Never Eighteen

By Megan Bostic

A teenage boy takes a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life. “There won’t be many dry eyes at the end of this extremely affecting story.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.
 
But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.
 
“It is easy to connect with Austin because his journey is honorable . . . Bostic’s narrative is concise, chapters are short, and the story never lags. Her story is sad, but it is real and pulls no punches.”—VOYA

“Bostic writes this graceful, affecting tale without pretension . . . Perhaps it’s because of that simplicity that the story concludes with such a powerful emotional punch.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
“It had the vibe and similarities from two of my favorite books and maybe even a third that are all pretty popular: If I Stay, Thirteen Reasons Why, and The Fault in Our Stars.”—Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jan 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9780547550817

Book preview

day one . . .

chapter one

I had the dream again. The one where I’m running. I don’t know what from or where to, but I’m scared—terrified, really. I wake drenched in sweat. Jumping out of bed, I immediately head to my computer.

I need to get some things done this weekend, and I’m running out of time. God, I hope Kaylee can help. What if she asks what I’m doing? I can’t tell her, can I? No. She’d try to stop me, I’m sure of it. Shit, I hope she doesn’t have to work. I should have checked. Without her Mustang, I may not be able to do this, and I want to, I need to. Otherwise, things may just continue as they always have: painful, motionless. Like treading water. You stay afloat, but you never really get anywhere. A flash, a flicker of life, that’s all I want. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.

I sit at the computer and stare at the monitor, wondering where to begin. I need to make a list. It’s hard, but soon it all comes rushing to me—people, places, things. Over and over I think of Kaylee. I want her to be there. Need her to be beside me through all of it.

I type until my thoughts die down, come to a stop. I hit Print, grab the list, and shove it into the pocket of my jacket, hanging on my closet door. I look in the mirror. I’ve changed so much in the last year, physically, emotionally, mentally. I may be smaller now, but my heart and mind are stronger.

These last few months I’ve come to realize that life doesn’t wait. If we stand still it passes us by, and by the time we understand that, it may be too late. The people I see this weekend—I hope they’re okay with this. I want them to take hold of it and not let go. I hope they at least listen. If they don’t, it will kill me.

I grab a shoebox that’s been sitting in my closet. It held the new pair of green Converse high-tops my mom bought me before the school year started. Cool shoes. I take the lid off the box and put it on my bed. I pack the box with books, CDs, pictures, my poetry notebook, things that are important to me. I won’t have everything I need until Sunday night. On Monday, it goes to Kaylee’s for safekeeping.

It’s late, and I have a full weekend ahead of me. I put the lid back on the shoebox and place it on the top shelf of my closet. Out of sight. There’s no need for my mom to find it. She wouldn’t understand.

I shut off the light and climb back into bed. My body’s tired, but my mind keeps working, churning. I’m anxious, nervous, thinking of what to say, what to do. Sleep comes with difficulty, but in the end, it still comes.

chapter two

Where are you off to? Mom pries, like moms do, as I head out the door, down the walk, past her. She’s already outside on her knees, pulling weeds, needing to keep busy these days. It’s cold out, but at least it’s not raining like it usually does in the Pacific Northwest in September. It wouldn’t matter anyway. She’d garden in the heat, the rain—hell, probably even the snow. Gardening is a sanctuary of sorts for her, her place to escape, her place to forget. She leans on her garden heavily these days, but I’m hoping to change that. It would be nice if she could just enjoy it again.

Just going out for a while, I answer, still groggy. My body wanted to stay in bed longer, but my mind was ready to get the weekend started.

Is that all you’re eating for breakfast? She eyeballs me suspiciously, nodding to the shiny red apple in my hand. I don’t have much of an appetite these days, and on top of the anxiety I feel this morning, the apple seemed like the only thing I could handle.

I’m not that hungry, I answer. She doesn’t press, and her suspicious expression relaxes into one that I can describe only as love with a hint of sadness.

When will you be home?

I’m not sure. Probably past dinner, I answer. I hope she doesn’t grill me. Telling my mom my plans would be worse than telling Kaylee. She’d probably tell me I’m crazy, that I should mind my own business. In fact, she probably wouldn’t let me out of the house. It’s best to remain vague.

