My Never Ending List

Kate and Aiden both refuse to face reality in this romantic YA novel written by Jolene Perry.  Aiden has just return from active duty in Afghanistan and his career is over.  Only nineteen-years old Aiden had high hopes of serving in the military but that dream was short-lived when an incident left him without one of his arms.  Returning to his hometown, Aiden doesn’t know which direction to turn to as life becomes too overwhelming and too confusing to address.  Living with his aunt and uncle gives him some freedom but Aiden must decide where his future is headed.  Aiden is introduced to Kate who is two years his junior and they hook up as friends.  There is something about Kate that Aiden senses immediately besides being gorgeous; it is her candid tongue that Aiden notices.  While others ignore or don’t address Aiden’s disability, Kate openly asks and talks to Aiden about this issue.  Kate has been living with diabetes but not dealing with the disease seriously.  Threats and promises swing like an open door with parents, doctors, and Kate.  Kate does not realize how serious this illness can be. As the relationship with Aiden strengthens it is met with many challenges but the two seems to find the spark to put things back on track every time.  As Aiden opens himself up to Kate, Aiden feels a deep commitment to her, could she be the one?  But what about Kate, she has not been totally honest with Aiden.  She is hiding her secret from him afraid of what his reaction might be.   What will Aiden think once he really knows the true Kate and how will he handle the news?

 I loved the honesty that was portrayed about Aiden. Confused and disorientated about where his future was headed he did not want to commit to anything for fear that it would not be the right thing.  He was focused and we saw that when he talked about his car and then his career (which was taken from him). As he struggled to cross things off his list, he didn’t know where to start even though others were offering him direction.  The author did a great job showing the many facets of Aiden.  Kate, I thought was selfish and childish and perhaps that could be because she was spoiled.  I kept telling myself that as I read the book because her behavior upset me a few times, she thought only of herself and here she was… a senior?!?  I thought the author did a good job showing the tension between the characters as they tried to sort out their feelings for one another.  Their passion for one another was just like a rollercoaster. You pay for a ticket and just enjoy the ride: up-down-off- on- up-down-all around the place. The hospital scene was fantastic and I was cheering for Aiden.  I’m still confused about the title of this book as it took place during the school year before Kate graduated.  This is my first book by Jolene Perry and it will not be my last.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.