I'm Not Her Review

I'm Not Her

Author: Janet Gurtler

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Available: 2011

Synopsis as read on Goodreads

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”

Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?

My Review: This book deals with the very real subject of Cancer and the effects it has on a family.
 I can relate to the struggles and hardships that a teenage girl goes through when faced with watching another family member slowly retreat within themselves due to the realization that nothing will ever be the same, though my experience is with my mother and lung cancer I still feel for Tess on a personal level.
As you read this book you watch a family struggle to keep a perfect facade, you also watch a very shy Tess become a whole new person.Since no one else will speak up she will. You will definitely go through a roller coaster of emotions while reading, a feeling of pure devastation and loss for Kristina and excitement and awww  as you watch Tess come out of a shell to protect her family. I will say this is a must read for EVERYONE, each of you will find a connection within the pages. Janet covers it all love,loss, friendship,and more.