Member Reviews
What a book! Just a few lines into the book and I already loved it.
It is such a poignant story about teenager who has to look after his sister with spinal muscular atrophy. It is a story about responsibility, unconditional love and harsh reality. It is not an easy book to read as I could feel the weight on the protagonist's shoulders all the time. It might take a strong heart to read it but it is also a must-read. Excellent book.
This book was equally heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time - a must read for just about anyone.
The dynamics of the brother-sister relationship was incredibly heart-warming and I couldn't help but feel for Reed as he cares for his sister and will do just about anything for her. There is an element of romance to the story but it fortunately does not detract from the main story between Bea and Reed along with the challenges they face with their absent mother.
Reed lives with his Mum and sister after the death of his Farther some years earlier. Bea, his younger sister has a muscle wasting disorder and spends much of her time in hospital. Their Father never wanted Bea to be alone and Reed take that to heart. He and his Mum swap places so she’s at the hospital in school hours and Reed covers the evenings while she works in a bar. But one day he notices she is distracted and is absent on a few occasions. This becomes a problem when Reed is single-handedly managing Bea’s care in hospital, then upon discharge, at home. When Mum disappears on a vacation- because she needed, it with her latest boyfriend Reed is left completely alone.
How he gets through weeks without any responsible adult is enterprising but also illegal but does involve a former best friend.
This is heartbreaking and I had to break off a few times as I couldn’t bear to read about a Mother not being there for her children.
To read this you need to read in one day and have plenty of tissue handy.
This book is everything I wanted it to be and more. I could relate so much as I was a caregiver for many people in my life. I thought the writing was beautiful. I loved the closeness of their relationship and I think many people who have gone through this situation of having a love one sick will relate to this beautiful book as well as those looking for a heartfelt and tearjerking read as well. One of my favorite books I’ve read so far
Very beautiful book about a brother sister relationship. I love the dynamic of him doing everything in his power to take care of her. I’ve been a caregiver and it’s the hardest job in the world. I’m very excited to see how this resonates with readers. It’s rare a good book like this vibes along especially for the YA set and I’m hoping this becomes one of the it books it deserves to be