by Elaina Lyons

Right off the bat, I knew this book would be my style. It’s easy to read and feels personal, like you know the main characters from the start. The book is told in first-person perspective, and follows a young woman named Cassandra as she struggles with a life-changing medical diagnosis. (Trigger warning: cancer).

I found it easy to get into the story, finishing it in just a few days. I think anyone who has faced cancer or helped a loved one through it can find something to relate to in this book. It’s also a well-written work, which I absolutely appreciated.

A few things I didn’t like: The dialogue seemed a bit unnatural at times. I tend to dislike dialogue without contractions or any slang at all, because it seems forced. I found that the approach to the dialogue made connecting with the characters a bit more difficult. I also thought bits of the book were a bit difficult to believe — some of the characters seemed too good to be true, and I found myself wishing they were a tad less likable. When dealing with something as raw as cancer, I felt a bit slighted that all of the characters seemed so perfect. It was an odd juxtaposition that didn’t really make sense to me. We all have flaws, and I would have liked to see that reflected in the characters, even just a little!

Overall, though, I gave the book 4/5 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt, emotional read.

Please note: This review was not sponsored. I purchased the book independently and reviewed it honestly.

Grab your copy of “Just Once More” here.

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