La première fois qu'on m'a embrassée, je suis morte

by Colleen Oakley, Alix Paupy (Translator)

Par l'auteure de Before I Go, une histoire d’amour atypique parfaite pour les fans des romans feel-good de Jodi Picoult et Jojo Moyes.

« Si j’ai appris une chose, c’est que l’amour est chaotique. Il ne nous est pas livré dans un joli paquet cadeau. Il ressemble plutôt au cadeau d’un enfant, tout froissé et gribouillé au crayon. Imparfait. Mais toujours un cadeau. Seulement, tous les cadeaux ne sont pas faits pour durer éternellement. »

Fantasque et drôle, Jubilee Jenkins souffre d’un mal extrêmement rare : elle est allergique au contact humain (pour résumer aux gens). Après un épisode qui a failli lui coûter la vie, elle décide de ne plus sortir de chez elle. Mais à la mort de sa mère, Jubilee doit affronter le monde et les gens. Elle trouve refuge à la bibliothèque municipale, où elle décroche un travail, et y rencontre Eric Keegan, un homme divorcé qui vient de s’installer en ville avec son fils adoptif, un petit génie perturbé. Bien qu’il ne comprenne pas pourquoi Jubilee le tient à distance, il est sous le charme... Ces trois-là n’étaient pas destinés à se croiser et pourtant seule leur rencontre va leur permettre de s’ouvrir à la vie et à l’amour, formant ainsi un trio irrésistible.

« Drôle et terriblement émouvante, Colleen Oakley nous offre une histoire d’amour qui sort de l’ordinaire, entre traits d’esprit et personnages attachants. Le parcours de Jubilee, de la réclusion à la guérison, est fascinant. » - Publishers Weekly

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Adult, Audiobook, Adult Fiction

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2017

About the author

Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too and other unconventional love stories. Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages around the world, lauded by numerous magazines including People, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple, and won multiple awards including Georgia Author of the Year. Her sixth novel Jane and Dan at the End of the World will be published by Berkley in March 2025 and has been named a most anticipated book by People, Brit & Co, BookBub, Zibby Media, NerdDaily, SheKnows, The AJC and more!

Reviews

[Lindsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Oh, how I loved this book!

I must first thank my dear and lovely GR friend Linda whose glowing review enticed me to pick up this book. I’m so happy that I did!! I’m not sure I would have chosen this novel based on the synopsis – it didn’t call out to me or sound like something I would generally attract to. I love that this took me outside of my usual reading genre.

I didn’t realize how funny this story would be – I was giggling out loud in every chapter, which was such a nice change from the several serious, historical fiction stories I have been reading lately. The author, Colleen Oakley, has such a smooth way of adding really great humour to her story even when the subject takes on a more serious nature. I absolutely love Oakley’s writing style and will be sure to pick up her previous novel ASAP!

I fell in love with the three main characters Jubilee, Eric and ten-year-old Aja. They were such an amazingly perfect combination of personalities and quirks! I loved each of their stories and how they interacted together, worked through their individual struggles and found comfort in one another.

My reason for taking away half a star was that I felt there were a couple situations that seemed somewhat unrealistic, but nothing too far-fetched.

I loved the ending of the novel – it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I was sobbing when I read the last sentence – such a good choice for the ending of this unique story! I highly recommend this wonderful book!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Colleen Oakley's first book, I was delighted to learn she was releasing her second one, "Close Enough to Touch." This book gives us a different approach to what love looks like and introduces us to three very different yet similar, endearing characters.

Jubilee Jenkins developed a rare allergy to foreign human skin cells at age three. Her mother sought medical attention for her throughout the years, but there were no treatments sophisticated enough to help this condition. After suffering anaphylactic shock at age 17, while experiencing her first kiss, Jubilee becomes a recluse.

Nine years later, when Jubilee suffers the loss of her mother, she is forced to confront her greatest fear by surrounding herself with the one thing that could kill her--the human touch. She finally ventures out of the house to seek employment and begins to face all the doubts and challenges that lie ahead.

Eric Keegan is a divorced man who relocates to New Jersey from New Hampshire to fill in for the vice president of his company with the possibility of being made a partner. He brings with him his brilliant, yet extremely troubled, adopted 10-year old son, Aja, but also leaves behind his 14-year old daughter who refuses to communicate with him. While Eric's professional life is looking very promising, he's failing miserably at being the man and father he wants most to be.

Reading is the one commonality they all share. Not surprisingly, Jubilee, Eric, and Aja meet at the local library. Books bring them together, make them laugh, give them hope, and help them heal.

There is nothing about this book I would change. The author did an excellent job writing you into the mindset of the individual characters, allowing you to identify with each one. They were all vulnerable but determined; tenacious but yielding; flawed but so lovable.

It's still early in the year, but I'm certain this book will be one of my top three favorites.

Most definitely recommend!

[♥ℂĦℝΪՖƬΪℕÅ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 The Feels ★'s

"I know that if I've learned anything, it's that love is messy. It doesn't come to us in a perfect box all wrapped up in a bow. It's more like a gift from a child, crayon-scrawled and crumpled. Imperfect. But always a gift just the same.
It's just that not all gifts are meant to last forever."

Ohhh this book, It was sooo damn good! I love it. It Definitely has ALL the feels. It will make you laugh out loud, make you cry, and possibly both at the same time. This book is very quirky, charming, touching and endearing. I promise It will pull at the heartstring. I could not put this book down. You can't help but love Jubilee, Eric and of course his adopted son Aja. The only thing I wish is that there was more to the ending. I just wanted, no... needed more!!!

This was so me.

This too.

And when you find yourself doing both at the same time, your a mess.


I highly recommend this book to everyone <3

[Suzanne Leopold (Suzy Approved Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jubilee Jenkins has lived for twenty-seven years with a rare medical condition that keeps her from touching other people. Her symptoms are severe and she had an embarrassing incident in high school which forced her to become a recluse. For nine years she did not leave the house and was dependent on her mother for financial support. When her mom dies, Jubilee find herself needing money and is forced to venture outside for employment.

