Side Effects May Vary
Author: Julie Murphy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: March 18th 2014
Review Source: HarperCollins | Balzer + Bray
What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?
When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.
Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?
Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.
After reading a book I would normally not read, I started Side Effects May Vary because I was in the mood for a sad story. Okay, I am always up for a sad story. Unfortunately, Side Effects May Vary is not one. Although I didn’t shed tears, this book left me happy because anyone can change no matter how cruel one can be.
To be honest, for the most part I was annoyed at the main character, Alice. She was diagnosed with cancer and well, this was her excuse to treat others with little respect. During this time, her only friend, Harvey, was always there for her. I mean ALWAYS. He’s in love with her. One day, Alice’s doctor gives her the news that she is in remission.
Instead of brightening her with the good news, everything goes down the hill. Alice becomes a cold hearted… girl. But she is worst to Harvey. Poor Harvey, even if she is cruel with him, he is always saying yes to her crazy plans. He is too kind and sweet. Harvey is such a loyal friend and all he wants in return is for her to love him back. Alice really pissed me off many times and she certainly didn’t deserve his kindness.
After being cruel many, many times, Alice damages many relationships. Seriously, I was sick and tired of her. But at the end, Alice faces her consequences and realizes her mistakes.
Although the story was more of a realistic and second chance at life, Side Effects May Vary is absolutely not your typical sad story. Which it was a bummer for me at the time. Yet it provides just another way how people can always change no matter the circumstances.
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Oh, I so agree with your review! Most of the stuff Alice does is so annoying and horrible. Harvey is the sweetest person ever and she treated him like scum. But I'm glad that she owned it by the end but I found it to be too little to late for me. Anyway, great review!
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