The Quick Cut: A teen boy finds the secret of his cancer past threatening to come out when a girl from cancer camp starts going to his school.
A Real Review:
Thank you to Flux for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cancer. It's one of a few conditions that make the general population shudder when they hear the word and if you survive it, your life is never the same again. Like a stain you can't wash away, there's just no way to rid it's influence on your life and relationships. This is the life story for Mari and Jase.
Mari enjoyed Camp Chemo, but she especially enjoyed the flirtation that she had with fellow camper Jase. Talking about her life and crying on his shoulder, she enjoyed having someone to confide in. Except when she goes back to school, an unfortunate incident forces her to switch from a public school to a private one: the same one Jase goes to. There, she sees the mean side of Jase as he pretends not to know her and treats her unfairly. Is there a reason behind it all or will her new environment be a toxic one?
This is a sequel book, but each one is a standalone story. You can easily read this one without having read the first. That being said, I can't say I'd recommend reading this one and it all is due to one reason: Jace.
I can understand and empathize with what Jace went through. Getting bullied for something you can't control can severely mess with your mind. That being said, Jace let's his fear control his life and place blame on everyone else (particularly Mari). It makes him entirely unlikeable. And the flippant back and forth in his attitude only further exacerbates how terrible he is.
Mari is hard on the outside, but life made her that way. She's so strong, fierce, and uniquely herself that it's hard not to adore her. Seeing her continue to fall for Jace's game just made me feel bad for her. Not the type of reaction you want from the reader in your main couple.
A story that turns the male lead into an unlikeable guy.
My rating: 2 out of 5