3.75 stars
I read another book by this author last year and didn't really like it. I was very hesitant going into this book, and my expectations were low. I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

I really enjoyed the characters of Bex and Jack and their relationship. Bex's intended career path is something I don't think I ever would've considered, but it was so interesting to read about. I enjoy the fact that both Bex and Jack are artists but that their process and ultimate goal is entirely different.

I do wish that the author had delved a little deeper in certain instances. Conflict would arise and then almost immediately be resolved. Heath has issues that are hinted at near the beginning of the book, but it felt as though they were swept under the rug and at the end of the book everything is A-OK. I also really disliked Bex's mother, although she somewhat redeemed herself at the end. But seriously, she was mostly awful.

She admits that Bex and Heath were the only things that he wanted and by withholding them from him, she could 'make him suffer'. That's some petty shit right there. She was a total hypocrite, and I felt like she was forgiven way too quickly. It sounds like her dad was a dirtbag as well, but their mother acted like she was above it all.

It was really interesting to read a story that didn't shy away from its characters being intimate. These characters have sex with one another. They talk about it not only in terms of feeling attraction to one another, but also in terms of being safe and accommodating to one another. It was definitely one of the healthier romantic relationships I've read about in YA. Also, the male protagonist was a virgin while the female protagonist was not, and she wasn't made to feel like a slut because of it. That was refreshing.

All in all, I enjoyed this far more than I expected I would, and I will seek out more books by this author in the future.