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annieni's review against another edition
DNF at 65%.
I honestly hated this book. I started counting how many pages I had left to split them up into sections to read. By that point, I realized I should just stop reading, so I did that. Honestly, this was such a struggle to get through and don't get the hype around it.
Drew was such an annoying character and I knew nothing about him. Literally, I was 65% of the way into the book and there was no backstory for him at all other than his parents died and he has delusions from grief. I don't even know how his parents died, and at this point, I couldn't care less. Drew was also so obsessive over Rusty, calling him "his" and was reluctant to 'share' Rusty with Rusty's best friend, Nina, which was so irritating considering he literally just met this boy and barely knew him.
I also can't handle the way Drew copes with loss. Like his delusion that the social worker/grief counselor is Death was so irritating to read about. Just because she shows up when people die doesn't mean that she's Death; just because there's a correlation doesn't mean that there's a causation. Didn't this kid take any math classes before he dropped out of school and went into hiding?? (And the fact that no one recognizes him as the missing kid is just wack like doesn't the hospital have cameras and tv's) Also, Drew thinks he can prevent people from dying. Like he promises to keep his friend Trevor from dying as if he doesn't have a disease that's killing his cells. Has he never taken bio in school either? Honestly, 90% of my notes for this book just consisted of "????????" because I literally could not comprehend anything going through Drew's brain. I'm tired and I regret spending 9$ on this book.
There's also this gem: "'Right, the Mexican guy. With the arm lac.' Jo laughs like she has a mouthful of bees. 'I think you about scared him back across the border when you showed him the catheter.'"
MMhmm. I love that. (This is heavy sarcasm if you haven't picked up on it yet)
I've also seen some people talking about how Drew forces himself onto Rusty and kisses him without his consent, so there's that.
The only characters I liked were Father Mike, Lexi, Trevor, and the three nurses (basically every side character lmaoo). I thought they were pretty interesting.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book, but don't let me stop you from spending 9$ and experiencing this for yourself.
I honestly hated this book. I started counting how many pages I had left to split them up into sections to read. By that point, I realized I should just stop reading, so I did that. Honestly, this was such a struggle to get through and don't get the hype around it.
Drew was such an annoying character and I knew nothing about him. Literally, I was 65% of the way into the book and there was no backstory for him at all other than his parents died and he has delusions from grief. I don't even know how his parents died, and at this point, I couldn't care less. Drew was also so obsessive over Rusty, calling him "his" and was reluctant to 'share' Rusty with Rusty's best friend, Nina, which was so irritating considering he literally just met this boy and barely knew him.
I also can't handle the way Drew copes with loss. Like his delusion that the social worker/grief counselor is Death was so irritating to read about. Just because she shows up when people die doesn't mean that she's Death; just because there's a correlation doesn't mean that there's a causation. Didn't this kid take any math classes before he dropped out of school and went into hiding?? (And the fact that no one recognizes him as the missing kid is just wack like doesn't the hospital have cameras and tv's) Also, Drew thinks he can prevent people from dying. Like he promises to keep his friend Trevor from dying as if he doesn't have a disease that's killing his cells. Has he never taken bio in school either? Honestly, 90% of my notes for this book just consisted of "????????" because I literally could not comprehend anything going through Drew's brain. I'm tired and I regret spending 9$ on this book.
There's also this gem: "'Right, the Mexican guy. With the arm lac.' Jo laughs like she has a mouthful of bees. 'I think you about scared him back across the border when you showed him the catheter.'"
MMhmm. I love that. (This is heavy sarcasm if you haven't picked up on it yet)
I've also seen some people talking about how Drew forces himself onto Rusty and kisses him without his consent, so there's that.
The only characters I liked were Father Mike, Lexi, Trevor, and the three nurses (basically every side character lmaoo). I thought they were pretty interesting.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book, but don't let me stop you from spending 9$ and experiencing this for yourself.
ciuli's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing anyone who wants to read this book needs to know is that there are mentions of suicide, bullying and violence. Even though some of these things are mentioned in the blurb, I wasn't expecting it to be so heavy. So, if you think that any of these things could be triggering for you, don't read this book.
Having saying this, I started reading this book knowing it'd have been no walk in the park, but I liked it. I loved the growth of the main character throughout the book and I liked that it wasn't just about the love story, or about teenagers navigating through their sexualities. Yes, the main characters are gay, but that's it. That's not what the story is about, that's just something else that adds to the main plot.
