To Read, Perchance to Dream: Book Review: Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.

Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...

Seventeen year-old Abby's older sister Tess is in a coma. Abby spends every spare moment in the hospital sitting with her, except when her parents are visiting Tess. Abby suffers from incredibly low self-esteem. She thinks she's lower than nothing, that she can't do anything to please her parents. She sees Tess as the golden child, everything she does is perfect. Abby feels Tess is beautiful and everyone loves her while Abby herself is unattractive and unliked. She meets a boy, Eli, who she thinks can help awaken Tess and has him come every day to talk to her. But, they end up talking more to each other...

Some reviewers think Abby's incredibly low self-esteem is too severe to happen in reality. Unfortunately, it's not. I've gone through it and know many, many others who have as well. She thinks she's ugly, that noone likes her, that she can't do anything right. She thinks her parents love Tess more than her, and she wants more than anything for Tess to get better so she can go away to college again and be out of Abby's life.

We see Abby slowly change throughout the book. Her relationship with Eli intensifies, she begins to see that Tess did have some imperfections. Abby even starts to realize that she has some good qualities of her own. This book is perfect for a young adult, especially one who suffers from self-esteem problems, as hopefully they can identify with Abby. They can see her start to like herself and realize they are likeable as well.

The author clearly shows two "beautiful" people, Tess and Eli, who are not perfect. They have problems and insecurities, too. That's exactly how real life is and Ms. Scott captures it very well. Also emulating real life, the ending isn't fairy tale happiness.

Pick up a copy and see for yourself!

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.