Okay so actual rating: 4.5/5 stars.

What I’ll say about this is that I really did enjoy this. It was interesting to read a story about someone with epilepsy. You don’t see it a lot in books so it was nice to see it represented. I really liked Emilie as a main character. I liked Chatham and Ayla. But Hitch, I LOVED the poochy so much!! So cute!

My main issue is that I feel as though the ending of the book was rushed a bit too much. I wish it was a bit longer and we could really see everything happening more drawn out and everything. Emilie got over things that were troubling her so much faster than you’d really ever see in real life which was a little much.

I loved the setting though! I went on vacation a few years back to the Outer Banks and I was in Nags Head and it’s so cool to have it set there and all. I loved it down there so much with all the houses on their stilts and how it took forever to get places.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

It's hard for me to rate this book because I don't know how realistic it is when it talks about epilepsy. Although, I really liked some parts where she talks about anxiety and her fears. The kind of anxiety we all experience e.g. first day of school.

However, I found her transformation a bit unbelievable - first 17 years of her life she hasn't tried to change at all, and then a month after her mom makes her go to school she realizes what she's missing. She's so full of life and she can do everything. It was a bit too much for someone who barely spoke to anyone except her mom. I guess it's supposed to be optimistic, and the book is quite short and sweet so I don't mind it that much.

"I'm starting to believe that everybody's life might be a little messed up - maybe even as screwed up as mine."

Best part of the book were the characters and the fact that there were no stereotypes whatsoever. When Emilie started going to school she was a bit prejudiced thinking there would be typical jocks and mean girls but she was so wrong. In the beginning, she also thought she was the only one with big problems. She wasn't mean or self-absorbed, she just thought no one would accept and love her if they knew of her illness. But when she reached out more, and spent more time with her friends she realized no one is perfect, everyone has problems.



This would've been a great book if it had something else, something special. It wasn't boring. Okay maybe it was at times, considering nothing happens in the book. She's basically just coping with first days of school and her new feelings. That's just it. There were no "big moments", nothing major happens. I was expecting at least one special moment, something to make this book different than the rest, a scene I will remember, but there wasn't any of that.

To summarize - this was a sweet and decent book, but completely average.

Easy quick read. I like the characters, though I don’t quite understand why the mother wouldn’t tell her daughter what she’s doing, before letting her figure it out. And, it’s not very responsible for someone with a serious disorder to continue waffling about telling those she’s hanging out with about it. I don’t like that…but at least she did tell one friend, and that friend made it apparent to show her to do the right thing.

This review and others can be found at Lost in My Library. I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. This was a really nice contemporary. The thing that made it stick out to me was something you'll know if you've read the summary: the main character has epilepsy. This was the first book I'd read about an epileptic character, and it's still the only one about an epileptic main character. I'm not epileptic myself, so I can't speak to the quality of the representation - if anyone knows of a person with epilepsy who's reviewed the book, please let me know so I can link to their review here - but I thought that seeing that kind of thing in an otherwise typical contemporary novel was very important because it adds a whole new set of obstacles that the disabled community can identify with and that is eye-opening for the abled community. My favorite part of the book was also tied into the disability aspect: the service dog. Just so adorable! And the fact that he was a service dog instead of just a pet meant that he was around a whole lot more, so I got a lot more attached.

This is my second Hoyle book, and I can say I am definitely a fan of her storytelling. There was just the right amount of emotion, drama, and romance to sate all of my needs. I like the focus on epilepsy too, because I have a friend, who has been dealing with it for many years, and I don't think people understand or appreciate how much it affects their lives.

This book was sweet and heartwarming, and I really look forward to reading more of Hoyle's books.

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A cute little contemporary YA that explores what it's like to live with epilepsy, and deals with topics such as grief, risks, honesty, etc.

Bonus point for an adorable service dog!

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down! You can’t help but feel connected to the characters and really root for them.

Oh wow. I really, really did not enjoy this book. It was fine at first... but, after awhile, all the little frustrating things kept adding up and there was nothing to redeem it. I think part of it is just really poor writing and weak characters. When it comes to contemporary fiction, the characters are all you have. If they're not interesting, then the book isn't interesting, and Emilie was insufferable. None of the other characters (even the dog, Hitch) had any type of personality or character. They were so flat, they were near translucent. And there was no substance to the story! Nothing really happens, and when something does happen it's glossed over so quickly. Emilie's internal struggles are handled so poorly. I was really looking forward to this book! I was curious to see how Emilie would deal with the challenges of being epileptic and navigating high school. But instead this book was about a nonsensical, whine-y girl who didn't have any type of personality. Who didn't care about anyone or even know how to use her brain (and yet! she's lauded as being this genius when it comes to all things books and movies and history and what not! Plus, she's super gorgeous with flawless "alabaster" skin. The hottest boy in school instantly falls in love with her and basically is a perfect human being. ugh.) Emilie resolves all her issues with very little conflict and her growth feels so unbelievable.

Girl was petrified of telling anyone about her condition. And yet, she seems to go out of her way to have a seizure. She never brings her service dog with her, she neglects her health. It just didn't make any sense! Then out of the blue, she contemplates suicide, but *snap!* changes her mind and after that she's basically "cured" and everything is all 100% better. Whaaaat...

This book seriously makes no sense. Also, I'm kind of hangry right now, so that's probably exacerbating to my frustrations with this book.

This young adult debut is perfect. I delighted in this story and found it extremely satisfying. Ms. Hoyle captures the best and worst of being a teenage girl navigating the world with clear and bright storytelling that was a joy to read. Give this book to a middle school reader who is wanting to read a YA book. They'll thank you.