Jubilee finds a job at the local library where she meets Eric Keegan and his son Aja. Recently divorced and new to town, Eric is struggling to connect to his young adopted son who has psychological issues. Jubilee and Eric connect over a shared love for reading and slowly a friendship develops between them. There is an attraction between them but Jubilee remains guarded knowing that her condition prevents a physical romance. She is coming to terms with the reality that she may never have a normal life unless she seeks experimental treatment.

This a unique novel about stepping out of your comfort zone and taking chances. It is about learning to persevere by trying new experiences and not solving problems by hiding from them. This was a thought provoking book by Colleen Oakley.

1 copy giveaway on my blog until 5/17 https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...

[*TANYA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Quirky, super cute and endearing. I'll have to look at this authors other books.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Oh So Good!

Jubilee Jenkins is allergic to humans. As in if someone touches her skin, she could literally die.

That in a nutshell caused Jubilee to hide from the world for 10 lonely years.

All this time, Jubilee’s mother has taken care of her financially but after her mother’s death, Jubilee is cut off and that means that she must brave the world again in order to survive.

Talk about a dichotomy wrapped in an enigma!

Then there’s Eric, who’s adopted son Aja is quite the handful. Truth be told, Eric is failing when it comes to being a father to both Aja and his daughter. New in town, when Eric and Aja meet Jubilee, somehow, she strikes a chord in both of them.

A book about friendship, love, healing and taking chances, that stole this girl’s heart. If you haven’t read this book already and it’s not on your radar, it should be. Captivating, compelling and endearing, “Close Enough to Touch” is contemporary fiction at its absolute best.

Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy of this audiobook.

Published on Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram.

[Brandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I loved this book so much up until the very end. I wanted just a little more from that ending. It felt rushed to me. Other than that, I adored this book. Absolutely loved Eric and Jubilee!

[Dee Montoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Delicate Stars****

(ARC provided by Netgalley)

A breathtaking story about a woman who's life has been deeply affected by a terrible allergy. Jubilee is allergic to humans. This story takes the reader through the life of a girl who's terrified of being touched, after her first, and only kiss ever, nearly killed her...




Jubilee was diagnosed with a very rare allergy to people, when she was six years old. She can't come in contact with human skin because she gets terrible allergic reactions and is at high risk to get anaphylaxis shock. She grew up always being the odd kid in school, when she was about to graduate high school a boy kissed her and Jubilee ended up in the hospital. She recovered, but never stepped foot outside her house again. Her mother re-married and left, but Jubilee stayed behind. Nine years later Jubilee finds herself forced to look for a job in order to be able to support herself, after her mother's financial help stops.

After much struggle, and fighting a great fear of leaving her house, Jubilee gets a job in the library and is there where she meets Eric. He is a forty two year old handsome, divorced, father of two, who's new in town and is struggling with his life as a single parent. One of Eric's kids is a ten year old boy he adopted. His name is Aja who's father used to be Eric's best friend. His friend died in a plain crash and now Eric in caring for the boy, but he has no clue how to deal with a grieving boy, when he is still dealing with the loss himself.

Jubilee and Eric form a very special friendship, and they begin to help each other to cope with the complex things of life. Then a beautiful romance starts to blossom but there are two small problems; one, Jubilee can't be touch and all Eric wants is to kiss her. And two, he's only in town for six months, then he is going back to his real home in New Hampshire.

I adored the way this story was written with such heart. I loved Eric's and Aja's characters, so real and easy to relate to. But my most favorite thing about this whole novel was Jubilee! I loved her courage even when she thought she had none, I loved her strength and total corky personality. She is an unforgettable and inspiriting character that will own the heart of whoever reads her story.

This is a must read! A truly triumphant story that will stay in my heart forever...

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful, Quirky, Feel-Good Story!
CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH By Colleen Oakley is a great read!

"People did stare at me in high school -- like I was a curiosity -- but I didn't think anyone ever noticed me. It's a strange feeling to be seen but invisible at the same time."

I loved the heroine, Jubilee Jenkins! She is very charming and down-to-earth. She is a young woman with a terrible, rare allergy. She is deathly allergic to human skin contact! She can't be touched! Her mother left home when Jubilee was eighteen. And, due to a terrible incident at the end of high school, Jubilee became a recluse and lived at home alone for nine years, never venturing outside until she learned that her mother died. I rooted for her throughout the story as she struggled to find her way in the outside world!

Then there is Eric, a handsome young businessman, a divorced father who just moved to town with a young adopted son, Aja, who is a very intelligent boy, but has psychological problems. Eric also has a fourteen year old daughter who is troubled by the divorce, and lives with his wife.

Through a unique set of circumstances, all three main characters meet and connect with each other, each on their own level. They help each other to cope with their various problems and fears.

I love Colleen Oakley's easy-reading style of writing. She has a wonderful way of telling about real situations and adding just the right amount humor to make it so warm and inviting! I developed a strong emotional connection to Jubilee, Eric and his son Aja. I laughed out loud and I cried tears of joy!

The ending was one that I didn't foresee, but I loved! And then I wanted more!!

What a great read! Highly recommend!
4.5 stars! I can't wait to read some of Oakley's other works. Hope you ALL read this one!

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 THE FEELS STARS

A Librarian Meets a Single Dad

This is my first Colleen Oakley book and it won’t be the last! I can’t describe to you the FEELS I received after reading Close Enough to Touch. Gah, this novel is EPIC, FANTASTIC and HEART-WARMING. It had everything I looked for in a feel-good novel with well developed, but slightly flawed complex characters, a thought out storyline and just pure adorableness all around.

I had ZERO expectations going into this book. I thought the cover was quirky and the summary intriguing, but I never thought in a million years how emotional I would get.

Jubilee almost died when she got her first kiss. No joke. She isn’t like normal girls. She has a rare allergy.

