Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press books for this ARC for review. While I can appreciate the author’s story and the journey she went on, I think the title misleading. Yes, 29 is young and may be young for the kind of cancer she was diagnosed with, but sadly, there are unfortunately, many that are diagnosed “too young for any cancer” as I saw in my nursing practice. It was great that this young woman was able to get the treatment at NIH and survive a rare stage IV cancer. That’s amazing at any age. It was an incredible journey that she found the right medical providers and she was able to advocate for herself and get the care that lead to her treatment and remission.

When I find myself aware of the writing, rather than the story, it's usually a sign that the writing isn't great. Seems this author has never come across an adverb that she didn't want to use. If I'm noticing this, why didn't her editor?
Grammar critique aside, I didn't think this was terribly compelling. Between Two Kingdoms is also a memoir from a young, female writer describing her journey through a cancer diagnosis, and is much more affecting and insightful.
Thanks to #netgalley and #alcovepress for this #arc of #tooyoungforcancer in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to start off by thanking netgalley for the arc of this book. This book made me laugh and cry in the best ways possible. Coleman deliciously describes what it is like to be a young person battling a disease that no one wants to hear.
Coleman starts off as shy, insecure about speaking up when all the doctors start speaking at her instead of to her, although thankfully to her supportive family she starts to speak up and advocate for herself. With her husband by her side they can tackle this awful disease.
This book takes you behind the curtain (literally) into healthcare, the ups, and the downs. The humanity and the machinery.
Fans of this is going to hurt is going to love this book as well seeing from a different perspective

Too Young for Cancer is an inspiring and emotionally charged memoir that offers a rare, youthful perspective on the cancer experience. Katie Coleman writes with honesty, vulnerability, and humor, making her story relatable and compelling. This book is not just for cancer patients or survivors, but for anyone who has faced a life-changing challenge. Through her journey, Coleman demonstrates the power of resilience and the strength to overcome even the most difficult obstacles. A powerful and uplifting read that will resonate with anyone grappling with their own personal struggles or seeking inspiration in the face of adversity.
This amazing work stands out from other cancer memoirs due to Katie Coleman's honest, raw voice. She doesn't shy away from the fear, frustration, and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, yet infuses the narrative with humor and hope. The memoir is not only about the physical battle but also explores the emotional and mental challenges of being a young adult facing such a life-altering illness. Coleman reflects on the strain cancer places on relationships, the emotional toll of treatments, and the upheaval of life plans, all while maintaining a fierce determination to reclaim her future. Her powerful storytelling offers an authentic, unflinching look at life with cancer, showcasing her strength, resilience, and the importance of hope in overcoming adversity.
Huge thank you to Katie Coleman for being vulnerable in front of the world.

Coleman's memoir of being diagnosed with an extremely rare form of kidney cancer in her late twenties is conversational and warm. She details her journey from being diagnosed to choosing a cancer treatment center, her experiences with treatment, and her relationships with found support systems through online forums for those with kidney cancers. Given her young age, the memoir also touches on Coleman's life as a newlywed and her early career. While I enjoyed the memoir overall, there were many places where the book could have been better edited for clarity - I often found myself rereading sentences and passages due to poor grammar and other issues.

An essential read for anyone involved in the care of cancer patients.

I was touched by Katie’s story and the depth of emotion she shared with readers. Her experiences renewed my “why” for what I do.

It’s so easy to forget that on the other side of the cancer space from providers are patients who have zero idea what we’re talking about when we throw big words and prognoses with them. Reading about how Katie became an advocate for her own care reminded me how important it is for providers to be willing educators for their patients.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book is about a young woman's fight with cancer. Its her journey through all of the ups and downs that cancer brings into her life. Its the fight of her life and she takes you along for the ride.

Massive appreciation to the author/publisher/NetGalley for the advanced copy. Below are my honest opinions.

Being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer is the last thing most young adults expect to hear, but that is exactly what Katie Coleman heard on New Year's Eve 2020. To add insult to injury, there was a possibility of the cancer being caught earlier, except Katie was repeatedly told it was just anxiety. A new wife, during a pandemic, and now fighting against the clock to save her life, Katie details her harrowing journey of her treatment and (thankfully) her recovery from an ultrarare cancer. And throughout this journey, Katie finds that the greatest threat against succumbing to the perils of her disease is a strong, loving community.

