Side Effects May Vary

Age range: young adult
Audio narrated by: Cassandra Campbell and Kirby Heyborn

What if you'd been living your life as if you were dying - only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When 16-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs - however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, who she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her archnemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger). But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she's said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she caused irreparable damage to the people around her - and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy's Side Effects May Vary is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.

Available now

Praise for Side Effects May Vary

School Library Journal

‘“Honest and unflinching, this is a compelling story of one teen’s struggle with cancer, love, and living. A worthwhile addition.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Readers will turn the last page wanting to know where the next chapter leads.”

Booklist

“Alice and Harvey’s relationship is raw, honest, moving, and unapologetic in its depiction of their individual, and collective, pain.”

John Corey Whaley, winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for Where Things Come Back

“Julie Murphy weaves together a tender and funny tale of love, friendship, heartache, and redemption. Side Effects May Vary explodes with brutal honesty, brilliant wit, and unflinching heart.”

Siobhan Vivian, author of The List

“Julie Murphy’s Side Effects May Vary is a funny, heartfelt, honest look at the beauty and the risk of getting a second chance. An inspiring novel about all the things worth living for. I adored this debut!”

Jennifer Echols, author of Going Too Far

“A funny and touching novel about a strong-willed heroine who finds facing death simple, but facing life heart-wrenchingly complicated. A real original.”

Teen Vogue

“A tale of unlikely romance, impossible obstacles, and mortality, this book is a must-read.”

Seventeen Magazine

“It’s equal parts fun, cringe-worthy, and totally fearless!”

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“An unexpected twist on the typical cancer story.”