I think this was one of the "half bad" books. Plot was gripping, it was a little bit cliche and a lot about Christianity, but after all, I enjoyed reading. Jade was definitely my favourite character. She's kinda badass, original (not like Mary Sue!). But I didn't like Ethan at all, he was just so undecided about everything. Sadly, plot reminds me a lot of similar stories like this and this is not the best of them.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for ARC!

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die
by Christine Hurley Deriso

Pub Date: 18 Sep 2018

Read courtesy of www.Netgalley.com

I recently reviewed Christine Hurley Deriso's All the Wrong Chords, which I loved. I really wanted to like Things I'd Rather Do Than Die as much, but alas, I give it 4 instead of 5 ⭐. I also read Deriso's Acknowledgment section of this novel, and I'm glad she took the advice of her editor; having the main characters tell their tale in alternating scenarios made this story more thoughtful than if it had been a one-sided story. Stereotypes of jocks, brains, Jesus freaks, popularity, race and ethnicity, financial status, family structures, and illnesses became something about which I wanted to contemplate rather than be swayed. I can picture my teen readers discussing this story.

However, it was those amount of topics Deriso tried to squeeze into this one novel that caused my rating to lose a potential star. Maybe teens with slightly shorter attention spans won't mind the topic hopping, but I found it a bit distracting. I think it will affect my ability to discuss and recommend the book to my students. Other than being able to remember the basic plot, it's the nuances that might be lost to what I usually try to relate with enthusiasm.

On the other hand, Deriso handled all of the sensitive topics well. She allowed the characters to present their different points-of-view just like 'real' teens would. Kudos to that!!

So I was a little unsure of this book after getting about 5% into it and realising that Christianity is mentioned quite a lot, only to then look at a few reviews and see other people had the same realisation as me. I also saw a lot of the reviewers DNF this book, which of course made me even more determined to finish it. Overall, I'm glad I did.

I found it quite hard to get into this book, but after a few chapters I managed to push aside my lack of faith and concentrate on the actual story. I like that Ethan never tried to push his faith on to anyone, and that he even had some doubts himself. He respected that Jade didn't completely share his faith and he never spoke badly of Gia who is very much an atheist.

I like how Jade and Ethan connect, but what I love is that it's not an instant teenage romance. They get to know each other and have an actual conversation, even though it was involuntary and I love that the contrast in their faith doesn't affect the friendship they build.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review*

I've seen a few reviews where people have stopped reading this book at the beginning due to some religious themes. I won't lie - I felt that way at first too as it almost seemed like the author was going to promote their religious beliefs, but seeing how I was only about 5% through I wanted to give it some more time. I'm glad I did! I'd give this novel an overall 3.5 stars. I wouldn't say I was immediately hooked, but overall I did enjoy the message it portrays.

This book follows the lives of Jade and Ethan. Jade and Ethan get locked in a gym together after being robbed at gun point. Never having really talked to each other prior to this event both characters have preconceived ideas regarding each other. Jade, a quiet girl with no real opinions in regards to faith, starts to bond with Ethan, popular football star whose faith plays a big role in his life. They challenge each other's ideas regarding faith and come to realize that everyone is not what they seem on the outside.

This novel is eye opening and heartwarming. I would describe this book as a pleasant read that makes you feel warm and happy at the end. In the beginning of reading this, I would say I was a lot like Jade. The second Ethan asks her to pray with him - I wanted to put it down. I don't want religion shoved down my throat and, also like Jade, I stuck it out and kept an open mind and learned some new things too.

I picked this book because of the cover and description but no where in the description did it say that this was a religious book faith forward. I don't know the author so I don't know if she always writes like this but it should have been in the synopsis that one the main characters is very very religious and the whole theme of this book is about that. Please don't fool readers with thinking that this is just another opposites attract I wonder what happened book.

First,I’d like to say,I enjoyed this book. I loved all the different personalities and found all their ideas and thoughts captivating. I especially enjoyed hearing about Jade’s dad. I loved his joyful take on life,even when he was so close to the end. I also loved hearing from Ethan’s perspective. He just seemed like such a thoroughly nice guy.

I also found the robbery incredibly captivating,I understood the fear in both of them and wanted to comfort them. Leading on from that I absolutely loved the part in the aerobics room. I found myself laughing along to their banter and shaking at their fear.

My favourite character was Gia. I liked how confident she was and how she was always a loyal best friend. I really admired how she looked after Jade at the football game and how she made Jade come to the Halaween party. My heart actually soared when she got her happy ending.

Even though I did like this book, I do have a few problems with it. I felt this book dragged on for too long, we all knew they’d end up together. And then, when they did get together,it felt so rushed and unrealistic. I also felt disappointed that Jade didn’t actually meet her birth mother in the book. I understand that’s the point,that her mother was a flake who wouldn’t ever be there for her,but I feel like Jade deserved to end it for herself. And ,on my last note, I noticed that quite a lot of phrases were used multiple times,which I don’t mind too much,I just didn’t understand how Ethan knew what Jade meant by ‘crumbs’.