She stares into my eyes knowingly, smiles, and says, Watch for cars.

I’m seventeen and my mom still tells me to watch for cars. I suppose she feels like her job is near ending, but that as long as I’m here and she’s here, she has to look out for my safety and well-being. After what happened to Jake, I can’t really blame her. It’s true what they say: a mother’s work is never done. As I continue down the walkway, then the sidewalk, I feel my mom’s eyes on me until I’m well out of her sight.

chapter three

My first stop is Kaylee’s house. She’s been my best friend since third grade, since the day she started school at Skyline Elementary, the day I came to her rescue on the playground. It’s also the day I fell in love with her.

She lives four blocks away. What would be an easy walk for most drains me. I ring the bell and wait. Her mom answers the door.

Hi, Mrs. Davis. Is Kaylee here?

Austin, I don’t know why you insist on calling me Mrs. Davis. I’ve already told you to call me Jen. Everyone calls me Jen. Even the girls call me Jen when they’re mad at me. She laughs.

Two bad things happened in sixth grade. One of these things is the reason I can’t bring myself to call her Jen. I have too much respect for her.

Kaylee’s still in bed, Austin, she says.

Can I wake her? I ask.

If you dare.

I climb the stairs, then slowly and silently open the first door to the right, Kaylee’s room. I sneak in quietly, not wanting to scare her; I sit down on the edge of her bed and stare. She’s so beautiful lying there, her arms wrapped around the stuffed cat I gave her for her birthday that she so lovingly named Stinky Cat. There have been so many times I’ve wanted to tell her I love her but couldn’t. If she didn’t feel the same, it would have put this weird spin on our relationship, and I would rather have her like this, as a friend, than not at all. So, I keep quiet.

Wanting to remember her right here in this moment of beauty and sleep, I pull my Cyber-shot out of my pocket. A gift from my grandmother, my camera is my most prized possession. It goes everywhere with me. You never know when you might come across something funny, or strange, or moving, or even incredible, as Kaylee is to me right now. I snap the picture. I check the digital image before it disappears. Perfection, thank God, because no second chances, as the clicking wakes her. Her bright blue eyes open slowly, blink a few times, then rest on my face. She smiles up at me, a smile I could imagine only belonging to an angel.

Yo, Kaylee. ’Sup, I say, a private joke between the two of us. We both love the movie Superbad and have watched it together at least a million times.

Hey, she answers. It sends my pulse racing and my spine prickling. She stretches her arms up over her head and lets out a massive yawn.

Ew, I say. I fan my hand in front of my face, suggesting that her breath stinks. She punches me lightly in the arm.

Are you working today? I ask.

No.

So what are you going to do?

Whatever you’re doing, she answers. My heart nearly leaps through my chest.

Well, you better get up. We have a long day ahead of us.

What’s going on?

I have a million places to go. Can you drive me?

Sure. I’ll be down in twenty, she says. She throws back her covers. I catch a glimpse of her pajamas, which are just gray UW sweat shorts and a white tank top, but still my pulse quickens again. I keep that image in my head as I go downstairs to wait.

"Hi, Aaauuuustin," Jordanne, Kaylee’s youngest sister, greets me. She always pronounces my name like that, as if she has a southern drawl.

Hi, Jordanne. How are you today?

Good. Whatcha doin’? she asks.

Waiting for Kaylee, I answer.

Why?

Because we’re hanging out today.

Do you love her? The question catches me off-guard.

We’re friends. Friends love each other.

I’m friends with Billy Fletcher, and I don’t love him.

Maybe you’re too young, I say.

She ignores the answer, continues with the interrogation. Are you going to marry her?

No. That I knew for sure.

Why?

It’s complicated, I answer, hoping that ends it.

Well, will you marry me, then?

I laugh. Let me think about it. That’s a serious commitment, you know. She shrugs and runs off, giggling.

Seconds later, Maddie, the middle sister, comes barreling down the stairs in her pajamas.

Hi, Maddie, I say. When she looks up at me, her face flushes red, and then she turns around and runs back upstairs.

