Stronger at the Seams

by Shannon Stocker

Twyla has always believed things happen for a reason, but when she starts having severe health issues and doctors won’t listen to her concerns, she finds herself questioning everything, including her diagnosis … and wondering if her mother’s death holds the answer.

Twyla enters high school sure of three Her best friends will always be there for her, the next four years will be amazing, and her mom was right when she said there’s a reason behind everything. Then she gets extremely nauseous and has trouble concentrating during a field hockey game. The doctors say it’s only a mild digestive issue, but Twyla is convinced they’re wrong. Making things worse, her friends start ghosting her outside of school, even though they tell her everything is fine, and her dad is becoming more distant each time she asks about her mom’s life before she died.

As Twyla’s illness intensifies and her diagnosis stays the same, she finds herself feeling like her world is unraveling. It’s not until she begins researching her symptoms herself—and discovers something in her mom’s old records that could hold the answer to her condition—that she believes there could be some sort of reason for everything she’s facing. But will anyone listen to her in time?

Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Disability, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Grief, Mystery

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for the arc!! This book absolutely wrecked me. I didn’t expect to cry, but here we are. Currently still trying to recover. As someone who’s been misdiagnosed, Twyla’s story hit way too close to home. Her frustration and fight felt so real, and I was rooting for her the entire time.

It’s emotional, raw, and so well done. If you’ve ever felt dismissed or unheard, this one will stick with you. Highly recommend.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, I didn't expect this book to hit so close to home for me but it was like reliving many aspects of my own medical diagnosis and struggle trying to get doctors to listen to me when I repeatedly told them their opinions were wrong and there was something else going on.

Twyla is just entering the first year of high school looking forward to a great experience with her best friends. However, right away she starts to get seriously ill and nothing the doctors suggest seems to help. Like so many, Twyla is forced to fight to be heard and continually self-advocate.

Not only is the disability rep in this book AMAZING, but there is also a heartwarming sibling relationship, shared family grief over the loss of Twyla's mother and a father who is still mired in his own loss, struggling to be fully present for his children.

Good on audio with an important author's note included at the end that details just how personal a story this was to write. I cannot recommend this book enough and to avoid spoilers I will refrain from revealing what Twyla's actual condition was but know she does get a diagnosis and there is a happily for now ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review! This will be a standout book for me this year and one I won't soon forget. I can't wait to read what this new to me author writes next!

[Star · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warnings: parental death mentions, grief depictions, vomit, hospitals and doctor visits, MC with a brain tumour, several (extremely unnecessary) HP references.

Rep: Twyla (MC) is cis, white, and hetero.


I feel like this is a great book for those aged 12-14. It deals with friendships, what it's like to suddenly be a 'sick kid' and it's a great introduction to being someone navigating the health care system.

As someone who has been ignored, mis-diagnosed, and put in the 'too hard' basket my entire life in regards to medical things, I can relate to that aspect.

There were parts of this book that felt a little rushed, and other parts I thought could've been fleshed out more. Especially regarding Angela.

The vexation kicked in with the HP references. There was no need to refer to round glasses as "Harry Potter" glasses. Round glasses works fine. And "Doctor Dumbledore"? Seriously. Also absolutely unnecessary. Gandalf also would've worked. Old white man with white beard would've worked. Doctor Santa also would've worked. Zero excuses, and an entire star deducted for this. It's 2024 - there are zero excuses for HP references anymore.

I'm glad Twyla got diagnosed and treated - that is the hardest part of any illness. It was also great to see the misdiagnoses being properly addressed. Twyla constantly said she knew her body, and she knew that something else was going on. But ultimately, it was something unrelated that happened to get her treated - doctors just suck when it comes to doing things that are harder.

But the ending was a little rushed.

Oh. And Twyla's friends? Absolute wankers. Talking about her behind her back? Constantly hanging out without her? Texting their group chat to say having Twyla around was bad luck? Only to swoop in and say they thought they were the bad luck? They were so horrible. I wouldn't have forgiven them.

So apparently I had a lot more thoughts than I realised.

It was good, on the whole. And definitely something younger kids will enjoy - like I said, especially if a kid is "suddenly sick".

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genres: Middle Grade/Contemporary

First, I liked the cover. It was simple and intriguing.

