This was the kind of book that I think anyone who has dealt with health issues will find relatable. Twyla was a great, realistic main character. I liked that her story felt fairly slice of life and wasn't centered around her love life. It wasn't a light read all in all, but I thought it was worthwhile.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Listened to the audiobook

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Anyone with a chronic illness is probably unlucky enough to have experienced misdiagnosis, medical gaslighting, and just downright not being taken seriously and this really captured that experience.

This book shows the frustration and desperation we experience, the isolation when friends don't know what to do and you start to feel pushed out. I also appreciate that the author is writing from her own experiences also.

[POTENTIAL SPOILERS[ The only thing I didn't really like was how Twyla decided she must have an allergy and that her mother must have had one too and somehow she just didn't know. Of course there are people that don't take allergies seriously but with how devastated the dad is over his wife's death, I don't believe for a second he would hide that info from his daughter and I can't imagine she'd believe that (and it's not presented that way in the book, it's more that she thinks she's now developed one but refuses to share that info?)

This book is a great example of several things. First, of the way trying to protect young people from scary situations can lead to them creating their own, much scarier situations in their head. Twyla's mum died when she was younger and Twyla has never really been sure why. When she starts to get ill herself, she goes searching for answers in her mum's medical records. However, these lead her to make assumptions about why her mum died and what might also be wrong with her.

Secondly, the book is a great example of the way adults don't always listen to children. Twyla knows there is something wrong with her, but her dad and her doctors don't seem to want to listen. As a result, Twyla takes matters into her own hands and tries to work out what is wrong. However, she ends up trying to figure things out in secret, which makes her feel very isolated. Her friends also try to solve the mystery, but they conclude that they are the ones who are somehow making Twyla sick and so they decide that the best thing to do is to start to avoid her. Obviously, this doesn't help the situation and makes Twyla feel even worse.

Although when she finally finds out that there is really something wrong with her, and despite the fact that the diagnosis is scary, I'd imagine it would also be a relief to know what is happening and what needs to happen next. I hope everyone can be as brave as Twyla and advocate for themselves and their well-being so that they can get the answers and the help they need.

WOW what a story! Being a teenager is hard enough, but then throw chronic health issues into the mix? I just wanted to give Twyla a huge hug the entire time! This taught such great themes about trusting your gut and standing up for yourself when it feels like no one else will - that's still difficult for many of us as adults! This one reminded me of several students I've had in the past and will definitely be one I will add to my classroom library as I think many will be able to relate. Thank you SO much for this ARC!

Twyla is such a strong character, dealing with the lose of her mother and then finding out about her health issues and how life around her changes. This book did a wonderful job at showcasing the struggle of those who have to deal with invisable illnesses and how they have to fight and advocate for themselves on a daily basis. This was such a insightful read and I highly recommend others to read this story!

This was a very emotional book which I enjoyed by the author. Can relate to the main character, but was dealing with an invisible illness in high school also. This was well written and tear breaking. Looking for more by this aurthor.

4.5 stars

This is a wonderful contemporary YA story that sheds light on the struggle that those who live with an invisible illness deal with on a daily basis and the fight they have to advocate for themselves when others, including those in the medical profession, try to gaslight them and push aside their concerns.

Twyla is a 14-year-old trying to navigate teenage life while still dealing with the grief of losing her mother. Her life takes a turn when she starts having health issues. She knows the doctors are missing something as they dismiss her symptoms. Her frustration is increased when she feels her friends pulling away from her.

The author does a wonderful job of showing the challenges associated with grief, as well as dealing with illnesses and feeling unseen. Twyla is an easy character to connect with and root for in her search for answers. This is an important read for those who may be struggling with being their own advocate. I also appreciated the authors note.

There is nothing worse than having a sick child. Being a single parent and going through your own grief while trying to raise two children when one of them gets sick is hard. Harder than anyone who hasn't been through it can imagine. But, this book is through the lense of Twyla, the teen who knows something is wrong with her. The doctors playdown the problems and this forces Twyla to look for answers on her own. Most of the book is spent on this. I loved how Twyla saw everyone's name as an indication of their character. I also enjoyed the very true relationship between herself and her little brother. I enjoyed reading it, but wish there had been more after the truth was revealed. I felt the ending was rushed. I also thought there was a little something missing at the end, but to tell you what would be a spoiler.

Really struggled to start this book and stay interested. Far too much repetition and mention of nausea. Little brother was extremely annoying. However started to enjoy the story once the dance happened, and the hospital scenes began. Wish we had more focus on that and the following months. Instead of skipping forward. Had guessed where the story was going half way through.

An incredible story about family, friendship, and self advocacy. I don't want to go into too much of the story but it was one of my favourite reads of the year. I also cried. A lot. But it is worth the read.

This was such a lovely YA book to read. I really felt for the main character, in her grief and quest to find out what was wrong with her, making her unwell.
It was quite a moving book, about being a teenager, friendship and loss.
Would recommend to all YA readers.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I really wanted to like this one — books that highlight or tell the story of someone who is often left out of major narratives are important. They help to bring awareness to a larger audience, and lend a voice to people who may not often feel they have one. But sometimes the best intentions fall a little flat.

