I generally avoid things that I know will make me uncomfortable. I'm good at avoiding. And this, I can assure you, made me uncomfortable. 
 My dad had cancer and all that - which made books about cancer not something I wanted to read. 
 So I avoided this book for a long time. 
 Now that my father is in remission, I figured it was finally time to sit down and check out the story that captured so many hearts. 
 Yep, I'm still a sobbing mess. 
 This is a tragic love story. This is not a happy book, but a story of pain, suffering, fear, and a love that managed to exist amidst all of that. Star-crossed lovers are star-crossed for a reason. Hazel and Augustus shared a love that made reading a book about chemo and vomit and bad days and harsh words worth it. 
 My only warning: this story is made up of reality. (view spoiler)[When Augustus gets truly sick and nothing is left out of the pain and suffering, I wanted the story to just end. It was too heartbreaking to read. When Augustus explained how he met Caroline and how she treated him (due to the tumor, possibly?), my heart hurt for him. When Hazel gave a false eulogy in an effort to please his family, I agreed with her - because she was right: funerals are for the living. (hide spoiler)] 
 The one part that sticks out with me the most belongs to Isaac. When he and Hazel are playing the video game in one of the final chapters, they call ridiculous voice commands. Despite weeping over what had just happened, I started laughing out loud. Being able to laugh amongst tears reminds people that we are still living, as cheesy as it sounds. So maybe I love the book for not only showing reality, but for bringing the real reactions from the readers. 
 Maybe Hazel and Augustus didn't get their fairytale ending, but at least they got something.