Now there were things I liked and things that didn't resonate with me. Twyla, the MC, is a high school freshman and plays on a field hockey team. She suddenly begins having health problems and resists the doctor's diagnosis and defies her father forcing meds on her. She also spends a lot of time journaling to/about her mom who died when she was younger.

I liked the contemporary premise here and I know that this story line plays out many many times in real life. The longing for her mom was sweet and I liked the family dynamic.

However, there were issues when it came to some writing details. I'll start with the characters. I couldn't connect with them. I wanted more definition. I couldn't feel the friends reason for distancing themselves...it made no sense to me. That ending felt like a "ta-da" moment and I'm really not a fan of that AT ALL. So did the Emmett moment at the end.

Also I'll add that it was a little hard to see NO ONE in her corner. I almost forgot: I liked the author's note at the end. This was a tender labor of love for her. For the most part this was 3.5 stars, but the ending felt a little soft, so I'll settle for 3.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing worse than having a sick child. Being a single parent and going through your own grief while trying to raise two children when one of them gets sick is hard. Harder than anyone who hasn't been through it can imagine. But, this book is through the lense of Twyla, the teen who knows something is wrong with her. The doctors playdown the problems and this forces Twyla to look for answers on her own. Most of the book is spent on this. I loved how Twyla saw everyone's name as an indication of their character. I also enjoyed the very true relationship between herself and her little brother. I enjoyed reading it, but wish there had been more after the truth was revealed. I felt the ending was rushed. I also thought there was a little something missing at the end, but to tell you what would be a spoiler.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blink for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a YA book for 12 and up, but I would recommend it for every age Twyla has times she can’t stop throwing up and it comes out of nowhere. The doctor prescribed medicine but it makes her feel bad. She thinks he is wrong. She just wants to be a normal teenager, playing hockey and having fun with her friends, or are they friends.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounding up for field hockey 🏑

[Lauren ❦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story about family, friendship, and self advocacy. I don't want to go into too much of the story but it was one of my favourite reads of the year. I also cried. A lot. But it is worth the read.

[Carla Lydon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Met this author and her daughter and service poodle at ALA in San Diego. Really enjoyed the book - I’d recommend

[suvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stronger at the Seams is about Twyla (what a stunning name!) who believes everything happens for a reason. But then she starts having severe health issues and no one seems to listen to her concerns, she and starts questioning everything.

This was a tough book to read. Or listen, I listened to the audiobook, which I personally didn't like very much. While listening, I kept forgetting Twyla was supposed to be starting high school and was, in fact, not on a 5th grade. And well, now that I am on the topic of things I didn't like; maybe it's just that I am not from the USA (which I am pretty sure the author is from but don't quote me on that) but the things Twyla was learning in school only enforced my mental image of her being a lot younger. For the record, I am Finnish and learned the same biology things in mandatory biology class in 8th grade (or 7th or 9th, it's been a while since I was that age, okay).

Oh also, Twyla thinking she had a nut allergy drove me absolutely insane. My mom and sister have the same allergy and absolutely everyone in our lives and beyond knows that fact. You are not allowed to bring peanuts of any kind to our home. I don't know if I am allergic because I have never touched a peanut in my life. So, I had a very hard time believing Twyla wouldn't have known if her mom had that as well. But also I have heard rumours people don't take them seriously on that side of the planet, so maybe it was that? I don't know but I do have a lot of thoughts about it.

Now, let me circle back to this book being a very hard read. My little sister was the sick kid. It's not my place so I'm not going to talk much about her but no doctor believed her. We still don't know exactly what happened and how she got better. And then I was the sick kid too. It's been 15 years and I am an adult but I am still the sick kid. My issue is my wrists and fingers, some days I can't hold a spoon to eat on my own. I have been told by a variety of doctors that it's this or that or no it's that one to just being blamed for making it all up. So, this book brought a lot of that trauma back.

I think it felt just a bit too personal for me to not compare every aspect of it into my own life. For example, where Twyla wanted to go to school and hang out with her friends - I didn't want to do that at all. When I was at my worst I had to beg my mom to let me stay home and I actively avoided the few friends I had because I just had no interest or energy to see them.

Perhaps it's because of that, I felt Twyla's anger like it was my own. I was reading a book but I was also reliving some of the worst moments of my own life. I think I should have put this one down but I just needed to know what happens to Twyla. So that's more on me than it's on the book itself. I think it was very well written and will be a very touching and eye-opening read to many other people.

I don't really know how to finish this review. I think I will carry part of Twyla with me for quite some time.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Stronger at the Seams" by Shannon Stocker is a teen and young adult fictional drama novel. It is about Twylight, aka Twyla, a girl about to enter high school. She is on the field hockey team. During practice, she keeps getting nauseous and then spacing out.

Her mother passed away a few years ago. She has a younger brother called Wolfy, who clearly has ADHD based on his behavior of never sitting still and always constantly talking and obsessing about weird science facts. They have a loving father who is still mourning the loss of his wife.

Twyla has two close female friends who start to ghost her as she gets more sick. She has a long-time male friend who starts to like her romantically.

Twyla keeps having symptoms, and doctors tell her it's just constipation and to take Miralax daily. (FYI, Miralax isn't nearly as bad as they make it sound, especially mixed into a hot drink or juice. I've had to take it a lot for my own health issues.) More importantly, it doesn't stop her symptoms. She knows something is really wrong with her, but neither the doctors nor her father are listening to her.

Eventually, they do get an accurate diagnosis. The rest is skipped until the epilogue. The story is more about her trying to figure out what's wrong.

The author's note at the end is important and poignant.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 3/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 3/5
Enjoyment - 3/5
Narration - 4/5 by Kate Rudd
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 29/8 = 3 4/8
Rounded up to 4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Blink Audiobooks, and Shannon Stocker for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twyla's new nausea, headaches, and moodiness begin five years after the death of her mother at the start of high school. Her doctors say it's a mild digestive issue, but their recommended treatment makes her feel worse and she believes she has to take matters into her own hands to find a diagnosis herself.

[jade gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an arc read from netgalley
This was a beautiful story about self advocacy, friendship, and the battles of being a teenager.
Twyla knows there is something wrong with her, she is having various symptoms such as nausea and headaches, but everyone is brushing her worries off by telling her she has common complaints. Twylas mum passed away years before and her dad is struggling with grief while raising his children and he doesn't take twylas complaints seriously and just goes by what the doctors are saying, so twyla takes it upon herself to try and get too the bottom of what is wrong with her. However, while she is doing this her friendship with her closest friends is under strain and twyla feels utterly alone. Eventually things come to a head and twyla finds out what is wrong with her and also why her friends have been so distant.
This story shows you how hard life can be, regardless of your age, when you feel like no one is there for you and you are fighting a battle alone. But it also shows you that no matter what anyone says go with your gut and fight for what you believe in.
This is a YA novel but I would recommend it to anyone

[Jessica Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about Twyla who entering high school, have friends, and is in the field hockey team. Twyla suffers from an illness in which the doctors think it was something else. Her mother passed away years ago and Twyla believed that her mother has health issues around her death. Twyla did some research and other things to know about what’s going on with her. The book shows about a mysterious illness can appear. Also, learning more about other health issues like when Twyla search for symptoms of her health and look into her mother’s.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Blink for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Stronger at the Seams" by Shannon Stocker is a heart-wrenching contemporary YA novel that focuses on themes of self-advocacy and friendship.

Twyla, the 14-year-old protagonist, enters high school with optimism, but her life takes a sharp turn when she begins experiencing severe health issues. Despite her concerns, doctors dismiss her symptoms, leaving Twyla feeling isolated and frustrated. As she grapples with her illness, she also confronts the lingering grief of her mother's death, seeking solace and answers in her past.

Stocker's storytelling skillfully navigates Twyla's journey as she fights for validation and understanding. Twyla felt like an authentic young teenager with both her inner monologue and her actions. While sometimes she acted immaturely, she was just responding to the explosions of emotions like confusion and grief that were swirling inside of her. I feel like many young readers may relate to Twyla, especially if they have ever dealt with illnesses and feeling like they weren’t being heard by the adults around them. The exploration of Twyla's search for answers, both in her own health and her mother's history, adds layers of depth to the story, highlighting the complexities of grief and the importance of self-advocacy. I was cheering Twyla on throughout as she continued to try to seek answers for herself. While she acted in typical teenager fashion by not relying on the adults in her life and not communicating properly, you could see Twyla grow and mature as a character. I do wish that there had been some more communication from the dad who just seemed to be shutting down around Twyla, unwilling to acknowledge his grief and his daughter’s.