All in all, I felt this was a sweet book that needs a few tweaks.

Lives of Jade and Ethan, two seniors whose paths - until then - had seldom intertwined, change forever after misfortunes befall them, they get locked up in a gym overnight and - oh my, wait for it! - talk, really talk and challenge each other's views.

Now, that sounds like something right up my alley because even though the characters have only ever been vaguely aware of each other (going to the same high school), they never really had a proper, meaningful conversation. Not that their 'friendly strangers' status prevents them from forming ideas about each other. Stereotypical labels never cease being useful, even in these so-called modern times. Therefore, she thinks him a holier-than-thou show-off with superiority issues and preachy attitiude. He thinks her... well, an ATHEIST (which made me roll my eyes and laugh a lot because this line of thought soon becomes a pattern he fails to lose for a long, long time).

Yes, and that's where these particular stairs became steep for me.
I was raised Catholic and because of that I think I can tap into Jude's mindset quite easily. See, my own issues with god-fearing believers come from that exact superiority Ethan exhibited. It continued to unnerve me to no end, as much as it infuriated her. She felt like she was being judged, like he didn't see her as a whole person because she wasn't religious. He acted like she was a lost, stray sheep and his duty, as God's servant, was to save her, convert her. That kind of behavior is hardly the way t0... not even win a girl over (after all he spent a lot of time trying to convince himself there was nothing romantic between them, even as a possibility) but to be a decent person!
Obviously, she wasn't Miss Perfect either. For all her talk of how superior he acted, she was the same, just failed to realize it at the time. She put on a pose of a person who was far better than those surrounding her, someone already way smarter, way out of everyone else's league. In short: hella judgemental and snotty (funnily enough, she uses the latter to describe Ethan's girlfriend Brianna).

That is not to say I dislike flawed personalities. That couldn't be further from the truth! I live for imperfect characters who continue to fail at owning up to their own mistakes (at least for a time being). People who are scared and err along the way are my kind of people. Who wants to read about perfection, am I right? There'd be nothing to read about!

However, I couldn't quite connect to these two. Jude I understood better because I had lived through that snotty, judgemental phase myself back in middle school. There were times when I wanted to shake her (if you don't feel it, girl, don't date it!) but all in all, she did her share of maturing, figuring things out, wisening up. She turned out really okay.
It's him I didn't quite get even though he ended up acknowledging his mistakes and generally became a better person for it. Could it be that I'm holding his faith against him? Gosh, I hope not. I don't want to be that person, even if he's only fictional! What does come to mind when I'm trying to think of a reason for my reluctance is that he didn't seem passionate for much of anything, except - maybe - for his faith and as much as I'd like to separate myself from this line of thought, I hardly deem that enough. Generally speaking, he just didn't leave a lasting impression on me, there was no twinkle in his eye I, as a reader, would feel and think to myself: 'oh I want to spend hours locked up in a room with him just talking about life'. He seemed passionless for me and I can't stand that, neither in fiction nor real life.

Part of this book I definitely did enjoy were the relationships within families, though.
Especially in Jude's case. She proved to be an excellent sister as well as (eventually, haha, there was a bump or two on that road) a thoughtful daughter. Her helping her younger sister to navigate the perilious waters of elementary school friendships was awesome. I was cheering them on so hard. Go sisterhood! Then Jude's anxiety over what the future holds for her and her brother Pierce once their dad will no longer be with them resonated with me deeply. I could understand where she was coming from. After all, she had every right to be scared as her step-mom wasn't really her mom as far as blood relations go. Then again, she was where it mattered and that was incredible. I genuinely loved that bit.
Ethan's family situation was, too, far from perfect but in a more long-term way. His desperation to prove to everybody and ANYBODY who could ever care that he wasn't his dad just sort of took over his life. It happened way before we meet him at the beginning of this book. I was glad for him that he acknowledged that and I can only hope he'll try to be his own person, not just someone defying the odds of becoming another drunk.

I don't want to categorize this as a read suitable only for Christian readers but as I was making my way through the story, there was that nagging thought at the back of my head, one that kept saying I can't fully tap into this story's potential because of my stance towards faith. Perhaps, despite my efforts to the contrary, it is true and someone more religious will benefit from this story in a far more profound way than I did.

Also! It is a 2.5 rating because:
a) second half of the book definitely saved it for me as things started unfolding at a faster pace,
b) towards the end there was that one scene that made me cry and well, it softened me up. I'm a sucker for things that can make me tear up (not that it's a rare occurance, I just consider it a well spent effort and job well done as far as the author's writing skills go).

