Reviewer: Sandy
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set Backs. Near Misses. Just in Case. Risks. Nothing Good. Welcome to the world of Scarlet Killian. Scarlet has been sick with Long QT Syndrome for as long as she can remember. Her heart can go off rhythm on its own and kill her instantly, nothing like living in fear 24/7. Scarlet has been homeschooled her entire life and this year she has persuaded her parents into letting her go to the public high school. Of course, her parents put a stipulation in place for this freedom, she has one week to prove to them she can survive. Scarlet just wants a normal life, with friends and an opportunity to make some memories. Little did she know that when she opened up the door to Smithfield High, her life would change so dramatically. Having a group of mentors, Scarlet finally gets a taste of true friendships but it is the harassment and the bullying that tear away at Scarlet. Being new and different has set her apart and the relentless and painful bullying is something Scarlet didn’t see coming. Scarlet and her new friends try to handle the situation on their own but when the school nurse steps in, Scarlet has a new set of problems to address. The school nurse is Scarlet’s own mother. Once seen as a caring individual, Scarlet sees her mother in a whole different light. Her mother sees this bullying as a reason to abort this school trial but Scarlet is determined to push through the week. Scarlet’s new friend Tony has her facing questions about herself and her past (a past she took at face-value). They formed a special relationship as they worked on a biology project together. Little did Scarlet know how much her week in high school would affect her.
I felt sorry for Scarlet as she wanted to live in plastic bubble; she wanted to be sheltered from the world. She feared what the world had to offer until she got out there and lived it. When she entered the high school, it was like a whole different world, all the noises, smells and people. It was overwhelming but she was determined to make it work, she wanted to experience life once she saw what it was all about. The bullying was so vicious and cruel yet she tried to keep her head up and she looked to her new friends for support. Her mother was a different story. So concerned but yet so demanding. I loved the way Tony stood by Scarlet. The gym scene with Scarlet and her peers, how innocent and harmless. How that was taken to the next level, I was not ready for, it was brilliant. As Scarlet becomes friends with her mentors and she learns about their past, she feels a connection. A connection, she hasn’t felt with anyone before, these connections are powerful for her. Yes, one week can make a difference.