While there were a couple of pacing issues in the middle with some plot points progressing rather slowly, its emotional resonance remains strong, drawing you into Twyla's struggle. The reveal of the true cause of Twyla’s symptoms was absolutely shocking to me; I was not expecting that specific cause and all the events that followed the reveal. My emotions were overflowing, especially with the inclusion of Twyla’s new friend. The portrayal of Twyla's resilience is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. I absolutely loved Twyla’s journey of self-discovery, and the ending of the book made me tear up.

Overall, "Stronger at the Seams" is a gorgeous book that I think will especially affect younger readers who wish to explore the theme of self-discovery through a beautiful and emotional book.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book about a girl, Twyla, who has some really out of the blue nausea and violent throwing up. But the Doctors keep telling her and her dad it is just constipation take some Miralax. Every time things got worse the doctors still said it was constipation keep taking the Miralax. Twyla knew it had to be something else and had to sneak trash the Miralax as it had more side affects than the original symptoms. At one-point Twyla even thought she might be allergic to peanuts, but after a time she found that wasn’t it either. Soon she was having headaches but that fit in with other things, her friends even thought it might be them who are causing it and tried and stay away and that made Twyla feel even more alone. Her one friend a mysterious girl who is new to the neighborhood and her wonderful loving dog became her go to. When Twyla passes out in the bathroom at a field hockey game that is when it all came to a head.
I wanted to read this book as medical gas lighting is all to real, and happens much more with women then men. It is much worse when it is a condition that can’t be seen. This can make a person feel so alone, and then to have friends pull away and stop asking you to do things is devastating. A person will also never tell the truth when asked how they are doing, “I am fine” is a mantra almost. Doctors make you feel small and that there is nothing you can do and if you are in pain it is almost impossible to advocate for yourself and doctors think you much be drug seeking. This book is wonderful and is so caring even as the author says writing this book helped her find hope during the bad times and she wants you to know you are seen. I was once told to always keep a little hope in your back pocket that you can use when things are a low. There are a few doctors out there that do care and it is powerful to listen to them and stories that have been sent to them. This book is a story of a young girl screaming there is something else wrong and no one will listen too. If this book resonates with you like it did me just know I SEE YOU, YOU ARE SEEN.

[Sally Kruger]

Twyla loves playing field hockey. She is determined to improve her skills to impress the coach and make it to varsity next year. Unfortunately, Twyla has been feeling nauseous lately. She has even vomited several times. Maybe she's dehydrated or needs to get more sleep.

When the coach notices Twyla's performance on the field has been slipping, she threatens that Twyla won't be able to play. Twyla's friends are also noticing the physical changes like weight loss and the constant complaints about her stomach. She even vomits at a sleepover which requires a call to her father.

A trip to the ER and later to her doctor, end with Twyla being told she is constipated, but she is convinced that's not the problem. The medicine she is prescribed only increases her stomach discomfort, so she begins hiding the dose every morning, so her father doesn't know she's not taking it.

Twyla begins wondering what exactly caused the accident that killed her mother five years ago. Is it possible her mother had some illness that Twyla also has? She can't bring up the subject with her father, and her friends seem to be pulling away from her instead of being there for her. How can she find out what is wrong when no one will take her seriously?

Author Shannon Stocker's STRONGER AT THE SEAMS shows how physical illness can cause not only discomfort but also stress in family and friend relationships. We must be careful not to get caught up in our own personal issues when we should be listening to others and offering help when they need it.

Thanks to Kelley Burrow for sharing the copy she won here on Goodreads!

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this young adult novel, the reader is inside the mind of Twyla, a young field hockey player about to start high school with her two best friends, while still mourning the loss of her mother in an accident a few years earlier. It’s clear that her father and younger brother are still in mourning too and Twyla has taken on some of the role of caregiver in the family. When Twyla begins to have medical symptoms that progress from nausea to headaches, she feels like the doctors, her family, and her friends are not really there for her, although she can’t be sure if she isn’t just imagining it. And then there’s the budding romance with the cute boy next door that she doesn’t want her illness to ruin, not to mention her rivalry with the mean girl on the field hockey team.

