Genre: Young Adult
Ratings: 4/5
“People in the movies are always saying, ‘You have to love someone enough to let them go.’ ” He shakes his head, swallowing, struggling to speak. “I always thought that was such bullshit. But seeing you almost die . . .”
“His voice trails off, and my fingers curl against the cool window, wanting to smash it, but I can barely manage a knock. “In that moment nothing else mattered to me. Nothing. Except your life.”
He presses harder too, his voice shaking as he continues. “The only thing I want is to be with you. But I need for you to be safe. Safe from me.”
He fights to continue, tears streaming down his face. “I don’t want to leave you, but I love you too much to stay.” He laughs through his tears, shaking his head. “God, the freakin’ movies were right.”
-Will Newman
Synopsis
Despite her childhood, Stella Grant had been going through a cystic fibrosis. On the other hand, Will Newman got diagnosed with B. Cepacia only 8 months ago. Cystic fibrosis is a condition where one should stay at least 6 feet apart from everyone else who has the same disease in order for them to stay alive. (Its kind of like a standard safe distance). Will and Stella coughing can worsen their situation and prove to be lethal for both of them. Since both Will and Stella are infected they have no option but to stay away from each other and if Will comes really close to Stella she can die sooner than expected ( B. Cepacia is more dangerous and highly contagious. It is considered to be worse than cystic fibrosis, especially when a CF person gets contaminated with B. Cepacia also ).
Even though their situation is extremely bad, they try their best to stay connected and as far as their love is concerned, they both do everything they can just to be with each other. Surprisingly, they even find a way to not contaminate each other. Stella is organized and a thinker and mostly its her who ensures that they do not contaminate each other.
Their disease forces them to stay apart. However, they prove that no disease can come in between their love. They always do their best to protect each other.
Will their love conquer all?
Review
\This book is a heartbreaking story of how far Stella and Will will go even though they both have a disease that keeps them apart. Also, it shows that age doesn’t affect on how much love they can give to each other and that there is always a way if one pushes for it.
The author effectively illustrates how both the characters struggle to make things work and make ends meet. The author uses a lot of scientific jargon and medicines terms. I don’t know a lot when it comes to medical jargon/phrases so some parts of the story didn’t make much sense to me. Although the jargon made it hard to understand the story but the main point of the story can be easily grasped.
The story is quite emotional to contemplate over. To love someone you can’t even touch seems something very inconceivable. How can one manage to go through something so cruel like that? To fall in love and not be able to hold them in your arms? It’s how they fight and how they choose to love that makes the story interesting and beautiful. They are even willing to sacrifice everything just to feel that their lives are not as bad as it seems. They are able to feel how it is to be in love and loved by someone. Pondering over it and everything that goes in the book really makes my heart ache.
Their minds are way beyond their age. They understand more about life than an average person. Furthermore, they are able to contemplate on their lives and even imagine how it would feel like to die or to be finally dead.
The book shows how people like Will & Stella appreciate even the simplest of things. Things like how wonderful it would be to breathe without any difficulties, to go for a walk outside without easily getting tired, or to travel to places with their friends without restrictions and troubles. It made me realize how grateful and thankful I should be for my life.
Below are few of the quotes I love from the book:
“If I’m going to die, I’d like to actually live first.”
-Will
“How long will I live my life afraid of what-ifs? My life revolves around an obsessive regimen and percentages, and given that I was just in surgery, the risk never seems to go down. Every minute of my life is what-ifs, and it would be no difference with Will.”-Stella
“I’m tired of living without really living. I’m tired of wanting things. We can’t have a lot of things. But we could have this. I know it.”-Stella
“But now what I want isn’t outside. It’s right here, close enough to touch. But I can’t. I didn’t know it was possible to want something so bad you could feel it in your arms and your legs and in every breath you take.”-Will
“Maybe death is the same. Maybe it’s just the next life. An inch away.”-Stella
“I don’t need new lungs to feel alive. I feel alive right now.”
-Stella
“I love her. I used to always be searching for something. Searching from every rooftop for something that would give me a purpose. And now I’ve found it.”-Will
What I like about the book:
- Will’s & Stella’s love story illustrates many ideas and emotions. It makes the story poignant and heartfelt!
- The way the author sequences the events is interesting and different. It makes the story beautifully painful.
- The cover is extremely pleasing and aesthetic! The idea for the cover is just exquisite!
- A sad yet very engaging story (which is the kind of stuff I really like).
What I dislike about the book:
- The medical jargon are not for everyone and make it hard to understand some aspects of the story.
- The ending is a cliche. A sequel would be really good.
Overall, this is a good book and a must read! Its wonderful light romance for Young Adults. You can’t miss reading this book.
