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Love Always #1
Love Always, Kate
There is an alternate cover edition for this ASIN here.
Dear Diary,
Leukemia’s been my life since I was eleven. Now, six years later, I want my life back. Only I’m not sure what that is.
The test results came back today. 22,000. Which means I’m officially out of remission—again.
I have three options:
1. Another round of chemo.
2. A super-new experimental drug.
3. Dump it all— forget the meds and treatments and enjoy the time I have left.
I think I know what I want.
Then, in walks Damian, changing everything.
I mean, everything.
He’s got his own set of issues. It binds us together, you know? We understand what it’s like to lose what matters most in seconds.
Still, the last thing I need is to have someone else to crush if I can’t fight hard enough. And the last thing he needs is someone else to grieve.
Never mind. I’m down to two options now.
Somehow I know that whichever one I choose, the result will be the same. With the sand in my hourglass seeping to the bottom, I hope there’s enough left to show Damian that life’s worth living. Worth fighting for.
Worth dying for.
Love Always,
Kate
Dear Diary,
Leukemia’s been my life since I was eleven. Now, six years later, I want my life back. Only I’m not sure what that is.
The test results came back today. 22,000. Which means I’m officially out of remission—again.
I have three options:
1. Another round of chemo.
2. A super-new experimental drug.
3. Dump it all— forget the meds and treatments and enjoy the time I have left.
I think I know what I want.
Then, in walks Damian, changing everything.
I mean, everything.
He’s got his own set of issues. It binds us together, you know? We understand what it’s like to lose what matters most in seconds.
Still, the last thing I need is to have someone else to crush if I can’t fight hard enough. And the last thing he needs is someone else to grieve.
Never mind. I’m down to two options now.
Somehow I know that whichever one I choose, the result will be the same. With the sand in my hourglass seeping to the bottom, I hope there’s enough left to show Damian that life’s worth living. Worth fighting for.
Worth dying for.
Love Always,
Kate
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
135 people are currently reading
3297 people want to read
About the author
D. Nichole King
16 books450 followersI'm pretty sure I drink too much Pepsi. I'm also pretty sure that somedays it's what keeps me sane. Well, Pepsi and writing, that is.
I'm a dreamer, an inspirer. I find beauty in weakness, brokenness, and heartbreak. In life, and joy, and happiness. These moments don't define us, but the choices we make in these moments do.
I write about these moments. About the choices we make and the paths we tread. About the circumstances that make us who we are and the experiences that will lead us to who we will become.
I write about life. Love. Pain. And hope.
"It's not about the ending; it's about the journey."
I'm a dreamer, an inspirer. I find beauty in weakness, brokenness, and heartbreak. In life, and joy, and happiness. These moments don't define us, but the choices we make in these moments do.
I write about these moments. About the choices we make and the paths we tread. About the circumstances that make us who we are and the experiences that will lead us to who we will become.
I write about life. Love. Pain. And hope.
"It's not about the ending; it's about the journey."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
June 8, 2014
4.5 Never enough time to say “I love you.” stars.
Kate and her family moved house, so that they were practically next door to the hospital, where the best doctor, Dr. Lowell works. She is seventeen when she receives the news that she's not in remission anymore. Eventually, she must decide whether to try the new 'miracle drug' or spend the rest of days spending uninterrupted time with her loved ones.
Damian and Kate first meet when he goes into the wrong room looking for his father, and Katie has the instant hots for him. And as it turns out, it's the same for him. Their relationship slowly grows, no insta-love here, and they find themselves falling in love. Which is really sweet and adorable, I just wanted to pinch their cheeks *ahem* back to the review.
Katie and Damian, unlike The Fault In Our Stars, were not portrayed as seventy years their senior, they seemed perfect for their ages. I found it really comfortable to read, and I enjoyed the parts where there was no dialogue, just diary entries. That allows you to know what happened without being like really? Does it have to be explained?
The only things that I found wrong with it though, were when there were random short sentences ending in exclamation marks, which only worked in the diary, but was used in everything else too...
I’d never known!
Oh, how I loved him!
Which leads me nicely onto God. Now, I appreciate everyone's differing opinions on God, and well, I'm atheist. And there were a few mentions of God in this, which were slightly annoying, but were easily overlooked as He was only brought up a few times. Funnily enough though, I do wish for a place after death.
I also wish there was a bit more information on her leukaemia, which I researched after, I believe she had acute myeloid leukaemia. Where immature white blood cells are produced and disrupt the amount of platelets and red blood cells. Causing her to have a weak immune system... To read more, please clicka here. During my read of LA,K I was confused, because I thought an increase in white blood cells would be good for her, so I didn't understand why it was bad news. But I know now, thumbs up for the NHS!
Oh. Em. Gee. And the ending? Tears. Real tears, granted they didn't escape my eyelids, but tears nonetheless.
Love Always, Kate, is an amazing debut novel by D. Nichole King, I look forward to reading other books written by her.
A copy of Love Always, Kate was kindly provided to me by D. Nichole King, the author, in exchange for an honest review.
P.S. Even though I have included a gif from The Fault In Our Stars, I have not watched the movie, I find the actor playing Hazel Grace incredibly annoying. But I did enjoy the book, so that's why a gif is included ;D
November 1Kate has had leukaemia since she was 11. She has had three failed remissions and has finally given up. But then in walks Damian, and she may just change her mind...
Dear Diary,
Damian, Dr. Lowell’s son, is volunteering at the hospital. Apparently, he got lost and ended up in the chemo room with me. I didn't mind. At. All.
Kate and her family moved house, so that they were practically next door to the hospital, where the best doctor, Dr. Lowell works. She is seventeen when she receives the news that she's not in remission anymore. Eventually, she must decide whether to try the new 'miracle drug' or spend the rest of days spending uninterrupted time with her loved ones.
Damian and Kate first meet when he goes into the wrong room looking for his father, and Katie has the instant hots for him. And as it turns out, it's the same for him. Their relationship slowly grows, no insta-love here, and they find themselves falling in love. Which is really sweet and adorable, I just wanted to pinch their cheeks *ahem* back to the review.
November 18There are a few obstacles which prevent them from spending time together, I found one though to be quite drama filled, and didn't like it that much But other than that, I found it really realistic, and what I would imagine it would be like to develop a relationship while having leukaemia.
Dear Diary,
He kissed me! A real kiss. One that left me breathless.
I can’t get Damian’s touch out of my mind. I can still feel where his fingers treaded over my skin, where his lips pressed against me.
Katie and Damian, unlike The Fault In Our Stars, were not portrayed as seventy years their senior, they seemed perfect for their ages. I found it really comfortable to read, and I enjoyed the parts where there was no dialogue, just diary entries. That allows you to know what happened without being like really? Does it have to be explained?
The only things that I found wrong with it though, were when there were random short sentences ending in exclamation marks, which only worked in the diary, but was used in everything else too...
I’d never known!
Oh, how I loved him!
Which leads me nicely onto God. Now, I appreciate everyone's differing opinions on God, and well, I'm atheist. And there were a few mentions of God in this, which were slightly annoying, but were easily overlooked as He was only brought up a few times. Funnily enough though, I do wish for a place after death.
I also wish there was a bit more information on her leukaemia, which I researched after, I believe she had acute myeloid leukaemia. Where immature white blood cells are produced and disrupt the amount of platelets and red blood cells. Causing her to have a weak immune system... To read more, please clicka here. During my read of LA,K I was confused, because I thought an increase in white blood cells would be good for her, so I didn't understand why it was bad news. But I know now, thumbs up for the NHS!
Oh. Em. Gee. And the ending? Tears. Real tears, granted they didn't escape my eyelids, but tears nonetheless.
Love Always, Kate, is an amazing debut novel by D. Nichole King, I look forward to reading other books written by her.
A copy of Love Always, Kate was kindly provided to me by D. Nichole King, the author, in exchange for an honest review.
P.S. Even though I have included a gif from The Fault In Our Stars, I have not watched the movie, I find the actor playing Hazel Grace incredibly annoying. But I did enjoy the book, so that's why a gif is included ;D
nope
February 1, 2019The heroine is a leukemia patient.
No HEA.
No HEA.
May 14, 2015
“Mi último deseo, Damian, es que una vez que hayas leído mi diario, ponlo en una caja. Colócala en el desván de algún lugar y déjalo allí. Deja que recoja polvo.
Eso no es todo, sin embargo. Tienes toda una vida por delante. No la desperdicies. No vivas en el pasado. Ve hacia adelante.
La vida no se trata de supervivencia. Se trata de vivir.
Damian, amor, mi último deseo es que me dejes ir.
Con amor
Katie.”
Todavía escribiendo esta reseña -después de calmarme de llorar- estoy llorando.
Este libro fue una pieza de oro. Creo que nunca volveré a encontrar uno igual.
Amo las películas que tratan sobre cáncer pero nunca un libro sobre el tema me ha llegado excepto por este.
Le debo dar un aplauso a Nichole, sí que supo cómo hacer a uno sufrir con este libro.
Todo inicia cuando a Kate le dicen que su leucemia ha vuelto, y ahí mismo conoce a Damian, el chico que volverá su mundo al revés.
