Always and Forever by Karla J. Nellenbach

Mia has already survived the worst - Leukemia. Now at 16 she is facing another cancer diagnosis and this time there is no fighting it. Mia will die and she is determined to do it her way - deciding when, where, and how. She devises scheme after scheme to end her life on her terms, only to fail time and time again. She pushes her family and her friends away, hoping to spare them the pain of losing her sooner rather than later. When she realizes that this is not how she wants to go, she finds herself begging - Just a few more days. Just a few more hours. Just a few more minutes - so that she can make things right before her time runs out.

Always and Forever follows Mia through the stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. It is a gut wrenching, sob inducing, cry fest, and worth every minute and tear. It's more than just a cancer story. It speaks to the power of love, friendship, and acceptance even in the worst of circumstances. It is about finding peace and happiness, even when you think there is none to be had. Life is precious and we take it for granted every day. Mia may not have been able to decide when she left, but she did get to decide the where and how - surrounded by those she loved, those who loved her, and in the arms of a boy who will love her always and forever.