Looking for answers that she’s not getting from the adults, she begins to seek out her own clues from the Internet, her mother’s medical records, and the genetics lessons she’s learning in school. Eventually she does find answers, for what is wrong with her, why her friends are acting so strangely, and even what makes the mean girl so mean. It’s a good story and feels realistic but it’s a little bland: I didn’t connect with the main character emotionally as I have with other young adult characters, but I did want to see how it all played out. I will probably pass it on to my granddaughters who may connect with Twyla more than I did since they are nearly the same age as she is, but for me, it was just okay. This is a publication by Harper Collins as a part of their Blink catalog which promises “Clean Teen” fiction, without swearing, violence or sex.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had both the digital copy and the audio copy of this book. Although it would have been faster, I am glad I chose to listen to it because the narrator has done a great job of bringing the frustration of the young girl to the surface.

Also the author’s note at the end was heartbreaking but in a good way ( at least to some extent).

This is not exactly a long book but the situations seem to loop over themselves. This is necessary to drive home the point of some of the experiences and I can only imagine the level of patience that would have required to see through with a semblance of sanity.

Twyla is starting high school and feels ready to move on from the grief of her mother’s passing. The situation around her does not help her and things get significantly worse before we reach even the half way point. It’s one thing to know something is wrong but a whole other thing when people don’t listen to what your body is telling you. Like some people I too have had moments of communication which I was sure about but had no medical relevance to support it.

As a child already feeling alone, recurring issues cause Twyla to go crazy. She feels isolated and alone and nothing seems to help. Small issues as well as bigger ones are discussed as she tries to figure out her issue herself. This is not a book for the faint of heart or people afraid of medical discussions. I would definitely recommend it to younger audiences as well.

I received an ARC but my review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We all have scars. And every scar has a story."
~
Stronger at the Seams follows Twyla as she starts high school, but also while she begins to experience some health difficulties that are worrying.
~
One of the things that this book does really well is it has really realistic and engaging characters, which is important for me personally as a reader because if I don't like the characters I'm not going to be very invested in their story.
~
I think the relationships between the characters were really well done, it had me very engaged with the story. So much so that at the time of writing this, I got access to the audiobook two days ago, and I'd finished it within 24 hours.
~
One of the important messages within this book is self advocacy. No one knows your body better than you, and if something doesn't feel right then speak up. Even if parents or medical professionals think they've found the cause, if you think there's more to it say something, seek a second opinion, request further testing.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ALC copy of this book.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is a wonderful contemporary YA story that sheds light on the struggle that those who live with an invisible illness deal with on a daily basis and the fight they have to advocate for themselves when others, including those in the medical profession, try to gaslight them and push aside their concerns.

Twyla is a 14-year-old trying to navigate teenage life while still dealing with the grief of losing her mother. Her life takes a turn when she starts having health issues. She knows the doctors are missing something as they dismiss her symptoms. Her frustration is increased when she feels her friends pulling away from her.

The author does a wonderful job of showing the challenges associated with grief, as well as dealing with illnesses and feeling unseen. Twyla is an easy character to connect with and root for in her search for answers. This is an important read for those who may be struggling with being their own advocate. I also appreciated the authors note.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaways

Twyla is a typical teenaged girl. She's excited about starting high school in a couple of weeks, she loves hanging out with her friends, and her field hockey team has made it into the final tournament.
The only thing missing from Twyla's life is her Mom who was killed in an accident several years prior. Twyla lives with her architect Dad who doesn't play guitar and sing anymore, and her brother, Wolfie, a 5th grader who knows every useless fact there is.

When Twyla begins feeling nauseas and starts throwing up, her Dad takes her to the doctor. The doctor says she's constipated and prescribes Miralax for her. Twyla knows this isn't the correct diagnosis, but no one will listen to her. As her symptoms change and get worse, Twyla researches her symptoms and tries to diagnose herself. In the end, Twyla just wants to heal stronger at the seams.

