Always and Forever

Rating:
Summary: A Wounderful novel
Review: Always and Forever tells the story of sixteen-year-old Melissa Austin, who fights a courageous battle against cancer.

Melissa Austin is a phenomal character, who almost any reader could love. She is determined and motivated in her schoolwork, incredibly smart, yet also fun, funny, and sociable. Her best friend Jory Delaney is also lovable, a great and loyal friend to Melissa all the way through, but sometimes a bit shallow. Michael (Melissa's brother) is caring and sweet beyond the expectations of 'older brother'. I find that these three characters brought the book to life, as well as Melissa and Jory's unbreakable bond of friendship.

This book gives perspective on cancer and other people's reactions to it. Melissa's almost boyfriend is insensitive to it and casts her off, and her academic team coaches almost throw her off the team for having an illness.

But Melissa, with Jory as a backup and Michael and her mother for support, never give up, which makes this book incredibly entertaining and moving. Do not read this book if you want to laugh and smile, but read it if you're up for some good literature - and expect to cry!

Rating:
Summary: Combined Stories
Review: This book is actually composed of two novels that were previously published. This is the story of Melissa and Jory, two best friends from very different backgrounds. The first book is from Melissa's point of view when we find out she has cancer and how she copes with that. Melissa's brother, Jory's not-so-secret crush, doesn't take the news well and seems to be against the world. The second story continues with the friendship and tells how Jory learns to cope with Melissa having cancer. This is a classic Lurlene McDaniel book for all thos familiar with her work. For first timers I do recommend this book and I ask what took you so long to discover McDaniel's wonderful books. I liked it because it gave two different views and it made the characters have depth. I really recommend the One Last Wish series and the Dawn Rochelle novels for those who want to read more of McDaniel's work.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK
Review: THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. MELISSA AND JORY'S FRIENDSHIP IS GREAT. JORY STAYS BY MELISSA DURING HER WORST TIMES WITH THE LEUKEMIA. THAT'S THE BEST THING I LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK. ALSO I LIKED THE WAY MELISSA SLOWLY ACCEPTS HER DEATH. GREAT BOOK.