better and better at roller derby and has landed a prestigious art gig that allows her to paint a mural on the side of a restaurant. Life is going great, and even though she has always had a liver disorder, it will remain nothing like it has up to this point. Until, Amelia collapses in a bloody mess and learns that she needs a liver transplant. Her uncertain life changes all of her plans, but maybe if she doesn't think about it then it won't be happening. Even as her parents and friends are desperate for her to get a new liver. Amelia has trouble dealing with her own morality and trying to decide how she is going to react.
In my summary, I didn't talk about Will, the romantic interest, because truly this book isn't about Will or romance. It is about morality and deciding how to react or not react to difficult things in life. I liked the concept of Amelia, I liked what she was involved in, I liked how she interacted and explored her world, I just wish she was stronger in relation to her best friend. The best friend was the most challenging part of this book and many times I wanted to slap her, especially when she was being "bluntly honest," which came across as sanctimonious. I liked Will and I like him with Amelia. This was a solid novel that I will certainly recommend.
anniebannani's review against another edition
4.0
this was at times very dark and depressing and the ending broke my heart into a million pieces but i still somehow really enjoyed it.
amelia’s relationship with her parents was my favorite thing, i love how much they loved each other.
i thought will’s character would’ve been more at the forefront but i actually really appreciate that there wasn’t some big romance and the focus really was on amelia and her situation.
kind of hate the ending but also kind of love it??
4 stars
amelia’s relationship with her parents was my favorite thing, i love how much they loved each other.
i thought will’s character would’ve been more at the forefront but i actually really appreciate that there wasn’t some big romance and the focus really was on amelia and her situation.
kind of hate the ending but also kind of love it??
4 stars
angeldevoursliterature's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing
aburciaga11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mjp_reads's review against another edition
5.0
If you aren't already an organ donor, you will be after you read this one! Excellent YA read.
marissastotts's review against another edition
4.0
Made me cry while I was listening to it working in my lab (luckily I was alone lol), and really made me think about things in a way I hadn't thought about before. And for me, that enough warrants a 4 star review.
vale_fabio's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5