REVIEW: FINDING BALANCE by Kati Gardner
What a beautiful and authentic story! I truly enjoyed reading this encouraging, brave story of Mari and Jase, two teens navigating school, cancer, and each other. There are so many things to love here, especially the main characters, with their own dreams, hopes, and struggles. I definitely liked Mari’s voice over Jase’s, but that’s mainly because of his behavior in the way he treated her in school in the beginning. However, this story includes acceptance and forgiveness and the journey to arrive there.
Thank you to the author for giving so much of herself through these words. One thing to note, you don’t have to read “Brave Enough” in order to read “Finding Balance” – but you should because both books are terrific!
Title: FINDING BALANCE
Author: Kati Gardner
Genre: YA Fiction / YA Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 | 5 stars
Available Sept. 29, 2020 from Flux. Preorder today!
About the story:
Jase Ellison doesn’t remember having acute lymphocytic leukemia when he was three years old. His cancer diagnosis only enters his mind twice a year. Once at his yearly checkup at the oncology clinic and one when he attends Camp Chemo in the summer. No one in his real life knows about his past, especially his friends at Atlanta West Prep. Mari Manos has never been able to hide her cancer survivorship. She wakes every morning, grabs her pink forearm clip crutches, and starts her day. Mari loves Camp Chemo where she’s developed a healthy crush on fellow camper Jase. At Camp, she knows that shell never get the look or have to explain her amputation to anyone. Jase wants to move on, to never reveal his past. But when Mari transfers to his school, he knows she could blow his cover. Thats the last thing he wants, but he also cannot ignore his attraction to her. Mari wants to be looked at like a girl, a person, and not only known for her disability. But how do you move on from cancer when the world wont let you?
Thank you to NetGalley, Kati Gardner, and Flux for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.