Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.

Madeline Whittier is 17 years old and she does not go outside her home because she has Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, basically she is allergic to the world. However, new neighbours move into the house next door and Madeline spots a teenage boy called Olly. Follow Madeline as she looks out of her window and dreams of a life outside.

Everything, Everything is a debut novel but you would never guess it because her writing is of such high quality and polished. I loved the format of this book, first person with a linear time scale. Madeline wonderfully describes her life to the reader so that we know what it is like to be trapped in her home and to fear the big, dangerous outside world. The story is so engaging and although told from a female perspective, blokes can so easily relate to it.

There is a lot of romance here but it is not slushy or off-putting. The romance is soft and tender, drawing the reader in with hope. You can only wish for things to turn for the better with Madeline.

I loved the philosophy weaved into this story. The dialogue shared with the reader leads to some wonderful quotes to take away with you…

“Everything’s a risk. Not doing anything is a risk. It’s up to you.”

“It’s not your fault. Life is a gift. Don’t forget to live it.”

“You’re not living if you’re not regretting.”

...I thoroughly enjoyed reading Everything, Everything. Many people are finding it a challenge staying at home during the Coronavirus pandemic which makes this book extremely easy to relate to. I just wish that Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales would read this book and reconsider his decision to keep Wales stuck at home, lagging and trapped behind the rest of the UK, as most of Great Britain eases out of lockdown. Although this book is set in California, readers in lockdown around the globe can relate so easily to Madeline’s entrapment.

Everything, Everything is basically a love story but with a lot more thrown in. It is a TOP CLASS read with a happy ending that gets 5 stars from me.

Everything, Everything was written in 2015 and is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook.