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The other aspect of the novel that is unique in young adult books is the inclusion of both families. Zoe sees so clearly how Olivia’s illness affects her parents. Zoe’s own parents support her and try to give her advice as she struggles with what is happening. It is refreshing to see family units so well developed and involved in the characters’ lives.
And yes, there was a teeny tiny bit of a romance… and I’m not even sure I would call it that, but I have to say that I loved how patient and understanding Calvin was with Zoe. At times she may have been using him as an outlet to forget all the bad things going on, but I have to commend the maturity that he was written with, because despite Zoe being all over the place emotionally, he never really gives up on her and if it came down to it, he would and will be there for her in a heartbeat when she needs him. And I think Kantor uses that to show us that life goes on, the world continues to spin and things continue to happen even though all we may want to do is freeze time and stop to cherish everything we’ve had, I just wish that she had pushed herself to let Calvin in a bit more. However, we would have missed Zoe’s character growth had she done that… her realizations that there is hope for some happiness and a future and it’s okay to lean on others when you need to are wonderful to see. I hate gender stereotypes like girls love princesses and boys like guns. . . my point is that tying particular behaviors and interests to particular gender seems to be the major reason guys who like dance get called names.” We do have a potential romance with Calvin, which is kind of complicated because Olivia has a crush on him and Zoe doesn’t like him much at first. But I really liked him. Even when Zoe was difficult, he never stopped trying to be her friend. (Plus he was always there for Olivia’s brother. Nice guy.) I could have used more of him to lighten up the book and make his story arc a bit more complete. He felt glossed over, and his chemistry with Zoe was just too good to be ignored. (Even if it was a messy pairing; in the beginning, I thought she would hit it off with Olivia’s brother.)I would recommend this read and its characters - it will have you almost reaching for a handkerchief and hoping for an ending that Jess deserves.
There was a part of the book that I didn't agree with at all. I mean, it's kind of messed up and a huge stereotypes to people that play sports.The author must have really done some research on this book. It was integrated so seamlessly into the book that it just felt natural learning about it through Zoe’s perspective. As Olivia’s cancer goes through various ups and downs the pain that is conveyed was so tangible. Kantor’s writing is fantastic in essence but it was a punch to the stomach with the emotions that it brings up. As a reader you can really see the ups and downs that not only Olivia goes through but also Zoe. While I still didn’t really like her character, going through denial, loss, hope, acceptance, ignorance was quite the rollercoaster.
Have you ever read a book that was completely addicting, really moving (enough to make you cry), and in the end, still had no idea how to rate it? Also, I got emotionally attached to the characters. I mean, Olivia was obviously going to die from the start, but I still felt when it happened. When Grace, her little daughter dies, Jess ends up in hospital having suffered a breakdown. Over time Jess resumes her life only to discover a box of secrets in the attic which had been hidden away for years which she discovers following her Mum's deathI don't know if I can say that I really finished this book because I literally just thoroughly skimmed through the middle and just read the first 10 and last 10 chapters and mind you, I'm definitely NOT that kind of LAZY reader but this book made me one. I hate it so much I just did what I can do to really finish it.
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