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A review by apagetoturn
A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan
4.0
A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan took me through a myriad of emotions. I don't think I've ever chuckled so much during a young adult cancer book, like ever.
"Most people are scared of the pain in their life, they do anything they can to avoid it, to not feel what is really there. Ignoring it merely causes a different kind of hurt."
I really enjoyed Ellie's character, and I loved how different her story was from similar, emotional, books - like The Fault in our Stars or Everything, Everything. Her budding relationship with Jason kind of takes the passenger seat to her budding relationships with the cancer in her leg - but it's a beautiful tale of strength and love despite hardships. I also adored her step-brother Craig (he was probably my favorite character.... and Marshmallow Mateys are the best)! He had such a big heart and while I didn't like him much at the start of the story, he quickly became a notable character. Quinn and Hana remind me of my girlfriends, so that was fun! I also loved the improv & stand up aspects of their high school/college careers. Such a fun addition, and not anything I've read before in a young adult or adult novel.
"Making a fool of myself in front of hundreds of people pretending to be someone else was way easier than in from of one person as the real me."
I really enjoyed the authors writing style as well, and found myself highlighting quotes left and right. It was all from Ellie's POV in first person. It was quickly paced, well written, and extremely entertaining. I will be recommending this to any young adult readers - it's also very clean, just a few kisses and the small mention of "nookie" towards the end.
"Most people are scared of the pain in their life, they do anything they can to avoid it, to not feel what is really there. Ignoring it merely causes a different kind of hurt."
I really enjoyed Ellie's character, and I loved how different her story was from similar, emotional, books - like The Fault in our Stars or Everything, Everything. Her budding relationship with Jason kind of takes the passenger seat to her budding relationships with the cancer in her leg - but it's a beautiful tale of strength and love despite hardships. I also adored her step-brother Craig (he was probably my favorite character.... and Marshmallow Mateys are the best)! He had such a big heart and while I didn't like him much at the start of the story, he quickly became a notable character. Quinn and Hana remind me of my girlfriends, so that was fun! I also loved the improv & stand up aspects of their high school/college careers. Such a fun addition, and not anything I've read before in a young adult or adult novel.
"Making a fool of myself in front of hundreds of people pretending to be someone else was way easier than in from of one person as the real me."
I really enjoyed the authors writing style as well, and found myself highlighting quotes left and right. It was all from Ellie's POV in first person. It was quickly paced, well written, and extremely entertaining. I will be recommending this to any young adult readers - it's also very clean, just a few kisses and the small mention of "nookie" towards the end.