She’s allergic to PEOPLE. It’s when she touches people she can get a rash or skin irritation. She might even die from it.

I was hooked from the first chapter. I instantly knew I liked the writing style. It has a very sweet, no fuss kind of flow. I liked the beginning where I got a glimpse into Jubilee’s life and how she’s copes with her allergy.

Jubilee is a great Heroine. Her situation is kind of sad, since she lives alone and doesn’t leave her house, EVER. She hasn’t left her house in nine years and you wonder what kind of person she is. She loves to read as her books are her only friends.

Then you have Eric. He’s is a total stranger, but he’s the other half of the story. He’s a divorced dad and has a 14 year old daughter. His daughter lives with his ex-wife. Eric also has an adopted son, Aja. I really loved Eric’s dynamic. First off, I love single parents, so Eric was my kind of guy. He’s a WONDERFUL father and tries really hard to connect with both of his kids. Aja is a part of the story too and you feel for him as well.

The more you read, the more you realized that these people are very complex, very flawed, but very lovable. They somehow all connect and meet and it becomes this wonderful story, filled with emotion, hope, pain, laughter, angst and love.

I love the interaction between Jubilee and Eric. It’s kind of awkward and VERY cute. Jubilee is trying for the first time to be on her own in the real world and she doesn’t know how to react to Eric. Eric is a single dad trying to survive the day to day life, but there’s something about Jubilee that makes him want to get to know her.

This isn’t a insta-lust love story, but it’s a TRUE romance story with a slow burn

I totally get the cover now and I can’t believe I judged this book before I got it. It just goes to show it’s important to try NEW authors. You never know when you will find your next book hangover.

AN ARC was provided

AMAZON





Read as an...

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

“When it comes to timing, love doesn’t give a flying fuck.”

Yesterday I was all like . . . .



And declaring my love for all things unlovable and stabby and druggy and culty and on and on and today I’m . . . . . .



I know, I know . . . .



My only excuse Fridays are for fluff and I totally woke up yesterday thinking it was Friday - and trust when I tell you that today I have a MAJOR sad that it’s Friday 2.0 because unlike my pals Craig and Smokey . . . . .



I do have a job and it requires me sitting and waiting in my “home office” for potential work requests when it is 80 degrees and sunny outside. If you’re in the same boat and are looking for an escape, this might be just what the doctor ordered (well, that and a shot of Lysol to disinfect your insides).

Close Enough to Touch is the story of Jubilee who was diagnosed with an allergy to human touch as a child and upon graduating high school . . . .

“I didn’t really go anywhere. I just sort of stayed in my house.”

“What – for a couple of months?”

“A little longer.”

“How long?”

“Nine years.”

When Jubilee’s mother dies (as well as the support checks she’s been sending Jubilee all that time) she’s forced to re-enter the world. It’s there that she finds a job, finds friends and finds Eric and Aja – a duo who share their own story in alternating chapters throughout the book.

This is a story that will make smiling your favorite. If you love quirky stories about life with a smidge of love thrown in, this is sure to be a winner. All the stars.

[DeB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising gem. "Close Enough to Touch" imagines what life might be like with anaphylaxis, which could kill, from skin to skin contact. Jubilee, now twenty seven, has had a few very close calls with death - like the time in her senior school that Donovan made good on a dare and that very public kiss - her first and only kiss - and that caused a life threatening attack.

When the outer world becomes overwhelming, after that incident, Jubilee manages to retreat from even the possibility of any danger for nine years of isolation - until she is forced to find a job. In a way this is a coming of age novel, a story of taking risks and choosing to participate instead of hide and how the love and acceptance of others helps even those most vulnerable to find fortitude, persist and maybe win against what seemed to be impossible odds.

Yes, it is a love story - on a variety of levels- and it is very endearing as a child bereft struggles with his fanciful obsession that he possessed super hero powers that caused his parents' fatal plane crash. Or the teenage daughter, all choked up and snotty with her dad who is five hours away, filling in for an employee in the company- both kids and their dad hurting and grieving and not knowing how to share. The disjointed rub against those who were strangers suddenly cause upheaval, irritated apprehension and the sparks of connection - immensely satisfying to experience a little vicarious satisfaction, upon finishing this book.

It is just a great story. Not too gushy, or girlie, or vacuous. Its a comfy porch chair, on a perfect day, with cool tea and a light breeze. Enjoy. Four strong stars.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Close Enough to Touch” by Colleen Oakley is the story of Jubilee Jenkins, a young woman who has spent the last nine years of her life living as a recluse, as she suffers from a rare disorder where she is allergic to human skin cells that are not her own (so essentially, she has an allergy to other people). When Jubilee’s mother dies, Jubilee is forced to go out into the world she is so afraid of, and she winds up working at the public library. While there she meets Eric, an accountant who is struggling with raising his very eccentric adopted teenaged son on his own, and although she feels like she has made a deep connection with him, Jubilee can’t help but wonder- how can she have any form of relationship with a man she can’t touch? Would he even stick around once he finds out about her illness?
This novel is similar to novels by Cecilia Ahern, or even Emily Giffin, with its poignant and charming storyline. Although the premise of the novel sounds cheesy and unbelievable, the story itself is delightful. Jubilee is a great character, full of bravery and inner strength, and Eric’s young son Aja is so eccentric and downright bizarre, you can’t help but love him. It completely surpassed my expectations.
“Close Enough to Touch” is an addictive read- one I had a hard time putting down. The relationship between Eric and Jubilee has its ups-and-downs but is charismatic and nothing less than adorable, with each of them struggling with their own issues and “dysfunctions” yet somehow becoming more “functional” when together as a couple. The story is creative and the character development is strong, as witnessed through alternating chapters, telling the story from both Jubilee and Eric’s perspective.
Oakley’s newest novel is a wonderfully told, heart-wrenching story of how we can overcome even the most massive obstacles when it comes to being with the one we love. The ending of the novel is predictable (although she did throw me for a bit of the loop towards the end, when it looked like it wasn’t going to end the way I expected!) but is ends as it should, and I was not disappointed in it.
I am eager to read any future work by Oakley and I will definitely have to pick up her first novel, “Before I Go” as I am sure it is also delightfully emotional and heart-wrenching, with a ton of heart and some massive writing chops behind it.

