Release Date: October 2, 2012
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: NetGalley
IBSN: 9780802728401
Blurb:
Mia is always looking for signs. A sign that she should get serious with her soccer-captain boyfriend. A sign that she’ll get the grades to make it into an Ivy-league school. One sign she didn’t expect to look for was: “Will I survive cancer?” It’s a question her friends would never understand, prompting Mia to keep her illness a secret. The only one who knows is her lifelong best friend, Gyver, who is poised to be so much more. Mia is determined to survive, but when you have so much going your way, there is so much more to lose. From debut author Tiffany Schmidt comes a heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting story of one girl’s search for signs of life in the face of death.
Every once in a while you read a book that you’re just completely torn about. Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt was that kind of book for me. I liked it but sometimes I felt a little like pulling my hair out.
This might sound weird but I like cancer books. I like sad books in general so Send Me a Sign sounded right up my alley. Except right from the start I wasn’t sure if I’d like Mia. I kept waiting for that point when I would warm up to her but it never happened. She’s a popular, rich, entitled girl who just happens to get cancer. Cancer does not change her personality. She remained the entitled rich girl the whole entire book. She made these crazy ridiculous decisions! But man did they keep me turning pages. See? Torn!
I can’t remember the last time I got so frustrated by a book. I sighed so much that my husband asked me what was going on. Something about Send Me a Sign is so readable though. I did enjoy the plot. Keeping cancer a secret? That sounds impossible, right? Well I had to keep reading to see how it all unfolded. Even if I did strongly dislike all the characters except for two.
Those two character were Ryan and Gyver. They were definitely the highlight of the book for me. It’s kind of a love triangle but not the typical kind. It’s one of the rare ones that works. I loved that Tiffany Schmidt made me fall for Ryan even though I didn’t like him much at first. Gyver was great too but I think Ryan was a little more charismatic for me. I pretty much just adored the boys and the whole romantic angle of the story.
So although, I had really mixed feeling about Send Me a Sign there was still plenty to like. If you’re put off by the ‘C’ word, don’t be. It’s not a sad book.
I like sad books, too! *hi5* Hmm, I’m not sure about Mia; I guess I’ll just have to meet her to find out. Ryan and Gyver sound amazin and I love that it’s a love triangle…but it’s not. Send Me A Sign sounds amazing but I must say, you have given me some things to about. Amazing review, Lori!
Rebecca recently posted..Blogspiration (8:) The Life of A Bookish Reader
The boys were great! It’s definitely a book worth a read.
HAH! I like how you called it the ” ‘c’ word.” I’ve also heard it called “The Big C.” I’ve got to say, though, I’m not into cancer books. Or sad books in general. lol Veers too close to an issues book, and heaven help me, I hate those. lol
KM recently posted..Interview: Rachel Harris, Author of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century
I really enjoy sad. I want them to make me cry! I’m weird.
This one wasn’t very sad though.
I really enjoy sad, too! I want them to make me cry, too! Ha, we can be weird together.
Rebecca recently posted..Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
hm, so I really do not like cancer books! I truly get why it’s a tough and important subject to write about, but I personally do not normally pick them up. I want books with a happy ending and often cancer books make me way too sad.
DannyBookworm recently posted..Thoughtless & Effortless by S.C. Stephens – New Adult Monday
This one isn’t a sad cancer book. The cancer really doesn’t change the MC at all. But I completely get what you’re saying. I’m just one of those weird people that loves sad books.
I used to say I disliked cancer books but after The Fault In Our Stars, I don’t say that anymore, yet I’m still hestitant to read this book. I have a hard time reading books in which I don’t like the MC and Mia does sound frustrating. Think I’ll have to pass this one up.
TFiOS changes EVERYTHING!
I understand what you mean about sad/cancer books, I feel the same way, I enjoy the emotions I feel when I read them. Your review has me so intrigued to read this, I usually need some development in characters but now I want to know what it’s like to read about a girl who doesn’t change at all!
VeganYANerds recently posted..Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
How very strange that you still liked the book but didn’t like the MC! ;P It does sounds good though!
Reading Angel recently posted..Book Haul 9/16/12
I think I just liked the guys soooo much. Plus, watching the MC was a bit like watching a train wreck. I just couldn’t look away.
What a great review! I know what you mean about not liking a character, but having to keep reading to know what will happen. I wasn’t really all that interested in this book before, but after reading your review I think I might try to get to it sometime.
Amy @ Book Loving Mom recently posted..Blog Tour: Rua by Miranda Kavi Review & Excerpt
Hmmm…I tend to avoid contemps with heavy issues…but the combination of that plus difficult characters to love makes me think this one isn’t for me. Glad to hear that by the end it was still somewhat enjoyable for you:)
Melissa recently posted..Interview & Giveaway with Isobella Jade, Author of Careful
I have to be careful with “sad” books, but I’ll admit that cancer books aren’t so much sad for me. Weird? Yes. I like books that make me sad, but I can’t read an abundance of them because then I always think I’ll never stop being sad. But this one doesn’t sound sad at all! I like that although she does get cancer it doesn’t change her. Granted, would be nice if she changed into a more likable character, but SOMETIMES I really prefer when characters who are hit with trauma don’t change that much. And I like the sound of a love triangle that works!
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Have you read TFiOS? Just curious if you found that sad…because I ugly cried.
It was really interesting that she didn’t change. I read another review of it praising the author for the fact that the MC didn’t have a epiphany and become a better person just because of the cancer.
I enjoy sobbing, sad books as well.
I’ve been looking forward to this one, plus lol I like mean girls in books, lol. I KNOW. My inner Regina George identifies with them though, so yeah.
April Books & Wine recently posted..Allison Reviews Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
I like sad books too, and am drawn to stories about cancer for some reason. I’m so excited to read this book, but I’ll keep my expectations in check based on your review. Glad it was a page turner for you anyway. I’m so intrigued about these characters!
Lucy @ The Reading Date recently posted..Mailbox Monday #16
I hope you like it!
I’ve actually just been getting tired of Cancer books since I see them EVERYWHERE. And I hate when a book frustrates me. So I’m not too sure if I’ll give this book a try, but I guess we’ll see.
Thanks for the review.
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