Kate me sorprendió. Me encanto todas su personalidad, y cómo lograba vivir cada día sin detenerse solamente por su enfermedad, el hecho de que fuera tan fuerte y decidida con sus sueños y esperanzas solamente me hizo amarla más, ame el toque que le puse Nichole al hacerla una adolescente. Con los toques de drama que agrego por todo el libro y las situaciones que pasaban, sin exagerar en nada.
Damian oh, Damian, no voy a decir que entendí lo que hiciste porque realmente no entiendo perdidas tan cercanas y lo que conllevan. Aunque desde el inicio se explica porqué Damian es como es, eso no explica casi nada hasta que se ha terminado el libro. Damian fue un personaje increíble realmente me encanto todo el toque realista que le puso Nichole.
A inicios de los capítulos siempre está lo que Kate escribe en su diario, que fue hermoso. Y después se narra desde su perspectiva -excepto en los últimos tres capítulos- todo lo que pasa.
Amé demasiado como se desarrollo todo el tema de la leucemia, también lo que pasa Kate mediante los tratamientos y todos los problemas que se afrontaba con sus familiares.
No pude parar de llorar -y ahora mismo estoy llorando al escribir esta reseña-, este libro me impresiono demasiado y todavía siento el dolor en el pecho.
Un libro realmente único e increíble. El trama, los personajes, los detalles que agrega Nichole, y más el diario de Kate, ow, el diario de Kate fue realmente el dolor de todo. Todo fue demasiado. Solamente increíble este libro.
October 5, 2021
Prima di scrivere due righe avevo bisogno di metabolizzare e mettere in ordine i pensieri perché, questo, è uno di quei libri per i quali vado in seria difficoltà a esprimere una valutazione. Come si fa a dare 5 stelle a una storia così difficile?
Kate ha la leucemia, una forma molto aggressiva che lei cerca di combattere come una guerriera da quando era una bambina, sottoponendosi a cure dolorose. L'ospedale è diventato la sua seconda casa e, proprio lì, incontra Damian, figlio del medico che la tiene in cura e con il quale nascerà una tenera storia d'amore. Non me ne vogliate, ma per quanto la storia fra questi due giovanissimi ragazzi mi abbia toccato il cuore, non è quello che mi ha portato a dare la massima valutazione.
Non è facile parlare di una malattia, non sempre in questo tipo di storie riesco a trovare coinvolgimento, ma la King è riuscita a trattare tutto con tatto e delicatezza e nello stesso tempo in maniera così realistica che, anche la lettrice più corazzata, alla fine DEVE arrendersi alle lacrime.
Ebbene si! Io sono una di quelle lettrici che, per una forma di difesa, cerca di distaccarsi durante la lettura di storie così reali e distruttive, ma stavolta mi sono dovuta arrendere e versare le mie lacrime soprattutto vivendola nei panni di genitrice. Sono stata vicina a questi due genitori che hanno dovuto tirare fuori il coraggio di essere vicini alla loro bambina e nello stesso tempo non crollare.
Nonostante tutto il dolore provato rimangono tanti sentimenti positivi: la speranza, la felicità dei piccoli gesti e delle piccole gioie quotidiane e l'amore incondizionato che vince anche la paura di perdere ciò che più ami.
Kate ha la leucemia, una forma molto aggressiva che lei cerca di combattere come una guerriera da quando era una bambina, sottoponendosi a cure dolorose. L'ospedale è diventato la sua seconda casa e, proprio lì, incontra Damian, figlio del medico che la tiene in cura e con il quale nascerà una tenera storia d'amore. Non me ne vogliate, ma per quanto la storia fra questi due giovanissimi ragazzi mi abbia toccato il cuore, non è quello che mi ha portato a dare la massima valutazione.
Non è facile parlare di una malattia, non sempre in questo tipo di storie riesco a trovare coinvolgimento, ma la King è riuscita a trattare tutto con tatto e delicatezza e nello stesso tempo in maniera così realistica che, anche la lettrice più corazzata, alla fine DEVE arrendersi alle lacrime.
Ebbene si! Io sono una di quelle lettrici che, per una forma di difesa, cerca di distaccarsi durante la lettura di storie così reali e distruttive, ma stavolta mi sono dovuta arrendere e versare le mie lacrime soprattutto vivendola nei panni di genitrice. Sono stata vicina a questi due genitori che hanno dovuto tirare fuori il coraggio di essere vicini alla loro bambina e nello stesso tempo non crollare.
Nonostante tutto il dolore provato rimangono tanti sentimenti positivi: la speranza, la felicità dei piccoli gesti e delle piccole gioie quotidiane e l'amore incondizionato che vince anche la paura di perdere ciò che più ami.
January 1, 2015
Holy. Heartbreak. Fuck.
I'm so sad. SO. Sad. This book since the beginning was so gut-wrenching. I wasn't even sure why I kept reading, knowing exactly how it would end. And it didn't help the twist in my heart. At all. I really felt for these characters. Cried with them. Loved with them. Loved them. It's such a devastating story that will stay with the reader long after you read. I always have a hard time reading cancer story books, because I've gone through such life changing experiences with my family. And it's not easy for either the person who is suffering the disease, nor is it easy for the family watching their loved one suffer.
God, this really broke me. I love Damian, even when he was being an asshat. But he really changed, for the better. And I loved reading his journal entries and especially Kate's journal entries too. They were so raw and real and sad. This is definitely a story everyone should read.
I'm not in the right frame of mind to continue a coherent and complete review for this. Just read it. And have boxes of tissues at the ready cause you'll be a sobbing mess by the end.
Overall rating: 4.5 heartwrenching stars!
I'm so sad. SO. Sad. This book since the beginning was so gut-wrenching. I wasn't even sure why I kept reading, knowing exactly how it would end. And it didn't help the twist in my heart. At all. I really felt for these characters. Cried with them. Loved with them. Loved them. It's such a devastating story that will stay with the reader long after you read. I always have a hard time reading cancer story books, because I've gone through such life changing experiences with my family. And it's not easy for either the person who is suffering the disease, nor is it easy for the family watching their loved one suffer.
God, this really broke me. I love Damian, even when he was being an asshat. But he really changed, for the better. And I loved reading his journal entries and especially Kate's journal entries too. They were so raw and real and sad. This is definitely a story everyone should read.
I'm not in the right frame of mind to continue a coherent and complete review for this. Just read it. And have boxes of tissues at the ready cause you'll be a sobbing mess by the end.
Overall rating: 4.5 heartwrenching stars!
April 5, 2014
I haven’t read many books that deal with cancer, but I can say this: hold onto your effing seats because this, this is powerful stuff. Oh, and make sure to read along with a pillow you can hug for comfort, a bag of chocolates to stuff into your face, and several boxes of Kleenex because you need to be armed to the teeth for this story!
Kate, our main character—omg, I loooooved her. She was one of those quietly strong female leads. She never needed to throw her weight around or say some snappy line to make you think she was amazeballs. The author really managed to capture that deep inner strength that cancer must bring out in an individual. And in those moments where our MC was most vulnerable or self-conscious, she NEVER, EVER became a simpering YA character that I so often see complaints about. Nope. Instead, she seemed to have real concerns about whether a guy might like a girl who has cancer and doesn’t have hair. See? Can’t really worry about typical teenage issues when you’re going through radiation.
Damian. Oh Damian. God he was a[n extremely hot] tortured soul, and yet that’s what made the entire situation so good—he had issues himself. He was not the best person in the world before Kate stumbled into his life. Heck, he wasn’t even the best person once she did enter his life. But throughout the book I got to see him change for the better.
The romance. This is where the chocolate, the pillow, and the Kleenex will come in handy. There were such delicious highs and horrible lows, but throughout it all there was this deep, true love. Now, people might get up in arms when I throw in a Romeo and Juliet reference, but I will say this: there’s something about cancer that really makes for some star-crossed lovers. That same urgent romance that Shakespeare made so famous is present in Love Always, Kate. But here it’s a whole lot more believable (sorry Willy boy).
Kate, our main character—omg, I loooooved her. She was one of those quietly strong female leads. She never needed to throw her weight around or say some snappy line to make you think she was amazeballs. The author really managed to capture that deep inner strength that cancer must bring out in an individual. And in those moments where our MC was most vulnerable or self-conscious, she NEVER, EVER became a simpering YA character that I so often see complaints about. Nope. Instead, she seemed to have real concerns about whether a guy might like a girl who has cancer and doesn’t have hair. See? Can’t really worry about typical teenage issues when you’re going through radiation.
Damian. Oh Damian. God he was a[n extremely hot] tortured soul, and yet that’s what made the entire situation so good—he had issues himself. He was not the best person in the world before Kate stumbled into his life. Heck, he wasn’t even the best person once she did enter his life. But throughout the book I got to see him change for the better.
The romance. This is where the chocolate, the pillow, and the Kleenex will come in handy. There were such delicious highs and horrible lows, but throughout it all there was this deep, true love. Now, people might get up in arms when I throw in a Romeo and Juliet reference, but I will say this: there’s something about cancer that really makes for some star-crossed lovers. That same urgent romance that Shakespeare made so famous is present in Love Always, Kate. But here it’s a whole lot more believable (sorry Willy boy).
