Grade 12
Five Feet Apart is a beautiful and emotional book following seventeen-year-old Stella as she faces the everyday challenges of Cystic Fibrosis. Stella’s life is centered around her routine treatments and her desire for self control. Stella is immediately intrigued when she meets Will, another Cystic Fibrosis patient with a sharp wit. There’s just one problem— CF patients cannot go within six feet of each other without risking cross infection, a life-threatening danger. Because of this, both Stella and the hospital have strict rules for the two to maintain a safe distance of six feet apart. Despite the physical distance, Stella and Will grow impossibly closer as they do their in-hospital treatments together. However, Stella’s self-imposed boundaries begin to crumble as her and Will begin to fall in love.
This book is beautifully written. Reading from the perspective of both Stella and Will allows the reader to follow the story in an interesting way, understanding how the characters feel about each other before they realize it themselves. Despite the wildly different lives they have, it is easy to connect to Stella and Will.
This book is a roller coaster of emotions. Will's charming humor and witty remarks will make you laugh, and the characters' impossible struggles will make you cry. The plot of Five Feet Apart is absolutely amazing. The ending is fitting, yet unexpected, and it had me in tears.
Rachael Lippincott makes you feel like you are experiencing life with the characters. You share their hopes, dreams, frustrations, and struggles. I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with chronic illness, looking for a whirlwind romance, or searching for an engaging book.
Also available in audiobook, ebook and eAudiobook.
