A review by mellabella
By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

4.0

The ending was what kept me from giving me this book 5 stars. By the Time You Read This I'll Be Dead is about Daelyn Rice and the relentless bullying that she endured from about elementary school to her current teenage years. The bullying that ultimately led her to attempt suicide a few times. When the book starts she is recovering from drinking an ammonia/bleach combo and wearing a neck brace. It's a painful read. There are far too many kids that feel alone and that are being bullied to the point of suicide all the time. You get to know Daelyn. The things that have been done to her in the past. All the times she trusted someone only to have them betray her trust horribly. Her parents were absolutely clueless. Then a nice, cute guy turns up that wants to get to know her. She can't even let her guard down a little. Not even when she finds out he's sick. The ending was ambiguous to me. I understand that she was dead set on "completing" her suicide this time. Most clues point to her actually going trough with it. But at the same time, there was a little spark of hope that she may not have. Santana's character was my favorite. I've known people like him. Even when faced with a possible terminal illness, they still put on a positive face. This would be a good read for just about anyone regardless of age.