April 5, 2014
Kate and Damian's story is beautiful. Sad. Real. And so full of hope; not that I promise happy endings or anything—I'm not one to hand out spoilers, but this read is different on so many accounts. D. Nichole King takes us through the twists and turns of the life of a girl who has lived with cancer for years. The internal struggles that often are such a big part of a New Adult novel are different in Love Always, Kate—less...egocentric. Despite Kate's own situation, she's more concerned about those she loves than about herself. The love story runs deep and true. Full of pain and sunrises. This novel will cause you to feel and to cry. Loads. I recommend it from the bottom of my heart.
Lastly...and I've used invisible ink on this, all right? It's off the record: Damian, you're freaking HOT.
Lastly...and I've used invisible ink on this, all right? It's off the record: Damian, you're freaking HOT.
October 5, 2021
3.5 stelline
Vado controcorrente,per quanto sia una storia struggente ed emozionante,l'inizio dell'amore tra i protagonisti l'ho trovato un po'troppo repentino....non ho letto l'intensità e il pathos della nascita di un grande amore,che poi diventa tale, ma non ho percepito quando sia successo esattamente e perché.
Troppo di botto tutto.
Vado controcorrente,per quanto sia una storia struggente ed emozionante,l'inizio dell'amore tra i protagonisti l'ho trovato un po'troppo repentino....non ho letto l'intensità e il pathos della nascita di un grande amore,che poi diventa tale, ma non ho percepito quando sia successo esattamente e perché.
Troppo di botto tutto.
February 3, 2016
Warning: SPOILERS ahead are hidden, so don't click if you don't want to know!!
This is a very hard book for me to rate.
On one hand, I had several issues with the plot and had difficulty connecting with Damian. On the other hand, I cried. A lot. So that has to count for something, right?
My issues with Damian were many. But the worst was I had several other smaller issues with the plot as well. But, mostly, I felt that there was a lot of telling and not showing. I connected with Kate for the most part but was not able to fully understand Damian's many issues- including those with his father, which were there and then resolved rather quickly. I hate to say it, and I mean no disrespect to the author, but I think this story could have been so much better with more work and better character development.
Bottom line: If you are in need of a good cry, or are looking for an emotional book; give this a try.
This is a very hard book for me to rate.
On one hand, I had several issues with the plot and had difficulty connecting with Damian. On the other hand, I cried. A lot. So that has to count for something, right?
My issues with Damian were many. But the worst was I had several other smaller issues with the plot as well. But, mostly, I felt that there was a lot of telling and not showing. I connected with Kate for the most part but was not able to fully understand Damian's many issues- including those with his father, which were there and then resolved rather quickly. I hate to say it, and I mean no disrespect to the author, but I think this story could have been so much better with more work and better character development.
Bottom line: If you are in need of a good cry, or are looking for an emotional book; give this a try.
July 16, 2015
YOU MUST MUST MUST READ Love Always, Kate!!!!
If Kim Holden and Colleen Hoover snuck out and created a book baby THIS IS IT!! OMG!!!! Love Always, Kate is certainly making it to my amazing-epic–awesome shelf. I’m still wiping the tears from my Kindle. This started out great and only got better.
This book has HEART… tons of it. It’s emotional, powerful, and filled to the brim with total awesomeness. I fell in love with everything about it – the characters, the story, and the writing. This book is more than well-written, it’s lyrical and hypnotic. The writing is wonderfully rich and has depth. I didn’t just read it, I experienced it and felt the story from the top my head to the tips of my toes.
It’s no secret this book deals with cancer, but don’t let that scare you away. Love Always, Kate is one of the best books I have read…. ever. All the tears I cried were worth all the laughs, smiles, and inspiration that followed.
Amazing, amazing, amazing book!!!!
If Kim Holden and Colleen Hoover snuck out and created a book baby THIS IS IT!! OMG!!!! Love Always, Kate is certainly making it to my amazing-epic–awesome shelf. I’m still wiping the tears from my Kindle. This started out great and only got better.
This book has HEART… tons of it. It’s emotional, powerful, and filled to the brim with total awesomeness. I fell in love with everything about it – the characters, the story, and the writing. This book is more than well-written, it’s lyrical and hypnotic. The writing is wonderfully rich and has depth. I didn’t just read it, I experienced it and felt the story from the top my head to the tips of my toes.
It’s no secret this book deals with cancer, but don’t let that scare you away. Love Always, Kate is one of the best books I have read…. ever. All the tears I cried were worth all the laughs, smiles, and inspiration that followed.
Amazing, amazing, amazing book!!!!
no-thanks
February 1, 2019No Thanks.
I read books to escape in them and enjoy.
Not for this.
Real life is enough for sadness.
I read books to escape in them and enjoy.
Not for this.
Real life is enough for sadness.
May 13, 2014
I must say I had certain expectations and preconceived ideas going into the book simply because of what the story centered around: a young teen dealing with leukemia. To put it mildly, my expectations were completely wrong.
It’s a story of young Kate, who was first diagnosed with leukemia when she was eleven. After surviving it for so many years, she’s gone out of remission and the cancer is back. She’s tired and she’s fought for so long when she’s faced with the choice of either taking a new drug that may or may not work or living her life to the fullest with the time she has left.
Then in walks Damian Lowell, the son of her oncologist. Damian has his own demons that have driven him to drinking, smoking, stealing cars, and getting kicked out of one school after another. He was in pain when he met Kate and she saw past his faults, past his behavior to the person he’d been.
To me, the story isn’t even about Kate, although its written from her point of view. It’s more about Damian. You see him change through her eyes, watch him grow stronger, watch him fail, and you see him get back up for Kate. He grows stronger, becomes a better person, and learns how to love someone more than anything under the stars.
Love Always, Kate is the story of Damian, at least for me. There is one point I wished he had made a different decision, but it was a beautiful story and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a love story.
d. Nichole King put her heart into this and you can read it in every word of every page. It’s an amazing work of fiction for all ages.
~Apryl Baker
The Ghost Files
It’s a story of young Kate, who was first diagnosed with leukemia when she was eleven. After surviving it for so many years, she’s gone out of remission and the cancer is back. She’s tired and she’s fought for so long when she’s faced with the choice of either taking a new drug that may or may not work or living her life to the fullest with the time she has left.
Then in walks Damian Lowell, the son of her oncologist. Damian has his own demons that have driven him to drinking, smoking, stealing cars, and getting kicked out of one school after another. He was in pain when he met Kate and she saw past his faults, past his behavior to the person he’d been.
To me, the story isn’t even about Kate, although its written from her point of view. It’s more about Damian. You see him change through her eyes, watch him grow stronger, watch him fail, and you see him get back up for Kate. He grows stronger, becomes a better person, and learns how to love someone more than anything under the stars.
Love Always, Kate is the story of Damian, at least for me. There is one point I wished he had made a different decision, but it was a beautiful story and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a love story.
d. Nichole King put her heart into this and you can read it in every word of every page. It’s an amazing work of fiction for all ages.
~Apryl Baker
The Ghost Files
March 20, 2019
Non è facile recensire un libro del genere , so solo che dopo averlo finito sto troppo male 😥. Non è per tutti leggere questo libro seppur splendido ma molto toccante ,ho dovuto fermarmi più volta perché mi faceva male il cuore . La forza di Kate e l’amore di Damian per lei mi hanno commossa . Consiglio di leggerlo a chi ne ha il coraggio .
January 29, 2015
*****5 Cranky Stars*****
I knew this wouldn't be an easy read, but I was very drawn to it regardless, and what an absolutely beautifully written story of cancer, love, and loss.
At age sixteen, Kate is told she is no longer in remission from A.L.L, a form of leukemia she has been fighting since she was eleven.
Much of the book is her diary entries, a process she started with her first round of chemo. This being her third go around, she knows all about what she is in for physically, and this book is a look inside her soul, which is heart wrenchingly realistic. You will feel her hopes and her fears, joys and heartbreak. Her feelings of invisibility and her acceptance are felt as well.
Damian Lowell is eighteen, and troubled.
This handsome son of Kate’s oncologist is forced to volunteer on the pediatric cancer floor because of his outrageous behavior since the death of his mother and older brother in a car accident from two years earlier. In many ways this story is his as much as it is Kate's. I couldn't always understand his behavior, and certainly couldn't condone it for many reasons, but this part of the story is also told in a real and soulful way.
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I can't remember when, if ever, a book has made me cry as much as this one did. At times I had to stop for a minute or two because my vision was so clouded by tears that the words were too blurry to read. But in spite of it all, it is a beautiful story. I vow to find the beauty and hope in sunrises, now.
I knew this wouldn't be an easy read, but I was very drawn to it regardless, and what an absolutely beautifully written story of cancer, love, and loss.
At age sixteen, Kate is told she is no longer in remission from A.L.L, a form of leukemia she has been fighting since she was eleven.
Much of the book is her diary entries, a process she started with her first round of chemo. This being her third go around, she knows all about what she is in for physically, and this book is a look inside her soul, which is heart wrenchingly realistic. You will feel her hopes and her fears, joys and heartbreak. Her feelings of invisibility and her acceptance are felt as well.
Damian Lowell is eighteen, and troubled.
This handsome son of Kate’s oncologist is forced to volunteer on the pediatric cancer floor because of his outrageous behavior since the death of his mother and older brother in a car accident from two years earlier. In many ways this story is his as much as it is Kate's. I couldn't always understand his behavior, and certainly couldn't condone it for many reasons, but this part of the story is also told in a real and soulful way.
