Sharing Sam (Love Stories For Young Adults #2) by Katherine Applegate
How can you take the guy your best friend loves . . . when your best friend’s going to die?
Alison Chapman has always believed she’d fall in love hard. And she does—with Sam Cody, a new guy with a gorgeous face and brooding eyes, a guy who’s impossible to resist. When Sam asks her to the Valentine’s Day dance, Alison is elated . . . until she finds out that her best friend, Isabella Cates-Lopez, has fallen for Sam,
too . . . until she finds out that Isabella is dying. Now Alison wants Isabella’s last days to be her happiest ever—even if she and Sam have to hide their love. Even if, by sharing Sam, Alison risks losing him forever.
Publishes in US: March 9th 2004 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA contemp
Source: library
Series? Love Stories For Young Adults #2
Can be read as stand-alone. I haven't read the 1st book
Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository
Author stalk away: ~site
I wanted to read this one because I am drawn to anything with cancer, and it was an interesting concept with the best friends and one boy. The cancer and death looming over Isabella.
My biggest issue was that Alison should have spoken up in the first place. The cheating gets to me even though this is a unique situation. I know that Alison had the best of intentions, and that she didn't want to say she had feelings for him because of the timing--the day that Izzy told her that she has cancer and its pretty severe.
It was an emotional book, and I connected with Alison. She is a little awkward in her own shoes, but she is okay with it. She is smart and works hard and has a dream for her future. She is mostly just the girl next door. She is loyal to Alison and they are so good as best friends. Alison has the humor to cheer up Isabella when she's feeling pretty dark.
I also liked Alison with her younger sister. They had a bit of a rough relationship at the beginning of the book, but I like how Sam's grandpa Morgan was something that brought them together and gave them something in common again, and avenues to talk to each other.
I like Sam pretty well. He is the bad boy image but he is a softie underneath. He is juggling so much and I know that he and Alison had chemistry. It was hard though when Alison asked him to go with Isabella.
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could sacrifice a boyfriend for a friend who was dying?
Oh, I haven't heard of this one. I usually don't like cancer books because it has affected my family personally so many times. I'm glad you mostly loved all of the characters :)
ReplyDeleteDrama 0_0
ReplyDeleteI try and stay away from cancer ones, though I have read a few this year so far, this one reminds me a lot of Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor. Though this one does sound like it's highlighting the friendship, I think it done it in the wrong way, if that makes sense. Whereas in Maybe One Day the guy they both liked wasn't an issue as more of the one was upset that her friend never told her about him. Don't think the whole cheating or the asking-the-guy-to-take-her-friend-out-because-she's-dying would settle well with me. Ohhh, that's a hard question, I value friendship more than anything else, so yeah, I would. Though, if that friend was any of a friend to you right back, they wouldn't care either way. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an emotional one, Brandi. Friendship, Cancer and first love. I'm glad you connected with Alison in Sharing Sam :)
ReplyDeleteI try to avoid books that revolve around cancer because the topic hits a little too close to home, but I'm glad that you liked it overall. :)
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds like a good read. But I do tend to avoid books that relate to cancer.. too sad for me! But this one seems like it was an emotional read filled with some good characters!
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
This books sounds like something I might enjoy if there wasn't that cheating part. I'm glad you liked it overall. Great review, Brandi :)
ReplyDeleteCancer books terrify me! I would sacrifice a boyfriend for a dying friend because if he was the one he would understand and I wouldn't have to lose him but if he didn't then it wasn't meant to be. Right?
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds pretty emotional. I'm glad you enjoyed despite the issues you had.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an intense book, the cheating part is always annoying I confess so I totally understand that problem. thanks for th discovery!
ReplyDeleteOh man, the books you are drawn too will seriously break, stomp, burn, and kill me heart! Goodness! My mom died of cancer so anything with the Big C in the story, avoid hence why I haven't read CHoover's Slammed series.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of the characters but this really does sound like at least a 2 tissue book! I hate to cry. :p Might have to read this one anyway.
ReplyDeleteI just can't deal with "cancer books" at all, but I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Brandi!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm VERY picky with cancer books and actually try to avoid them when I can because I prefer more light reads and happy ones and summer related for this period but I'm glad you liked it a lot. ^^
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, Hit or Miss Books. You're always welcome ;) I don't think I can do that sacrifice, by the way...
I cannot read this type of book, I wear my heart on my sleeve and these tear me to shreds,
ReplyDeleteI always get frustrated in a book when they don't speak up straight away... drawing things out so much just hurts more in the end. Great review Brandi, good to see you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
This reminds me a lot of Lurlene McDaniel's The Year of Luminous Love. Pretty much the same thing happens except Ciana flat out pretends nothing ever happened between her and the guy instead of hiding a budding relationship. It was so frustrating to see her sacrifice herself, and a lot of people ended up getting hurt in the process. I don't know what'd I'd do if I were put in that situation and hope I never have to find out!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I'll do in this situation. But Alison seems to have a very big heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
This sounds like a very haunting story, Brandi! Both because Alison 'shares' Sam with Isabella, and because her best friend is dying. I don't think I'd sacrifice a boyfriend for a friend, because I believe that we don't 'own' the person we are with to actually be able to either share or sacrifice them.
ReplyDeleteThe story still seems awesome, and your review is lovely.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I don't know if I'd feel up to reading topics like this at the moment. Logically, I can understand where Alison is coming from but I don't think love is a one-way street. And it sounds like there's a lot going on among the characters. Lovely review, Brandi!
ReplyDeleteOh, this does sound like an emotional read. Definitely a complicated situation!
ReplyDeleteNice review!