*3.5

Reread this again and cried even harder than the first time. Didn't know that was even possible. This story is heart wrenching and I will reread it again and again

I can get into young adult Sick Lit. I’m a pediatrician after all. But this was just flat out awful. The worst part is that it romanticizes something that is extremely dangerous for kids with cystic fibrosis - meeting each other - and demonizes being on “contact precautions” and even has it used as a punishment for the characters. Not only was the medicine completely inaccurate, the plot was silly and the writing was awful. I literally laughed at moments that should have been dramatic. I know it was written from the screenplay so I’m sure they are actually the ones to blame, but if you need to “create drama” with outrageous twists when you already have an interesting disease with compelling barriers... you are not a good writer. One of the worst books I’ve read in a very long time. I only finished it because I was “hate reading it” and laughing a lot with one of my friends who has cystic fibrosis. This should be a total pass. But I’m afraid kids with CF are going to read it (because of course they will!) and get the wrong message.

This book turned out to be so much cuter than I thought it would be! I found myself smiling constantly and full of feels! Stella and Will are just so adorable. I’m definitely glad I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this one :) I’m looking forward to seeing the movie in a few months (I hope it does the book justice!).

4.5 stars!
I really liked this; this is the most genuine, not too cheesy teen romance I've read in a really long time.

Where do I start??!
After watching this film about 2 years ago, I knew that reading the book was a must. But I never thought that I'd be more affected reading than watching it. I was laughing, smiling, sobbing.
I had to stop multiple times, because I was crying so much that the words became blurry...

I think the best way to review this book is to separate the fiction from the very real world of living with CF, and as I can't speak from experience, I'll stick to the former point.

The wholesome romance between Will and Stella is very different to any other romance. I mean after all, for the majority of the book they are 5+ feet apart. And I believe that is what touched me so much. "can you love someone you can never touch?"
I've read many other reviews, claiming this for, I will admit, what it is - a cliché YA romance with sick teenagers, defying the odds and rebelling against their illness.
But... I'm a sucker for that!

After watching the film, I was curious to compare the differences with the book, but to be honest I couldn't find many. The pacing is perfect, and fits with the timescale of the few weeks, and I was hooked on every last word, which made this a quick, glued-to-my-hands, read. And despite this, there is still time for the authors to establish the stages of Will and Stella's relationship - from first meeting all through to the end.
Will would definitely charm the socks off me, and I adore Stella. While the focus is heavily on those two, I must acknowledge and appreciate Barb and Poe, and then Will and Stella's respective parents. Stella's friendship with Poe was so natural, and even when they disagreed they'd always reach a mutual understanding of each other. Barb, is like Stella's second mother, and she does a damn good job of it.

None of these characters are perfect though. They each show weaknesses, imperfections that flesh them out, and the occasional lapse in judgement.


Most of all, I think what is most important about this book, is the awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. This after all is a work of fiction, and the romance is completely unrealistic. But it is very thought-provoking. Real people are living with CF. Everytime a character was struggling for breath, I was breathing naturally and without struggle. And I think this is what is so powerful, and I puts into perspective how grateful I am.
And lastly, I have to mention Claire Wineland. The beautiful Claire who got her new lungs and was stolen of time to use them. Thank you for opening my eyes. And to those living with CF, I couldn't think of anything more admirable than your courage.

And for that very reason, this is undoubtedly a 5 star

Overall: 5/5 stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and themes: 5/5

This book reads like a movie - probably because it is heavily based on a screenplay. The characters were accessible and I learned a new perspective about CF, but there were parts that were too theatric for me.

Süß, berührend, kurzatmig - sehr schön! Aber letztendlich nicht so krass wie erwartet, die expectations kamen hier nicht gegen den Hype an.

So good! I liked how relative this was to a particular illness (CF) compared to most other YA hospital romances I’ve read. This talks about optimism and perseverance and I think that’s necessary.