The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily

Lily, diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, lives with her academically gifted sister Iris and their mother. When Lily was younger, her father read to her constantly, to help with her dyslexia. From cat warriors to _Nancy Drew_ to _The Letters of Abelard and Heloise_, Lily's comprehension of reading and the world grew. When her parents divorced, Lily and Iris stayed in Austin with their mother, while Dad moved to an organic farm coop in Portland. Abelard, on the Autism spectrum, is wicked smart but doesn't read social cues. He also is familiar with _The Letters of Abelard and Heloise_, and when he and Lily draw detention together, they begin to text in the passages of Abelard and Heloise, lovers from the Middle Ages. Stories abound here, including the usual first crush and idolization of the absent parent. Stories not often told are the ones about differently abled teens and the medical, social and educational challenges they and their families face. The typical teen stories are beautifully told here, and the differently abled stories mesh so with the teen narrative that we often loose sight of the fact that the neurodifficulties exist. When they come back with a vengeance, it is almost a surprise. This is a first rate, amazingly told story sure to enthrall Middle School through adults.

Lily Michaels-Ryan is a highschooler with ADHD. When breaking something lands her in detention with Abelard, a beautiful and brilliant guy who has Asperger's, she can't help but feel intrigued. He seems thirty seconds behind in a conversation while she's thirty seconds ahead. When a paper gets posted online - one that never should have been posted in the first place - Lily and Abelard discover that they both love old novels, especially The Letters of Abelard of Heloise. The two fall for each other hard but their relationship isn't going to be an easy one.

Those black lines through the hearts got my attention. I was hooked from the very first page. The writing is so good - the whole book flowed smoothly, the characters were three-dimensional and they were interesting. We get a glimpse of what it's like for Lily being a teenager with ADHD. School is hard for her and nobody understands her. She feels like she's dragging her mother down. She has to make some tough choices. I like how the author showed how naive she was and also how she grew and took charge of her life. Lily and Abelard were so cute together and you can't help but root for them. This is one of those stories that will stick with you long after you've read it.

I won a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you to HMH Books for Young Readers for an ARC.

One of the hallmarks (to me, at least) of an emotionally powerful story is when I want to put it down because rough seas are on the horizon, but I can't. This is one of those stories. I had that feeling not once, but twice. Each time, the author steered the story and the feelings I was experiencing into safer waters. This is a unique love story that also addresses how life looks to teens with disabilities, in this case, Lily with ADHD and Abelard with autism. Both come across as both real and highly likable. The story takes a couple well crafted turns that are dealt with very effectively. The stresses families with such teens are described in very realistic terms. You can't help but feel empathy for them, especially Lily's mom. I read it quickly and was extremely satisfied when I closed the cover. It's an excellent choice for any school or public library.

On the surface, this is a love story between Abelard and Lily. Neither one of them is "neuro-typical". Lily has ADHD and tends to leap before she thinks. Abelard is on the autism spectrum and tends to think and think before he leaps.What I liked about the book was the real debate about if there is anything wrong with being a-typical. Lily has an option to have surgery that might help her ADHD impulse control. But will that change who she is? Is she broken? I won't spoil who thinks what, or how it ends, but it will really challenge the way you think if you let it.

While the title gives the impression of strictly another YA romance, this book really is more about Lily learning how to deal with her ADHD. Her relationship with Abelard, a boy with Asperger’s, is adorable and sweet as they exchange medieval quotes via text and, in the end, helps her to better understand herself and what she wants from life. I loved both Lily and Abelard, and I loved the story.

“Abellard, are you calling me a special snowflake?” “Yes, you are a fractured snowflake”If that doesn’t make your heart all melty I don’t know what will. This book is about a boy and a girl that bond through their love of literature. It’s so dorky and cute that I was cheesing out every couple of chapters. I am here for this unconventional love story. If I’m not mistaken, Lily has ADHD and Abellard is autistic. They both have their own struggles but as the main character Lily’s are highlighted. She tries so hard not to get in trouble and not lose focus on her schoolwork but then one thing leads to another and it just happens. Her little sister is the genius with the self-control and ability to maintain straight As so naturally she’s their mother’s favorite. Lily convinces herself that if she stays the summer with her estranged dad he could be the one to help her control her impulses. There’s so much more to the story beyond the love “letters” and it makes me giddy just thinking about it.

This romance shows that we all need to feel connected and do our best for ourselves and for each other.Lily Michaels-Ryan has trouble controlling herself when she doesn’t take her ADHD medicine. She’s always had problems and has tried everything. She has changed medications many times, but she’s never found one that allows her to retain “herself”--that doesn’t dull her, so she often just quits taking it. After taking her four-hour English test for the state of Texas, Lily is done. She needs to move, give her brain space. She gets up to leave class and hears a sound. Someone is messing with the handle of the accordion wall separating her classroom from another. When she tries to help, the wall breaks. In the principal’s office, she finds Abelard waiting to be reprimanded by the principal and impulsively kisses him. Impulse control is not one of Lily’s strengths.Abelard has Aspberger’s and lives on the fringes of school life but finds a connection with Lily. When Lily kisses him, he’s confused. The only relationship they’ve had is when she hit him in the head accidentally in elementary school and caused a scar on his face. Their connection would seem impossible, but they have the same passion--The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. They begin to text and become friends by quoting this obscure piece of literature after Lily writes a reference to this book on a drawing of Abelard. This novel really helps the reader understand how life is different for different people--the struggles they have that most do not. Lily doesn’t hear everything because her brain can’t stop and follow people’s conversations, showing what conversations are like for people with ADHD. Abelard’s Asperger’s makes him very literal. They both have strong support--Lily has her mother, sister, and best friend who help her navigate even though they don’t all agree on what’s best for Lily. Abelard has his parents, particularly his mother who tries to protect him. The novel walks through the growth of their romantic relationship and the realities of life with the decisions that must be made to do well in life. Sometimes these decisions require relationships to expand.

Thank you to #kidlitexchange for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ?????The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle. Lily is a teenage girl who struggles with dyslexia and ADHD. She refuses to take her medication hides it from her mom, walks out of class, doesn't do her homework, and has real trouble keeping up with time. After an incident that ended her up in the principal's office she realizes she has a crush. A crush on Abelard. Abelard is a teenage boy and struggles with some sort of autistic spectrum disorder but a diagnosis is never actually given in the story. And just as Abelard and Lily' s relationship is blossoming Abelard gets accepted to an awesome school in New Mexico and suddenly Lily must deal with more pressure than she's ever imagined. From failing classes, to medication, her best friend's new boyfriend and she's found the fantasies of her father are all lies she's told herself. On top of that brain surgery. The determination of family and friends and even strangers in this book will renew your faith in society. There are good people trying to do good things for people they love. Even if at first it doesn't seem that way. Review also posted on Instagram @jasonnstacie, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Go Read, Amazon, and my blog at readsbystacie.com