Review of Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Title: Never Eighteen
Author: Megan Bostic
Published by: HMH Children's Books
Pages: 204
Source: Library
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★★

Summary from Goodreads: I had the dream again. The one where I’m running. I don’t know what from or where to, but I’m scared, terrified really.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will.

It’s probably hopeless.

But he has to try.

Heartbreaking and hopeful; this is a story you won't soon forget.  The majority of the story follows a weekend where Austin has a very important agenda.  He wants certain people to realize they are not living their lives, but instead living a shadow of it, including himself.  He recruits his best friend Kaylee, who he's secretly in love with, to be his chauffer on this important journey. 

Each of Austin's visits touch your heart a little.  While some are sad, and others crazily unexpected, each one is there for a specific reason.  The more people Austin visited or the more adventures he tried, I gained more respect for him then I can even begin to express.  While he was going through the hardest time in his life, he reached out to others.  Hopefully each person he visits feels a little better and realizes to cherish their life and start living it.   

The ending tore me apart.  I was expecting what happened, but still I couldn't stop the tears.  I felt like I got a glimpse into this amazing person's life and I wanted more than he had left to give. 

Never Eighteen was a stunning debut that left me heartbroken, but also gave me hope and courage to live my life to its fullest.