Sick Kids in LoveBy: Hannah Moskowitz
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Source: eARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review
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Book Synopsis:
Isabel has one rule: no dating.
It's easier--
It's safer--
It's better--
--for the other person.
She's got issues. She's got secrets. She's got rheumatoid arthritis.
But then she meets another sick kid.
He's got a chronic illness Isabel's never heard of, something she can't even pronounce.
He understands what it means to be sick. He understands her more than her healthy friends. He understands her more than her own father who's a doctor.
He's gorgeous, fun, and foul-mouthed. And totally into her.
Isabel has one rule: no dating.
It's complicated--
It's dangerous--
It's never felt better--
--to consider breaking that rule for him.
It's easier--
It's safer--
It's better--
--for the other person.
She's got issues. She's got secrets. She's got rheumatoid arthritis.
But then she meets another sick kid.
He's got a chronic illness Isabel's never heard of, something she can't even pronounce.
He understands what it means to be sick. He understands her more than her healthy friends. He understands her more than her own father who's a doctor.
He's gorgeous, fun, and foul-mouthed. And totally into her.
Isabel has one rule: no dating.
It's complicated--
It's dangerous--
It's never felt better--
--to consider breaking that rule for him.
My Thoughts:
Sick Kids in Love was a delightfully entertaining and heartwarming story. It was uplifting, fresh, and relatable.
Isabel and Sasha meet at the hospital when they are both getting treatments done. Isabel has Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sasha has Gaucher's Disease, which is the deficiency of an enzyme. These two characters struck up a fun and flirty friendship because they could relate to one another and what it's like to be chronically ill.
I Ioved Isabel's sweet, and always wanting to please everyone personality and Sasha's sense of humor. The connection between these two was a thing of beauty and I enjoyed their banter, and the way they played off of each other. Despite the two of them having extra physical challenges due to their respective illnesses, they were like any other teen, in wanting friendship, love, and to enjoy their lives.
The author did an excellent job of educating and bringing awareness to readers about these two diseases. Sasha's disease can be "seen" and observed by others. Often times he has to use an oxygen tank, has nosebleeds, is very thin, and suffers from exhaustion. Isabel's disease is what is known as an "invisible" disease, because when people look at her they can't see that she's sick. She feels like she can't complain, because she's not as "sick" as Sasha, but he explains to her that just because her R.A. is invisible by outward appearance, doesn't mean she's any less sick than he is. She doesn't need to question, hide, or feel guilty about expressing her illness, the pain she feels, and the limitations that she needs to put on herself to protect her body from hurting.
Sasha was such a sweetheart and was so good for Isabel. He came from a warm and very open family who talked about his Gaucher's and made him feel comfortable to express himself. Isabel's mother left her, and her father, who was a doctor was a workaholic. He made it uncomfortable for Isabel to talk about her R.A. and I enjoyed how Isabel was able to find a surrogate in Sasha's family, and grow in to herself.
This story did a great job of balancing what it meant to be chronically ill with lighthearted moments of friendship, humor, romance, and first love! I highly recommend Sick Kids in Love for an all around beautiful story, that will hold you captive from the first page!
The author did an excellent job of educating and bringing awareness to readers about these two diseases. Sasha's disease can be "seen" and observed by others. Often times he has to use an oxygen tank, has nosebleeds, is very thin, and suffers from exhaustion. Isabel's disease is what is known as an "invisible" disease, because when people look at her they can't see that she's sick. She feels like she can't complain, because she's not as "sick" as Sasha, but he explains to her that just because her R.A. is invisible by outward appearance, doesn't mean she's any less sick than he is. She doesn't need to question, hide, or feel guilty about expressing her illness, the pain she feels, and the limitations that she needs to put on herself to protect her body from hurting.
Sasha was such a sweetheart and was so good for Isabel. He came from a warm and very open family who talked about his Gaucher's and made him feel comfortable to express himself. Isabel's mother left her, and her father, who was a doctor was a workaholic. He made it uncomfortable for Isabel to talk about her R.A. and I enjoyed how Isabel was able to find a surrogate in Sasha's family, and grow in to herself.
This story did a great job of balancing what it meant to be chronically ill with lighthearted moments of friendship, humor, romance, and first love! I highly recommend Sick Kids in Love for an all around beautiful story, that will hold you captive from the first page!
About the Author:
Hannah Moskowitz wrote her first story, about a kitten named Lilly on the run from cat hunters, for a contest when she was seven years old. It was disqualified for violence. Her first book, BREAK, was on the ALA's 2010 list of Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, and in 2013, GONE, GONE, GONE received a Stonewall Honor. 2015's NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED was named the YA Bisexual Book of the Year. She's also the co-author of GENA/FINN with Kat Helgeson and has contributed to several anthologies. She lives in Maryland with several cats, none of whom are violent.
Everything looks well done there and I'm glad you had a good time with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melliane! It was such a wonderful read :)
DeleteOh wow, thanks for sharing about this one, Lindy. I'm so glad authors are writing about kids with chronic disease and what it's like to be teens and have this complication. I want to read this one. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited you want to read it Sophia! You're sure to love it :)
DeleteYeah! I am so happy seeing lovely reviews like this, because I will be pushing this book on everyone. I adored it! Loved Sasha. Loved Ibby. Loved Sasha's family. Loved the romance and the focus on people with chronic illnesses. A beautiful story, that was wonderfully written.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike! I've been recommending it too :)
DeleteSounds like Sasha and Isabel were perfect for each other. I hope their first love lasts forever! My sister-in-law has RH and she goes through good and bad times. It's a constant struggle find meds/remedies that work and work long term. Nice that the author is shining some light on chronic diseases that affect people all their lives.
ReplyDeleteThat's what drew me to the story. It's rare to read about two people with chronic illnesses falling in love. Usually, someone that's sick is dying.
Deletewow sounds like a fantastic book. great review
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thanks Sherry!
DeleteThis does sound really heartwarming. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteIt was :) Thanks Greg!
DeleteWow! This sounds like an emotional and engaging read.
ReplyDeleteIt was :)
DeleteSounds like such an important book - just because someone looks "fine" on the outside doesn't mean they are. I have this one to hopefully read very soon!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Lauren :)
Deleteooooh this is one I need to read Lindy! It is soooo hard to have an invisible illness. People look at you and think you're lazy and that's not it at all! GAHHH it really sounds like I'd identify with this one hardcore. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you read it! It was such a beautiful story :)
DeleteI have been dying to read this one so bad. Wonderful review
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteIt was excellent Rita!
DeleteI loved this one. It was a 5 star and on my keeper shelf.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you loved this one too :)
DeleteGood review; I am always looking for nice romances to read. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cali :)
DeleteSounds great, been a while since I have come across something with this theme.
ReplyDeleteYes, it'd been a while for me too.
Delete