[image error]
I can't remember when, if ever, a book has made me cry as much as this one did. At times I had to stop for a minute or two because my vision was so clouded by tears that the words were too blurry to read. But in spite of it all, it is a beautiful story. I vow to find the beauty and hope in sunrises, now.
April 12, 2014
I’m usually known for fangirling in my reviews. I usually find one particular point in a book and rave about it so much that it comes off a little insane.
I can’t do that with this book and here’s why.
This book while written well, fast paced with a guy that I absolutely adore and want to fan girl over, has a lot more buried within its pages that prevent me from completely losing my cool. It’s a serious read, filled with serious real life issues.
This is a story you want to escape in, but the realism hits you with such a hard force that you’re completely grounded until you’ve poured through the entire thing. I left my heart in this book last night when I finished it which is why the review has to come almost twelve hours later.
I laughed, god did I laugh at certain points because they were written for the humor in it. I think in a way they were written because the realism was so huge that readers would need a break. Hell, I’m pretty sure the writer needed the laugh too while writing it.
Having gone through a medical crisis recently like Kate herself has gone through (not the say yet similar in some ways), I was drawn right into her which I knew going in I would be. I didn’t expect it to hit me quite so hard though.
My advice, bring tissues and bring a lot of them because you will bawl your eyes out, especially in the last 6-7 chapters or so. That’s when the reality of what I was reading hit me, and even now I am forever altered by it.
All I’ve got left to say is, if you haven’t picked up this book yet, get it. You will not be disappointed and when you’re done, come find me in the corner and cry with me, because even writing this review is threatening water works again.
Phenomenal Read!
I can’t do that with this book and here’s why.
This book while written well, fast paced with a guy that I absolutely adore and want to fan girl over, has a lot more buried within its pages that prevent me from completely losing my cool. It’s a serious read, filled with serious real life issues.
This is a story you want to escape in, but the realism hits you with such a hard force that you’re completely grounded until you’ve poured through the entire thing. I left my heart in this book last night when I finished it which is why the review has to come almost twelve hours later.
I laughed, god did I laugh at certain points because they were written for the humor in it. I think in a way they were written because the realism was so huge that readers would need a break. Hell, I’m pretty sure the writer needed the laugh too while writing it.
Having gone through a medical crisis recently like Kate herself has gone through (not the say yet similar in some ways), I was drawn right into her which I knew going in I would be. I didn’t expect it to hit me quite so hard though.
My advice, bring tissues and bring a lot of them because you will bawl your eyes out, especially in the last 6-7 chapters or so. That’s when the reality of what I was reading hit me, and even now I am forever altered by it.
All I’ve got left to say is, if you haven’t picked up this book yet, get it. You will not be disappointed and when you’re done, come find me in the corner and cry with me, because even writing this review is threatening water works again.
Phenomenal Read!
May 22, 2014
I'm prejudice as I am her mother! But her creativity in writing this book hit me so hard that when I finished it I called her crying my eyes out!
The character Kate was so brave and strong, kind a like the author, and Damian would be your typical teenage boy but with his own losses, without Kate entering into his life, could have turned out to be a suicide statistic in real life. All the characters had a place that was important in the story. This is a very realistic story about true feelings and bravery to fight a terrible disease. I thank God everyday that our family has never had to deal with this kind of tragedy. Even if I wasn't her mother, I would recommend this book to everyone and also could see it as a hit movie too. Her next book "Spirit" I did read in it's beginnings and recommend it to all of you also as it is awesome. Again it would also make a great movie. I'm so proud of you De!
The character Kate was so brave and strong, kind a like the author, and Damian would be your typical teenage boy but with his own losses, without Kate entering into his life, could have turned out to be a suicide statistic in real life. All the characters had a place that was important in the story. This is a very realistic story about true feelings and bravery to fight a terrible disease. I thank God everyday that our family has never had to deal with this kind of tragedy. Even if I wasn't her mother, I would recommend this book to everyone and also could see it as a hit movie too. Her next book "Spirit" I did read in it's beginnings and recommend it to all of you also as it is awesome. Again it would also make a great movie. I'm so proud of you De!
April 26, 2014
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Wicked Reads.
This book is Lifetime Movie material! It was sweet, emotional, and real to me. Almost everyone now days is somehow linked to cancer. We all know someone who has had it, died from it, or is related to someone who has dealt with it. I have had family and friends die and survive from it. This book reminded me of all of that, good and bad. I can't imagine going through what the characters did, but in many ways I found myself relating. Katie's cancer was an all to real reminder of how much we take life for granted and how it affects all ages and every person involved. The impact it has on each of the characters makes for a deeply emotional and yet inspiring read. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to get out of a reading "rut" of the everyday genres. I'd grab the tissues and find a quiet place to absorb this story. It was genuine and sweet and I am glad I read it.
This book is Lifetime Movie material! It was sweet, emotional, and real to me. Almost everyone now days is somehow linked to cancer. We all know someone who has had it, died from it, or is related to someone who has dealt with it. I have had family and friends die and survive from it. This book reminded me of all of that, good and bad. I can't imagine going through what the characters did, but in many ways I found myself relating. Katie's cancer was an all to real reminder of how much we take life for granted and how it affects all ages and every person involved. The impact it has on each of the characters makes for a deeply emotional and yet inspiring read. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to get out of a reading "rut" of the everyday genres. I'd grab the tissues and find a quiet place to absorb this story. It was genuine and sweet and I am glad I read it.
May 5, 2021
https://emozionidicarta2020.blogspot....
Ok fermi tutti!
Ce la posso fare!
Ho sempre detto che scrivere una recensione non è facile, questo fino a quando non mi è stata proposta questa lettura e mi sono accorta che ho sempre sbagliato.
Scrivere questa recensione non è difficile ma è tremendamente complicato.
Sapete, di solito scrivo le recensione con la musica in sottofondo, sarò matta?
Forse sì, ma la musica mi permette di chiudere gli occhi e rivivere l'intera vita descritta tra le pagine del libro.
E vivere la storia di questo libro straordinario è distruttivo.
Così sono qui, a scrivere due parole, per poi fermarmi ad asciugare quelle lacrime copiose che continuano a cadere.
Avete mai sentito un dolore sordo, forte e intenso al centro del petto leggendo un libro?
Beh, io sì!
Questo libro non è fatto di semplici parole, questo libro ha un anima.
Un anima in grado di rapirti, travolgerti e distruggerti.
Un libro che inizi e già dalle prime pagine ti trasporta in una dimensione parallela, tu sei lì con loro, vivi ogni attimo, minuto e secondo con loro.
Vivi sulla pelle ogni emozione: lotti, urli e piangi.
Ti arrabbi per quel maledetto orologio che scandisce il tempo che scorre troppo velocemente, e tu da lettrice vorresti avere il potere di fermarlo quel tempo o, ancora meglio, vorresti riavvolgere il nastro e dare più tempo a questa meravigliosa creatura di nome Kate.
Vorresti dare più tempo a tutti loro.
Kate ha solo 17 anni quando le viene comunicato che la leucemia si è ripresentata dopo un solo anno di respiro.
Lei che stava riassaporando la gioia di iniziare a vivere, ricade di nuovo in quel baratro fatto di sedute di chemioterapia ed effetti collaterali, e nonostante abbia paura, non molla.
Lei deve e vuole combattere, lei vuole vivere, lei ha bisogno di credere nel sogno di potercela fare anche questa volta.
Una forza della natura!
L'unica cosa che odia, è quello che la malattia fa ai suoi genitori, direi straordinari ed è anche poco.
"Provava a essere forte, positiva. Ma gli occhi la tradivano. Combattere era il mio lavoro, sopravvivere il suo."
Ma qualcosa di inaspettato sta per succedere nella sua vita.
Un camice azzurro e due occhi penetranti incontrano i suoi.
"È troppo sperare che forse, dico forse, possa guardare oltre il cancro e vedermi?"
Damian è il figlio del Dottor Lowell, il medico che ha in cura Kate.
Lui che ha un bel po' di problemi da risolvere, la vede, la sente e va oltre la malattia.
Lui con Kate non ha bisogno di fingersi qualcun altro, lui con lei diventa la versione migliore di sé stesso, quella che tiene nascosta dietro una maschera di rammarico e dolore.
Lui ha la capacità di abbattere tutte le barriere e in maniera così naturale riesce a farsi spazio nel cuore di Kate.
<>
"I suoi occhi erano dolci. Tirò fuori dal borsone un paio di forbici e un rasoio elettrico."
<>
Come si fa a non amarlo?
Mille dubbi affollano la mente di Kate, le parole di Leslie, la sua infermiera, continuano a ripetersi come un eco nella sua mente.
<>
Ma si può allontanare ciò che il cuore ha scelto?
No, non si può.
E quando la chemio non dà gli esiti sperati, non restano che due opzioni: un farmaco sperimentale oppure liberarsi di tutto e vivere il tempo che rimane nel migliore dei modi.
Cosa sceglierà la nostra guerriera?
<>
Kate è unica, mi ha insegnato che non è la quantità del tempo vissuto ma è la qualità e il valore che attribuiamo al tempo stesso a definire chi siamo, chi siamo stati e cosa lasceremo di noi.
Come reagirà Damian alla sua scelta?
Nonostante faccia male continuano a sperare che arrivi quel donatore in grado di dare loro la possibilità di un futuro insieme.
