Lippincott, Daughtry and Iaconis - Five Feet Apart.

Lippincott, Daughtry and Iaconis – Five Feet Apart.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Hey everyone! My Review today is for Five Feet Apart by Lippincott, Daughtry and Iaconis. I have mixed feelings toward this book. I did like it, it was an easy read. But it just felt like something was missing. Have a read of my review and let me know what your opinions are on the book.

Synopsis:

Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant likes to be in control – even though her totally out-of-control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is her distance from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments or a fancy new clinical trial. Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.

What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them?

Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?

A little about the story:

This story follows Stella and Will, both of whom have Cystic Fibrosis. They meet while both receiving treatment in the same hospital and they fall for each other. Stella is strict with her treatments, she is organised and determined. Will on the other hand, is reckless, he doesn’t have as much interest in his. They are polar opposites, so naturally as it goes in stories, they are attracted to each other. We as readers get to ride along for the roller-coaster of teenagers being in love, teenagers being in love whilst they can’t touch each other.

The two main characters were Stella and Will and maybe a third and fourth would be Poe and Barb. Poe is Stella’s long time friend. He also has Cystic Fibrosis so they often spend time in hospital at the same time. Barb is the nurse that looks over Stella’s treatments, she is the tough love type and I grew to love her.

The main problem for the characters is the physical distance between them. The pain it causes them being together yet not being able to touch. It is so sad and painful to read. The adventure was finding ways to be together, and the little gestures they do for each other. And the journey to the conclusion of the book that I won’t spoil.

My favourite character was, of course, Stella. I loved her dedication to keeping herself as healthy as possible. Her determination towards small tasks such as celebrating Will’s birthday, or even the big things like getting Will to take his medication. She is so strong willed, and has her head screwed on right when it comes to her health, something everyone could learn a bit from.

If I related to anything that happened in the story it would be the difficulties that health problems can cause to your life. Whether it be my own health or my family it is a problem that has popped up more than once. An issue that requires patience and sacrifice. It made me understand a little bit more of what Stella, Will and Poe were going through.

My opinion on this book is a difficult one to explain. Don’t get me wrong, I liked reading it. I felt for the characters, I understood the story. It was good. But I have read so many other YA books like this. It is a story that has been recycled many times. A health problem getting in the way of a relationship. From where I’m sitting right now I can see four books with similar outlines sat on my shelf. There is an audience that loves this, it just isn’t me. Perhaps I would have rated it higher if I had read this book before the others.

My favourite part of the book was the ending. It was expected but it was good. It wasn’t the perfect happy ending that everyone always wants. It was different and I liked it. I’m not about to spoil it for those that haven’t read it though.

My least favourite part of the book was Will. I know, it sounds bad that I disliked the whole character, it’s just that he would have stressed me out. The way he had very little regard for his medications and health didn’t sit right with me. Granted he did get better, but his initial attitude wasn’t it for me.

As far as recommendations go, yes I would recommend this book. It is a nice read, it is a lovely story. The problem is that if you have already read stories that are similar it may feel repetitive. So have a look at your book shelves, if there is a gap for a book like this and you don’t mind tears. Then yes. Do it.

I hope this gave you some insight into a story that has grabbed people’s hearts through both the book and film adaptation of it. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it if you have read it. Feel free to send me a message.

Stay Curious!

J x