I hear her screaming, Kaylee! Why didn’t you tell me Austin was here? I’m in my pajamas! God, you’re such an idiot!

I can’t help but laugh. I’ve seen Maddie in her PJs loads of times, but now that she’s thirteen and has boobs, though small ones, she must feel a little more self-conscious about it. I think both Jordanne and Maddie have crushes on me. If only their sister felt the same.

A few minutes later, Kaylee comes down the stairs, smiling, blond hair still wet from showering. She’s wearing jeans and a blue sweater. She looks hot.

Ready? she asks.

Ready.

Where are you kids off to? Mrs. Davis asks just as we’re about to leave.

Mom! Do you have to know everything? Kaylee cries.

It’s okay, I say, touching her shoulder, then turn to her mom. I have a few things I need to take care of this weekend. Things I’ve been meaning to do for a while now. I need Kaylee to drive me. We might be out kind of late. Is that okay?

She stares me in the face with understanding, nods, and, without a word, heads back toward the kitchen.

chapter four

Kaylee’s car, her prized possession, her baby, her red 1969 Ford Mustang. She bought that car with the money she made working at the café in the Lakewood Barnes and Noble, a job she applied for because of her addictions to coffee and books. Pride and Prejudice is her favorite. The car’s not in mint condition by any stretch of the word—rust spots, torn leather interior, windshield wipers that only work on high—but it’s hers. She owns it. She earned it.

More than once I’ve wondered if it would get us where we’re going, be it Seattle, downtown, or just around the block. It hasn’t failed us yet. I hope it won’t today. I slide into the passenger seat, buckle my seat belt, and put my feet up on the dash, which Kaylee immediately slaps down.

Get your feet off Candy. She doesn’t like that, she says.

Candy? Is that the name this week? Kaylee has wanted to name her car since the day she bought it. All classic cars have names based on their personalities, she told me once. So far, this car has been Glory,

Reviews for Never Eighteen

[heatherlinc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While I quite enjoyed this story following Austin's final journey, I felt his actions were unbelieveable for a seventeen-year-old boy. Over the course of a weekend, he tried to fix broken fences with people he had known over his lifetime. However, it was impossible to believe that Austin could do this with just one conversation because, oh boy, did they have major issues - rape, abuse, alcoholism, divorce, infidelity, etc., etc. I think the author tried to cram too much in and, as such, the book lacked depth and emotion. However, I did shed tears at the end.I loved the strong bond Austin had with his best friend, Kaylee. In fact, even though I liked Austin Kaylee was by far my favourite character. She was so strong and supportive of Austin, regardless of often being left in the dark. It was obvious she trusted Austin and would do anything for him.At times, "Never Eighteen" reminded of Nicholas Sparks' "A Walk to Remember" although, in my opinion, not as good. However, this book will still appeal to those who love tear jerkers.

[taletreader_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I think this book was a little too young for me and a little too melodramatic. I wasn't able to truly appreciate the ending because everything before it had been so over-the-top. I understand what happens when you're dying--trust me, I should know--but this was full of such an excess of everything that I almost feel like it glorified dying of a disease.

[kaitlin_btts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My first thought was this is not a children's book. I'm not sure what the age range this book will be directed to but I hope it's for 13+, as there are some rough words and story-line's.My second thought was how great of a book this was for Bostic's debut novel. The subject was something that's never really written about and were very realistic.There were a few times where I almost cried. I could feel what the characters were feeling and it broke my heart. The story didn't end with a happily ever after, but I was okay with the way things were ended.This story was a quick read, as it's only 204 pages. But within those pages was a very touching story.

