Book Review: Three Amazing Things About You, by Jill Mansell

THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU begins as Hallie goes on a journey…

Hallie has a secret. She’s in love. He’s perfect for her; he’s even single. But he’s out of bounds. And her friends aren’t going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie hasn’t got long to live.

Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won’t be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends – let alone anything more…

Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she’s afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.

***

Big hugs and kisses to Headline for approving me for a review copy via NetGalley.

Wow, what a book.

I’m going to try and describe why this book is so wonderful, without giving much away, as I don’t want to ruin anything. It’s the kind of book that takes you on a journey, and each page was a beautiful new discovery.

Hallie is 28 and has cystic fibrosis, but what she lacks in strength of the lungs, she makes up in the size of her heart. She writes a blog to help others, keeping her identity a secret lest people would feel guilty confesses their problems to someone with so many of her own. She knows there’s many things she can’t have or do in life, but she is not bitter, or resentful about it, she is supportive and encouraging of everyone around her, and even when her heart is breaking in her chest, she paints a smile on her face to keep everyone else happy. Hallie is a truly  incredible character, who I instantly loved and respected her more with every chapter.

It’s not just Hallie though, the whole book is filled with a wonderful host of different characters. Sweet Flo, who works in care home, because while it may pay peanuts, it makes her happy. Tasha and Rory, so head over heels in love with each other. Everyone had their own charms, and their own problems they are dealing with. Jill brings all their lives together in a beautifully moving story, that had me staying up in bed to finish, trying not to wake up my Mr when I was shaking with sobs, and ended with me clutching it to my chest with raw emotion. Wow. I found it impossible not be affected by it.

On a more technical note, I must applaud Jill who has obviously done a thorough job at her research. Hallie’s Cystic Fibrosis and any medical scenes felt incredibly realistic and believable, and she tackled the issues with a tender but realistic approach.

Overall, I just can’t praise Jill or this book enough. I laughed, I cried, and I was reminded of the beauty of human life, and how our lives can affect others, even without us realising it. Three Amazing Things About You gets an effortless five stars from me AND my special Sealed With A Kiss rating.

Rating: 

 *Sealed With A Kiss* My second ever Sealed With A Kiss rating goes to Three Amazing Things About You, for being such a beautiful book, which deserves just a little bit extra than the usual 5 stars.

Release date: 15 January 2015
Publisher: Headline Publishing
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