Everything changes in an instant.

For fans of ‘Looking For Alaska‘ and ‘If I Stay‘, this new Australian young adult novel is guaranteed to inspire and enlighten.

Or did he?

In a Sliding Doors-esque move (as a side note, this blogger just realised that the readers for this book might be too young to understand that reference. Go ask your mothers), the plot fractures, and we are invited to see what his life would have been had he hesitated and paused.

The author, John Larkin, has battled suicide and depression for years, and has written this novel in the hopes of shedding light on the realities of living with this mental illness. It is estimated that two hundred people in Australia attempt suicide every day. Around seven succeed. Often all that is needed is a pause.

Despite the weighty subject matter, this novel is heartwarming and inspirational. I sincerely hope it gets the attention and praise it deserves.

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