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oakley’s storytelling drew me in early on, in fact from the very first sentence:“ One time a boy kissed me and I almost died.”

A wonderfully complex story involving three main characters who I cared about, admired their courage and rooted for them as they managed to push through difficult situations, often with humor. There is Jubilee, a young woman severely allergic to human touch. “One day it’s a severe rash and then the next it’s anaphylaxis - life or death.” Then there is Eric, a divorced man trying to mend his relationship with estranged daughter Ellie, and also be a substitute father to a psychologically disturbed 10 year-old adopted son Aja. Aja’s parents died in a horrific accident and Aja is convinced he is telekinetic, putting himself into dangerous situations including almost burning his home down. Jubilee finds herself falling in love with Eric but how can she possibly grow a relationship? Quite a dilemma for these kindred spirits.

I especially loved the insight into this book's characters, their struggles, blossoming inter-relationships and the feeling that love can change everything.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

FYI The Kindle e-book is only $1.99 right now because the paperback version was released this week!

Close Enough to Touch is so much more than the typical boy-meets-girl story. Colleen Oakley has just the easy-reading, well-written style I love where not a word is wasted, and the plot solidly moves along. It's a dual narrative featuring Jubilee and Eric, with the precocious Aja featured as well; all equally flawed and lovable at the same time. As an added bonus, the characters love books and meet in a library. This unique, heartwarming, breathtaking book is deserving of all five stars. Loved it!

2017 Summer Vacation Book #4

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to express my thoughts about this book. It actually kept me awake during the night after I finished it. My thoughts and emotions were all over the place. I read this in one sitting and cried many times through it.

The author has such an amazing talent for her unique depiction of the main character, Jubilee… Love the name too, but such an oxymoron to her despair and longing for love. I felt every hurt, every ounce of shame, every shred of anxiety she felt. The authors incredible ability to pour her heart into this book is evident with every turn of the page.

And Eric. Oh, what a sweetheart of a man. A man who is struggling to connect with those he loves and misses with every ounce of his breath. A man who is overwhelmed and a bit broken. A man who is drawn to a strange and wildly uncomfortable, mysterious woman, but what they build together slowly is an amazing feeling… until it is broken apart.

And on come the tears again. But there is hope. And that is all I am going to say. Other than I found myself wishing we got more at the ending. I wanted sooooo much more. However, I dried my tears and then tried to figure out how to express my feelings toward this awesome read in hopes that you may find a deep and incredible connection to the story, like I did.

The full review - http://amidlifewife.com/close-enough-...

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent rec from a friend. Thanks, Linda! I very much enjoyed before I go, and jumped into this one with gusto. It was such an easy and lovely read! Of course, it did not hurt that a lot of the story was based in a library, given my teeny library obsession and field of work.

Lovable characters, not only likable, but I loved them. Jubilee - what a gorgeous and perfect name – suffers from a horrifically rare allergy. She is unable to withstand human touch. It will drive her to anaphylaxis. Abandoned by her mother in high school, she has been alone, totally alone for nine years. She has never left the house.

Her existence is to change completely after her mother’s death. She needs to fend for herself and quickly finds herself in the employment of a library. Enter the ensemble cast – Eric the sweet natured man who is the newly adopted father of quirky young Aja. Jubilee and he find themselves to be unlikely kin. Even the mean girl from high school makes an appearance, and we see more than one of these characters come of age.

Weird and wacky library clientele (they always are in real life, of course!), some lovely scenes full of angst and love; I wholeheartedly recommend this to all those who enjoy a contemporary read.

”And then I keep reading anyway – but not because I like the story. I like knowing that I’m touching her with my words. That they’re crawling in her ears as she sleeps’

Yes please Eric, read to me too?!

[Chelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really expected to enjoy this book. But, overall, it was rather disappointing.

What I liked:
1. The premise sounded so interesting! As a nurse, I wondered if it was possible for someone to have allergic reactions to human dander.
2. Jubilee's complicated relationship with her mother was well written; all sorts of dysfunction that was interesting without being melodramatic.

What I didn't like:
1. Characters:
I couldn't connect or empathize with the characters. I understand that all characters need flaws and weaknesses to make them more believable. But it seemed to me that neither Jubilee nor Eric had any real redeeming qualities! I found them incredibly unlikable. Rather than working from home (as many people do), Jubilee lives a parasitic existence for nearly all of her 20s, leaching off of her mom and step-dad. Eric's only positive quality were his good looks; otherwise, he made one idiotic decision after another, and was constantly yelling at his adopted son. I might add that Eric is also unlikable because his adopted son clearly needs more help (counselor after counselor tells him that this kid is a high risk, that he needs additional support), and Eric continually puts his head in the sand, rationalizing Aja's behaviors. His relationship with his daughter Ellie was annoying as well, their text messages in particular.

The characters were also inconsistent, Jubilee in particular. She cloistered herself indoors for 9 years, fearing that she'd have another anaphylactic reaction. However, when she gets a job as librarian, she says that she'd probably just get a rash if she has human contact, but also obsesses about the time she kissed a boy and almost "died."

The character voice for Eric seemed off too. His insecurities and rambling prose seemed identical to Jubilee's. It felt as though the writer didn't change her "voice" or style between the characters. There wasn't much of a change to signal to readers (other than the big huge NAME at the beginning of each chapter) to clue you in that you were in someone else's POV now.

2. Plotting Issues
This was another sticking point for me; why didn't she just get some EpiPens and carry them around with her? People with severe allergies can still function in society; they're just more prepared. Jubilee's choice to not leave her house for 9 years, and then to get a job in public and not bother to get new EpiPens stuck me as incredibly stupid. I can't say enough how much I disliked her.