I had a hard time getting past some of the drawn out dialogue and repetitive internal monologues. Twyla, in random and unexpected turns, felt like both the young woman she is described to be, as well as maybe her mother’s voice (or at least a much older version of herself). It seemed that the only parts of the main character’s life that made it into the story were directly related to her illness/diagnosis, and while I would guess that something of that magnitude would feel all-encompassing, it makes Twyla seem very one-dimensional.

Between the pages of this book we see and feel everything from grief to anxiety, from grieving a late parent to experiencing medical issues of unknown origin and the fear of finalising a diagnosis this is a book that perfectly encapsulated medical anxiety and experiences with illness. Written by our author after her daughter had the same experience as our MC, it is truly meaningful and you can certainly feel the emotion behind Shannon's writing about it.

While struggling with her health and the unknown, our MC is always searching for meaning and cause so is struggling with so much unknown, but with a budding romance and close friends we work our way through it.

Overall, although short i think this is a vital read that perfectly encapsulated grief and health struggles and is perfect for those wanting a book like that but filled with hope, it does have Cancer in it though so it is worth taking your time with if you can relate or have had similar experiences.

I was excited for this book because self-advocacy elements and trying to be heard when doctors are dismissing feelings and symptoms. Knowing the backstory of why and when this book was written adds more depth and nuance, and my heart was shattered in the last quarter. Definitely an emotional read with lots of character growth.

A moving and sensitive novel about a girl, who has already lost her mother receiving a devastating diagnosis for herself. Explores the raw and real emotions that families and friends go through in these situations in such an honest way while staying funny and engaging the entire time.

An incredibly poignant book about advocating for yourself in regards to health care while trying to navigate the trials tribulations of being a teenager.

Stronger at the Seams is about 14-year-old Twyla who knows that there is something wrong with her but that isn't being picked up on by her dad and medical professionals. Even when she sees the doctors, she knows they're not looking at the right place.

This book really looked into the spirals you can find yourself going down when trying to figure out your health and how isolating it can be navigating this.

This was a beautiful story about self advocacy, friendship, and the battles of being a teenager.
Twyla knows there is something wrong with her, she is having various symptoms such as nausea and headaches, but everyone is brushing her worries off by telling her she has common complaints. Twylas mum passed away years before and her dad is struggling with grief while raising his children and he doesn't take twylas complaints seriously and just goes by what the doctors are saying, so twyla takes it upon herself to try and get too the bottom of what is wrong with her. However, while she is doing this her friendship with her closest friends is under strain and twyla feels utterly alone. Eventually things come to a head and twyla finds out what is wrong with her and also why her friends have been so distant.
This story shows you how hard life can be, regardless of your age, when you feel like no one is there for you and you are fighting a battle alone. But it also shows you that no matter what anyone says go with your gut and fight for what you believe in.

Thank you Netgalley and Blink for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Stronger at the Seams" by Shannon Stocker is a heart-wrenching contemporary YA novel that focuses on themes of self-advocacy and friendship.

Twyla, the 14-year-old protagonist, enters high school with optimism, but her life takes a sharp turn when she begins experiencing severe health issues. Despite her concerns, doctors dismiss her symptoms, leaving Twyla feeling isolated and frustrated. As she grapples with her illness, she also confronts the lingering grief of her mother's death, seeking solace and answers in her past.

Stocker's storytelling skillfully navigates Twyla's journey as she fights for validation and understanding. Twyla felt like an authentic young teenager with both her inner monologue and her actions. While sometimes she acted immaturely, she was just responding to the explosions of emotions like confusion and grief that were swirling inside of her. I feel like many young readers may relate to Twyla, especially if they have ever dealt with illnesses and feeling like they weren’t being heard by the adults around them. The exploration of Twyla's search for answers, both in her own health and her mother's history, adds layers of depth to the story, highlighting the complexities of grief and the importance of self-advocacy. I was cheering Twyla on throughout as she continued to try to seek answers for herself. While she acted in typical teenager fashion by not relying on the adults in her life and not communicating properly, you could see Twyla grow and mature as a character. I do wish that there had been some more communication from the dad who just seemed to be shutting down around Twyla, unwilling to acknowledge his grief and his daughter’s.

While there were a couple of pacing issues in the middle with some plot points progressing rather slowly, its emotional resonance remains strong, drawing you into Twyla's struggle. The reveal of the true cause of Twyla’s symptoms was absolutely shocking to me; I was not expecting that specific cause and all the events that followed the reveal. My emotions were overflowing, especially with the inclusion of Twyla’s new friend. The portrayal of Twyla's resilience is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. I absolutely loved Twyla’s journey of self-discovery, and the ending of the book made me tear up.

Overall, "Stronger at the Seams" is a gorgeous book that I think will especially affect younger readers who wish to explore the theme of self-discovery through a beautiful and emotional book.

Stronger at the Seams is a story of a young high school girl that is grieving the death of her mother while she is struggling with her health declining. The main character struggles with anyone listening to her while she fights for answers. The book lags a bit in the middle but is so heart wrenching.

Twyla has been getting random nausea spells and while playing field hockey she thinks she’s the reason they keep losing. While at a sleepover, Twy gets sick and when she goes to the ER, the doctor thinks it’s constipation. She begins to feel better but gets sick again. Twy is frustrated and wishes her dad would listen to her. When Twy does research for her vomiting and nausea she thinks she’s inherited some medical problem from her parents. When Twy gets sick again and passes out at a hockey game she finds out she had had a seizure. When she goes to the hospital, what does she find out is the problem?