Maybe One Day

Maybe One Day

Melissa Kantor

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Summary (from Goodreads): Critically acclaimed author Melissa Kantor masterfully captures the joy of friendship, the agony of loss, and the unique experience of being a teenager in this poignant new novel about a girl grappling with her best friend's life-threatening illness.

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.

Even when she isn't sure what to say.

Even when Olivia misses months of school.

Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.

The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for her to even imagine.

In this incandescent page-turner, which follows in the tradition of The Fault in Our Stars, Melissa Kantor artfully explores the idea that the worst thing to happen to you might not be something that is actually happening to you. Raw, irreverent, and honest, Zoe's unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

Review:  Looking back, I can see some flaws in this book, but as I was reading it, I was so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down.  I loved every minute of reading this book, even those minutes where I was crying so hard I couldn't make out the words on the page.  I'm willing to overlook a few flaws for a book that makes me connect so deeply with the characters.

Kantor does an amazing job of capturing Zoe's emotions as she stands beside her best friend who is battling leukemia.  Sure, Zoe had some selfish and entitled moments, and she made a few bad choices, but what teenager wouldn't when they are dealing with something so tragic? 

This is a book about friendship and hope; Zoe and Olivia have the most beautiful friendship, and as Olivia struggles through her battle with cancer, Zoe is always at her side to encourage her, make her laugh, and bring her hope for the future.  I love to see a book for young adults that focuses primarily on nice girl friendships rather than romance.  There was a bit of romance between Zoe and Cal, but it was definitely a secondary story to Zoe and Olivia's friendship. 

Rating: 4.5 stars