3. X-Men and Sylvia Plath?
The author also tried to tie in some weird themes about X-Men and feminist writers like Sylvia Plath. These felt like they were just forced into the story; it didn't feel natural.

4. Melodrama
The narrative was rife with melodrama, and I often found myself bored. But, I persisted, wondering how Jubilee would overcome her allergy.

5. Flat Ending
The ending was rather disappointing. SPOILER ALERT: she goes to an allergist, and he "cures" her with a mix of Chinese herbal teas. I'm sorry, but I don't buy it, no matter what the author's note says. Even if this may be an area of promising research, it just felt very anticlimactic, and created a flat ending.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars.
The premise of this story sounded interesting. Jubilee Jenkins is 28 and hasn’t been out of her house for 9 years, because she is allergic to people. Literally allergic. Anyone who suffers with allergies knows how annoying they can be at times. But for Jubilee this one is total debilitating. Her last experience with another human being, a kiss, nearly killed her. So began her solitary life after her mother leaves her alone. With one phone call from her stepfather telling her that her mother has died, Jubilee knows she has somehow to make the effort to not only get out of the house but to find a job. It’s easy to feel for Jubilee as she seeks to change her life. After a few false starts she manages it. Two of the people she meets are Eric, a divorced man and his adopted son Aja. Both Eric and Aja have their share of problems. Eric’s teenage daughter who lives with her mother refuses to talk with her father and Aja is a troubled ten year old who believes he has telekinetic powers.
Jubilee, Eric and Aja are interesting characters, who I started to care about. I liked the way the story moved and past experiences from the characters’ lives that helped shape their actions and responses, are revealed. Perhaps the process of Jubilee getting out of the house and getting a job could be seen as a little too easy after so long as a recluse. But as a reader, you so want her to succeed that it is easy to go along with it. I experienced a range of emotions as I read this book. There are a few instances of the f word but thankfully not an overabundance. If you looking for a story that is about likable yet somewhat different characters who overcome the odds, you should enjoy this. I certainly did. I think a lot of other people will too. Thanks to Goodreads and Allen&Unwin for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review.

[Mafi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depois de Colleen Hoover a Topseller aposta numa nova Colleen e mais uma vez, foi uma aposta ganha. Adorei o conceito do livro e de todo o seu desenvolvimento. Não é demasiado cliché, nem lamechas, nem triste. Tem todos os ingredientes nas medidas certas, tornando o livro numa boa surpresa.

----

(...)

Quando li que este livro tinha uma personagem com este tipo de alergia, foi impossível não me lembrar de ''Tudo, tudo e nós'', apesar de serem livros bastante diferentes. Este é um romance muito mais adulto e mais sério, temos aqui muitos problemas tocados, como a solidão, divórcio, luto e laços familiares. As primeiras páginas do livro são um pouco tristes mas também é engraçado de ver como a Jubilee tem toda uma rotina pensada e em como realmente é possível viver sem sair de casa. Hoje em dia, através da Internet conseguimos fazer compras, pagar contas e até tirar cursos/trabalhar. Claro que uma vida sem contacto humanos é uma vida triste, isolada, por muitos amigos que tenhamos nas nossas redes sociais.
O livro fica mais interessante quando Jubillee e Erik conhecem-se e formam uma amizade. Apesar de haver um romance, este não é de todo lamechas, tem um bocadinho de drama mais para o final do livro (e até pensei que o livro não fosse ter um final feliz) mas depois tudo se resolve. Apesar de a protagonista ser a Jubilee, a grande dinâmica deste romance é a relação entre Eric e Aja,o seu filho que gosta de fazer experiências que correm sempre mal. Adorei a relação entre os dois! Tem umas partes bastante divertidas mas algumas mais sérias,devido a algo que não vou contar pois é spoiler. Outra relação que é falada aqui e é a de Eric com a sua filha adolescente que não lhe fala. A ideia de Eric é que, se ele ler e compreender os livros favoritos da filha, conseguirá ser um melhor pai. Temos aqui referências a outros livros como o Diário da Nossa Paixão ou as Virgens Suicidas e acho que toda a gente gosta de ler este tipo de detalhes.
(...)

A capa portuguesa tem tudo a ver com a história e tanto o enredo como as personagens são muito boas. Uma boa surpresa e espero que a Topseller continue a apostar nesta autora.

Opinião completa: https://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogs...

[Kimberly Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of this one--a love story starring a woman who's deathly allergic to other humans. Oakley handles the storyline expertly, by creating the perfect balance between heart-wrenching emotion and humor. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll turn the pages until deep in the night.

[Brandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh, this book was great! Close Enough to Touch is a story of Jubilee, a woman with a severe allergy to human contact, who hasn't left her house in years, and Eric, a recently divorced man, trying to raise his son, Aja, repair his relationship with his daughter, and make Partner at work.

At first, I thought the story would be too predictable and generic but, it did not disappoint! It was a bit deeper than I was expecting, in a good way. I also liked the references to numerous books throughout the story. I enjoyed all 3 of the main characters: Jubilee, Eric and Aja, as they were likable and relatable.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a little tough for me to rate. I was quite engaged in the story, yet I felt detached a bit from Jubilee, Eric and Aja. I think I would have rated it a little higher if not for the Epilogue which happened soooo long after that it no longer felt credible for me as a possibility. The ending felt unresolved, rushed and too up in the air. Almost as if the author didn't know how to tie it all together in the end. I still give it a rating as a solid read.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book immediately snapped up my attention. Jubilee Jenkins can't be touched. Jubilee wasn't allergic to the most common things like peanut butter or bee stings or pet dander. Astonishingly she was allergic to other people. She was diagnosed with type IV contact dermatitis to foreign human skin cells. One time a boy kissed Jubilee and she almost died. Her lips started tingling. Her tongue swelled to fill her mouth. And Jubilees throat closed and she couldn't breathe. Everything went black. For Jubilee it was humiliating enough to pass out just after experiencing her first kiss. But it's even more so when Jubilee found out that boy kissed her for a dare. The story sucks you in to a point where you really feel sorry for Jubilee Jenkins as at school her desk has to be at least eight feet away from the other pupils in the class room. It must be upsetting for her not being able to mix in with other humans. I recommend Close Enough to Touch because it's quite unlike anything that I have ever read.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a unique idea & storyline. I really truly loved this book. The ending felt a bit rushed & left me wanting something different but it was still so very very good!