"I secondi ticchettavano a un ritmo allarmante, odiavo perderli, ognuno di loro era prezioso"
Ed è qui che urlo.
Fermati tempo, permettimi di fare.
Permettimi di volare e osare.
Permettimi di cavalcare questo momento perfetto.
Permettimi di sperare, di correre, ballare, di guardare e di amare.
Permettimi di sognare e vivere in quel mondo che se pur imperfetto, mi ha catturata e trafitta dritta al petto.
Ma il tempo non ascolta...
<>
<>
<>
Fece un cenno d'assenso, i suoi capelli mi solleticavano la testa calva.
<>
La mia guerriera riuscirà a raggiungere i suoi scopi?
Dovrete leggerlo per scoprirlo.
Un libro che definire meraviglioso è riduttivo.
Una lettura scorrevole e fluida.
Un finale che in un certo senso mi ha spiazzata e fatta arrabbiare.
Un tocco unico, delicato e intenso quello dell'autrice.
Lei ha avuto l'abilità non solo di scrivere una trama che ha cattura il mio cuore, ma di farmi vivere nella storia e per la storia.
Cuore, mente, anima e corpo.
Rabbia, dolore, speranza, vita, amore, distruzione, strazio e ancora amore.
Quanto amore può esserci in una persona?
Non mi è mai capitato di vivere tutto questo leggendo un libro, e se pur vero che è stato difficile, Kate resterà per sempre nel mio cuore.
Complimenti davvero!
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il sequel.
Vi state chiedendo se per caso ho smesso di piangere?
La risposta è no! Anche perché adesso devo rileggere ciò che ho scritto, per vedere se possa essere passabile e sono sicura che ricomincerò a piangere di nuovo.
Posso dare 1000 cuori?
Ringrazio la Hope Edizioni per la copia Arc.
Ok fermi tutti!
Ce la posso fare!
Ho sempre detto che scrivere una recensione non è facile, questo fino a quando non mi è stata proposta questa lettura e mi sono accorta che ho sempre sbagliato.
Scrivere questa recensione non è difficile ma è tremendamente complicato.
Sapete, di solito scrivo le recensione con la musica in sottofondo, sarò matta?
Forse sì, ma la musica mi permette di chiudere gli occhi e rivivere l'intera vita descritta tra le pagine del libro.
E vivere la storia di questo libro straordinario è distruttivo.
Così sono qui, a scrivere due parole, per poi fermarmi ad asciugare quelle lacrime copiose che continuano a cadere.
Avete mai sentito un dolore sordo, forte e intenso al centro del petto leggendo un libro?
Beh, io sì!
Questo libro non è fatto di semplici parole, questo libro ha un anima.
Un anima in grado di rapirti, travolgerti e distruggerti.
Un libro che inizi e già dalle prime pagine ti trasporta in una dimensione parallela, tu sei lì con loro, vivi ogni attimo, minuto e secondo con loro.
Vivi sulla pelle ogni emozione: lotti, urli e piangi.
Ti arrabbi per quel maledetto orologio che scandisce il tempo che scorre troppo velocemente, e tu da lettrice vorresti avere il potere di fermarlo quel tempo o, ancora meglio, vorresti riavvolgere il nastro e dare più tempo a questa meravigliosa creatura di nome Kate.
Vorresti dare più tempo a tutti loro.
Kate ha solo 17 anni quando le viene comunicato che la leucemia si è ripresentata dopo un solo anno di respiro.
Lei che stava riassaporando la gioia di iniziare a vivere, ricade di nuovo in quel baratro fatto di sedute di chemioterapia ed effetti collaterali, e nonostante abbia paura, non molla.
Lei deve e vuole combattere, lei vuole vivere, lei ha bisogno di credere nel sogno di potercela fare anche questa volta.
Una forza della natura!
L'unica cosa che odia, è quello che la malattia fa ai suoi genitori, direi straordinari ed è anche poco.
"Provava a essere forte, positiva. Ma gli occhi la tradivano. Combattere era il mio lavoro, sopravvivere il suo."
Ma qualcosa di inaspettato sta per succedere nella sua vita.
Un camice azzurro e due occhi penetranti incontrano i suoi.
"È troppo sperare che forse, dico forse, possa guardare oltre il cancro e vedermi?"
Damian è il figlio del Dottor Lowell, il medico che ha in cura Kate.
Lui che ha un bel po' di problemi da risolvere, la vede, la sente e va oltre la malattia.
Lui con Kate non ha bisogno di fingersi qualcun altro, lui con lei diventa la versione migliore di sé stesso, quella che tiene nascosta dietro una maschera di rammarico e dolore.
Lui ha la capacità di abbattere tutte le barriere e in maniera così naturale riesce a farsi spazio nel cuore di Kate.
<>
"I suoi occhi erano dolci. Tirò fuori dal borsone un paio di forbici e un rasoio elettrico."
<>
Come si fa a non amarlo?
Mille dubbi affollano la mente di Kate, le parole di Leslie, la sua infermiera, continuano a ripetersi come un eco nella sua mente.
<>
Ma si può allontanare ciò che il cuore ha scelto?
No, non si può.
E quando la chemio non dà gli esiti sperati, non restano che due opzioni: un farmaco sperimentale oppure liberarsi di tutto e vivere il tempo che rimane nel migliore dei modi.
Cosa sceglierà la nostra guerriera?
<>
Kate è unica, mi ha insegnato che non è la quantità del tempo vissuto ma è la qualità e il valore che attribuiamo al tempo stesso a definire chi siamo, chi siamo stati e cosa lasceremo di noi.
Come reagirà Damian alla sua scelta?
Nonostante faccia male continuano a sperare che arrivi quel donatore in grado di dare loro la possibilità di un futuro insieme.
"I secondi ticchettavano a un ritmo allarmante, odiavo perderli, ognuno di loro era prezioso"
Ed è qui che urlo.
Fermati tempo, permettimi di fare.
Permettimi di volare e osare.
Permettimi di cavalcare questo momento perfetto.
Permettimi di sperare, di correre, ballare, di guardare e di amare.
Permettimi di sognare e vivere in quel mondo che se pur imperfetto, mi ha catturata e trafitta dritta al petto.
Ma il tempo non ascolta...
<>
<>
<>
Fece un cenno d'assenso, i suoi capelli mi solleticavano la testa calva.
<>
La mia guerriera riuscirà a raggiungere i suoi scopi?
Dovrete leggerlo per scoprirlo.
Un libro che definire meraviglioso è riduttivo.
Una lettura scorrevole e fluida.
Un finale che in un certo senso mi ha spiazzata e fatta arrabbiare.
Un tocco unico, delicato e intenso quello dell'autrice.
Lei ha avuto l'abilità non solo di scrivere una trama che ha cattura il mio cuore, ma di farmi vivere nella storia e per la storia.
Cuore, mente, anima e corpo.
Rabbia, dolore, speranza, vita, amore, distruzione, strazio e ancora amore.
Quanto amore può esserci in una persona?
Non mi è mai capitato di vivere tutto questo leggendo un libro, e se pur vero che è stato difficile, Kate resterà per sempre nel mio cuore.
Complimenti davvero!
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il sequel.
Vi state chiedendo se per caso ho smesso di piangere?
La risposta è no! Anche perché adesso devo rileggere ciò che ho scritto, per vedere se possa essere passabile e sono sicura che ricomincerò a piangere di nuovo.
Posso dare 1000 cuori?
Ringrazio la Hope Edizioni per la copia Arc.
February 6, 2017
I just wasn't able to get past Damian asshole-ish ways. As much as he would literally take care of Kate he would do something that wasn't redeemable in my eyes. Kate was a wonderful character. For what she had to go through, knowing it could end at any moment, was heartbreaking. Alas, it was Freakin Damian that kept taking stars away from this book. Which is strange because I usually love the asshole. Which also explains many of my young relationships!! lol
June 26, 2015
Gut wrenching but a beautiful story.
March 20, 2019
Recensione qui -->
http://www.leggereromanticamente.com/...
Piangerete buona parte delle vostre lacrime, ma ne vale comunque la pena.
http://www.leggereromanticamente.com/...
Piangerete buona parte delle vostre lacrime, ma ne vale comunque la pena.
March 25, 2019
Per sempre tua, Kate è un libro che fa male. Fa male fin dalla quarta di copertina e dalla trama. Ma è anche un libro, per quanto doloroso, che vale assolutamente la pena di leggere.
Kate ha 17 anni. Ha la leucemia da... troppo tempo. E questa volta la malattia sembra essere particolarmente aggressiva. Ma Kate è una combattente, è coraggiosa e la affronta con una forza non comune.
Quando conosce Damian, all'apparenza cattivo ragazzo, scopre finalmente l'amore.
Ed è questo amore tenerissimo, ma mai melenso, puro e potente che tiene insieme i due ragazzi, nonostante le prospettive non siano delle migliori. È un amore fatto di piccoli gesti generosi, di capacità di godere della reciproca compagnia attimo per attimo, di sostenersi a vicenda, due anime diversamente lacerate.
