Brave Enough by Kati Gardner is a completely different kind of book than the above ones - but I read all genres just about! I have complicated feelings about this one since it's ownvoices from a cancer survivor about cancer and I'm a cancer survivor. I did really love the variety of different representation of disabilities the book had - that was truly lovely to see! There was a lot of talk about a camp for them to go to but then they only spend a tiny, tiny time there, which was kind of odd to me. There is also an overcoming addiction storyline with the hero of the book - so I felt like there was a lot to pack into this but not a lot of background actually given. 3 Stars.

Brave enough hooked me right from the start. I remember being barely 10% in, and I KNEW I was going to end up loving this book. Past me was right, and here is why.

This story is so real and heartbreaking! Cason's cancer isn't terminal, but it might terminate her ability to participate in the thing she loves the most, ballet. And her mother isn't making things easier. She is always treating Cason cancer as a minor thing that her daughter must overlook in order to continue pursuing their dream. Failing to find comfort and cohesive advice from her mom, she finds them elsewhere; aka, Davis.

Davis survived cancer and is a recovering drug addict who volunteers at the hospital. Love is written in the stars, but most importantly, the friendship built on caring and supporting each is truly priceless.

Kati Garden is brave enough to write this important and hard to find own voices representation for cancer. In doing so, she created a raw, honest, heartbreaking, and beautiful story that has probably never been told before.

I am really excited to see that there is a sequel in the works, and I can't wait to read it.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

You expect some things from YA title, the moment you start reading it. There should be some teen problem, an unexpected love story, some bad and some good friendships, problems concerning parents and adults... and Brave Enough have it all. This is a story about a dream that disappeared overnight and the new dreams that will come out of that catastrophe. This is a story about friendships you never expected to make and some lifechanging events. The story certainly had some disadvantages, but it was still better than I expected it to be. A strong four from me! :)

Brave Enough is the tale of two teenagers from totally different worlds, connected through one major disease: cancer. Cason Martin has grown up in the world of ballet. Her mother has pushed her from day one to be the best and has been more like a coach than a mother. Until one day, Cason collapses during an important audition and her perfect dance world comes crashing down around her.

Davis Channing is a survivor. He made it through his lymphoma only to try and destroy everything the doctors and nurses worked to save with drugs. Davis battles with his addiction throughout this novel while finding himself falling in love with Cason. But in the end will their love survive all the obstacles?

Brave Enough follows your typical formula for any other teenage drama. And while this book seemed bland to begin with, I found myself getting invested in the characters. I even may have shed a tear or two. Both inspirational and simple, it’s a nice easy read for anyone looking for a bit of drama in their life. Kati Gardner touches on a ton of different social issues throughout the entire book while managing not to delve too deeply into most of them. I appreciate Gardner’s attempt to look at the many dimensions of teenage life but I felt she tried to pack too much into one book. That being said, it was a stellar read and worth picking up!

**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.**

Unfortunately, just could not get into this book. The writing was not engaging at all and the characters did not seem believable. The book is filled with tropes.

This book was absolutely beautiful and unique. I've never read anything ballerina related so this was a first. The author is absolutely wonderful.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Representation is important. We live in a time when that is a hot topic, particularly in visual entertainment, but it's equally important in literature. And it isn't something that's as talked about, which is a shame.

This isn't the happiest of stories. Children have cancer, teenagers are battling their addictions, dreams are irrevocably altered. But it is a heartwarming story all the same. We get to see Davis fight his addiction on a daily basis. We get to see Cason through her whole cancer journey and all the ups and downs that come with that. We get to see the friendships that are forged in the fire of shared experience. We get to see Mari in all her loud, vibrant glory!

I didn't get as emotionally pulled into the story as much as I have others but I was cheering them on all the same. And I applaud Kati for filling that void she found. It makes me sad that she had to do that but it's a huge step towards greater representation.

I would absolutely recommend this book!

Out of all the books I've requested on this site, this one is the only one I've seen make it to an Australian bookstore. And it definitely deserves it too! Good book. Prepare tissues.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
This book had me hooked in from the beginning. Reading through Cason's diagnosis and treatment was at times difficult, and especially interactions with her mother, but they really resounded with me as a reader and I felt a lot of empathy for what she was going through. Davis was doing well, until his past started showing up again and jeopardizing everything he worked for, which can help us as readers see a little more into the world of addiction, and maybe find a little more understanding. The writing was brilliant, especially looking at Cason's mother's character development from prima ballerina manager to a caring mother.
I chose this book originally because of the cover, I thought the design was beautiful!

The boom of YA novels about cancer may have ended, but that doesn't mean this book is any less important, timely, or compelling. Written by a survivor whose ordeal was very similar to the protagonist's, this is an unflinching but ultimately hopeful book. Fans of the many other, similar titles that came out this decade will definitely appreciate the added realism that comes from this book's #ownvoices background.

I loved Cason and I really like the message that passes from the pages of this book: courage and hope. Two feelings, emotions, feelings that we have to carry with us every day.
The only flaw is that the love story is too fast, almost liquidated, explained in short ... but this is not the most important issue of history, I do not feel like giving it a lower mark.

What makes Brave Enough stand out above the rest, is the fact that Kati Gardner is writing from personal experience. The novel deals with two young teens dealing with cancer. Gardner is a cancer survivor herself and knows the harsh reality first hand. This is a must read for all - teens and adults alike.

All Cason wanted was to be a ballerina ,but her dreams come crashing done when she is diagnosed with bone cancer. Davis , a cancer survivor now a recovering addict helps out at the oncology hospital as part of Community service. Can Cason and Davis save themselves ?
It was a sweet book, it did remind me a bit of The Fault in the Stars . It was sad at times, they were too broken at times. I'm proud that they were Brave enough

Kati Gardner's book was one of my favorite reads of 2018. Cason and Davis were such imperfect characters, which I actually enjoy in a young adult story. I find that a lot of YA books lack grit and a dose of reality, which I'm happy to say that this novel contained both. I think readers would be enthralled with this story as soon as they dive in.

A melancholy but hopeful undertone story with characters that touched my heart in such a personal manner it was hard to shake them off. Brave Enough does not simply speak of cancer and addiction, but it delves into the concept and the everyday battles and torment one faces when plagued by one or both these conditions. The characters, Carson and David hold my heart, and I am not complain because I love them so much and I feel so much for them. This story shows the reality of the ugly and hope of what it is to undergo such a tremendous change in one's life.
As inspirational as this story was, I cannot give it the five stars it deserves, for the missing plot and the writing are the downfalls of the novel. The plot was slow and hard to enjoy because more should have happened but it did not. And, the generic writing added boredom to the sluggishness of the plot.
Overall:
I highly recommend to those who prefer developed character over plot and have a box of tissue at hand.

I think that this book is absolutely excellent. Learning how to cope with illness while still being your own person and changing the expectations that people hold for you into something that you are more comfortable holding for yourself. A book of strength and weakness woven together, you should go get you some.

Sweet story and great representation. I think it was the only novel I've read that has been this honest, and I loved that it was an own voices story as well. The characters and development were great, but the writing was lacking.

Brave enough was a good read. It gave me lots of insight on cancer kids and how their life is. The author is cancer savoir so it was realistic.
The story was good not confusing, there are parts were you will root for the Main character and want to tell them not to do something. And it was short.
The character development was there and it was good to. This story just got to me in a way. Give this book a read you will like it. And be Brave enough!!!

This was a great book. I really enjoyed it. The story feels real and I had so many feelings. I really recommend it.