[Nhi Nguyễn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tôi chẳng màng học vấn, sự tôn nghiêm, hay trọng vọng.
Tôi muốn tiếng nhạc này, buổi sớm mai này, và hơi ấm má nàng chạm má tôi."

- Rumi -

Jubilee Jenkins được chẩn đoán mắc chứng dị ứng với người từ khi còn rất nhỏ. Chứng dị ứng của cô, mặc dù ngoài thực tế y văn thế giới chưa ghi nhận một trường hợp nào, thế nhưng đã được tác giả Colleen Oakley miêu tả và giải thích khá dễ hiểu, dựa trên căn cứ khoa học của chứng dị ứng nói chung. Cơ thể của Jubilee bất dung nạp protein từ bất kỳ người nào ngoại trừ protein của cơ thể cô, vì thế, cô không thể có bất kỳ tiếp xúc cơ thể da chạm da nào với bất kỳ ai. Nếu Jubilee đánh liều chạm vào người khác bằng tay không hoặc để người khác dùng tay không chạm vào da cô, đều sẽ dẫn đến tình trạng khó thở, phát ban, sốc phản vệ, thậm chí nguy hiểm hơn có thể tử vong.

Vì căn bệnh oái oăm oan nghiệt đó, mà Jubilee, suốt 9 năm trời, đã giam mình trong căn nhà do mẹ cô để lại khi bà ấy bỏ cô con gái mười tám tuổi của mình lại để chạy theo tiếng gọi của tình yêu, không thể tiếp tục đối diện với tình trạng bệnh ảnh hưởng quá nhiều đến cuộc sống hằng ngày của con gái mình. Trong suốt 9 năm đó, Jubilee sống nhờ vào những tấm séc được mẹ cô gửi đều đặn đến cho cô, như một sự bù đắp cho việc bà không thể ở bên cô và làm một người mẹ đúng nghĩa. Cho đến một ngày khi mẹ của Jubilee qua đời, và cô buộc phải đối mặt với thế giới, bước ra khỏi cái tổ suốt bao năm qua cô đã lựa chọn chui rúc trong đó, để tìm việc làm nuôi sống bản thân. Ngay lập tức, Madison, người bạn thuở còn đi học mà Jubilee không có mấy ký ức dễ chịu, đã cho cô công việc làm thủ thư tại thư viện trong vùng.

Eric Keegan là một ông bố mới vừa ly dị, con gái ruột Ellie sống với mẹ và hầu như không hề muốn nói chuyện với anh. Eric cùng cậu con trai nuôi gốc Ấn Độ Aja đến sống tại New Jersey - nơi Jubilee đã sống cả cuộc đời ẩn dật của mình - sau khi anh nhận một công việc kế toán tạm thời trong vòng 6 tháng. Aja là một đứa trẻ thông minh, nhưng vẫn chưa hoàn toàn hồi phục sau cái chết của bố mẹ ruột vì tai nạn máy bay, và những suy nghĩ, hành động về việc “luyện tập” siêu năng lực X-Men của cậu bé đã nhiều lần khiến Eric phải chật vật xử lý những tình huống khó khăn, rắc rối của việc làm cha một đứa trẻ với nội tâm phức tạp, cùng suy nghĩ liệu anh có lại là một người cha thất bại nữa sau những gì đã xảy ra giữa anh và con gái ruột.

Lần đầu tiên đến thư viện vào buổi đọc sách, hóa trang lễ Halloween, Eric và con trai đã gặp Jubilee - cô gái lúc nào cũng mang găng tay. Những sự kiện sau đó, cả hài hước lẫn nguy hiểm cho cả Aja và Jubilee (Jubilee cứu Aja khỏi bị chết đuối khi cậu bé “thử thách siêu năng lực” của mình ở sông. Jubilee buộc phải hà hơi thổi ngạt cho Aja, dẫn đến việc cô bị nổi cơn dị ứng, sốc phản vệ, cũng phải nhập viện.) đã dần dần đưa Jubilee và Eric đến gần với nhau hơn. Nhưng sự gần gũi của họ, cùng tình yêu đang dần nảy nở giữa một cô gái chưa bao giờ dám mơ tình yêu có thể xuất hiện trong một cuộc đời mà cô không được phép chạm vào ai, và một anh chàng đã trải qua nhiều đổ vỡ, có một sự giới hạn nhất định.

Gần gũi bao nhiêu cho đủ, khi Jubilee và Eric không được phép hôn nhau, thậm chí nắm tay nhau da chạm da, nói gì đến chuyện tình dục? Gần gũi bao nhiêu cho đủ, khi bệnh trạng của Jubilee vẫn còn là một bí mật đối với Eric; khi cô đã sống ẩn dật quá lâu rồi, và giờ đây, khi cô cũng cảm nhận được khát khao của tình yêu, khát khao muốn được chạm vào người mình yêu, được Eric chạm vào mình, thì mọi thứ lại trở nên bất khả, luôn luôn bất khả? Điều bất khả ấy đã được tác giả miêu tả buồn da diết, nhưng không bi lụy. Và điều quan trọng nhất là, với tất cả những sự bất khả này, bằng cách nào đó, tác giả vẫn tạo nên được một câu chuyện tình yêu hồi hộp, dễ thương, ngọt ngào, nhưng cũng không kém phần xót xa, tiếc nuối… Một câu chuyện tình yêu không có những nụ hôn, những cái nắm tay da chạm da, những cuộc làm tình - tất cả những thứ chắc hẳn Jubilee và Eric đều muốn làm với nhau - nhưng vẫn là một câu chuyện tình yêu đẹp và đáng nhớ.

