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_shelbyj's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gutlessw's review
5.0
This book is THAT book for me. I’m chronically ill and have a hard time finding books with good representation. But this book was one of those that had me smiling while reading
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Like "The Fault in Our Stars" but hate, you know, the ending? Or any of those angsty books where the sick kid dies? Well, then have I got some good news for you: "Sick Kids In Love" is the book you want to read!
Isabel Garfinkel is 16 and has Rheumatoid Arthritis. She also has one rule in life: No Dating. She tells herself it's easier, for herself, for the other person, if she doesn't date. No one who is healthy knows what it's like to be sick. Not when she looks healthy. That is, until the day that she happens to encounter a boy named Sasha at the hospital, who has a disease she can't spell or pronounce. It was supposed to be an almost once-in-a-lifetime encounter, and trust me she did the math to prove it. But somehow their paths keep crossing, and Isabel has to wonder if maybe her number one rule is worth breaking.
A fantastic #OwnVoices romance featuring chronic illness, "Sick Kids In Love" discusses bluntly about life managing pain and symptoms (especially the invisible symptoms), navigating an world meant for the healthy and able, and interactions with people who are healthy. In addition, both Isabel and Sasha undergo growth as individuals and as they begin a romance with each other, learning how to be a partner, and how to overcome hurdles life throws at them.
Like "The Fault in Our Stars" but hate, you know, the ending? Or any of those angsty books where the sick kid dies? Well, then have I got some good news for you: "Sick Kids In Love" is the book you want to read!
Isabel Garfinkel is 16 and has Rheumatoid Arthritis. She also has one rule in life: No Dating. She tells herself it's easier, for herself, for the other person, if she doesn't date. No one who is healthy knows what it's like to be sick. Not when she looks healthy. That is, until the day that she happens to encounter a boy named Sasha at the hospital, who has a disease she can't spell or pronounce. It was supposed to be an almost once-in-a-lifetime encounter, and trust me she did the math to prove it. But somehow their paths keep crossing, and Isabel has to wonder if maybe her number one rule is worth breaking.
A fantastic #OwnVoices romance featuring chronic illness, "Sick Kids In Love" discusses bluntly about life managing pain and symptoms (especially the invisible symptoms), navigating an world meant for the healthy and able, and interactions with people who are healthy. In addition, both Isabel and Sasha undergo growth as individuals and as they begin a romance with each other, learning how to be a partner, and how to overcome hurdles life throws at them.
abinthebooks's review
3.0
*3.5
I think a lot of people believe that 3 stars is a bad rating, but I don't. I think to me, it means the book was good while I read it, but it wasn't memorable. And that's really what this book is to me.
I enjoyed it. It probably would have been a 4 star but the last 100 pages were a but iffy for me.
I think one of my big issues with this was the more telling than showing. And when I tell you there was a lot of showing, I mean A LOT of showing. It was almost like I was reading a movie, because our main character Isabel was telling us what happened with her and Sasha. It felt like a movie, almost like a montage.
The relationship between Sasha and Isabel was pretty mature, and they fought and they grew from it and they worked out their issues. Isabel and Sasha both matured as characters so I enjoyed that.
I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and everything else, I just thought it was a fine book. Not something I'd reread, but it was fun while I reread it.
I think a lot of people believe that 3 stars is a bad rating, but I don't. I think to me, it means the book was good while I read it, but it wasn't memorable. And that's really what this book is to me.
I enjoyed it. It probably would have been a 4 star but the last 100 pages were a but iffy for me.
I think one of my big issues with this was the more telling than showing. And when I tell you there was a lot of showing, I mean A LOT of showing. It was almost like I was reading a movie, because our main character Isabel was telling us what happened with her and Sasha. It felt like a movie, almost like a montage.
The relationship between Sasha and Isabel was pretty mature, and they fought and they grew from it and they worked out their issues. Isabel and Sasha both matured as characters so I enjoyed that.
I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and everything else, I just thought it was a fine book. Not something I'd reread, but it was fun while I reread it.
akiversen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gerronis's review
4.0
my heart is so full i love them and i need more of them.
❤️
”Sick Girl loves Sick Boy”
❤️
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book shines a (glaring) spotlight on ableism. The main characters, Isabel and Sasha both have chronic illnesses that aren’t life-threatening (at least not directly) but are serious. Isabel has rheumatoid arthritis and lives in near-constant pain. She decided long ago that she didn’t want to be in a relationship—her life is just too complicated, and she knows darn well that she’s not always the most cheerful companion. But when she meets Sasha, her feelings start to change. Sasha has Gaucher Disease, an illness that puts him in the hospital often. Isabel relates to Sasha in a way she hasn’t with anyone else—he understands her, and he understands the challenges of living with a chronic illness. One aspect of the book that I love is how it explores the ways that different illnesses can be seen (and felt) differently—Sasha has always known he was sick. No one expects him to just “get over it” and move on. But Isabel’s illness is invisible. She sometimes even wonders herself if she’s making symptoms up in her head or turning them into something more than they actually are. She’s left constantly feeling like she’s letting people down or like she should be trying harder to ignore her symptoms. Moskowitz just delves into so many nuances of chronic illness—it’s obvious this is an #ownvoices book when it comes to chronic illness—including exploring the more philosophical side of the issue, bringing up a lot of topics I had never given much thought to.
This story captured my heart. I was wrapped up in the romance between Isabel and Sasha, and I was completely engaged in their friendships and family relationships as well. I definitely recommend this book!!
***Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This book shines a (glaring) spotlight on ableism. The main characters, Isabel and Sasha both have chronic illnesses that aren’t life-threatening (at least not directly) but are serious. Isabel has rheumatoid arthritis and lives in near-constant pain. She decided long ago that she didn’t want to be in a relationship—her life is just too complicated, and she knows darn well that she’s not always the most cheerful companion. But when she meets Sasha, her feelings start to change. Sasha has Gaucher Disease, an illness that puts him in the hospital often. Isabel relates to Sasha in a way she hasn’t with anyone else—he understands her, and he understands the challenges of living with a chronic illness. One aspect of the book that I love is how it explores the ways that different illnesses can be seen (and felt) differently—Sasha has always known he was sick. No one expects him to just “get over it” and move on. But Isabel’s illness is invisible. She sometimes even wonders herself if she’s making symptoms up in her head or turning them into something more than they actually are. She’s left constantly feeling like she’s letting people down or like she should be trying harder to ignore her symptoms. Moskowitz just delves into so many nuances of chronic illness—it’s obvious this is an #ownvoices book when it comes to chronic illness—including exploring the more philosophical side of the issue, bringing up a lot of topics I had never given much thought to.
This story captured my heart. I was wrapped up in the romance between Isabel and Sasha, and I was completely engaged in their friendships and family relationships as well. I definitely recommend this book!!
***Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
peachescozycorner's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75