I think it's the first time I've read a book in which the main character is so broken and weak, and not in a funny way. Not in a 'yeah he's broken but then everything goes right and he finds happiness' kind of way. Drew is truly broken and I think that's what got me the most, because he feels so real. Some times, in real life, it is harder to move on than others. Not everything is perfect and not everything can be fixed. But I love how the author showed Drew's growth. which wasn't something that happened overnight, but through hardships, and friendships, and learning once again how to be loved.
I still think, however, that there are some holes in the plot and some characters that should have been given a little more space, like Arnold.
Having saying this, I started reading this book knowing it'd have been no walk in the park, but I liked it. I loved the growth of the main character throughout the book and I liked that it wasn't just about the love story, or about teenagers navigating through their sexualities. Yes, the main characters are gay, but that's it. That's not what the story is about, that's just something else that adds to the main plot.
I think it's the first time I've read a book in which the main character is so broken and weak, and not in a funny way. Not in a 'yeah he's broken but then everything goes right and he finds happiness' kind of way. Drew is truly broken and I think that's what got me the most, because he feels so real. Some times, in real life, it is harder to move on than others. Not everything is perfect and not everything can be fixed. But I love how the author showed Drew's growth. which wasn't something that happened overnight, but through hardships, and friendships, and learning once again how to be loved.
I still think, however, that there are some holes in the plot and some characters that should have been given a little more space, like Arnold.
bettielovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
People who know me know I am very affected by the sad, and boy! There’s sadness in this book, so I cried and I cried and I cried a little more, but I still loved it, even though I thought it wasn’t shown enough how Rusty and Andrew fell in love, we were told more than, I just love the way Shaun writes, really do and it was sad but I felt the sadness what justified and there was hope at the end.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
Andrew Brawley lives in a hospital. Ever since his family died in a car crash a few months ago, he's told himself that he will never leave the hospital, just like they never did. He's adamant that he'll wait for death. The authorities are looking for him but he's good at hiding. He has friends and a job, he's fine.
Then another boy comes in, Rusty, who's suffered a great trauma, and things change for him. Now there's a new person in Andrew's life who he's pulled toward. Andrew wants to help Rusty. And in the process, he finds himself opening up about things that he's kept locked up ever since his life turned upside down. They feel a kinship, these two kids who are both afraid of the outside world. Andrew because of his guilt and his belief that he doesn't deserve to live. And Rusty because of the pain the outside world holds.
This is a sad book. Andrew is shoving down so many things. And, in his mind, he's made up reasons for why he's doing what he's doing. At first, you're confused at what's going on with him. Then, as you get to know him and what happened to him, you understand his feelings and his methods of coping.
And while Rusty seems like a very important part of the novel, and he is, he's not the only important part. Rusty is going through his own problems and he matters to Drew. But we also have Drew's two friends who live in the pediatric ward. We have Drew's boss in the cafeteria and three ER nurses who he's befriended. They all play an important part in Drew's life and they're all developed well. Usually, with quite a few character, you find yourself mixing them up but here, it didn't happen even once. And I liked all of them too. I cared about them and what they meant to Andrew.
The story pulls you in through its characters. I do think that, at one point, the book became too sad. Like, you're supposed to build up to the big, bad moments. But when it's one after the other without much ceremony, it's not as effective. And I feel like the author started slacking a little toward the end. The emotional punches stopped landing. Also, I'm just not sure how I feel about the ending.
I liked this novel. I thought it was well-written, easy to get through and with really good characters. But toward the end, things went a little wrong. Maybe it was rushed... I think it might have been. But overall, a good book.
Then another boy comes in, Rusty, who's suffered a great trauma, and things change for him. Now there's a new person in Andrew's life who he's pulled toward. Andrew wants to help Rusty. And in the process, he finds himself opening up about things that he's kept locked up ever since his life turned upside down. They feel a kinship, these two kids who are both afraid of the outside world. Andrew because of his guilt and his belief that he doesn't deserve to live. And Rusty because of the pain the outside world holds.
This is a sad book. Andrew is shoving down so many things. And, in his mind, he's made up reasons for why he's doing what he's doing. At first, you're confused at what's going on with him. Then, as you get to know him and what happened to him, you understand his feelings and his methods of coping.