Incredible. Simply incredible. Katie expertly wove her story in a way that the reader felt as if they were the ones fighting this disease. And when it just seemed like answers and hope were out of reach, a reader was invited to share in Katie's sorrow and grief.

I personally related to the story as someone that has actually been told the opposite - not too young for cancer, but more suspectable to it. My grandmother was a 10-year breast cancer survivor and most of the women in my family now carry the cancer gene. In 2019, I found a lump in my breast and was immediately sent for an ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy (also at Huntsman, funny enough). Thankfully, it was benign, but it was a reality check I needed.

How Katie managed to not just rage against the healthcare system that so easily dismissed her symptoms and concerns will always be an enigma. But I am so relieved that not only has her cancer not experienced new growth, but that Katie found her voice and learned how to advocate for herself. Katie's bravery and strength is inspiring to everyone. And I wish her nothing but the best.

Oh, and for someone that claimed not to be a writer, she could have fooled me. I loved her style, tone, and voice. I felt like I was catching up with a friend. I would love to read more from her in the future.

☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: Available today!!


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


This memoir by Katie Coleman was so incredibly real, raw, and powerful. Katie said so many profound and true things throughout this memoir. Although I have not personally experienced cancer, I have gone through an insane medical journey with many diseases and chronic illnesses and continue that journey, so a lot of this I related with. Katie said that advocating for your health was a skill born out of necessity, not nature. This rings so incredibly true because if you do not advocate, you will most likely be dismissed or misdiagnosed.

A lot of things Katie said throughout this book will stick with me forever, but here are a few of my favorites:

"...it was the cards I was dealt and now we're going to learn to play them."

"It wasn't a physician problem, this was a system problem."

Thank you, NetGalley, Katie Coleman, and Alcove Press, for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was about a woman going through cancer treatment and dis ovine the biases of the health care system and how community and people can help you through times like these. This hit close to my heart because of dealing with biases of the system myself and watching my loved one go through cancer.

I hadn't read a true story in a while, so I decided to dive into the pages of "Too Young for Cancer", fully aware that it would be emotionally challenging.

From the very first page, this novel has been a continuous rollercoaster of emotions: hope, fear, anxiety, despair, and anger gradually took turns throughout the reading, creating an incredibly intense atmosphere. Thanks to a well-crafted narrative and a glaring sincerity, it was easy to empathize with the author, follow her actions, and understand what she was going through.

Reaching the end of the book means confronting both the awareness of needing to live in the present, to fight for what you want as long as you can because (and it may sound cliché) life is too short, and the hope that slowly gains courage and devours the pages of an authentic story.

I am truly grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy to read. This is a well-constructed novel and a true story that should not be overlooked.

What an emotional roller coaster! I am a spousal caregiver to a husband who had a rare cancer that was diagnosed in stage 4, who was also diagnosed very young. That is what intrigued me about reading this author's story and memoir! I really loved how she put her authentic self into it and shared her experiences and frustrations with the medical field, trust me...I understand! I know her husband has to be an angel, as I can relate to him as the caregiver! The biggest takeaway from this book is to start living life NOW, not when you get a scary diagnosis!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was an amazing book. I told woman's journey through the medical Systems. He did not believe her when she kept saying she wasn't pain. This one was called K ATE C o l e m AM She's struggled through so many different Treatments. And Had to be very Proactive getting help because nobody would help her. She did a lot of research.
On her own and this was pretty amazing.How many different systems she had to go through. She had a very troubling past and she just got married.
The Husband travel. Yes, well, yes, the dog. With her. I love this book.Because I couldn't understand where she was coming from. She found different Treatments for this cancer because it was terminal to choose with determined to fight every ounce of her body. This is an amazing book because it gives a positive outlook. Um, when you need to do things. To save you Life

I don’t know how to review this deeply moving and personal book in terms of the author’s writing as that feels insensitive, so I will focus on the subject matter and how the author made me feel.

