Red Velvet

Forever Friends #2

by Sandra Byrd

Is she making her mom happy, or giving her permission to die?

Quinn Miller and her family are heading to Seattle for a six-week stay at Anderson House—a home away from home for cancer patients and their families—while her mother undergoes treatment. Once there, Quinn meets Annie, whose mom is also going through treatment. Each girl discovers that she has something special to share with the other, including Starbucks, shopping, and secrets about boys.

When Quinn reads her mother's teen-years diary, she comes across a list of things her mom has wanted to do before she dies. Quinn wants to help her mom accomplish all these things, but will doing so be giving her mom permission to die?

This book is written from a Christian world view.

"What an amazing book! Sandra Byrd is a wonderfully gifted writer. This story hooked me from page one... I just plain loved this book. Highly recommended." Novelteen Book Reviews

Genres: Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Christian, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2005

About the author

The author of more than fifty books, Sandra’s work has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including a starred review-PW Pick from Publishers Weekly and multiple starred reviews and Best Book selections from Library Journal. Other awards include the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice, two Christy Awards nominations, a BookPage Top Pick for Romance, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.

A dedicated foodie, Sandra cooks through the topic and location of every book she writes. In addition, she collects vintage glass and service ware in her free time, loves long walks with her husband, and Sunday Suppers with her growing family.

Reach Sandra Here: https://linktr.ee/sandrabyrd

Reviews

[Jesseca Wheaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars.
We were at our library the other day, and I spotted this on their for-sale bookshelf. I picked it up and it looked interesting, so I decided I might as well give it a try. (Used paperbacks are $0.25. What did I have to lose?)
I still can't believe just how much I enjoyed this book. It was contemporary fiction, which is not a genre I normally read, so I didn't know what to expect. The fact that her mom had cancer was what caught my attention to begin with. I have a parent who has been battling cancer, and it's not very common to be able to find a book that realistically grasps and portrays all the emotions that a family can go through during that time.
This book did just that.
I could so easily identify with Quinn. She wants to help, to do something more for her mom, but she didn't know what to do. Everything the family went through just tugged at me. I know those feelings, I know how hard it is to have a parent going through treatment and to worry about what the test results will be. It's hard, and the author did an amazing job portraying everything going on in a very realistic way.

There were a few things I didn't like. *spoilers ahead*
While the characters were Christian, the fact that Quinn wanted a kiss from a boy sorta messed with me. I mean, she's 14. So yeah, I really didn't agree with that, but it was not a huge focus of the book.
And then the way Annie "met" God. I think this is more a doctrine issue, but it was sorta along the lines that she felt God, and knew He would always be with her. There was no talk about how we are sinners and need a Saviour, and there was really no clear plan of salvation. I really didn't appreciate that.
I also didn't like fact that Annie kept things from her dad, and then later on, he seemed to be okay with that. I just don't think that's right.

So. . .yeah. Overall I really enjoyed it, and I'll probably read through it again. However, I doubt I will be trying anymore books by the author.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red Velvet was a good read, although I found it quite sad at times. I liked the characters and thought it was written well. The lists in the book were fun and probably my favorite part. I did found a couple things silly, but overall enjoyed the story.

All in all, Red Velvet was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean YA stories.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fourteen-year-old Quinn Miller and her family are leaving Leavenworth, Washington for a six week stay in Seattle while her mother undergoes further treatment for breast cancer. They have been through a great deal over the past few years, and Quinn's mother has fairly advanced cancer. While in Seattle, they are staying at Anderson House, a home for cancer patients and their families, which includes a school for Quinn and her brother. At school, Quinn meets Annie, whose mother also has breast cancer.

The two become friends and begin to share more and more about themselves. Quinn is a Christian, while Annie doesn't follow any religious beliefs. Quinn has accepted her mother's diagnosis, but Annie avoids talking about her mom. Can the girls move past their differences and share their strengths?

Red Velvet is the third book in this fabulous series for younger teen girls. Quinn is intriguing and goes through life with a hope-filled maturity. The plot is a little deeper than in the other books and may be too intense for readers who have experienced a parent or other family member's fight against cancer. However, the emotions are realistically portrayed and could help readers know that they are not alone with their feelings.

It's refreshing to read a book that doesn't talk down to teens or portray a teen's capacity for emotion and comprehension at a lower level than an adult's. Quinn's relationship with her brother Tucker is touching, as is her desire to help each member of her family experience happiness. Even though this is a series, each book stands completely on its own as a tale of two girls who become friends during a season of their lives. Red Velvet is a superb book that will make you laugh, cry, and hold on to your friends and family a little tighter.

