Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Finding Balance (Brave Enough, #2)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Finding Balance

(Brave Enough #2)

Kati Gardner (Goodreads Author)

really liked it 4.00 · Rating details · 24 ratings · 18 reviews

Jase Ellison doesn’t remember having Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia when he was three years old. His cancer diagnosis only enters his mind twice a year. Once at his yearly checkup at the oncology clinic and when he attends Camp Chemo in the summer. No one in his “real” life knows about his past, especially his friends at Atlanta West Prep.

Mari Manos has never been able to ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: May 5th 2020 by Flux

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Finding Balance, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

YA Novels of 2020

719 books — 1,745 voters

YA Releases of May, 2020

44 books — 133 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-52

really liked it Average rating 4.00 ·

Rating details

· 24 ratings · 18 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Finding Balance (Brave Enough, #2)

Dec 05, 2019 Kris (frantic4romantic) rated it really liked it

I received this book having never heard of the author or reading any of her work. It always makes me wary as a reader to step out of my comfort zone to read something I’m not familiar with. I’m a reader who invests myself into what I read, so I usually don’t take it lightly.

I’m so glad I took that leap and trusted my gut on this book.

I’ve never read a story like Finding Balance and I think it was a big reason I liked it so much. This was real life fiction where we see real life struggles. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 25, 2019 PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps rated it really liked it

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of FINDING BALANCE by Kati Gardner in exchange for my honest review.***

3.5 STARS

Nobody at school knows Jason had cancer when he was three. Cancer took one of Mari’s legs so she can’t hide that she’s a survivor. Friends and maybe more from Camp Chemo now attend the same school and Jason has everything to lose if his peers find out.

Kati Gardner is a cancer survivor who lost her leg and it shows with how much she gets right about ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 02, 2019 Maria rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, various, young

Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
Super-realistic when dealing with such serious matters, yet touching and emotional in so many ways! “Finding Balance”, by Kati Gardner (Flux), could be hard to read, but there’s so much hope in these characters, particularly in brave Mari. The leads’ personal and unique stories are more interesting and genuine than the romantic relationship, which is sweet but has some dimensions I didn’t like (Jason’s nastiness towards Mari, Mari’s ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2019 Carly rated it it was ok

I went into this book with high hopes. I liked the sound of the plot and the look of the cover. It looked as though it would be about healing, acceptance and recovery. This story follows Mari and Jase who both have had cancer at different parts of their life’s. Jase is able to live normally without anyone aware but Mari has lost her leg, making it more noticeable.

There’s a part at the start of this novel that made me laugh and connect to one of the MC’s - Mari. I thought Mari was quite chill I went into this book with high hopes. I liked the sound of the plot and the look of the cover. It looked as though it would be about healing, acceptance and recovery. This story follows Mari and Jase who both have had cancer at different parts of their life’s. Jase is able to live normally without anyone aware but Mari has lost her leg, making it more noticeable.

There’s a part at the start of this novel that made me laugh and connect to one of the MC’s - Mari. I thought Mari was quite chill and able to recover and deflect from her disability quickly. She had fallen over and Jase came to ask if she was okay and her response was. “Well Jase. It appears I’m falling for you.” There’s also another part on the cafeteria where she deflects with humour when she falls. I admire that a lot because I definitely wouldn’t handle it like that. In that sense, I really liked her as a character. She’s able to handle situations with grace.

Jase is a afraid for anyone to know that he's had cancer. Which is completely understandable because no-one wants to be treated differently. I did think he handled a little bit bad in the beginning but he recovered by the end.

RIGHT. Personally, I was not a fan of the writing style of this book because it felt incredibly rushed. I’m aware that in books you’re meant to show time passing, but this was just too much. I felt as though I was reading in fast forward. There was no build up context or ‘get to no the characters’ stage. The reader is, quite literally, thrown in the deep end. It felt a bit off. From one chapter to the next there could have been a couple of months passing. It was very young writing.

