Review Detail

Tess is the smart one in the family while her sister Kristina is the popular, beautiful, athletic one. Kristina is on the fast track to getting a volleyball scholarship when she's diagnosed with cancer. Tess has always kind of envied her sister. Now she's finding her so-called 'perfect' family is coming apart. She finds that she has to be the strong one in the family. If she doesn't, will her family totally fall apart?

I loved this story of two sisters who are exact opposites and the challenge/struggles that happen when the 'perfect' one, Kristina ends up with bone cancer. Tess compares herself to her beautiful sister. Then when Kristina finds out she has cancer, everything, including Tess' goal of getting into the honor society, falls apart. She goes through all the emotions of being angry, sad, and even feeling guilt that she's glad it's not her losing her leg.

I come from a large family of mostly sisters. We were different in many ways too. We also compared ourselves. For example while I was creative, my one sister was the athletic one. I also was 'jealous' of her abilities until an injury caused her to be dropped from the high school tennis team. And then I felt bad and even guilt at what happened. So I could relate with how Tess reacts to Kristina's news.

Another great thing about this book is not only how it shows a sister's relationship but how others react to the news of Kristina's cancer. Kristina's first reaction to finding out she has the big C is very realistic. Also we see how not only her volleyball friends but Tess' so-called good friend Melissa react to the news in different ways. One huge thing is that Tess finds a hidden strength she didn't know she had. This strength helps her when both her mother and father refuse to deal with the tragic news.

The scenes where Kristina goes through first chemo, to losing her leg are intense but very real. There's a few twists in the plot that I didn't see coming. I yelled out, "No!" more than a few times.

This is one gripping, heart felt story about sisters and the bond that holds them together. It's so true that yes, sisters can be a major pain in the butt, but when worse comes to shove, they always have your back.

I highly recommend this book. Have a tissue box close at hand!