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Torn in Two
Torn in Two follows Scarlette Anderson, a teenager living with a chronic illness - Short Gut Bowel Syndrome. After years of bullying and hospital stays, she finally gets a fresh start at a new school and makes one bold no one can know she's sick.
But balancing hospital visits, new friendships and old secrets isn't easy. When her carefully constructed façade starts to crack, Scarlette throws herself into a fashion design competition - determined to prove she's just like everyone else.
A heartfelt story of resilience, identity and learning that being yourself is the bravest thing of all.
But balancing hospital visits, new friendships and old secrets isn't easy. When her carefully constructed façade starts to crack, Scarlette throws herself into a fashion design competition - determined to prove she's just like everyone else.
A heartfelt story of resilience, identity and learning that being yourself is the bravest thing of all.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2026
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April 29, 2026
Torn in Two is the heartfelt debut novel from young Australian Author, Haylee Lester.
Scarlette is a teen girl like any other. She is delightfully bright, bubbly and creative. She loves music, fashion, make up, horror films and she adores her family and friends. Except Scarlette is not like other girls, because she is also chronically ill.
Born with her bowel outside of her abdomen, and with just 20% functional bowel remaining, Scarlette lives with Short Gut Bowel Syndrome and has spent her entire short life in and out of hospital.
Making and keeping friends at school is difficult for Scarlette, when illness can keep her out of school for weeks or months at a time. Her complex medical needs make it difficult to enjoy the social activities her school friends enjoy and she is tired of being treated differently.
After a life-threatening bout of Sepsis, Scarlette’s family learns she is being bullied at school and offers her the chance the change school for the last semester of Year 10.
Scarlette is initially hesitant. Until she has an idea. What if she could go to school, make friends and not have anyone know she is sick? She could be just like everyone else!
This book is a beautifully told story about friendship, belonging, bravery, and heartbreak. It offers a poignant reminder of the importance of facing your fears and reaching for your dreams. At its heart, it’s a story about growing up—building resilience, gaining independence, and learning that sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is ask for help.
Scarlette is a teen girl like any other. She is delightfully bright, bubbly and creative. She loves music, fashion, make up, horror films and she adores her family and friends. Except Scarlette is not like other girls, because she is also chronically ill.
Born with her bowel outside of her abdomen, and with just 20% functional bowel remaining, Scarlette lives with Short Gut Bowel Syndrome and has spent her entire short life in and out of hospital.
Making and keeping friends at school is difficult for Scarlette, when illness can keep her out of school for weeks or months at a time. Her complex medical needs make it difficult to enjoy the social activities her school friends enjoy and she is tired of being treated differently.
After a life-threatening bout of Sepsis, Scarlette’s family learns she is being bullied at school and offers her the chance the change school for the last semester of Year 10.
Scarlette is initially hesitant. Until she has an idea. What if she could go to school, make friends and not have anyone know she is sick? She could be just like everyone else!
This book is a beautifully told story about friendship, belonging, bravery, and heartbreak. It offers a poignant reminder of the importance of facing your fears and reaching for your dreams. At its heart, it’s a story about growing up—building resilience, gaining independence, and learning that sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is ask for help.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review