ANOTHER THING that really bothered me was the complete and utter knowledge or empathy towards cancer. There is NO WAY anyone could be that unaware. The character that bothered be the most was Lindsay. The stuff that was said was just not believable. I found myself just open mouthed thinking, what on earth did I just read?? People don’t treat people with cancer as though they’re contagious and ‘gross’. Even someone young wouldn’t be cruel, they’d be curious, sure. But not mean. If anything, they wouldn’t say anything at all.

Overall, a little bit disappointed in this read if I’m being brutally honest. BUT, in saying that I can see it as the young love read it’s portraying. I also like the camp idea as well because I love the sense of community behind it. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 22, 2019 Kate Larkindale rated it liked it

There was a lot to like about this book. It deals with two different experiences of being a cancer survivor which is not something I've seen in a book before.

Mari can't hide the fact she's had cancer. It took one of her legs and because of the nature of her amputation, a prosthetic leg isn't comfortable or the best option for her. She's used to people looking at her as she navigates the world on her pink crutches, and even deals with the odd fall now and then with humor and grace.

Jase had There was a lot to like about this book. It deals with two different experiences of being a cancer survivor which is not something I've seen in a book before.

Mari can't hide the fact she's had cancer. It took one of her legs and because of the nature of her amputation, a prosthetic leg isn't comfortable or the best option for her. She's used to people looking at her as she navigates the world on her pink crutches, and even deals with the odd fall now and then with humor and grace.

Jase had leukemia as a young child and barely remembers the experience. When he started high school, he made the conscious decision not to tell anyone about it after dealing with some vicious bullying in middle school. The only time he ever really thinks about being a survivor is at the summer camp for cancer survivors he's been going to for years. A summer camp where he and Mari are best friends.

When Mari transfers to Jase's school, he's terrified their cancer connection might be discovered and his secret revealed. So instead of helping Mari settle in, he's a jerk to her. But he can't deny the attraction he feels for her.

Mari is hurt by Jase's attitude to her, and further humiliated by his girlfriend's ignorant and insensitive remarks. She and Jase were so close at camp. What happened to change that?

The book navigates these two survivors' stories as they struggle to understand their feelings for each other and a world that sees each of them differently.

I liked the way this book explored the idea of visible and invisible disability and how people view them differently. It's not a subject I've seen covered often in YA books and it's something so many people deal with every day. Jase was a jerk through a lot of the book, but I felt like this behavior was realistic given his past and his desire not to been seen through the cancer lens. His growth through the book was the most significant and it was gratifying to see the way his friendship with Mari changed his perspective on the world and his place in it.

Some of the characters, particularly Jase's ex-girlfriend Lindsay and her friends were painted a little too broadly for my liking. They were too clueless and too mean to feel realistic. I mean, at seventeen you should know cancer isn't contagious...

But overall, this was an interesting book that I enjoyed reading. I didn't even realize it was the second book in a series until after I'd finished it! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read it in advance. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 04, 2020 Nicole rated it it was amazing

**I received a free ARC copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This. Book. Was amazing. I can't say I know what it's like to be a cancer survivor, but I'm the sister of an ulcerative colitis warrior and the daughter of a thyroid cancer survivor, and cancer in various ways has affected my family and friends. I, myself have ADHD. I know what it's like to want to prove people wrong and to do things just because someone says you can't. Mari wears her cancer diagnosis on her **I received a free ARC copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This. Book. Was amazing. I can't say I know what it's like to be a cancer survivor, but I'm the sister of an ulcerative colitis warrior and the daughter of a thyroid cancer survivor, and cancer in various ways has affected my family and friends. I, myself have ADHD. I know what it's like to want to prove people wrong and to do things just because someone says you can't. Mari wears her cancer diagnosis on her sleeve - or leg - literally. She's an amputee. Jase, on the other hand, has very little memories of his time as a cancer patient when he was three. He makes sure to keep that little secret tucked away - it happened so long ago that the only time he brings it up is for that one week in the summer at camp. Their friendship is so easy and those sparks are flying before we even meet them. I laughed at this book so many times and I wanted to throw something at Jase's face and yell at him just before Mari took words right out of my mouth! 5 starts 10/10 would recommend. It's a lighter cancer read, if that's a thing. There is a HEA and the characters are pretty well developed. I haven't read the first book (Davis's story) but he's in this book quite a bit as well so characters overlap which I like.