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to this book since I first heard about it and it exceeded my expectations. Shannon Stocker's masterful writing kept me up late into the night wanting to find out how Twyla would navigate her illness, her relationship with her friends, her sometimes endearing but also sure to get on anyone's nerves little brother. The incredible relationships between Twyla and her father, Twyla and the mother she's missing who died before the book begins, and the other important characters in the book are all woven together in such realistic ways that I felt like I knew them all when this beautiful book ended. I loved the science and genetics she was learning and how it served her trying to figure out her her illness.
The aspects of this book that are personal to author Shannon Stocker make it even more poignant and heartfelt. Highly recommend!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for work, as we are looking to add more contemporary voices to our middle school booklist. While this deals with some heavy topics, including serious illness and ongoing grief over the death of a parent, the tone remains light. This is aided by several sports scenes and a sweet, very G-rated teen romance. The author's note definitely enhances the story, as the author relates her own family's experience with her child's health troubles and eventual diagnosis. There are a few components that are a little too "neat" - for example, the protagonist and her rival resolve things a little too nicely for my liking, and I wasn't sold on how the protagonist and her friends resolve their tension - but all in all, it was a good story that will certainly appeal to many of our teen readers.

[Cassandra King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stocker’s narrative is both descriptive and lyrical, capturing the emotional and physical struggles of a teenager navigating the complexities of chronic illness, friendship dynamics, and family relationships. The portrayal of Twyla’s frustration with her peers, who remain oblivious to her internal battles, resonates deeply, especially for readers familiar with the challenges of chronic health issues. The novel emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, family support, and the courage to seek answers in the face of adversity.

For readers seeking a narrative that intertwines personal growth, familial bonds, and the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, “Stronger at the Seams” offers an inspiring and thought-provoking experience.

[Charlie - disableddaydreamer | itsbarbieparis (looking for mutuals) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book shows how fantastic disabled and chronic illness fiction can be.
thank you so very much to netgalley, author shannon stocker, narrator kate rudd, and blink publishers for the audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
as someone who is chronically ill and disabled this book was so REAL. twyla’s journey to answers, is very relatable.
marker spoiler for the gastroparesis but i was wondering the whole time because my mom has it. i liked seeing the relationship with wolfie, my son is wolfies age and i thought it was cute how they interacted as siblings and how they processed the story.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twyla is entering high school as a star athlete, good student, and with solid friendships. Her mom passed away a couple of years ago, but left Twyla with lots of good memories. Suddenly Twyla starts having health issues that interfere with everything–sports, school and her friends. When her doctor and father refuse to listen to her health concerns, she starts doing her own investigating, however nothing prepares her for the results of her tests.
This was an excellent, raw, emotional journey through Twyla’s issues, and while it is fictional, it is all based on the author’s real-life experiences. 4.5 stars, highly recommended.

[Nicole M. Hewitt]

This story highlights the difficulties of navigating the world of healthcare when you have an unknown illness. Twyla is sure her doctors are overlooking something in her diagnosis, but no one wants to listen to her. Not only that, but her family and friends aren't taking her seriously either. When Twyla's illness starts affecting every area of her life, she decides she needs to try to get some answers on her own. This book spotlights some of the very real issues with our healthcare system and encourages self-advocacy--an important topic!

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

[Lauren Kerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRONGER AT THE SEAMS is Shannon Stocker at her best. It is thoughtful, thought-provoking, emotionally raw, and absolutely beautiful. From Shannon's incredible use of imagery and lyricism, to her ability to write about an excruciating topic with grace and accuracy, I was taken by this book from the first sentence. Shannon's perusal of painful topics in her work offers readers both validation and the opportunity to feel seen. I highly recommend STRONGER AT THE SEAMS and for that matter ALL of Shannon's stunning work.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me say I love this cover! It fits more to the story than you think! This is a wonderful story about family, self advocate and friendship! This can definitely be an emotional read! I found myself in tears more times than I can count. The relationship between Twyla and her brother was amazing! It's exactly how you hope as a parent you own children will have! The only thing I didn't really like is that the ending felt a little rushed. But overall it was a great read! Thank you StoryGram Tours, Shannon Stocker and Blink A Books for sharing this book with me!