Author: Laura Diamond
Genre: young adult, contemporary, romance, realistic fiction
Publish: April 12, 2016
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Bookish Brit Adam Gibson is one wonky heartbeat away from a fatal arrhythmia. He's torn between wanting to live and knowing that someone else must die in order for him to do so. He needs a new heart.
Adam stops talking to his friends, refuses to meet kids at his new school, and shuts his parents out entirely. His days are spent wondering if can cope with having a dead man's heart beating inside his chest, or if he should surrender to the thoughts of suicide swirling around in his head.
And then a donor is found.
Outspoken artist Darby Fox rarely lets anything stand in her way of achieving her goals. She also happens to be the twin sister to a perfect brother with good looks, good grades, manners, and the approval of their parents - something Darby has never had.
Darby's always had bad timing. She picks the worst time to argue with her brother Daniel. In a car with bald tires, on an icy road in the freezing cold, the unthinkable happens. In a split-second, everything changes forever.
When life forces Adam and Darby together, undeniable sparks fly, and a deep connection is made. But the secret inside of Adam may be the thing that pushes them apart forever.
* * *
Predictable but completely heartbreaking.
{ 5 Reasons Why You MUST Read Under My Skin }
Dual POV.There's Adam and there's Darby. There's the bookworm and there's the artist. I really LOVE the difference in their voice and in their worries. First there's Adam who suffers from fatal arrhythmia. Every single day he wonders if he'll just collapse and die. He's highly conflicted about receiving a heart donor because it means someone has to die to save him. Then there's Darby who's the twin sister of Daniel, the perfect kid - with good grades, good looks, pleasing personality, and popularity. Every single day she takes the scolding of her teachers and parents. She's the black sheep of the family.
I LOVE the difference of their voices. I think that Diamond was able to channel both Adam's and Darby's problm without exaggerating it or making them sound annoying. Reading their stories and their feelings basically make me go 'awwww'. They felt so natural. Thumbs up to Diamond's writing.
Relatable characters.
Right from the beginning, I found both Adam and Darby relatable. They relate to me in entirely different ways and relating to both made me tear up on almost every chapter!! This is true, friends! I kind of hate reading this in public (or with friends/family) because I end up holding back tears WHICH IS SUPER SUPER DIFFICULT!!! I may just be your annoying emo kid but I had the same thoughts as them waaaaay back then.
I cried. You'll cry. We'll all cry!
It's not just about relating to both of them. The nature of the story is so heartbreaking. Read the blurb and you'll know that it's going to make you cry. or sad. or make you tear up. While the story gave that predictable feel, it never crossed my mind to bring it down simply because: (1) I like heartbreaking stories, (2) I immediately connected to Adam and Darby, (3) the writing basically held me until the end - it had that amazing pull that stops me from putting it down, and (4) they both make me want to hug them so tight and tell them that there's nothing to worry about, people love them, people care about them, And I want to help them embrace life and its unfairness (
The struggle is real!
I checked and Laura Diamond is a 'board certified psychiatrist.' So I'll tell you this: she knows what she's saying. Adam's delusions (the voices in his head) basically scared me - they felt powerful, I felt his pain and his struggle.
The ending made me smile.
As simple as that. I liked it. It felt realistic and I like realistic! (but what really is realistic? you judge.)
OVERALL, Under My Skin is a heartbreaking contemporary novel about embracing life despite its unfairness and learning that opening up to people is the first step to helping yourself. I was able to relate to both Adam and Darby and I really felt so much for them! Under My Skin is a highly recommended YA contemporary novel especially those who likes heartbreaking stories and those that involves mental illness (a bit of depression here!!).
~I received this book from the YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review~
* * *
{ how about you }
Do you like reading books with heartbreaking stories? - those that involve topics such as death, depression, illnesses, etc.? If so, can you tell me WHY DO YOU LIKE CRYING SO UCH? (lol. no.) I mean, can you tell me why you like reading heartbreaking stories? What topics do you prefer?
let's connect!
