Madeline is sick - has been since a baby. She suffers from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency - she has to stay indoors as any contact with the outside world may make her ill. The windows in the house don't open, there's a special air filter mechanism that is used to get fresh air into the house. Any visitors to the house (and there are few - only Carla, the nurse, and Madeline's architecture tutor) are blasted with a cold air cleaning treatment. Madeline is 18, and has been used to spending all her time in her house with her mum, who is also her doctor. Then Olly moves in next door. She starts communicating with him firstly by writing on the windows, then instant messaging online. Her mum knows nothing about this connection, but Carla (having a teenager daughter of her own) is instantly aware something is happening between the two, and arranges for Olly to visit when the mother is not at home.A beautiful romance blossoms, but one where they both know that a touch or a kiss could kill Madeline. Now that she is experiencing love, Madeline wants more from life, and to share it with Olly. How can this can be done within the confines of her home?
This is a touching story about a mother's love and about first love, about having only one life and living it to the full. What makes the book more interesting to read is that the text is interspersed with hand written hospital notes, diary entries, IM screens, and drawings. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but there were a few twists and turns to keep you guessing.
A lovely story with loveable characters. Move over Gus and Hazel, make way for Madeline and Olly.
