So I have mixed feelings about this book. As someone living with epilepsy, I was both ecstatic to read a book which had an epileptic as the protagonist. At the same time, I feel like the book often fell into stereotypes and (at times) misrepresented what it is like to be epileptic. There was a quote in the book when the protagonist was getting ready for her date and her friend was showing her a glittery dress. A comment like “that dress was so shiny it could induce a seizure” was made. This is pulling from the “flashing lights” stereotype - which is very much a thing for some people with epilepsy, but not all.

I did like that the author included decent seizure first aide, especially since many people don’t know what to do (some people still think tongue depressants are needed … big no no). I also felt like the anxieties surrounding the protagonist about her epilepsy (constantly worrying if she would have a seizure, not feeling like she could tell others, etc) were spot on (again, for me, but maybe not for others with epilepsy). Something I would like to just point out to anyone reading this and thinking “she has seizures, why not tell people? It’s for her own safety?” — the simple answer to this question is that no one likes to feel othered. Some people can go very long periods of time without having seizures or even remain seizure free for the majority of their lives. Other epileptics have multiple seizures a day or even per hour. I am not saying I have the answer, I am just saying that this discussion isn’t so simple.

Finally, I wish the protagonist spoke about the effects of anticonvulsants. They make you sleepy and drowsy and irritable (again, it changes person to person, but there are always some side effects).

All in all, I’m glad I read it and I am glad that the representation is there. I do think anyone reading this should definitely take it with a grain of salt when it comes to the aspects of the book that concern themselves with epilepsy. I thought the characters were generally likable and well developed and the plot was ok. Decent read !