And while Rusty seems like a very important part of the novel, and he is, he's not the only important part. Rusty is going through his own problems and he matters to Drew. But we also have Drew's two friends who live in the pediatric ward. We have Drew's boss in the cafeteria and three ER nurses who he's befriended. They all play an important part in Drew's life and they're all developed well. Usually, with quite a few character, you find yourself mixing them up but here, it didn't happen even once. And I liked all of them too. I cared about them and what they meant to Andrew.
The story pulls you in through its characters. I do think that, at one point, the book became too sad. Like, you're supposed to build up to the big, bad moments. But when it's one after the other without much ceremony, it's not as effective. And I feel like the author started slacking a little toward the end. The emotional punches stopped landing. Also, I'm just not sure how I feel about the ending.
I liked this novel. I thought it was well-written, easy to get through and with really good characters. But toward the end, things went a little wrong. Maybe it was rushed... I think it might have been. But overall, a good book.
jazz1e_01's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely slow burn romance that is propelled by a horrible accident that happens to one of the mmc.
I enjoyed that their relationship isn’t the main plot point of the story it’s secondary to his cat and mouse chance game his is playing with child protective services.
I would be careful when reading this because there is duplication of physical assault, loss of family members, depression and suicidal ideation.
I enjoyed that their relationship isn’t the main plot point of the story it’s secondary to his cat and mouse chance game his is playing with child protective services.
I would be careful when reading this because there is duplication of physical assault, loss of family members, depression and suicidal ideation.
uzername's review against another edition
5.0
im jus shocked nobody realized he was squattin in the hospital
bwolf16's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
moonbeamdmercutio's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jessicajessica101's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Est-ce qu'on peut juste prendre une petite éternité de notre vie pour dire à quel point ce livre est magnifique ? A quel point les personnages que l'auteur a crée volent notre coeur dès le début, à quel point l'histoire nous entraîne, à quel point ce livre aborde tous ces sujets, d'une façon si juste qu'il est impossible d'en ressortir indemne ? Est-ce qu'on peut parler des larmes que j'ai versé pour ces personnages que j'ai appris à aimer si vite et si fort ?
Ce livre est tout simplement magnifique, et je commence à penser que c'est là le talent de Shaun David Hutchinson. Ses livres sont à la fois banals et singuliers, ils abordent tellement de sujets important mais avec une quasi légèreté qui nous prend aux tripes, l'angle avec lequel il aborde ces sujets est à chaque fois particuliers, et tellement captivant qu'il est impossible de lâcher ses yeux de son talent une fois qu'on a commencé un de ses lèvres, et surtout ses personnages, mon dieu, ils souffrent de tout ce qu'ils ont vécu, ils souffrent tellement, ils voient le monde d'une façon qui les étouffe mais quelque part ils parviennent à vivre bien plus que les autres. Ils apprennent qu'il y a une vie pour eux, qui les attend juste, ils apprennent que même si ils souffrent, ça ne sera jamais de façon permanente. Ils apprennent qu'il faut aimer, plus que tout, car c'est le seul moyen de survivre.
Ce livre est tout simplement une merveille, et je le conseille du fond du coeur.
Est-ce qu'on peut juste prendre une petite éternité de notre vie pour dire à quel point ce livre est magnifique ? A quel point les personnages que l'auteur a crée volent notre coeur dès le début, à quel point l'histoire nous entraîne, à quel point ce livre aborde tous ces sujets, d'une façon si juste qu'il est impossible d'en ressortir indemne ? Est-ce qu'on peut parler des larmes que j'ai versé pour ces personnages que j'ai appris à aimer si vite et si fort ?
Ce livre est tout simplement magnifique, et je commence à penser que c'est là le talent de Shaun David Hutchinson. Ses livres sont à la fois banals et singuliers, ils abordent tellement de sujets important mais avec une quasi légèreté qui nous prend aux tripes, l'angle avec lequel il aborde ces sujets est à chaque fois particuliers, et tellement captivant qu'il est impossible de lâcher ses yeux de son talent une fois qu'on a commencé un de ses lèvres, et surtout ses personnages, mon dieu, ils souffrent de tout ce qu'ils ont vécu, ils souffrent tellement, ils voient le monde d'une façon qui les étouffe mais quelque part ils parviennent à vivre bien plus que les autres. Ils apprennent qu'il y a une vie pour eux, qui les attend juste, ils apprennent que même si ils souffrent, ça ne sera jamais de façon permanente. Ils apprennent qu'il faut aimer, plus que tout, car c'est le seul moyen de survivre.
Ce livre est tout simplement une merveille, et je le conseille du fond du coeur.