Reviews with content warning for Cancer - The Honest Truth

I wanted to read this book for so long and when one of the two libraries I regularly go to placed this novel on the display shelf I picked it up and finally read it. When I finished it I had what I would best describe as mixed thoughts because on one hand I enjoyed the storyline but on the other hand there were significant flaws and even plot holes I struggled to comprehend. It starts with the main character Mark whose last name I don't know and here's the plot twist which would've been more impactful if the blurb didn't spoil it. You know what? I'll give it to you. He has cancer. There. Now with that out of the way Mark is about to board a train to escape all the doctors and hospitals when he smashes his watch (Ridiculous, how is he supposed to know the time now?) then he arrives at some unknown town. There is another significant POV from another character, Jess who is at home and even the narrator has their POV as they describe Mark's life up until that point, it looks typical until it mentioned doctors and tests and other miscellanies which concerned me but I wasn't surprised. Mark then thinks about climbing the mountain even if that is the last experience he does before he dies, did I mention he was assaulted and if Beau the dog wasn't there to save him he would've died right then and there? That was dark. Mark climbs the mountain almost succumbing to its natural dangers marking (ha!) the second near-death experience he lived through before a helicopter saved him and that was the end. Wow.

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tinie_frogie's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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sab_reads14's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bhavitad0's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

as you read through the book, you are taken along with a boy (mark) <battling cancer> who runs away from his home along with his dog (beau), on a journey to climb a mountain <because of a promise he made to his grandfather, who is no more>. the story as a whole is a quite emotional one. the writing however is witty in a few instances but without diluting the situation. you get to feel all that he feels throughout the journey - his fear, his anger, his guilt, his grief, the little moments that bring him joy. absolutely loved it. shoutout to beau (his dog) <3

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