**massive thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

This was my first read from Christine Huley Deriso going into it I was a littler nervous given the title of the book. Things I'd Rather Do Than Die is a little misgiving of the book but once I read it I couldn't have given it a better title.
Ethan is very religious and depends on his Faith every single day, being a male teen this says a heck of a lot about his character and I absolutely adored him.
Jade she is hilarious and a go getter who know who she is and doesn't really care what people thing. She was a character I liked and she made me laugh at time.
When these two encounter a troubling experience they create a bond like no other and the connection they make can not be forgotten. These two have ups and down and I couldn't wait to see how everything would end up. When I turned to the last page my heart was not complete, but I knew I was going to be ok and have to say this book is a wonderful YA summer for anyone!

I am planning on reading more Christine Hurley Deriso in the near future,

Thank you NetGalley and North Star Editions Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A quick read; a coming of age story, that revolves around 1 intense night - both kids have father issues, him, alcoholism; her, cancer.

I would recommend if you enjoy teen drama.

Things I’d rather do than die teaches us about prejudice and how it can lead to big misconceptions about someone..

I really enjoyed watching Jade and Ethan grow up and coming to terms with their own problems.
This book might be one of my favourite feel-goods of this year!

This novel has a heartbreaking plot. This being said, it is hard to get into and once you are in, the protagonist is hard to like. Which is a shame for such a moving book.

I really liked this book despite it's mixed reviews here on GR. I do not think this was a "Christian" or religious book. One of the main characters, Ethan, has a very strong faith and believes in God which I thought was really wonderful because a) I hardly ever see a teen male portrayed that way in the many books I've read and b) he is a TEEN male with a strong faith...refreshing and different, and c) he does begin to question his faith after talking to Jade and reflecting on his life. Ethan and Jade know each other but not that well when together they encounter a dramatic traumatic situation. They bond over during the time period they are locked together but neither of them will admit it for most of the book. There is a lot going on in both of their lives and they try to deal with it as well as they can. Jade is a strong person who knows what she wants but is willing to make sacrifices for her family. I was tearing up at the end reading about Jade's father--an amazingly strong wonderful person who obviously loves his family so much, and raised very strong, compassionate children as well. It is a quick read as I read it in a couple of hours but I recommend it because it is different than your average YA romance novel. It really makes the reader think about faith and God and why bad things happen. Thanks so much for ARC NetGalley and Flux.

The title, cover and the plot all sounded very intriguing however I found it very bland and not really for me. It was a pretty quick read but I didn't really like execution as it fell flat for me.

Disappointed because I was excited by the synopsis of this book but the writing was just awful!
I could not get through the first 30 pages - the first person chopping and changing between the two characters did not work at all.
Specifically the line (roughly paraphrased) that made me finish this was "Oh no! She's being robbed!". Like... is this supposed to be a comical play or...?

I'll be honest, at a couple chapters in I wasn't too sure I was going to be able to get into this book. It didn't grab me from the start. However once I got about 5 chapters in or so it picked up for me. At that point I couldn't stop reading -- I just had to know what was going to happen. It was funny at times, sweet at others, and heartbreaking throughout. Jade was going through an awful lot and I really felt for her. This was Christian fiction but it wasn't so in your face that the religious stuff was all that it was about. There was so much more to it than that. I don't think you have to necessarily be a CF fan to enjoy this book.

Jade works in a gym where she meets Ethan. They may both attend the same school but they run in doifdferent circles. However when an attempted robbery takes place, Ethan tries to protect Jade but it backfires.



Locked in together, to pair get talking about their families, friends, religion and things they'd rather do than die, after their very close call with death thanks to the robber.



After they get found by the police, word gets out about what happened all round their school and the pair often pass by each other, especially after the news that Jade's dad has cancer gets out too.



Throughout the rest of the novel the pair inevitably wind up getting closer in their friendship circles now they've shared a rather traumatic experience together, from this, Brianne who's Ethan's girlfriend soon feels threatened by Jade and makes it known to her to stay away from Ethan.



There's a lot of religious talk in this book as Jade talked to Ethan about believing and it spurs him on to be more thankful to God and to pay a visit to the pastor as well. Religion side aside, it was an enjoyable book but a bit too predictable for me in that Brianne was a stereotypical threatened girlfriend and Jade and Ethan were going to grow close.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review*

This book was interesting for me. On the one hand, I appreciated the characters, for the most part, especially Ethan. First, it was interesting for me to read about a character who starts to question his faith after meeting Jade. It was also interesting because there was no indication that this book was based on Christianity. I found his questions valid and realistic given his situation and how devoted he was to his Christian faith. On the other hand, I felt like everything else just sort of fell flat. The constant back and forth between the two main characters grew tiring; after a while, I started waiting for the resolution. I also appreciated the theme of labels, and that we shouldn't assume someone's life is perfect, or about them in general.

Overall, I liked the themes of the book, and it was a pretty quick read but the execution just kind of fell flat for me.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THINGS I’D RATHER DO THAN DIE in exchange for my honest review.***

DNF at 8% I didn’t realize this was a christian book or I’d never have requested it. Also the premise of an armed robber choosing a gym was a stretch.