Ma è anche la storia della battaglia contro un male che non si può vincere, che distrugge dall'interno, che rende difficile ogni attività quotidiana. Viene descritto con attenzione, delicatezza ma anche impietosa realisticità, costringendo anche il lettore più duro a piangere durante la lettura. Un pianto che libera, che indica quanto questa storia colpisca e allo stesso insegni a guardare la vita con più ottimismo, godendo delle piccole cose, non smettendo mai di amare. Il tutto senza retorica, senza voler a tutti i costi far soffrire per tenere lì il lettore, ma per trasmettere qualcosa che rimane dentro, che si ricorda.
Kate ha 17 anni. Ha la leucemia da... troppo tempo. E questa volta la malattia sembra essere particolarmente aggressiva. Ma Kate è una combattente, è coraggiosa e la affronta con una forza non comune.
Quando conosce Damian, all'apparenza cattivo ragazzo, scopre finalmente l'amore.
Ed è questo amore tenerissimo, ma mai melenso, puro e potente che tiene insieme i due ragazzi, nonostante le prospettive non siano delle migliori. È un amore fatto di piccoli gesti generosi, di capacità di godere della reciproca compagnia attimo per attimo, di sostenersi a vicenda, due anime diversamente lacerate.
Ma è anche la storia della battaglia contro un male che non si può vincere, che distrugge dall'interno, che rende difficile ogni attività quotidiana. Viene descritto con attenzione, delicatezza ma anche impietosa realisticità, costringendo anche il lettore più duro a piangere durante la lettura. Un pianto che libera, che indica quanto questa storia colpisca e allo stesso insegni a guardare la vita con più ottimismo, godendo delle piccole cose, non smettendo mai di amare. Il tutto senza retorica, senza voler a tutti i costi far soffrire per tenere lì il lettore, ma per trasmettere qualcosa che rimane dentro, che si ricorda.
December 7, 2014
Call me a glutton for punishment, but I love emotional reads. Books that make my chest hurt, give me anxiety and make me cry. To me, the sign of a great author is one that can pull you in and make you feel every single emotion that their characters go through. This book was no exception. I cannot even begin to tell you how much empathy this book evoked in me.
D. Nichole King is a BRAND NEW author, in fact this is her debut. You'd never know it though, this book flowed like it was written by a seasoned pro. I am so in love with this book, I know I say that a lot, but my goodness. I wasn't expecting to FEEL this much. In fact I am having a hard time leaving these characters behind. If you give this book a One-Click, be sure to have tissues handy and cocoon yourself in your home or you'll be ugly crying out in public.
Poignant and gorgeous. I rate this book 6 stars!
~ Erin
D. Nichole King is a BRAND NEW author, in fact this is her debut. You'd never know it though, this book flowed like it was written by a seasoned pro. I am so in love with this book, I know I say that a lot, but my goodness. I wasn't expecting to FEEL this much. In fact I am having a hard time leaving these characters behind. If you give this book a One-Click, be sure to have tissues handy and cocoon yourself in your home or you'll be ugly crying out in public.
Poignant and gorgeous. I rate this book 6 stars!
~ Erin
August 1, 2021
Sinceramente mettere le stelline mi ha messo in crisi, dare il massimo ad una lettura che riporta un dramma mi sembrava irrispettoso ma il messaggio che si trascina dietro, è meritevole di punteggio elevato.
Come promesso ad una cara amica, ho letto d'un fiato, e mi è costato molto perché in più punti avrei avuto bisogno di fermarmi per metabolizzare. Non farò alcun riassunto. La trama non è solo basata sulla malattia di Kate ma anche sul dramma di Damien, un ragazzo che prova in tutti i modi ad autodistruggersi. Kate nel suo diario, lo incita alla risalita, "perché la vita non è solo sopravvivere ma, vivere! La vita non va mai sprecata ma vissuta". Kate ci ha tenuto a lasciare un pezzo di sé, che non vada dimenticato. Una combattente, circondata da un amore puro, totale, immenso, dei suoi genitori. Ecco, il mio pensiero è stato rivolto a loro per tutto il tempo......
Come promesso ad una cara amica, ho letto d'un fiato, e mi è costato molto perché in più punti avrei avuto bisogno di fermarmi per metabolizzare. Non farò alcun riassunto. La trama non è solo basata sulla malattia di Kate ma anche sul dramma di Damien, un ragazzo che prova in tutti i modi ad autodistruggersi. Kate nel suo diario, lo incita alla risalita, "perché la vita non è solo sopravvivere ma, vivere! La vita non va mai sprecata ma vissuta". Kate ci ha tenuto a lasciare un pezzo di sé, che non vada dimenticato. Una combattente, circondata da un amore puro, totale, immenso, dei suoi genitori. Ecco, il mio pensiero è stato rivolto a loro per tutto il tempo......
April 17, 2019
“Damian s’illuminò di nuovo, offrendomi un debole sorriso. «Hai capito ciò che intendo? Nulla in questa vita di merda è facile.» «Solo perché non è facile, non significa che non ne valga la pena.» «Allora, dimmi: ne vale la pena?» I suoi occhi azzurri cercarono i miei. «Vale tutto il tempo che passi in questo posto?» Era una domanda che mi ero posta spesso, una per la quale non avevo una risposta. A volte non sembrava valerne la pena. Se avessi combattuto e perso, nessuno ci avrebbe guadagnato niente. Avrei sprecato gli ultimi anni, mesi, settimane della mia vita sperando. Sarei morta e i miei genitori avrebbero avuto il cuore spezzato: nessuno avrebbe vinto. Se avessi smesso di combattere, di fare la chemio e avessi accettato il mio destino, avrei potuto godermi gli ultimi momenti su questa terra. I miei genitori avrebbero potuto farlo insieme a me, creando ricordi a cui aggrapparsi per molto tempo dopo la mia morte. Ma se… Ma se avessi continuato a combattere? E vinto? Avremmo vinto tutti. Le probabilità erano scarse, lo sapevo. Non valeva comunque la pena resistere?”
.
Il libro di cui vi parlo oggi, “Per sempre tua, Kate” non ha bisogno di grandi presentazioni, è una di quelle storie che straziano l’animo del lettore, ma che allo stesso tempo gli regalano emozioni difficili da dimenticare, come i suoi personaggi.
Incontriamo Kate mentre apprende la notizia che la sua devastante malattia è tornata ancora una volta. La vediamo decisa a combatterla con tutte le forze che le restano, con coraggio e determinazione, senza farsi vedere disperata dai suoi genitori, che hanno cambiato tutta la loro vita per darle le cure migliori. Ad aiutarla ad affrontare le nuove sedute di chemio è il suo diario, quello che tiene ogni volta che è uscita dalla remissione, l’amico a cui confidare le sue paure e i suoi desideri, così come la sua rabbia. Tutti in ospedale la conoscono, e con il tempo è diventata amica delle infermiere, che non possono che affezionarsi a questi giovani pazienti così già provati dalla vita. Questa volta però c’è una novità: Damien, il figlio del dottore che l’ha in cura e che il padre costringe a fargli fare volontariato nel vano tentativo di impedire che continui a distruggersi e creare problemi. Se lei desidera vivere con tutte le sue forze, scopriamo ben presto che Damien invece ha cercato la morte, e ha atteggiamenti pessimisti e distruttivi. Nella sua vita una tragedia gli ha portato via la gioia di vivere, e suo padre è stato incapace, chiuso nel suo dolore, di aiutarlo, ora i loro rapporti sono difficili e non sembrano trovare un punto d’incontro. Damien è intrigato da Kate, dalla sua forza, e fra loro comincia a nascere un’amicizia che ben presto si trasforma in un dolce sentimento. Lui le dimostra di poter essere una ragazza normale, di essere attraente anche se perde i capelli e se il suo stomaco è spesso sottosopra, non le riserva l’atteggiamento che i ragazzi assumono sapendo della sua malattia. Lei tenta di trasmettergli la sua voglia di vivere e di fargli capire che chi lo ha amato non vorrebbe mai vederlo gettare via la sua vita. Insieme tentano di afferrare ogni attimo di felicità, di fare le cose che si desiderano a quell’età, si amano in modo dolce e struggente. Succede tutto mentre Kate deve sempre di più fare i conti con le conseguenze della chemio, sperando che questa dia l’esito sperato, o pregando per un donatore.
Mi è capitato spesso che i lettori dopo la recensione di un libro con una trama simile, mi abbiano chiesto in privato se ci fosse un finale tragico, perché in quel caso non lo avrebbero letto. Personalmente mi sono sempre stupita di questo, perché si perde la possibilità di leggere libri davvero meravigliosi che, per quanto ci possano rendere tristi, riescono a emozionare come pochi. Quello che posso dirvi e che è un libro che ha bisogno di una scorta di fazzoletti ben nutrita, non si può infatti rimanere insensibili di fronte a questa ragazzina che dall’età di undici anni, quando tutti i suoi coetanei probabilmente pensano che il più grosso problema sia farsi regalare il cellulare più costoso, abbia come suo desiderio più grande vivere altro tempo, sperare che la cura faccia effetto, desiderare che i suoi capelli ricrescano. È un personaggio straordinario Kate, una lottatrice che non si arrende, consapevole che la sua morte devasterebbe i suoi genitori. Leggere il suo diario, che ci accompagna durante la sua storia, ci permette di conoscere i suoi pensieri, vediamo il suo amore per Damien crescere, la sua paura di deluderlo assieme ai suoi genitori nell’eventualità che non riesca a sopravvivere. Perché più delle procedure dolorose, della tristezza di veder cadere i suoi capelli ricresciuti da poco, della debilitazione che la chemio comporta, c’è il peso della responsabilità che sente nei confronti delle persone che la amano. E del resto ci rendiamo conto ben presto che Damien è il personaggio più debole, non ha superato la perdita subita, non è riuscito a elaborare il suo lutto, ed è convinto di essere una delusione per il padre. Ama Kate con tutte le sue forze, e vederla deperire a poco a poco lo devasta.
L’autrice è riuscita a trattare un tema così doloroso in modo lieve, non con leggerezza, ma raccontando anche momenti felici, attimi di un amore dolce e intenso, perché Kate vive una storia d’amore delicata e bellissima. Non un secondo del tempo che le è concesso va sprecato, dandoci una grande lezione di vita. Ama con tutta se stessa ed è riamata, ed è molto più di quanto altre persone trovino in una vita intera.
È un libro che commuove, che lascia nell’animo sentimenti positivi che stemperano la tristezza, che ci fanno capire come i problemi di tutti i giorni siano a volte meschini e privi di sostanza. È un libro che una volta chiuso ti invoglia ad andare a fare una passeggiata al sole, una bella corsa, a sentirti vivo e ad afferrare ogni cosa bella la vita di ponga davanti, ringraziando per il tempo che ti è concesso e per la salute che non tutti godono. Una sensazione fantastica che purtroppo non si riesce a far durare che pochi attimi, ma che renderebbe la tua vita più felice. E per quanto mi riguarda, sono davvero contenta di averti conosciuto, Kate.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
.
Il libro di cui vi parlo oggi, “Per sempre tua, Kate” non ha bisogno di grandi presentazioni, è una di quelle storie che straziano l’animo del lettore, ma che allo stesso tempo gli regalano emozioni difficili da dimenticare, come i suoi personaggi.
Incontriamo Kate mentre apprende la notizia che la sua devastante malattia è tornata ancora una volta. La vediamo decisa a combatterla con tutte le forze che le restano, con coraggio e determinazione, senza farsi vedere disperata dai suoi genitori, che hanno cambiato tutta la loro vita per darle le cure migliori. Ad aiutarla ad affrontare le nuove sedute di chemio è il suo diario, quello che tiene ogni volta che è uscita dalla remissione, l’amico a cui confidare le sue paure e i suoi desideri, così come la sua rabbia. Tutti in ospedale la conoscono, e con il tempo è diventata amica delle infermiere, che non possono che affezionarsi a questi giovani pazienti così già provati dalla vita. Questa volta però c’è una novità: Damien, il figlio del dottore che l’ha in cura e che il padre costringe a fargli fare volontariato nel vano tentativo di impedire che continui a distruggersi e creare problemi. Se lei desidera vivere con tutte le sue forze, scopriamo ben presto che Damien invece ha cercato la morte, e ha atteggiamenti pessimisti e distruttivi. Nella sua vita una tragedia gli ha portato via la gioia di vivere, e suo padre è stato incapace, chiuso nel suo dolore, di aiutarlo, ora i loro rapporti sono difficili e non sembrano trovare un punto d’incontro. Damien è intrigato da Kate, dalla sua forza, e fra loro comincia a nascere un’amicizia che ben presto si trasforma in un dolce sentimento. Lui le dimostra di poter essere una ragazza normale, di essere attraente anche se perde i capelli e se il suo stomaco è spesso sottosopra, non le riserva l’atteggiamento che i ragazzi assumono sapendo della sua malattia. Lei tenta di trasmettergli la sua voglia di vivere e di fargli capire che chi lo ha amato non vorrebbe mai vederlo gettare via la sua vita. Insieme tentano di afferrare ogni attimo di felicità, di fare le cose che si desiderano a quell’età, si amano in modo dolce e struggente. Succede tutto mentre Kate deve sempre di più fare i conti con le conseguenze della chemio, sperando che questa dia l’esito sperato, o pregando per un donatore.
Mi è capitato spesso che i lettori dopo la recensione di un libro con una trama simile, mi abbiano chiesto in privato se ci fosse un finale tragico, perché in quel caso non lo avrebbero letto. Personalmente mi sono sempre stupita di questo, perché si perde la possibilità di leggere libri davvero meravigliosi che, per quanto ci possano rendere tristi, riescono a emozionare come pochi. Quello che posso dirvi e che è un libro che ha bisogno di una scorta di fazzoletti ben nutrita, non si può infatti rimanere insensibili di fronte a questa ragazzina che dall’età di undici anni, quando tutti i suoi coetanei probabilmente pensano che il più grosso problema sia farsi regalare il cellulare più costoso, abbia come suo desiderio più grande vivere altro tempo, sperare che la cura faccia effetto, desiderare che i suoi capelli ricrescano. È un personaggio straordinario Kate, una lottatrice che non si arrende, consapevole che la sua morte devasterebbe i suoi genitori. Leggere il suo diario, che ci accompagna durante la sua storia, ci permette di conoscere i suoi pensieri, vediamo il suo amore per Damien crescere, la sua paura di deluderlo assieme ai suoi genitori nell’eventualità che non riesca a sopravvivere. Perché più delle procedure dolorose, della tristezza di veder cadere i suoi capelli ricresciuti da poco, della debilitazione che la chemio comporta, c’è il peso della responsabilità che sente nei confronti delle persone che la amano. E del resto ci rendiamo conto ben presto che Damien è il personaggio più debole, non ha superato la perdita subita, non è riuscito a elaborare il suo lutto, ed è convinto di essere una delusione per il padre. Ama Kate con tutte le sue forze, e vederla deperire a poco a poco lo devasta.
L’autrice è riuscita a trattare un tema così doloroso in modo lieve, non con leggerezza, ma raccontando anche momenti felici, attimi di un amore dolce e intenso, perché Kate vive una storia d’amore delicata e bellissima. Non un secondo del tempo che le è concesso va sprecato, dandoci una grande lezione di vita. Ama con tutta se stessa ed è riamata, ed è molto più di quanto altre persone trovino in una vita intera.
È un libro che commuove, che lascia nell’animo sentimenti positivi che stemperano la tristezza, che ci fanno capire come i problemi di tutti i giorni siano a volte meschini e privi di sostanza. È un libro che una volta chiuso ti invoglia ad andare a fare una passeggiata al sole, una bella corsa, a sentirti vivo e ad afferrare ogni cosa bella la vita di ponga davanti, ringraziando per il tempo che ti è concesso e per la salute che non tutti godono. Una sensazione fantastica che purtroppo non si riesce a far durare che pochi attimi, ma che renderebbe la tua vita più felice. E per quanto mi riguarda, sono davvero contenta di averti conosciuto, Kate.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
avoid
June 29, 2021SPOILER - Worst fucking book EVER! I'm so sick of pathetic authors trying to market their books as "romance" to sell more copies... This is not a romance novel, it's a tragic love story with no HEA!!
note to self: H cheats on his dying h with Ellie and h does die at the end - THEN he slept with Ellie (ow) on the fucking day of h's funeral!
"After death, in book 2, he ends up with the OW- the fuck buddy-his brothers ex, the same girl he cheated on the h with when she was in coma. "
"And the fact that Damian and Elle(OW) DIDN'T EVER USE F*CKING PROTECTION!? Because "when they were with each other they didn't need to, because they needed to feel that full connection to someone."
The OW does end up preggers during book 1 which you will find out in book 2.
note to self: H cheats on his dying h with Ellie and h does die at the end - THEN he slept with Ellie (ow) on the fucking day of h's funeral!
"After death, in book 2, he ends up with the OW- the fuck buddy-his brothers ex, the same girl he cheated on the h with when she was in coma. "
"And the fact that Damian and Elle(OW) DIDN'T EVER USE F*CKING PROTECTION!? Because "when they were with each other they didn't need to, because they needed to feel that full connection to someone."
The OW does end up preggers during book 1 which you will find out in book 2.
April 25, 2014
I can honestly say that there were parts in this book that I was crying so hard I couldn't even see to read. Other times I was smiling from ear to ear at the sweetness of the love between Kate and Damian.
This story is about life, love, learning to let go, losing someone, and the healing process. I would recommend this book to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one to cancer. This book is so good and heart wrenching for once in my long history of reading, I am pretty much speechless and there is no amount of words to describe the feelings this book brought out in me.
This story is about life, love, learning to let go, losing someone, and the healing process. I would recommend this book to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one to cancer. This book is so good and heart wrenching for once in my long history of reading, I am pretty much speechless and there is no amount of words to describe the feelings this book brought out in me.
November 13, 2015
i am an emotional masochist.i know it people.it isn't something new...
review to come.my eyes are too swollen for thisT^T
review to come.my eyes are too swollen for thisT^T
September 18, 2014
Love Always, Kate (Love Always #1) by D. Nichole King
4.5 stars!!!
This was one hard book to read and is going to be one hard book to review. Whenever cancer is involved you automatically know that the book is going to be emotional, it won’t be pretty but if anything, there are life lessons that can be learned. When anyone is faced with death they go one of two ways, give up or live life to the full and if they chose the latter you will always be in for a good read. It is surprising how when all inhibitions are quashed, people change, they do more, say more, want more…they just want more and this book is no different. After reading, even though you may be choked and emotional, you will come away wanting to be a better person.
