Maybe She’ll Stay

**ARC review**

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Available 28th February

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for having this available as an ARC.

I read this in one day as it has a steady flow throughout the book. This book is really about self acceptance and knowing your self worth.

The MC Nancy clearly had self esteem and worth issues that stemmed from her narcisstic mother. I never had a parent who was a narcissist, though I do know what it's like to have a partner who is, so could really relate to what was happening.. This is where Nancy failed in her three marriages and every relationship after that. The toxicity of the commentary from her mother played on her own thoughts and feelings.

Even though Hank had it tough, going to jail twice, he never stopped appreciating his children and the beauty they brought to his life. With all the feeling of being unloved, it was Hank that uplifted Nancy to realise she was so much more to people and there were those that cared. I think because of her tumultuous relationship with her mum, Nancy held people at an arm's length because in some way she was always sabotaging those connections.

With all the self sabotage, it was evenly distributed to Ashish too. I don't think she fully believed that she could be his equal because she thought she'd lose him eventually. Hank's words cemented into Nancy's growth as a character.

Would love to see if Nancy's mum ever mellows out from her narcisstic behaviour with therapy or something like that, but since this seems like a stand alone, I won't get that answer.

The First Thing About You

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I quite enjoyed this read as it opened my eyes to a world I know nothing about.

Harris is a teenage boy who has a medical condition called spinal muscular atrophy which causes muscle weakness. He’s wheelchair bound and relies on his mum or nurse for assistance. His family move to New Jersey and it means a new start in a new school. He judges people based on their favourite colour as it can really tell a lot about a person. At school, he runs into Nory, wants to get to know her but she won’t let on what her favourite colour is. This intrigues Harris and he is determined to find out. His new nurse Miranda opens Harris to a world of possibility and he starts to realise he’s more than just being wheelchair bound. As he starts to try new things, it’s far from what his friends and family know him to be. He pushes the wrong people away and wakes up to what true relationships really mean.

I enjoyed the read as Harris grew as a character throughout the book. He did come across very cynical and held everyone at arm's length. It's easy to understand why, when he's had so many nurses come and go from his life, but also not having any proper friends until he reaches his new school. I can't imagine what it's like for those with conditions like Harris'/Chaz's and this really was a small glimpse into the mind of someone who has uncertainty not only as a teenager, but may let their condition define them.

Zander was a funny character and in my opinion had a great outlook despite Harris treating him otherwise. Nory was a sweet enough love interest, though to me, she did seem hot and cold with Harris and it was understandable if he felt like he got mixed messaging. Loved Harris' mum! Clare bear was just an overall great human. I liked how the character Miranda opened up Harris, though her inexperience really showed her carelessness in situations.

This really was a story of self discovery and if it mirrors Chaz's life, then it really showed how much he's overcome as an individual.