[Dakota Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad, but I still liked it…like how is centered around Valentine’s Day and Quinn’s relationship with Jesus and her family

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

While her mother undergoes treatment for stage four breast cancer, Quinn Miller and her family move to Seattle to stay at Anderson House, a special home for cancer patients and their families. At her new school, Quinn meets Annie, a girl whose mother also has cancer. The two become friends, although Annie is reluctant to talk about her mom’s treatment.

Quinn’s family is open about everything. Quinn even attends her mom’s treatments, reading to her and leaving love notes written in candy hearts. She wants to have as much time with her mom as possible. Her mom gives Quinn her journals from when she was a girl and Quinn discovers that she and her mom both loved to make, and complete, lists. One of her mom’s lists was of things she wanted to do before she died. Quinn is determined to see her mother complete this list.

One of the things her mother always wanted was a red velvet dress. Can Annie help her get it done before it’s too late?

What an amazing book! Sandra Byrd is a wonderfully gifted writer. This story hooked me from page one. I loved Quinn and her family and how they dealt with the tragedy of their mother’s illness. I loved seeing Quinn struggle with right and wring in the midst of all this and the way it all worked out. I just plain loved this book. Highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was a hard read for me, I think the author did a great job tackling a very difficult subject.

The 13 or 14 year old in this story (can't remember her age) is living on Planet Cancer as her mom is struggling through stage 4 breast cancer. I too clearly remember what having a parent with stage 4 brain cancer was like, so this book hit close to home.

I think the author did a really nice job giving the reader a glimpse into living with cancer and how it affects family and friends. Also - the book clearly shows that we have hope in Christ after without being preachy.

I also like the premise of this series, Friends for a Season. In life we really do have friends that are there for a certain time, and the friendship with change as we move on with our lives. I often want to hang on, but this series shows that we don't have to.

[Melangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a girl who's mother is battling cancer. One of the treatments that her mother goes through requires them to temporarily move to "Planet Cancer" as she refers to it. While there she meets a girl her own age in the same situation, but has yet to cope with it. Since Quinn's mother is battling stage 4 breast cancer, there aren't many options and the options that are there are only to prolong her life. When Quinn's mother gives her a list from one of her childhood diaries, she begins helping her mother complete the things on the list, while her mom helps her complete one of her own.

I found this book very inspiring. It shows what it is like to be in the point of view of a cancer patient's family member. Not only that, but also from a Christian stand point, which is a plus.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry, because of the actual story line. I knew what was going to happen at the end, and I expected it and everything, but it still made me cry. The whole premise of the story is about Quinn, who's Mom is getting treated for cancer. So she goes (with her family) to this cancer treatment place. She meets other people her age, and she has to deal with her mom dying. I enjoyed this book because Quinn was a Christian, just like me. I identified very much with her, on the simple fact that she relies on God for everything.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a touching book about a young girl who's mother is battling cancer. Cancer has touched my family several times; this is probably why I liked this book at least somewhat. Good tale of friendship and I liked the Christian touch. However, some of the word choicing in this book was just atrocious. It literally made me cringe.

[Kerith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice tale of friendship between two girls whose mothers have cancer. The main character's relationship with her family is beautiful and I enjoyed her propensity for list-making (especially the list of drinks she had to try at Starbucks); still the writing was just all right and, while the Christian twist to the whole thing was no surprise, I wish there could've been a bit more to it.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing short novel about a young girl whose mother has cancer. The young girl's family moves to a cancer treatment place, and she meets another girl her age whose mother also has cancer. They of course become friends and help each other cope.

[Scarlette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book at around age 9, and it absolutely changed my life. It was one of my earliest memories of falling in love with a book, and caring so much for the characters that I wept uncontrollably. I will always remember this gem.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Will read again for sure!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay. I've heard good things about this author, but the only reason I finished this book (YA fiction) is that I was stressed and needed something to take my mind off it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was like the BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!!!!it faces many challenges and teaches many lessons that young girls face in their tween years, I loved it!!!!!!!!

[Emma Kastelein · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing.but super sad........i read it 2 times.

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F BYR ffas bk.3

[Anna Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome book! It has some pretty sad parts though about breast cancer. I would love a sequel!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book totally made me cry!

[Emma J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think its a really good book beside a few grammatical errors and spelling. So good at one point it even made me cry thinking of my family and people I know that are dying or have died from cancer.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a sad read but I really enjoyed it! Sandra Byrd really has a way of telling her experience in a way that makes you feel for the characters!

[Danielle Leger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this was a hard topic for me to read about, the author did an amazing job at covering the topic and the ending was truly a blessing!