I really and honestly hate this book. And I so wanted to love it. I mean, I wanted to contract amor deliria nervosa from this book. But instead, it cured me. Without any kinds of injections. 
 The book follows the protagonist, Lena, as she prepares to receive her Cure from the disease of love, which is outlawed. But of course she falls in luv. Sounds good in theory. Too bad this book is as boring as watching paint dry. But when paint dries, you feel a sense of accomplishment at your newly decorated walls. This book gave me no such satisfaction. 
 THE CHARACTERS 
 Lena is a bland plain girl who constantly compares herself to her friend Hana, who is attractive, taller, and blonde. Honestly I don't even remember what Lena is supposed to look like. Doesn't matter. She is short, boring, whiny, weak, and indecisive, and sometimes spouts out profanity like a child holding her breath till she passes out. Near the beginning she placed her convictions in her government. She fell in love and promptly became a bit of a madwoman. 
 Alex is just as bland. He has a constant smile, or a constant stony expression, or is expressionless completely. He gets mad at Lena for things out of her control. And he whispers sweet nothings at her and recites poetry. He tears holes in ceilings so that he can see the stars. And he is constantly looking hurt about something. Also, he seems to be able to change his demeanor to that of a confident adult at the drop of a hat. And people let him go where he pleases. Sorry. I've played too many video games to buy that noise. 
 Although both of these characters is supposed to be an older teen, they act like 14-year-olds. 
 Hana is an interesting character, which is likely why she got her own novella. She is a sometimes flighty young lady who has her reservations about the cure. She wants to experience more in her life, but she realizes the responsibilities she has. She has so much more to offer this story, but is overshadowed by the incessant whining of the lead. 
 THE STORY 
 The writing is lovely, but quickly gives way to ho-humdrumness about halfway through. Coincidentally, this is around the same time Lena begins "falling in love" with Alex. I must admit: I was bored to tears of Portland and Lena and all her melodrama and her romance. Although Lena wasn't cured for this book, she acted like she was when it came to describing her world. Now I will admit the weather in the book was meticulously crafted to reflect her feelings. Rainy, dark, cloudy when she was questioning her world. She began as a hopeful and overly-trusting young girl, but devolved into a bucket of hiccuping tears and craziness. 
 The thing is, the audience knows love is not a disease in real life. So Lena is suffering from some other malady that will never be diagnosed in-universe (WebMD says she may be bipolar, or suffering from adolescent depression. That seems legit). 
 Seriously, I skimmed through the entire middle of the book. Near the end, I totally read it. (view spoiler)[I feel so bad about this, but I was happy to see Alex bite the bullet. Die. Depart this lowly Earth. Him and his randomness... I was happy to see him go. I feel like a douchebag. :( (hide spoiler)] 
 After that spoiler, all of my loose ends have been tied, as far as I am concerned. I have no motivation to read the rest of this series... well except curiosity. 
 THE BOTTOM LINE 
 I don't like this book. It was boring, and I didn't believe in this romance for one second.