Mini Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything
by Nicola Yoon

Read: June 20 - 23, 2015
Published:  September 1, 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source: NetGalley (Thank you, RH!)
Category: YA, contemporary, illness, romance

Find: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

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Everything, Everything is a book about a girl whose rare disease keeps her inside, and the boy who moves next door, bringing the outside with him. In one glance, Olly shatters the peace of Madeleine's insular life, and it is wonderful to see her fall in love with both the boy and the world beyond her bubble. But is it worth it to know what's out there, when you can never have it for yourself, because you can't even leave your house without getting sick? 

From the cover to the illustrations to the text, this little book is gorgeous inside and out. I loved Madeleine and her voice fiercely, her growth and the beautiful and emotional way she discovers the wonder of the world around her, as well as Olly and the way their growing relationship changes both their lives. This book is the rush of first love and all the turmoil of growing up and finding your own wings to fly, even when life has clipped them before you've begun. 

If you don't want to know anything else about this book - and I recommend going into it blind - stop reading here. But I've hidden a few more thoughts below:

I wasn't as moved by the big end reveal, as I wanted to be. I think because I was told there was a twist and it didn't surprise me when I found it. But I still loved the book even guessing what was to come. I also don't like long separations and abrupt endings, both of which we got here - I wanted a tiny bit more at the very end. But still, this was a lovely story, and I loved seeing Madeleine make her own choices and step out into the world herself.  

Love Triangle Factor: NONE

Cliffhanger Scale: Standalone