Review: Everything, Everything – Nicola Yoon

everything, everythingThis innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more.

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Rating: 3/5

I really enjoyed this book – it was in parts hilarious and bittersweet, but there were two major sticking points which I couldn’t overlook, unfortunately.

But let’s start with the good. I loved the development of the romance. It was super cute, and the banter was glorious, and while they’d progressed to ‘I Love You’s’ by the end of the book, the relationship had covered the span of a few months. The humour was awesome – the Bundt cake saga had me snorting with laughter. I also enjoyed Madeline’s imagination in the face of her isolation, and her attempts at positivity.

The writing, meanwhile, was highly engaging, and I pretty much devoured the book. It tackles an interesting premise, and there was some thoughtful/profound commentary on the nature of life lived in a bubble, family, and experiences that we take for granted.

BUT.

1. Madeline and Olly made some dumbass decisions – with a condition as serious as hers, you do not sneak around because it COULD LITERALLY KILL HER. WTF?!

2. The plot twist, which will not reveal here, but which I thought cheapened the whole story.

Anyway, most people have adored this book, and despite my qualms, I found it to be a lovely read.

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

19 thoughts on “Review: Everything, Everything – Nicola Yoon

  1. I was thinking about reading this, even though it’s not my usual genre. I just love the idea of someone “allergic to the outside” and I’m dying to see where that goes. Thanks for the review!

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    1. It’s much more focused on the romance than the whole “being stuck inside thing” – just a warning! But if you feel like a contemporary, it’s a quick read.

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  2. I agree the book was so beautiful and charming! But I was so pissed at the leads for running off– freedom doesn’t sound like a decent enough trade if you have to die horribly and leave your bf guilty for the rest of his life. Great revisw’

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    1. Exactly! It wasn’t fair to him at all, and was a completely stupid decision to make. Gah. It was frustrating to read that part.

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  3. Aha, I heard about the people’s here of lack of awareness… she had a condition that could kill her and infect people, right? I remember another blogger being pissed that all she wanted was to go YOLO not thinking she could bring people down with her :( I don’t think I’d want to read a heroine like that because it would just make me go on a rampage.

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Yup – she decided to go experience life outside the bubble, all ‘screw the consequences if I die’ – which, just, no! She makes some pretty dumbass decisions, tbh.

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  4. Oh, man. I’m in that place right now where I’m behind on reads, and everyone seems to be reading what I WANT to be reading. LOL

    This is a great review. I’m excited to read this one!

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    1. Haha, I hate being in that place! Hopefully you catch up soon! Despite my misgivings with this one, it was still a good read.

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  5. I don’t know much about this one. The good writing is attractive, but I know what you mean about plot twists that cheapen the whole. The reality is not every writer is a good plotter, although they all understand the need for tension. So it’s like a plumber trying to fix your electrical panel… I’ve come across it too and thought, ‘What a pity!’ Well, we’ll see… Meanwhile, applause, applause for another outstanding review <3

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    1. You’re too kind! <3 In this case, I thought it would have been better to have a book about X, instead of a book that seemed to be about X but SPOILER actually wasn't. Ugh. Can't say more without giving it all away, but yeah, it seemed like a magical way to give a HEA.

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  6. Well, now I am very interested to read this book! It has been getting good reviews…I think this is the first review I read that had some critical thoughts, so thanks!

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    1. Yup, I’ve seen a lot of rave reviews for this one – and while I did love the writing, I just couldn’t quite overlook those two issues!

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  7. You’re the second person I’ve seen that mentioned the plot twist pretty much ruining the story. I have to read this some day, so I guess I’ll have to see for myself! Sorry to hear it wasn’t as amazing as the hype is making it out to be!

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    1. I really just thought that the book could have done without it – but it’s so hard to explain without spoilers!

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  8. I want to read this book!!! Happy to hear the writing was great, but AGH MADELINE AND OLLY D: (your CAPS LOCK was hilarious in that part!) Anyway, nonetheless I’m still interested in this book. Sorry that some parts didn’t do well, but at least you enjoyed the book anyway, right? <3

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    1. Haha, sometimes caps lock is the only thing that will suffice when you just gotta express yourself! It was definitely an enjoyable read, and I know a lot of people have loved it.

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