I recently lost my mother and a friend to cancer, so the topic is of great interest to me. We can all agree that no matter one’s age, cancer doesn’t play fair. With the seemingly increasing occurrence of cancer, cost of care increases, and doctors, especially specialists spread thin, a diagnosis would feel daunting and hopeless. Ms. Coleman's story brought back all the emotions of my past experiences with friends and family--from their diagnosis, treatment, and ultimate battle loss.

The author's raw honesty, and the way she conveyed her complex thoughts and feelings regarding facing cancer, made her relatable and engaging. She effectively mixed humor with poignant moments. Ms. Coleman’s bravery and willingness to share her story with others made this heartfelt memory a worthy read.

Readers who are interested in more of Katie Coleman should check out her podcasts and/or consider donating to Conquer Cancer, a cancer research foundation.

I was mostly interested in reading this because my best friend's young son is facing a one-in-a-million cancer. Coleman has done a wonderful job exploring the mysteries and frustrations, and her story brings hope.

An emotional book about a young woman facing cancer. There were some messages that I took away from this book–Never give up even when things look bad and always advocate for yourself & listen to your body. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

This memoir in some ways felt like a mystery. The author starts with how her life took a turn following a break up and a relocation. She had a variety of symptoms that doctors dismissed. During this time, she moved on with her life, fell in love, and got married. Amid the pandemic years, her symptoms got worse. She takes the reader on the journey trying to diagnose her and how best to treat her. It seems like each institution has a different take on her cancer, and she’s faced with making choices about her health that have no guarantee. As someone who also had a cancer diagnosis around the same time, I appreciated her vulnerability in sharing the uncertainty that comes with the diagnosis as well as how it impacted her and her husband as they were mere newlyweds at the time.

⭐⭐⭐½

"Too Young for Cancer" is a heartfelt memoir that chronicles Katie Coleman's struggle to receive a proper cancer diagnosis. Her candid writing draws readers in, showcasing her determination and resilience amid the chaos of misdiagnosis and medical challenges.

Coleman’s story is powerful, filled with emotional moments that highlight the impact of illness on both the individual and their loved ones. She effectively brings attention to the often-overlooked issue of young adults facing cancer, making it relatable and eye-opening.

However, the pacing can feel uneven at times, with some sections dragging on or feeling repetitive. A deeper exploration of her relationships and emotional struggles could have added more depth to the narrative.

Overall, "Too Young for Cancer" is an important read that combines personal experience with broader healthcare themes, making it a worthwhile journey for anyone interested in the realities of living with cancer.
"Too Young for Cancer" is a heartfelt memoir that chronicles Katie Coleman's struggle to receive a proper cancer diagnosis. Her candid writing draws readers in, showcasing her determination and resilience amid the chaos of misdiagnosis and medical challenges.

Coleman’s story is powerful, filled with emotional moments that highlight the impact of illness on both the individual and their loved ones. She effectively brings attention to the often-overlooked issue of young adults facing cancer, making it relatable and eye-opening.

However, the pacing can feel uneven at times, with some sections dragging on or feeling repetitive. A deeper exploration of her relationships and emotional struggles could have added more depth to the narrative.

Overall, "Too Young for Cancer" is an important read that combines personal experience with broader healthcare themes, making it a worthwhile journey for anyone interested in the realities of living with cancer.

This is not your typical feel good book. This is a story about Katie. She is someone who if I met in person, I’d hug her tight. What a strong, resilient woman she is. I can’t imagine being in her place. By putting her fear aside to advocate for herself at such a young age is commendable. It’s scary to know how things can slip through the cracks but she never gave up. She is a fighter and a hero for herself. I’m glad she wrote this so that others can learn from it. Thank you to Netgalley for the honor and privilege to read this story.

This was a great read for anyone who has been touched by cancer, either directly or indirectly. I wasn't sure what to expect going into it, maybe I thought there would be a secret way to get through cancer. This book was specifically about her journey and her family's journey through her cancer. At times emotional, as she gives her firsthand account from diagnosis through treatment.