(Mini rant here about the assistant principal from a special education teacher)
I DO have to say that not only as a decent person but as a special education teacher, Mari's assistant principal should be fired.He REALLY does not know his place. In no way should an education professional EVER try to force a student to buy an expensive prosthetic or a wheelchair OR be given the ultimatum of that or being placed in a self-contained classroom when the student is cognitively and developmentally reaching or exceeding the standards. First off, you can't just place a student in a self-contained classroom without a ton of data and second - in what world would a student who is developmentally and cognitively on the same level as her able-bodied peers want to be in a self-contained classroom? Good for Kati for writing Mari's parents as the best advocates <3 ...more

flag Like · see review

Dec 28, 2019 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, ebook, netgalley, review-copies, read-2019

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending this my way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Finding Balance by Kati Gardner is an upcoming YA contemporary novel set for publication in May 2020. It follows two teens - Mari and Jace - as they reunite after summer camp for young people with cancer and the struggles they face dealing with their condition(s) and learning to embrace themselves.

I was so excited to hear that this was a sequel to Brave Enough. I read that book last year and ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 27, 2020 Florencia rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

~~I have received the ARC thanks to NetGalley in exchange for my honest review~~

This is my first ARC copy I have received, and it was a book I have read that was going to come out this year and I wanted to read it, so I was excited.

While reading the book midway through it I was thinking how detailed the description of the amputation and the knowledge about how she manages in her life. So I checked to see the background of the author and discovered she herself is an amputee and cancer survivor I ...more

flag Like · see review

Dec 28, 2019 E.J. Hill rated it really liked it

This was a really sweet and at the same time heartbreaking and empowering story. Although it is fiction, it still felt real because these are real-life struggles. I am sure the author used many of her personal experiences to inform the story and that gave it a rich depth.
Mari was a champion of a character. Despite the fact that people continued to degrade her for her physical appearance, she kept her pride and continued to soldier on. In the book, she keeps saying how she’s not some sort of ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 04, 2020 Rona Nimmo rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag Like · see review

Jan 04, 2020 Amy Dufera rated it liked it

3.5 Stars

Wow, Finding Balance has a lot going on throughout.
I found the writing of her amputation to be handled with understanding, care, and compassion.
I personally learned a lot too, as I know nothing about that type of amputation.
The author excels in the descriptions of how it effects everyday life.
As for the relationship, wow. This is a tough one.
I wanted to kick Jace's ass a lot of times, but I also understand where he was coming from.
Jace and Mari are both complex characters and their ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 05, 2020 Jas rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-release

I was so happy when I received an eARC of this book, because it sounded very promising. And it did not disappoint! Though I had some issues with Jase, there was so much good about this book that I can overlook it.

I really liked how it dealt with cancer. It was very realistic without it being a downer and controlling the whole story. Besides cancer, Jase and Mari are just two teenagers with a complicated relationship and Im all for it.

Full review coming soon on my blog.

Thank you to Netgalley and ...more

flag Like · see review

Dec 13, 2019 Michelle rated it it was ok

Shelves: cancer

My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!

Thank you to Flux for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sequel book, but each one is a standalone story. You can easily read this one without having read the first. That being said, I can't say I'd recommend reading this one and it all is due to one reason: Jace. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 10, 2020 Melissa See rated it it was amazing

As a disabled person, I am hungry for #ownvoices disability rep. Both as a reader and as a writer. There aren’t words adequate enough to express my gratitude to Kati for doing this. I am so incredibly proud of her.

flag Like · see review

Dec 31, 2019 Laura ( Latteandbooks ) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

Full RTC

flag Like · see review

Dec 17, 2019 Rose rated it it was amazing

Wait, before you close out of this tab, you need to know that this isn't your typical cancer story. It is so much more. It is a story of overcoming your past. It is a story of choosing how to see life. It is a story I won't forget.
The characters were fantastic. Their thoughts and emotions were expressed so clearly and I felt like I knew them in real life.
One thing that I loved seeing was the Bible verses subtly woven throughout.
My only complaint about this book is the language. It could have ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 29, 2019 Nathalie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-5-stars, 5-stars, emotional, high-scool, like-the-writing-style

