Story 1 and 2 I read years ago and loved them.

Story 3:
I haven't read a LM book in years. Of course, I cried! This made me miss her stories.

This was not my favorite, but it was still good. I missed having a narrative. I liked the letter format more than I thought I would, but after awhile I was ready for more.

Overall, this brought me back to my first LM experience and I look forward to reading more soon. ( )

The things that I liked about this novel (or novels) was how realisticly it was written. There was not a word out of place and the dialogue was breathtaking. But why I had to read it in 2 goes isn't because of the size of the novel, though it was big (660 pages) but more because of the ghostly vibe, which while might be appealing to some, to me it was a bit depressing. Though I loved how McDaniel dealed with the issues and I knew all the while deep inside that it could happen to any of us, our loved ones, any time, any day. The first story was the best, and I stopped reading the book for a while in the middle of the second, "I'll Be Seeing You", until I saw it on my bookshelf a couple of months later and decided to give it another go. What most surprised me than where the characters. They were very deep and beautifully thought out. The reason why I gave this novel 3 stars than is because, I'll break it to you slowly- I hate doctors and hospitles. I know they are there to help the characters the whole time but even though, I hated them, dispieced them, I don't know if I have a strong enough word to show the emotion I felt for them. Now you must understand why I stopped reading at the second story :) But finally- here is a novel that made my heart break for the characters and the novel that inspired the great story I've been writing lately (or at least I think it's great) with a similar plot, but this time mine is a "background" plot and there is another plot going on all the while alongside it. Here is one of my favorite parts from this book:

"Day after tomorrow."
Too soon! her mind cried, but her voice said,
"But it will make you better, won't it?"
"They think so."
"Will you do it?"
"I talked it over with Mom and (D-word ahead!) my doctors, and it's what I want to do."
She had fears and doubts. She had a host of reasons why he shouldn't, but she saw his steely look of determination and knew he would do what he wanted and that nothing she could say could dissuade him. Not that she was sure she should try.

The next part was really a teary-eyed chapter, but see what I mean? "His steely look of determination", the author was a genious (though a crasy one :). It was a really sad novel so be prepared for endings you didn't expect (another thing I didn't like or more, was mad about) though it was worth it because of the awesome writing and gorgeous characters and dialogue. I'd recommend. ( )

True Love consists of three novels written by Lurlene McDaniel which make up this 600+ page tome.

Don't Die My Love
Julie Ellis and Luke Muldenhower have been together since the sixth grade. They're now in high school and still love each other unconditionally. Luke is the star quarterback on the football team. They lack for nothing - popularity, good grades, but especially love. They are considering what colleges they plan on attending, Luke is expecting a full scholarship as an athlete, everything is looking up for them. That is, until the day Luke confesses that he hasn't been feeling all that well. He has been lethargic, weak and has been losing weight. Upon examination it is discovered that Luke has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Not only is Luke's life in jeopardy but will their love be able to surpass such a devastating blow?

I'll be Seeing You
Kyle Westin is blinded when a chemistry experiment goes wrong. While at the hospital he meets Carley Mattea. As their friendship and their feelings for one another grow, Carley suffers more and more knowing that she hasn't been truly honest with Kyle. For although Kyle is blind he is a very good looking young man. But Carley is not pretty - her face is deformed and she cannot help but doubt that Kyle would still love her if he really knew how she looked. Will their love be able to overcome the superficial or will that age old battle between beauty on the outside rather than the inside prevail?

A Rose for Melinda
Told in epistolary fashion using letters, journal entries, e-mails, doctors' reports and instant messages, chronicles the relationship between Melinda and Jesse. They have known each other most of their lives and although they now live away from each other and Melinda has been accepted into the Washington School of Classical Dance’s summer program through their correspondence we are able to learn that Melinda has been diagnosed with leukemia and how this affects her dream of becoming a prima ballerina.

I can definitely see why Lurlene McDaniel's novels are a hit with teen girls. Her stories all pretty much have the same recipe - usually one or both of the main characters is suffering from a traumatic illness or injury and how these events affect their relationships. The romance in all three stories was very sweet and clean, very G-rated. I think Ms. McDaniel definitely has a way of connecting with young girls through their feelings relating to love, loss, hopes and dreams. Each story had a good message and I think that's important on books for young adults. I do have to tell you one thing though, I literally sobbed while reading some parts of these stories. I recommend that you keep tissues handy (and by tissues I mean a whole box of them). I mean my chest hurt by the time I was done reading this book.

All in all, this was a sweet book with some very lovely, if sad and depressing stories. I would recommend to young girls or anyone looking for a book where they can just have a good cry while reading it. ( )