Publisher: Julie Rieman Duck (September 23rd 2011)
Kindle Edition
Source: Author
Series: None
Challenge: YA Saves, Stand Alone
For Natalie Miller, it’s just another family vacation. For someone else, it’s the opportunity he’s been waiting for.
With only a single peck from a guy named Frank, Natalie’s anything but experienced with boys. But when Todd pops out of the water, says hi, and tells Natalie he has leukemia, all of that changes.
She’s never had attention like this from a boy, let alone one who’s a real charmer with sex on the brain and the experience to match. Drawn to Todd like a magnet, Natalie gives him her friendship, her love, and her body. Even when she’s tempted by gorgeous, healthy schoolmate Alex, Natalie’s desire to love and care for Todd pushes her to see how far love can go in spite of the potential for death of the relationship — and death of the one she loves.
Natalie doesn't have much experiences with boys, if any. Then she meets Todd on a summer family vacation and grows more than she thought she ever would. In their first meeting she learns that Todd has cancer. Todd is unique from the very start. He is very open and doesn't hold back. In a way Natalie's and Todd's meeting is perfect timing for each one of them, for many different reasons. Their relationship travels through many emotional roller coasters, all of which make this novel amazing.
Beware you will have shed tears. It is hard not cry while reading this novel. Our teens today go through many emotions and Julie Duck includes many of these different emotions beautifully. I wish this novel was around when I was a teen. Natalie is on the verge of becoming a woman, and not just in the physical and sexual way, but emotionally as well.
I did feel that the novel started too quickly. Within the first chapter not only do Natalie and Todd meat but Todd tells her he has cancer. I would have liked to see a bit more character development for Natalie. However, that being said after reading it all I can understand why it started as quickly as it did - Todd's character lived life to the fullest, without wasting time. In the end I came away from this novel emotionally drained and moved, all in the best ways.
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This book sounds like it could be a bit rushed in character development/using insta love. However, your review sounds like it is still worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteI keep adding all these books about teens with cancer to my to read list - it's getting a bit depressing! You certainly can't read them all back to back or it gets emotionally draining :(
It does get emotionally draining. One author that I absolutely love is Lurlene McDaniel - she does an wonderful job of balancing the reality of cancer with the joy of life. I'm re-reading all of her books now for our Cancer focus for the YA Saves Reading Challenge.
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