The Nature Of Jade

Author: Deb Caletti
Series: ----
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 288
How Received: Bought

I am not my illness. "Girl with Anxiety," "Trauma of the Week" -- no. I hate stuff like that. Everyone, everyone has their issue. But the one thing my illness did make me realize is how necessary it is to ignore the dangers of living in order to live. And how much trouble you can get into if you can't. Jade DeLuna is too young to die. She knows this, and yet she can't quite believe it, especially when the terrifying thoughts, loss of breath, and dizzy feelings come. Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, she's trying her best to stay calm, and visiting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That's why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, and that's where she first sees the boy in the red jacket. A boy who stops to watch the elephants. A boy carrying a baby. His name is Sebastian, and he is raising his son alone. Jade is drawn into Sebastian's cozy life with his son and his activist grandmother on their Seattle houseboat, and before she knows it, she's in love. With this boy who has lived through harder times than anyone she knows. This boy with a past. Jade knows the situation is beyond complicated, but she hasn't felt this safe in a long time. She owes it all to Sebastian, her boy with the great heart. Her boy who is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right, and what feels right. Master storyteller Deb Caletti has once again created characters so real, you will be breathless with anticipation as their riveting story unfolds.

 I could relate to Jade, as I suffer from anxiety myself.  And I guess that’s why I grew attached to her character. Jade has an extreme case of anxiety, and it seemed to me also some OCD. She taps her bed room door three times before entering. I would advise that you like animals before you read this, though you don't have to. A lot of the book is centered on the elephants at the zoo. I like all the little bits and pieces of information on elephants, but you may not.

Sebastian is my ideal boyfriend. He's kind, sensitive, and works at a book store! I didn't even care that he had a child! He was by far my favorite character of the book. And Bo! He was so cute! Some of you may have a hard time deciphering his baby gibberish in the novel, but this little bundle provides a comic relief.

The reason for my low rating is because I thought it took too long to introduce Sebastian. Sure Jade saw him in the Second or Third chapter, but by the time she met him the book was halfway over with! It just didn't allow the main characters enough time to grow really close. I would have like to see more of their relationship. could see where the novel was headed early on. So it was slightly predictable. But some of us like that. Overall it was a cute and intriguing read. 

 My Rating: