Falling for Joshua

Falling for Joshua might well have been called 'Abi Has Epilepsy', for the novel is largely an explication of what life is like for a young woman who suffers from this condition. The plot centres around Abi's growing friendship/romance with Josh, a boy with 'very blue eyes'. Fear that Josh might turn away from her leads Abi to postpone telling him about her epilepsy, but of course this puts other strains on the growing relationship, such as when Abi, fearing that she is about to have an attack, abruptly abandons Josh at the opening of an exhibition of her sister's artist husband Pablo's work. The tribulations of the relationship between Laura and Pablo also impinge on Abi's life, for she is involved in helping to look after their baby, Rafael. The denouement comes when Abi is babysitting Rafael with Josh. Pablo turns up, seemingly intent on kidnapping his son, and Abi has an epileptic attack. Josh behaves like a hero, and the novel closes with the assurance that his regard for Abi is not affected by her condition. This is a gentle novel, which might have value in reassuring young people with epilepsy - presumably it was written for this purpose.