[jacindahinten · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It’s tough knowing you are picking up a book where the main character is sick and more than likely going to die. While reading Never Eighteen you almost forget Austin is dying of cancer. The only times we are reminded of it are when he makes insensitive jokes regarding himself and make the ones who love him uncomfortable.It’s great to see Austin visit the people he cares about over the course of a weekend to try and get them all to see the things in life you can change and to get them to change them. Megan covers many topics to touch on in Never Eighteen by having Austin visit the people around him. It took guts for him to tell people straight out they are doing things wrong in their lives. I have to give credit to Austin for pushing the envelope. I loved seeing Austin not wallowing in the idea of having cancer, but instead using his sickness to strengthen and help the lives of others and fix the relationships that surround him.I would have liked to have been more emotional attached to Austin. For some reason I wasn’t as sad as I should have been reading about a dying seventeen year old. I’m not sure if it was the mood I was in, the length of Never Eighteen, or that Austin’s sickness itself was never really talked about until the end. It could also have been regarding him making a joke of the sickness all the time. I cried a couple of times while reading Never Eighteen, but it was while reading about other’s problems.I did my research and read other reviews of Never Eighteen…I seem to be the only one who wasn’t bawling throughout Never Eighteen. I would have to say I was in the minority(or the only) person who read Never Eighteen who couldn’t connect with Austin.Megan is a great writer. I loved the short chapters and how fast along the story moved. I’m looking forward to reading what Megan has in store for us next (according to her website, the next book she’s working on is about a kidnap victim). Even though I didn’t give Never Eighteen 5 stars, I still think it was a great book and one many more will love.

[smmorris_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

“There are some things I want to do, some crazy things, some wild things, some fun things, things I’ve never done, thing’s I’ve never seen.” Austin must take a journey that will change him and those in his life forever; only he is not completely sure of the journey and needs to convince his best friend, Kaylee, to go with him. Austin is on a quest to fulfill some dreams and to ensure those he loves, and those he has hurt, will change the stagnant lives he believes they are in and start living fully, something he cannot do The two head out in Glory/China/Cherry/Blaze/finally Candy, Kaylee’s red 1969 Ford Mustang with the ever-changing name. This is a weekend neither Austin nor Kaylee will ever forget.Austin is dying..I was torn while reading this story. The journey of this terminally ill teen trying to, experience more in this one weekend than most do in a lifetime was promising. Knowing his tomorrows are few, Austin tries to get everyone’s life at the point he wants them to be instead of accepting them as the are. He tries to making amends, tries to inspire and tries to love all in 48 hours. This is really quite a handful, for both the teen and the author. Many times Austin sounded pretentious and arrogant and I wanted to throw the book and read something else. Other times he was naïve and wistful, sounding and acting much too young for a 17 year old. Then he could be sweet and thoughtful, especially with Kaylee and his mother. In theory, this is a tearjerker that should make you think about your own life and if you are wasting time. Austin does not come to life, despite all the aforementioned emotions. He sounds spoiled and sometimes like a school bully. Then I found out that he was the school bully and I began to understand Austin . . . for a moment. Kaylee is simply a taxi, driving from place to place, waiting in the car as Austin makes his rounds, sometimes leaving her there for an hour, sometimes more (though it never feels like Austin’s visits last more than a couple of minutes). Kaylee endures this an entire weekend from sun up to past sunset. What is Austin’s reason? He feels he has no right to invite Kaylee inside where she would become privy to the person’s sometimes deepest, darkest secret, explaining that the secrets are theirs to share, not his.Interesting, considering Austin has no problem forcing these people to talk about their secrets, even yelling at one, demanding he reach deep and explain a secret the teen did not want to talk about. When he finally could no longer fight Austin, he gave in and answered the best he could. Austin calls him a liar and again yells. How in the world can Austin know how this kid feels or why he did something extremely out of character, when the teen himself does not really know? Austin certifies himself psychiatrist with many of his victim-visitors, pushing into places he had no right to enter. “You can’t refuse a dying teen’s request,” he says. I would have enjoyed this “filled-with-possibilities” story if Austin had stayed in car while Kaylee made the visits. The idea is to identify with the characters, usually the protagonist. I could not do this. For personal reason I will not expound on, Austin is the one character I should have identified with and could not. This is one story I will not be picking up for a second read.Note: received from Net Galley, courtesy of the publisher

[sguzick_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is a first person account of Austin, a seventeen-year-old boy who knows that he will never reach the age of 18. He is on a mission to make sure that he does everything he can to help his friends and his parents live out their lives to the fullest after he is gone. He sets out on a “bucket list’ type mission to help people he knows to mend fences and move on with their lives, even when terrible things have happened to them. His journey also includes facing his fears and enjoying some of his favorite things for perhaps the last time. This young adult novel, while sad, is also uplifting, and celebrates the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. I recommend this book to young adult readers who need help in seeing that life is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted.

