I was looking for a novel about Hanukkah and stumbled upon this one. While it’s not Hanukkah centric, it does fall under the category of Jewish Representation and I figured that was just as good.
Isabel and Sasha meet in the infusion room of the hospital when they’re both their getting infusions for their different chronic illnesses. Being only around healthy people, no one in Isabel’s life truly understands what it’s like living with a chronic illness, not even her father who is a physician. She’s constantly having to put on airs to make her friends and family feel more comfortable. Isabel has a strict no dating policy, but Sasha quickly falls for her and gets her to see that just because you’re sick doesn’t mean you can’t find love.
This book was just ok. I loved all of the Jewish representation, but for the most part it seemed huge chunks were forced trying to make the story come together. I wanted to love Isabel and Sasha’s relationship but it just didn’t work for me the way the author intended it to. That being said, I think it’s wonderful she has brought awareness to the chronic (and invisible) illnesses Isabel and Sasha have.