Side Effects May Vary - by Julie Murphy (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The first book from Julie Murphy, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin'--now a feature film starring Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston, with a soundtrack by Dolly Parton!

For fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell comes this powerful novel about a girl with cancer who creates a take-no-prisoners bucket list that sets off a war at school--only to discover she's gone into remission.

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs. So she convinces her best friend, Harvey, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge as it is about hope.

But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission, and now she must face the consequences of all she's said and done.

Contemporary realistic fiction readers who love romantic stories featuring strong heroines will find much to savor in this standout debut.

• Friends to Lovers: She ropes her best friend Harvey into her revenge scheme, blurring the line between loyalty and love until neither of them knows where they stand.
• Dual POV: Told from the perspectives of both Alice and Harvey, revealing what they can't--or won't--say to each other.
• Dual Timeline: Flashbacks to "Then" reveal the history that fuels Alice's revenge, while the "Now" chapters deal with the messy consequences of getting a second chance.
• A Messy Bucket List: This isn't about skydiving or seeing the world. Alice's list is about settling scores at school, and now that she's not dying, she has to live with the fallout.

Review Quotes

"Julie Murphy weaves together a tender and funny tale of love, friendship, heartache, and redemption. SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY explodes with brutal honesty, brilliant wit, and unflinching heart." - John Corey Whaley, winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for WHERE THINGS COME BACK

"A funny and touching novel about a strong-willed heroine who finds facing death simple, but facing life heart-wrenchingly complicated. A real original." - Jennifer Echols, author of GOING TOO FAR

"Honest and unflinching, this is a compelling story of one teen's struggle with cancer, love, and living. A worthwhile addition." - School Library Journal

"A tale of unlikely romance, impossible obstacles, and mortality, this book is a must-read." - Teen Vogue

"It's equal parts fun, cringe-worthy, and totally fearless!" - Seventeen Magazine

"An unexpected twist on the typical cancer story." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"Julie Murphy's SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a funny, heartfelt, honest look at the beauty and the risk of getting a second chance. An inspiring novel about all the things worth living for. I adored this debut!" - Siobhan Vivian, author of The List

"Readers will turn the last page wanting to know where the next chapter leads." - Kirkus Reviews

"Alice and Harvey's relationship is raw, honest, moving, and unapologetic in its depiction of their individual, and collective, pain." - Booklist