What do you think?
Rate this book
First Comes Love #3
In Sickness and in Health
When Matt discovers that he has cancer, he and his wife, Julie, must figure out a way to keep hope alive and to pay Matt's mounting doctor's bills. Original.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
10 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Jennifer Baker
21 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 31, 2021
Oh, Matt and Julie. Their little love story continues with this book... and I am sad to say that this is probably the least enjoyable part of their love story to read.
The second book brought to light what happens with many relationships once there is a huge drastic change: questioning and doubt. This is, of course, pretty normal (and I would even argue to be healthy) with relationships when there is a major change. With any major life move, change, adjustment, etc., it's not bad to doubt or question what you've done. This means that you are reflecting on life and your life choices. I think it makes you a better person and it shows that you are thinking about what is best for yourself.
However, this book made me think a little bit of how my students reacted to Conor O'Malley's life when we read A Monster Calls together. They asked, "can't this kid catch a break? It's like there are so many awful things happening to him over and over - it's not realistic anymore and it is making the story boring." We then had a little chat about plot line, peaking and holding interest, and the obstacles that many of them encounter when they are playing video games.
But seriously... at this point, it's kind of like, "really?? These two kids love each other. They got separated when Julie left for college. Then they decided after two weeks that was too long and so they eloped. Then Julie got financially cut off from her parents so they freaked out about how to pay her tuition (which somehow got paid at the end of the first book). Then they fought and fought and fought. Julie liked Nick. Nick liked Julie. Nick and Matt were friends, and that friendship ended when Julie and Nick hooked up.
And now Matt is sick. Neither of their parents is really in the picture, though they do come to visit, and that just drove me nuts. Honestly, this really bugged me. Somehow bills are kind of getting paid. Then all of the bills get magically paid again (we find out who does this). This newly married couple is so damn young, yet they act like they are in their 30s. This also bugs me.
There is another obstacle that gets tossed their way towards the end of the book that serves as the focal point for the fourth and last book, so I appreciated this lead-in (whereas the lead into the third book from the second one was far more subtle).
Anyway, the story is fine, but it's nothing awesome. It's more unbelievable and unrealistic than the other books.
The second book brought to light what happens with many relationships once there is a huge drastic change: questioning and doubt. This is, of course, pretty normal (and I would even argue to be healthy) with relationships when there is a major change. With any major life move, change, adjustment, etc., it's not bad to doubt or question what you've done. This means that you are reflecting on life and your life choices. I think it makes you a better person and it shows that you are thinking about what is best for yourself.
However, this book made me think a little bit of how my students reacted to Conor O'Malley's life when we read A Monster Calls together. They asked, "can't this kid catch a break? It's like there are so many awful things happening to him over and over - it's not realistic anymore and it is making the story boring." We then had a little chat about plot line, peaking and holding interest, and the obstacles that many of them encounter when they are playing video games.
But seriously... at this point, it's kind of like, "really?? These two kids love each other. They got separated when Julie left for college. Then they decided after two weeks that was too long and so they eloped. Then Julie got financially cut off from her parents so they freaked out about how to pay her tuition (which somehow got paid at the end of the first book). Then they fought and fought and fought. Julie liked Nick. Nick liked Julie. Nick and Matt were friends, and that friendship ended when Julie and Nick hooked up.
And now Matt is sick. Neither of their parents is really in the picture, though they do come to visit, and that just drove me nuts. Honestly, this really bugged me. Somehow bills are kind of getting paid. Then all of the bills get magically paid again (we find out who does this). This newly married couple is so damn young, yet they act like they are in their 30s. This also bugs me.
There is another obstacle that gets tossed their way towards the end of the book that serves as the focal point for the fourth and last book, so I appreciated this lead-in (whereas the lead into the third book from the second one was far more subtle).
Anyway, the story is fine, but it's nothing awesome. It's more unbelievable and unrealistic than the other books.
November 22, 2021
I loved these books as a kid. As an adult they're still readable but more stupid than romantic. Julie and Matt have the worst first year of marriage ever. Picking up from the last book Matt who has had a horrible cold or flu learns he has cancer. Two weeks in the hospital and two out. Bills pile up because Americans think socialized medicine is evil for some reason so along with the usual bills they have hospital bills. Matt meets a young boy named Danny who is ten years old and undergoing treatments. For some reason his parents aren't around much. I mean I get there's probably no Ronald McDonald house but you'd think they would try to find a way to have one of them there or the grandparents or someone or have him get treated closer. Seriously all this book did was make me glad I live in a country with socialized medicine because yikes what a nightmare. It ends with Matt learning he only has about a couple months left before he's home free and sets up the next book with Julie learning she's going to have a baby because what better way to wind up one year of marriage.
March 12, 2025
Book three and now Matt and Julie are dealing with his cancer diagnosis. Can’t these two catch a break? Dahlia is pining over Nick and takes a class just to get closer to him. Will it work? All in all this was as good as I remembered it. I love re-visiting this series.
September 5, 2016
Loved this series from my teen years Julie & Matt are an amazing young couple fighting all odds.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews