Book Review (Non-spoiler) | Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Title: Before I Die
Author: Jenny Downham
Series: Standalone
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult Realistic Fiction
Goodreads

Blurb: Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests, and drugs with excruciating side effects, Tessa compiles a list. It's her To Do Before I Die list. And number one is Sex. Released from the constraints of "normal" life, Tessa tastes new experiences to make her feel alive while her failing body struggles to keep up. Tessa's feelings, her relationships with her father and brother, her estranged mother, her best friend, and her new boyfriend, are all painfully crystallized in the precious weeks before Tessa's time runs out.

Characters: ★★★★★

The characters in this book are all so real. That’s the best way to describe them. The main character Tessa is dying and her character really portrays the anger and all of the emotions that come with knowing you don’t have very long left to live. Every character in this book is flawed in some way, no one is perfect and everyone is unique. Every character has their own story and I feel as though these stories are really fleshed out and real.

Plot: ★★★★★

The plot follows Tessa as she makes a list of things to do before she dies. It follows and ups and downs of her life with Leukaemia. There are a few different plotlines from different characters that weave together and it’s so raw and heartbreaking.

Writing: ★★★★★

Absolutely stunning because it’s so real and so raw. I absolutely adore the way this book is written. It’s perfect in every way.

Romance/Feels: ★★★★★
SO MANY FEELS I JUST CAN’T. Firstly there’s the romance, which is just so perfect. They’re both so different but they help each other and it’s so, so beautiful. The ending is where all of the feels come in because it’s just… shbgaksg

Ending: ★★★★★
Which brings me to this. The ending is so emotional and I love the way it’s written (you’ll know what I mean if you’ve read it). I cried and cried and cried long after I turned the final page.

Overall Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Absolutely stunning. I’ve read this novel four times now and every time I feel I get something new out of it. Definitely one of my all time favourite books without a doubt.

Rereadability: DUH. I’ve read this four times and intend to reread for the rest of my life.

Final Rating: 5 humongous stars!