I am a huge fan of emotional reads, they are my favourite and I love nothing better than a book that can make me sob and rip my heart out. I am not one that has to have a happy ever after either, after all life is not one big fairy tale, we don’t all get our happy ever afters, but if there is, then I am happy that the author puts me back together again. This is one of those emotional reads, you will need tissues, I cannot lie but this is a story that deserves to be read, I hope you will love it as much as did.
Kate is a survivor, she has kicked cancer’s butt twice already in her short life, but now it is back for a third time and Kate is hoping that she has the strength to fight it once more. All Kate has ever wanted was a “normal” childhood, but having always been “that girl with cancer” she has always been avoided, she feels invisible because people just don’t know what to say or how to behave around her. She wanted what all girls want, go shopping, have mani/pedi’s, talk about boys, go to prom, be kissed, fall in love…all little girls hopes and dreams, but Kate’s reality is overbearing parents who keep her wrapped in bubble wrap for fear of her breaking. If this was my child I would be exactly the same so I do not disagree with her parents at all, being an only child they want what is best for Kate even if it means she doesn’t get to experience all of life’s normalities.
Kate is in hospital; it is here that she meets Damien, who just happens to be her oncologist’s son. He is volunteering at the hospital, well when I say volunteering; he is there so his dad can keep an eye on him. Damien comes with his own set of problems and is continually rebelling against his father. Having lived through his own traumatic set of events he too is scarred and is keeping his scars well and truly hidden. They only manifest themselves through random acts of bad behaviour, but anyone on the outside can see that these are only cries for help.
Kate and Damien both have battles and demons to fight; will these two be each other savings grace? Will it be together they will conquer or it be divided they will fall?
This is a book about falling in love for the first time, treating life as the precious commodity that it is, making the most of it, having the strength to battle your past and battle for your future. It is sad, yet uplifting, it is emotional and powerful but most of all it makes you think, what would you do faced with similar circumstances.
Kate was a beautiful character inside and out, a true inspiration and she really affected the lives of everyone around her. She had that inner strength and a persona that just motivated people to be a better person. Damien was a tough nut to crack, sometimes I just thought he was a total douche, but you could see the loveable guy that was lurking underneath. He had a lot going on and he and his dad really needed to sit down and sort out their lives. They were both dealing with the same issues, but handling it differently and worst of all, handling it apart. They should have been a united front.
This was a beautiful story and one that I am not sorry I have read, if anything I feel better for reading it. My one little gripe is would I have loved to have heard Damien’s voice a bit more, we were treated to a little but he was battling too and I just wanted to get into his head for a little bit. Beautifully written, this may be the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last.
www.theromancecover.com
4.5 stars!!!
“I was strong because cancer is resolute, and I didn’t want the beast to win.”
This was one hard book to read and is going to be one hard book to review. Whenever cancer is involved you automatically know that the book is going to be emotional, it won’t be pretty but if anything, there are life lessons that can be learned. When anyone is faced with death they go one of two ways, give up or live life to the full and if they chose the latter you will always be in for a good read. It is surprising how when all inhibitions are quashed, people change, they do more, say more, want more…they just want more and this book is no different. After reading, even though you may be choked and emotional, you will come away wanting to be a better person.
“No matter how dark it gets, the sun always rises eventually and starts a new day. The darkness is forgotten.”
I am a huge fan of emotional reads, they are my favourite and I love nothing better than a book that can make me sob and rip my heart out. I am not one that has to have a happy ever after either, after all life is not one big fairy tale, we don’t all get our happy ever afters, but if there is, then I am happy that the author puts me back together again. This is one of those emotional reads, you will need tissues, I cannot lie but this is a story that deserves to be read, I hope you will love it as much as did.
Kate is a survivor, she has kicked cancer’s butt twice already in her short life, but now it is back for a third time and Kate is hoping that she has the strength to fight it once more. All Kate has ever wanted was a “normal” childhood, but having always been “that girl with cancer” she has always been avoided, she feels invisible because people just don’t know what to say or how to behave around her. She wanted what all girls want, go shopping, have mani/pedi’s, talk about boys, go to prom, be kissed, fall in love…all little girls hopes and dreams, but Kate’s reality is overbearing parents who keep her wrapped in bubble wrap for fear of her breaking. If this was my child I would be exactly the same so I do not disagree with her parents at all, being an only child they want what is best for Kate even if it means she doesn’t get to experience all of life’s normalities.
“Normal is overrated. Besides, invisible is totally in this season, I hear.”
Kate is in hospital; it is here that she meets Damien, who just happens to be her oncologist’s son. He is volunteering at the hospital, well when I say volunteering; he is there so his dad can keep an eye on him. Damien comes with his own set of problems and is continually rebelling against his father. Having lived through his own traumatic set of events he too is scarred and is keeping his scars well and truly hidden. They only manifest themselves through random acts of bad behaviour, but anyone on the outside can see that these are only cries for help.
Kate and Damien both have battles and demons to fight; will these two be each other savings grace? Will it be together they will conquer or it be divided they will fall?
“Is it too much to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could look past the cancer and see me?”
This is a book about falling in love for the first time, treating life as the precious commodity that it is, making the most of it, having the strength to battle your past and battle for your future. It is sad, yet uplifting, it is emotional and powerful but most of all it makes you think, what would you do faced with similar circumstances.
“I wanna see the sun rise with you every morning for the rest of my life.” What felt like minutes passed before he answered. His voice cracked when he did. “That’s a whole lot of sunrises. Are you sure you can put up with me for that long? “That long and longer.” I touched his face wiping away a tear. “For always.” He buried his face in my neck. “Always isn’t long enough.”
Kate was a beautiful character inside and out, a true inspiration and she really affected the lives of everyone around her. She had that inner strength and a persona that just motivated people to be a better person. Damien was a tough nut to crack, sometimes I just thought he was a total douche, but you could see the loveable guy that was lurking underneath. He had a lot going on and he and his dad really needed to sit down and sort out their lives. They were both dealing with the same issues, but handling it differently and worst of all, handling it apart. They should have been a united front.
This was a beautiful story and one that I am not sorry I have read, if anything I feel better for reading it. My one little gripe is would I have loved to have heard Damien’s voice a bit more, we were treated to a little but he was battling too and I just wanted to get into his head for a little bit. Beautifully written, this may be the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last.
www.theromancecover.com
June 29, 2015
Instead of sleeping, I sprawled out in bed, read this book and tried not to hiccup cry. jesssssus. THIS BOOK.
King had a string tied straight to my tear ducts. She lightly tugged and my world blurred through the haze of large, wet, disgusting, ugly tears. I didn’t make it even to half-way through this book before I started the ugly crying. Unless you have a black soul of steel, I do not recommend reading this book in public.
It reminded me a bit of The Fault in Our Stars, but a more romantic and less caustically sarcastic version. I was totally ok with that, by the way.
Kate’s probably one of the most mature, strong characters I’ve ever read. I suppose knowing that you’re probably going to die soon may allow for sobering maturity to spark early – but I think she really just has an old soul. The way in which she handles her disease is beautiful and courageous, and her relationship with Damien grows from innocent to a deep and life-changing love.
Damien is less mature. Much Less. But for whatever reason, Kate finds her soulmate in him. She doesn’t allow his flaws to change their love and she accepts him – every chipped and rough piece of him. I was consumed by Damien’s journey to become the man that he wanted to be for Kate. I was gutted when his efforts were a few days shy of a enough. I was horrified at his quick reversion to his prior ways. I was uplifted as Kate’s spirits never waned and she gives Damien exactly what he needs, even though he doesn’t know what to do with it.
This book is emotionally draining and beautifully written. It’s a fantastic expression of strength, love, courage and commitment – no matter how long your lifespan may be. It doesn’t have a happy ending, but that just gives you a reason to read book 2 ;)
– 4.5 stars –
This review looks prettier on my blog: http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/2015/0...
King had a string tied straight to my tear ducts. She lightly tugged and my world blurred through the haze of large, wet, disgusting, ugly tears. I didn’t make it even to half-way through this book before I started the ugly crying. Unless you have a black soul of steel, I do not recommend reading this book in public.
It reminded me a bit of The Fault in Our Stars, but a more romantic and less caustically sarcastic version. I was totally ok with that, by the way.
Kate’s probably one of the most mature, strong characters I’ve ever read. I suppose knowing that you’re probably going to die soon may allow for sobering maturity to spark early – but I think she really just has an old soul. The way in which she handles her disease is beautiful and courageous, and her relationship with Damien grows from innocent to a deep and life-changing love.
Damien is less mature. Much Less. But for whatever reason, Kate finds her soulmate in him. She doesn’t allow his flaws to change their love and she accepts him – every chipped and rough piece of him. I was consumed by Damien’s journey to become the man that he wanted to be for Kate. I was gutted when his efforts were a few days shy of a enough. I was horrified at his quick reversion to his prior ways. I was uplifted as Kate’s spirits never waned and she gives Damien exactly what he needs, even though he doesn’t know what to do with it.
This book is emotionally draining and beautifully written. It’s a fantastic expression of strength, love, courage and commitment – no matter how long your lifespan may be. It doesn’t have a happy ending, but that just gives you a reason to read book 2 ;)
– 4.5 stars –
This review looks prettier on my blog: http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/2015/0...
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