This story is told from Ellie’s point of view, so we get a lot of insight into her mind and motivations, but almost none into anyone else. This definitely adds some issues with perspective.

As the story progressed, I started to not really like Ellie. She pushed everyone away and was so focused on living a normal life, blaming the hospital and her differences for her lack of connections. She wanted to keep her hospital life separate from her normal life, and this included the people. Ellie grows throughout the story and ultimately I did like her in the end.

All of Ellie’s friends are actually pretty great. Both her hospital friends and her school friends want to be part of her entire life, and I am so proud of all of them for ultimately standing up to her and making her fight to have them in her life. Those connections are the best part of the story.

Ellie’s relationship with her parents is much more complicated, especially her mother. I understand Ellie’s desire to control the narrative of her own life, but I also understand her mother’s need to share the experience with her online community. It’s a tough situation, which I would probably have resolved a little differently, but it works for the story.

I like the fact that there was no clear resolution to Ellie’s current medical issues. It’s much more realistic than the stories where there is a miraculous cure in the end. Ellie and her hospital friends will be dealing with their medical issues forever.

Disclaimer: I received a DRC of this book through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.