[rebecca790 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I just finished reading this book about 30 minuets ago so it is still fresh in my mind but I also haven't had much time to analyze it. With that said I am going to say that I enjoyed it, or I enjoyed it as much as one can enjoy a book that makes them cry.

The book is about seventeen year old Austin, a boy who is dying. The reader doesn't know what he is dying of until the very end of the book- in fact we don't really know what he looks like aside from his being tall and, because of his illness, very skinny. He asks his best friend, and the love of his life, Kaylee to drive him around for two days as he tries to make a change in people's live while he still can.

At first I felt like the book was going to fast- within the first few chapters Austin speaks to three different people and he just seems nosy- so I thought that the short length of the book (the story part of the book is about 200 pages- I read it in a couple of hours) wouldn't work. However, as I read I was able to relate more to the characters and I could understand why everything seemed to be going by so fast- Austin doesn't have much time and he wants to know that the people he is leaving behind won't lead wasted lives. He also has a personal list of things he wants to do.


I liked this book, it more then a book about a boy who is dying. It is about life, friendship, family, and love.

[bornbookish · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Before I read the book, I had heard a lot about it and once I started reading I was surprised when I seemed to know some things that I wasn’t supposed to until the end. The story is told from Austin’s point of view, which is the only view that would have made sense in this case, because even though Kaylee is with Austin on his journey she spends most of the time sitting in the car.I loved Austin’s enthusiasm and love for life. Even though he knows he doesn’t have much time left he spends the time that he does have living it to the fullest and striving to make an impact while he still can.I found it unrealistic that Austin had a friend going through every single hardship you could imagine. Out of all my friends none of them are going through any issues like that so it just seemed a little cliché that everyone he knew was dealing with some big issue.One of the things I really liked was how you see all the different little stories come together in the end. As Austin goes on his journey meeting with so many different people I was wondering if any of them would play a part later on. I couldn’t believe how little this book was. Not only were there only 204 pages, but they were tiny pages! I blew right through it in a matter of a few hours.While I liked the underlying storyline of the book I found myself wishing that the author had beefed it up a bit. It felt like just bones and no meat. Everything was very direct and to the point, with no room for fluff. Another downfall to the shortness of the story was that I didn’t feel particularly close or connected with any of the characters, which is always disappointing. Language is always another big point with me and unfortunately, there was quite a bit of swearing in this one, including a handful of F words.This is awful, but in the end I didn’t even shed a single tear.

[ccathee17c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title : Never Eighteen
Series : -
Author : Megan Bostic
Pages : 200
Release Date : Jan. 17th 2012
Publisher : HMH Children's Book / Thomas Allen & Son
Format : Paperback
Source :
*Thanks to T. A. & Son for providing a PB copy in exchange of an honest review! Thank you!*





My Opinion :
I was really surprised when I saw how little Never Eighteen was. It doesn't have many pages, AND the book is surprisingly small. I guess that's why I picked it up so soon after receiving it for review; I wanted a really quick read :D

Never Eighteen wasn't the best book I had ever read... but it WAS a good book. And, you may know that I didn't really enjoy The Fault in Our Stars that much... and Never Eighteen was about the same, except I liked it just a LITTLE more.

Never Eighteen is Megan Bostic's first novel (or debut novel), and I hope that, if she writes books in the future, I will enjoy them more than I did with Never Eighteen.

Never Eighteen deals with Austin. who will never turn eighteen (hence the book title). Because he has leukemia. But, he decides that he has to make things better with a few people. And so, on a weekend, he asks his best friend, and also love interest (he'S in love with her, but he doesn't know if she feels the same way) named Kaylee, to drive him to people's places. She agrees, and they start going around. And Austin changes people's lives.

The writing in Never Eighteen is really fast, and the book is actually two days worth of events (well, 180 pages of the 200 pages). Sometimes, when Austin went to people's house, I enjoyed it, but other times I found it boring.