Và một câu chuyện tình yêu như thế này, dẫu có rất nhiều ngăn trở trước mắt, lẽ dĩ nhiên, tác giả vẫn cho họ, và cho Jubilee một tia sáng cuối đường hầm, với những liệu pháp điều trị chứng dị ứng từ thảo dược mà cô cuối cùng cũng chấp nhận áp dụng. Thế nhưng cho dù Jubilee có được chữa khỏi bệnh, thì chuyện tình của cô và Eric sẽ đi về đâu, khi Eric cùng Aja trở lại quê nhà của mình sau khi anh hết 6 tháng làm việc? Những gì diễn ra giữa họ, trong khoảng thời gian 6 tháng ngắn ngủi ấy, có phải chỉ là một cuộc tình thoáng qua nhưng để lại nhiều hồi ức đẹp, cùng nỗi tiếc nhớ mỗi lần Jubilee cầm lên quyển truyện anh đọc cho cô nghe trong đêm bão tuyết như thể mới diễn ra ngày hôm qua? Hay những gì đã diễn ra giữa họ chỉ mới là sự khởi đầu cho một cái gì đó to lớn hơn, trường tồn hơn, ý nghĩa hơn chỉ là một cuộc tình 6 tháng? Tất cả đã được tác giả giải đáp ở chương truyện cuối cùng, 7 năm sau, khi liệu pháp chữa trị đã hoàn toàn thành công, Jubilee đã hoàn toàn khỏi bệnh, có thể sống cuộc đời bình thường. Đã 7 năm rồi, và cứ ngỡ cô đã sống tiếp với tình bạn đang dần tiến triển lên một cấp độ khác với Michael - anh chàng lúc nào cũng ôm gối vào thư viện chơi game, hóa ra là người thừa kế duy nhất của một gia đình giàu có. Và cô cứ ngỡ Eric cũng đã sống tiếp, thế nhưng khi cô gặp lại anh, mọi thứ lại trở về như thể ban đầu. Tuy nhiên, lần này họ đã có thể hôn nhau, và họ đã hôn nhau, nụ hôn đánh thức, khai mở và khẳng định lại tất cả những gì Jubilee đã và luôn cảm nhận về Eric: tình yêu. Nụ hôn như thể truyền xung điện khắp cơ thể cô, như thể cô đang lắng nghe tiếng tụng kinh của các nhà sư Tây Tạng. Và thế là đã đủ cho độc giả biết tương lai của Jubilee và Eric rồi nhỉ? ^^

"[...] và tôi biết rằng nếu tôi đã học được gì, thì đó là tình yêu vốn xộc xệch. Nó không đến với chúng ta trong một chiếc hộp gói nơ hoàn hảo. Nó giống như món quà của một đứa bé, với những nét sáp màu nguệch ngoạc và móp méo. Không hoàn hảo. Nhưng vẫn cứ là một món quà."

Trân trọng cảm ơn Wings Books đã tài trợ cuốn sách này cho mình :)))

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

"I know that if I've learned anything, it's that love is messy. It doesn't come to us in a perfect box all wrapped up in a bow. It's more like a gift from a child, crayon-scrawled and crumpled. Imperfect. But always a gift just the same.
It's just that not all gifts are meant to last forever."

Jubilee Jenkins has a rare allergy...she is allergic to foreign human skin cells...so basically human contact. She breaks out in hives when contact does happen, but she's also had more severe reactions, anaphylactic episodes.

After one such episode in her senior year of high school, she essentially becomes a recluse. She doesn't leave her home for 9 years...not for anything. Her mother, though she moved away after the incident, continues to send Jubilee checks each month to pay her bills and buy groceries. All of which Jubilee does with assistance from the internet. Then she gets word from her mothers husband that her mother has died, which means among other things, she needs to re-renter the world to find a job.

Her first trip out of the house has her running into an old school mate, Madison, who helps lands her a job at the local library. It's there that she meets Eric Keegan. He's recently moved to town with his adopted 10 year old son, Aja. But the move has him leaving his 14 year old daughter behind with his ex wife. Eric is struggling to be both the man and especially the father he wants to be.

Jubilee is unlike anyone else he knows and he can't help trying to get close to her, even when she keeps her distance. But love is always a risk, even if the situation is more dire for Jubilee than for others. But she, like everyone else, has to decide if it's worth the risk.

This novel is Colleen Oakley's second. Her 1st one, Before I Go cometely blew me away, so I was eager to read this one. It wasn't quite as good as her first, in my opinion, but I did still enjoy it. The storys premise was unique and the characters likeable...especially Aja. He was a bit eccentric (as much as a 10 year old can be anyway) and had some of the best dialogue. He was, hands down, the best.

The ending turned out differently than I anticipated and I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. A little cheesy and cliched, but sweet at the same time. This will be an author that I continue to look out for in the future.

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a delightful, lovely and cute story! Jubilee has an allergy against people and has lived alone almost all her life until she needs to change her lifestyle and meets Eric who is also overwhelmed by the events in his life. Both were gentle souls, at some point goofy even, and I enjoyed reading this book. It was a fast-read entertainment with a feel-good, happy ending. I particularly liked Jubilee and her relationship to others such as Madison and Aja.
Plus points for the hardcover design as it was very pretty with great colors and the book was comfortable to hold in the hands.

[Megan • Reading Books Like a Boss (book blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you think you could go more than twenty years without touching another person? Without feeling the simplest display of comfort, a consolation, a hug, a brushed kiss on the forehead?

"One time, a boy kissed me and I almost died."

Due to a rare genetic mutation, Jubilee isn't able to experience even the slightest touch of another person, without risk of death.  After a nine-year self-imposed exile, her fear of being touched reaches far past her own health concerns and has morphed into agoraphobia and severe social anxiety. Tragedy forces Jubilee out into the real world, sending her on a path she could have never imagined and into the lives of Eric and his adopted son Aja, each with their own set of complicated problems. What follows is emotional journey of healing, acceptance, and yes, even love.

