Thursday, March 29, 2012

Review: Radiate by Marley Gibson

Title: Radiate
Author: Marley Gibson
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Graphia (April 3, 2012)
Source: ARC Copy From Publisher
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction
My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads Description:
 Hayley Matthews is determined to be the best cheerleader she can. She works hard
and pushes herself 110% all the time.
Then Hayley finds a lump on her leg. The diagnosis is cancer. The prognosis is
unclear. She could lose her leg. Or maybe her life.
At first Haley is scared, terrified. In an instant, everything she’s worked for seems
out of reach. But Haley is strong. She’s going to fight this disease. She will not let it
take her life or her dreams.


My Review:
  I knew going into this book that I was going to cry. I mean how could I not with a synopsis like that one? I just knew it was going to be an emotional ride and I wasn't wrong, not at all.

This story is amazing. It is one of those stories that can make you a better person and want to live life to the fullest. To not take anything for granted and to just...love and live like we are meant to do. To be happy, with life and with ourselves.

I absolutely adored Hayley. So strong and brave and just good. One my goodness. She is everything any mother would want their daughter to be. She never gave up or felt sorry for herself. She was a fighter and she knew she was going to fight with all her might or die trying.

Gabriel was just amazing and truly someone I would want in my corner. I loved him.

Lora, Ross, her friends and all her family were just amazing people.

This is one of those books that will bring tears to your eyes. Ones of sorrow and ones of happiness too.

You have to read the Mother's Word at the end, I think I cried just as much through that and the Acknowledgments as I did through the story.

To know this is based on a true story...well that is just inspiring.

This was beautifully written. Raw, gritty and real. Just...yeah. Well done Ms. Gibson. 




6 comments:

  1. I glanced at the cover yesterday when I was putting together FF and I almost didn't include it, because I erroneously assumed that it was a contemporary YA book about cheerleading. After reading your reivew, another reminder that I should never judge a book by its cover. I have a feeling that this is nothing like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, but I would now like to check out. Yes, this book did make it into FF, just barely...

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  2. I am glad it got added Heidi, it really is way more than just a book about cheer leading!

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  3. Thank you so much for your amazing review that gave me chills when I read it. Thank you for loving the book and for encouraging others to read it. This truly is the book of my heart...and how cheerleading saved my life. = )

    All the best,
    Marley Gibson
    www.radiatebook.com

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  4. You are so welcome Marley! Truly your story was completely inspirational and I loved that you shared it with us!
    Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! I really appreciate it!! :)

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  5. I enjoyed this one too. It made me cry and feel inspired.
    Thanks for review.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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