The romance was only developed enough for me to enjoy it near the book's end. And then, it got killed off... which made me NOT happy. I really like romance, as you may have guessed.

Weirdly... I didn't cry. I'm not the biggest crier, but I do sometimes cry, especially when the book is sad (No shit, Sherlock *sarcastic*), but I guess it didn't get to me enough.

real rating : 3.5

[emleemay · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Didn't manage to finish this one. This book may do it for some people but I quickly lost interest - the protagonist was completely unrealistic in my opinion.

[paigeb_41 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

** spoiler alert ** Never Eighteen is both a sad and very inspiring story. It took us through Austin's last days or week battling Leukemia. Austin Parker is a 17 year old boy well considering his experiences i'd say he's very much a man and thats not a sexual joke either. He's diagnosed with cancer in ninth grade and this book is about his journey to try to fix the things he's done wrong and help the people he knows are hurting. With the help of his best friend who he's in love with Kaylee he travels around trying ...moreNever Eighteen is both a sad and very inspiring story. It took us through Austin's last days or week battling Leukemia. Austin Parker is a 17 year old boy well considering his experiences i'd say he's very much a man and thats not a sexual joke either. He's diagnosed with cancer in ninth grade and this book is about his journey to try to fix the things he's done wrong and help the people he knows are hurting. With the help of his best friend who he's in love with Kaylee he travels around trying his best to make things right before he's gone. I got a bookmark with the book and there's a quote on there that says be aware you'll need a tissue. Now usually i read those kind of things on books all the time and i don't listen because I'm not a huge cryer but boy do i regret not listening because i shed a lot of tears by the end of the book. Austin was a really sweet guy from what i read in the book and all he wanted was to help people and to let Kaylee know that he loved her. In my eyes he succeeded. He helped people and also got to experience things he never had before which is everyones dream before they die right? I loved Austin's character because like i said he wasn't too whiny or annoying he just wanted to help and i loved that about him. I loved how he helped Allie made sure he visited his estranged grandma. His dead best friends mom. An old friend and he even got his parents back together. If i was dying and the last thing i saw was my parents get back together if they were separated i would be able to rest in peace. Now being in Kaylee's shoes is a whole different story. The poor girl lost her dad when she was young. One of her really good friends a couple years later. Then she loses her best friend/ the love of her life. Now i'd be able to at least get past it but to sit there and watch my best friend/lover die and know that i can't do a thing about it that would be hard. She made sure she made Austin's last few weeks awesome and that was really sweet of her. I'm glad that she knows how he really felt even though it probably made everything a whole lot harder she needed to know how Austin felt. Overall i give this book 5 stars. It gave me everything i want in a book. I laughed, cried, and smiled. Austin and Kaylee are very good candidates for my favorite characters of 2012 even though were only in January =) I recommend this book to anyone who really needs a good cry, because it'll give you just what you need.

[theepicrat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

never eighteen hits the ground running – and right from the start, despite waking up from that recurring dream, Austin takes off to accomplish his to-do list of people to see, places to go, truths to voice that makes time feel even shorter and more precious to hold.I got a little impatient with never eighteen since the reason for Austin’s to-do list does not become clear until the end. It gets a little obvious (and I suppose the summary does hint at it), but it is almost as if everyone was in denial and no one said it outright – including myself. I would have expected Austin to have mentioned it earlier on, especially since he was so bent on seeing everyone before he goes.I can see how Austin desires closure for himself and everyone in his life, but it is hard to determine whether he makes an impact on everyone he visits. Some of the people seem pretty random – he knows them, but no longer that well, so his interest in their well-being – while compassionate – is taken with a grain of salt. Other people like his separated parents make more sense – and ends on a good note.Well-written and thoughtful, never eighteen follows a teen who wants to make the most of his life and leave a lasting impression on people he values.

[ilikethesebooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Above all else, this book is very real. In this current age of fantasy and paranormal series, a contemporary stand-alone is quite refreshing. "Refreshing" may be the wrong word as this book is filled with many different, difficult emotions. This novel is rooted in terminal cancer, so obviously there are strong feelings of sadness and mortality. However, those emotions are not what is so special about this book. Bostic's ability to weave humor, hope, love and happiness into a hugely tragic event is simply beautiful.Austin has terminal cancer. A few months, a few weeks, a few days... the remaining time he has left is unclear. But he knows one thing, he will not spend that time enduring painful treatment for just a few more terrible days. He's decided to opt out of further treatment and make the best of what time he has left. How does he aim to do this? By traveling around with his best friend, Kaylee, to all the people who have effected his life and trying to help them with their wide array of situations. Not only does he find out truths about those individuals, but himself and human nature as well. I really enjoyed this book. It is so hopeful. I was amazed by Austin's will and outlook on life even when his future is the most dim. He has no self-pity at all. He realizes his situation and his inability to change it, so he accepts it. Austin's whole character really is a job well done. This may be a short read, but don't underestimate it. If you are ever feeling sorry for yourself, read this book, it will really put your life into perspective. I would definitely recommend it.

[summerskris_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Austin has been diagnosed with leukemia, and he knows that he won't live to see his eighteenth birthday. Because of this, he has been forced to ask questions that none of us would hope to be faced with. Questions such as, “Have I leaved my life without regrets?”The answer for Austin is no. Hence, he sets out to set right to wrong, to face his fears, to talk with people in his lives. He goes to places he hasn't been before, he visits places he hasn't seen since his illness weakened his body, and he tell people to live their lives as he no longer can.Austin is a strong character. He hasn't lived the life of a saint. He's been the elementary school bully, he's been the jock, and he's dated girls when he had his eye on a single girl the entire time. However, he's proved through his actions it is never too late to change. To start trying to make a difference in the world.Never Eighteen is a short read that can be read in one afternoon. It's not the best book if you're looking for action, as it's mostly anticlimactic with Austin preparing for his death. I recommend it if you're looking for an inspirational contemporary read.

[booktwirps · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Seventeen-year-old Austin Parker is dying. Diagnosed with Leukemia his freshman year, he’s battled the disease for almost three years. When the doctors tell him the cancer has spread and they want to do another round of chemo, Austin decides he is done. The chemo will buy him another three or four months tops, and he doesn’t want to deal with it. He knows it’s time to let go. Before he goes, he decides he needs to reconnect with people: Family he’ll leave behind, friends he’s fallen out of touch with, and people he wasn’t always kind to. He enlists the help of his best friend Kaylee, and together they load up in her old, red Mustang and make the rounds over the course of two days. When Austin has seen all the people he wanted to see, and done things he was always too scared to do, there’s only one thing left – to tell Kaylee how he has been in love with her since he first met her.Never Eighteen is an impressive debut from author Megan Bostic. The story is heartfelt, and Austin is a character you can’t help but love. The book is short, clocking in at just a bit over 200 pages, making it a quick and easy read. While the story is heavy, and promises to be an emotional one, I felt something was lacking. There were times when I wanted more from some of the scenes with Austin and the people he wants to help. They seemed to fly by too quickly. I also felt the ending was lacking. The last few chapters read more like a summary, and while I did get choked up, I felt it lacked the true emotional punch it could have delivered. All in all it’s a great story, I just wish it had been fleshed out a bit more.(Review based on an Advanced Reader’s Copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley)

[meags222_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have had this on my TBR pile for quite some time. I was given this book as a review copy via NetGalley. This is a debut book for Megan Bostic and I have to say that it tugs at your emotions. It narrated by Austin, a 17-year-old boy who is dying. I love the fact that it is narrated by a boy. Many books that I read are narrated by a female and it took me a little bit to get used to reading a book told by a male. It takes place over the course of one weekend in which Austin is trying to live out his dying wishes. He takes his best friend and girl he loves, around to different places taking care of his unfinished business. This varies from trying to get his parents back together to taking a hike in the mountains. I was reading this book on the way to Quebec City with my husband and found myself tearing up. My husband gave me a few looks but I couldn't help it. I don't usually cry during books; I usually save this for movies, TV shows and perhaps sometimes commercials. It makes you question what you take for granted in life and it really makes you appreciate the time that you have. While I enjoyed this book, I did have some concerns with it. I found at times that it was a little unrealistic. Austin's quest wasn't unrealistic but I did find that some of the reactions to his quest were. For example, the idea that he is going to bring his parents back together after 5 years of separation was a little bit of a stretch. I think that it was a little too idealistic and I found myself questioning it. Overall, I have to say I enjoyed it; it is a short and easy read. I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5.