It is an incredible book. Each page is filled with raw emotions. My stomach was in knots the whole time I was reading it. The novel makes a reader feel everything as if it all was happening with him/her.
Finding Balance shows us how the main characters deal not only with cancer but also with stupidity, ugliness, hardheartedness and ignorance of real world.
Moreover, it is a very beautiful love story. Not easy, not predictable, without any cliché manwhore-billionaires and damsels in distress.
In ...more

flag Like · see review

Dec 03, 2019 Vivi (they/them) rated it it was ok

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion

Finding Balance follows Mari and Jason. They have both had cancer at different times in their life. Jason is able to live a normal life but Mari cannot. Because of her cancer she was forced to get a leg amputation. This leads to her being judged and picked on.

Overall, Mari was a pretty good character. I enjoyed her sense of humor and ability to make the best of bad situations.

The main reason I disliked Finding Balance was ...more

flag Like · see review

annabelle rated it really liked it
Feb 06, 2020

Preethi rated it really liked it
Dec 13, 2019

Tia rated it it was amazing
Dec 02, 2019

Cindy rated it it was amazing
Feb 12, 2020

Esra rated it really liked it
Dec 10, 2019

Flux Books rated it it was amazing
Oct 28, 2019

Daiane marked it as to-read
Feb 04, 2019

Hannah Hartwell marked it as to-read
Feb 11, 2019

Sam marked it as to-read
Feb 18, 2019

Savanna Waddle marked it as to-read
Feb 19, 2019

Madigan marked it as to-read
Mar 05, 2019

Holly marked it as to-read
Mar 17, 2019

Jillian Cypher marked it as to-read
Apr 01, 2019

C2015 marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2019

Briana marked it as to-read
Apr 22, 2019

Vermillion added it
May 07, 2019

Katie Scarlett marked it as to-read
Jun 18, 2019

Cailyn marked it as to-read
Jun 20, 2019

Katie💜 marked it as to-read
Jul 07, 2019

Day marked it as to-read
Jul 29, 2019

Caro marked it as to-read
Aug 01, 2019

Nikoletta marked it as to-read
Aug 02, 2019

Amy Smart marked it as to-read
Aug 05, 2019

SoKawaiiBebe marked it as to-read
Aug 10, 2019

Ally marked it as to-read
Aug 12, 2019

Laura marked it as to-read
Aug 14, 2019

Emily Holladay marked it as to-read
Aug 15, 2019

Ashton Anderson marked it as to-read
Aug 22, 2019

Katerina Kondrenko added it
Aug 26, 2019

Amanda added it
Aug 31, 2019

Madison marked it as to-read
Sep 02, 2019

Brianna marked it as to-read
Sep 09, 2019

Gail C. marked it as to-read
Sep 10, 2019

Eryn marked it as to-read
Sep 10, 2019

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Young Adult

7 users

Romance

2 users

Contemporary

2 users

See top shelves…

About Kati Gardner

Kati Gardner

54 followers

Kati is a recovering actor who has spent the last few years keeping tiny humans alive. In high school she was determined to play a doctor on General Hospital and possibly add in a love story with Jonathan Jackson. She would spend hours toiling away on FanFiction for my AOL community and dreaming of the day she would accept a Daytime Emmy Award. In college she majored in Theater arts and spent lots ...more

Other books in the series

Brave Enough (2 books)

Books by Kati Gardner

More…

Trivia About Finding Balance (...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

See a Problem?

Preview — Finding Balance by Kati Gardner

Finding Balance

(Brave Enough #2)

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Kati Gardner

Other books in the series

Books by Kati Gardner

Trivia About Finding Balance (...

See a Problem?

Preview — Finding Balance by Kati Gardner

Finding Balance

(Brave Enough #2)

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Kati Gardner

Other books in the series

Books by Kati Gardner

Trivia About Finding Balance (...

new topic
Discuss This Book