Jubilee is a character that I wasn't so sure about at first. But ultimately, I loved Jubilee and all her eccentricities. I think there is a little bit of Jubilee in all of us—call it fear of the unknown, fear of not being accepted, or the feeling of otherness that creeps in. Her character is universally relatable and it was that was what made her character arc so captivating.

Eric is a recent divorcé who's trying to come to grips with the unfortunate direction his own life has taken. His daughter Ellie who lives with his ex-wife in New Hampshire hasn't spoken to him in months. And his best friend and wife died tragically in a plane crash, leaving their son Aja in his care. Aja isn't like other kids, unusually intelligent and perceptive for his aged and fixated on telekinesis and what Eric perceives as delusions.

I love the types of stories where two people are living life, meet each other, and sort of stumble-fall in love when they least expect it. Close Enough to Touch is that type of love story. The romance in this story is a slow burn—which I LOVED—as Jubilee acclimates to the outside world and Eric struggles to find his footing with his own problems. There were so many moments between Eric and Jubilee that felt so real and pregnant with raw emotion. The ending of the book left me with so many feelings, mostly of hope and possibilities.

Due to Jubilee's long-term social isolation there were a lot of logistical things that had to be explained away quickly in the beginning for believability, like how she got money to paid bills, what happened if something in the house broke down, how she got groceries, etc. I'm still not convinced that in the nine years she was in the house she didn't ever get sick enough to warrant a doctor or hospital visit.

Admittedly, I had difficulty believing that someone who didn't leave her house for nine years could transition back into society as quickly as Jubilee did. That's not to say that the author didn't put her anxieties on full display—she did—but I did think that plot line needed to be explored and delved into a little bit more. In the beginning, the nine-year exile ended up being more of an obstacle to the plot, rather than something that was completely necessary for Jubilee's character. Having a genetic disorder and fear of coming into contact with people would naturally be enough to cause you to isolate and not have friends. I was able to suspend whatever disbelief I did have because I enjoyed the characters and their journeys so much.

Colleen Oakley is an author I will read time and time again. Her ability to create a strong bond between the reader and the character is one of her strengths as a writer. I'm a reader who always tends to read for character and prose over plot, and it was my emotional connection to Eric, Jubilee and Aja that drew me into this story until the end. The story's central message was a heartwarming one about overcoming your fears, self-acceptance, and allowing yourself to love and be loved. Despite some of my issues, I still highly recommend this one!

* Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with an early copy for review. 




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★★UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES★★
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[Morelia (Strandedinbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 STARS

Thank you to Gallery Books for sending me a copy for an honest review!

Does the giddiness over a good book ever go away?
This was my first Colleen Oakley novel and honestly, where have I been? I will mostly certainly not miss another one of her novels!
This story pulled me in immediately, and not just because of the rare condition the main character lives with; I was also pulled in by the sweet, blooming romance, the small bits of hilarity here and there, and the heart-warming, but also heart-breaking, elements this novel greatly captures.

Jubilee Jenkins is unlike any other after being diagnosed with an extremely rare condition: she is allergic to humans. After a life-threatening kiss in high school, she finds comfort in her own home, becoming a recluse after not joining the outside world for nine years. However, when she hears the news of her mother’s death, Jubilee finds herself having to make face with everything she has been intentionally hiding herself from. She must now find the means to support herself and upon landing a job, she meets Eric Keegan, who is also living through his struggles in his own way.

From the very beginning, Jubilee and Eric’s relationship had me on my toes. They first meet in the library where Jubilee works and I could not stop smiling during their first interaction. Throughout the story, it was no different. The connection that the both of them share is one of the sweetest, yet heart-breaking relationships, due to the fact that they can’t touch each other for fear of risking Jubilee’s life, though it’s so strong that they were willing to risk it all if for only just one second of contact.
Overall, their small conversations (especially those regarding books!) and just the way that this romance was more of slow-burning one had me hooked! I could not have imagined it any other way, angst and all.

"I like the way he looks at me. Not like I'm an oddity, but like I'm just a normal girl, a woman. And I can't remember the last time I felt normal.”

I am still an awe of what a unique story this one was. I applaud Colleen Oakley for being so descriptive with Jubilee’s condition and also for allowing us, the readers, to really get a good look at all of Jubilee’s emotions. When she hurts, when she’s fearful of the outside world, when she longs for simple human touch, I loved that we got to see that and even feel it right along with Jubilee. The newspaper was another thing that did it for me. I loved the way the story was split by the newspaper the first features Jubilee and her rare condition. It was such an important touch that added so much more to the story and I really appreciated it being included.

Another element that I loved in this novel was that of friendships. Jubilee has spent her life in the confines of her own home and since her mother had left, she had been all alone.
Once she begins to live a life outside of her home, she bumps into old and new friends, some of which whom she slowly begins to form friendships with that no longer leave her feeling so alone.
One of my favorite friendships has to be the one Jubilee has with Aja, Eric Keegan’s adopted son. Aja’s parents, Eric’s best friends, died in terrible accident and Eric took on the responsibility of taking care of Aja. However, Aja, a troubled little boy, begins to make it hard for Eric to talk to as Aja seems to mostly keep to himself. Eventually, Aja finds himself very interested in Jubilee and her condition, that a sweet friendship begins to bloom and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Aja is intelligent, witty, and he made this story one worth reading.

Close Enough to Touch was one of my most anticipated reads and it certainly did not disappoint. From the very first page to its last, I laughed, I smiled, I clutched at my heart and I even shed a tear or two. This novel was beautiful, angsty, and full of so much hope, I couldn’t put it down for one single second. Jubilee’s story is most definitely one to remember and if you’re in the mood for a real romance with flawed characters, who only wish to persevere in life and with each other, then this is your book!