[bookswithbite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tears were falling down my face as I read this book. I loved the whole concept of it. It gave my heart and eyes a whole new outlook on life. That we only have one life to live. And its not who you know or what you done. It's how you lived it. If you have just a few months to live what would you do? I find myself asking this question and the first thing that always comes in to my mind is forgiveness. I would make amends with everyone I wronged. I would do my best to set things right again, no matter what the cost. Austin did just that. With a few months left, Austin sets out to make things right. His journey of his life and what went wrong in it, Austin just wants everything to be okay for when he leaves.Now, the people Austin visited all struggled in life themselves. He ask small favors to call the person, or just to say I'm sorry. Austin's courageous visit to each person set my heart on path that I never been on. Watching Austin used his last days to help others is simple amazing. Austin has come to terms with what is happening in his body and to see how selfless he is in his actions made me fall in love with him.And now the part that really made the water works flow. All this time, Austin has been in love. He has loved her from afar and never said a word. What Austins leaves behind is so much more than a memory but a legacy. Austin himself changes everyones point of view and to see them come around because of what Austin did made my heart cry out. The final letter that Austin left not only made me cry harder, but had me laughing and smiling. By the end of the book, I knew Austin. To see him go with his last wishes will only be right for him.Such an amazing and compelling story, Ms. Bostic's writing leaves no eyes dry. At the end of the book, with Austin's last line, I knew what I had to do. Open the book again and start from page one.

[kr15tina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What I LovedEmotion The book contained so much emotion, for the main character Austin who is going to die soon and all the friends and family surrounding him. At the end I cried a lot, usually it will just be runny nose, but this was book had tears streaming down my cheek. Typically I say away from these types of books, but it was so worth the read and tears. A bittersweet read.Timeline The timeline for this book was really short. The whole book except for the last 20 pages took place over Saturday and Sunday. Within those two days we really did get to understand Austin and his mission to help people realize why they needed to live their life while they have it.The PlacesAustin wants to go do some of the typical Seattle stuff like have lunch at the Space Needle and walk through the EMP (Experience Music Project) a museum-esk thing dedicated to music. He also took a hike on Mt Rainer up to Comet Falls, I want to go on that hike this summer. All of the rest of the description on Tacoma makes me want to go there as well.What I Didn't LikeIt was short book and I would have read more, but at the same time the amount of information you got was just right for the story and the feel of the book.Recommendation Worth the read just make sure you have a box of tissues with you by the end of the book.

[carolee888 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

‘Never Eighteen” by Megan Bostic only takes a few hours to read but offers a lot to think about. Austin Parker is seventeen and suffering from myeloplastic leukemia. He has already had chemotherapy once but it didn’t improve his chances to experience his eighteenth birthday.Before the leukemia, he had thick black curly hair; he was a good soccer player, a reader and had lots of friends. He also had a crush on his best friend since the third grade, Kaylee.If he took another round of chemotherapy, he would only have three or four months of life at the best. Since the outcome was bad and chemotherapy is very difficult thing to go through, he decides on his own to not have chemotherapy. Instead he comes up with a plan to make his life have meaning. With his friend Kaylee driving him around, he would he would see old friends and not one not so much a friend, his family and Kaylee’s family for one last time. He wanted to help each one of them, to see places that he had never seen, do things that he had never done before. He does the best he can do, that is all we can do but the important part of this book is that he tries. He sometimes succeeds. Being faced with knowing that he will not live much longer, he grows up beyond his years. Of course, he gave himself some wonderful experiences but most of all he offered his friends and family another chance to change their lives.This was a well written and easy to follow story that I highly recommend to everyone.I received this book from the Amazon Vine Program but that in no way influenced this review.