Originally Published: September 1, 2015

By: Nicola Yoon

From the start, you feel for the main character, Maddy, because how awful would it be to live a life trapped in your house?

Due to an immuno-deficiency disease called SCID, Maddy is unable to leave her house and interact with others. While she’s always wanted to venture outdoors, the feeling becomes strongest when a new family moves next door. Through texting, she gets to know the teenage son Olly, but she wants more than a digital life.

This story is told through hilarious short chapters from Maddy’s perspective. Sometimes it’s narration, sometimes it’s lists, sometimes it’s text conversations, but it’s always enthralling.

In the third act of the novel, there is a lot of action that happens with a twist that you’ll hardly see coming, but is oh-so-satisfying.

Final say: You’ll be cheering on the forbidden romance. ★★★★★