Super quick read. A YA contemporary that wasn't fluffy and sweet.

The writing was relatively simplistic, but that didn't bother me. I found Penn's actions authentic. As someone who is the child of an addict, there was quite a bit in this book that I connected with. There is a part where he talks about coming home after his father had been out for several days on a bender and how everyone acted like it hadn't happened and they were all happy-go-lucky. He talks about going on auto-pilot and being a 'dutiful son'. I always called it being 'The Appeaser'. When there is a good day, you don't want to do anything to take that semblance of normalcy away. You don't want to be blamed for the eventual binge that is going to happen. So that really rang true to me.

This definitely wasn't the portrait of a healthy relationship, but it also wasn't as dysfunctional as relationships in other books that are played off as super romantic. These characters seemed to be aware that what is going on in their relationship is not healthy, and that they may not be emotionally equipped to deal with the obstacles they are facing.

I did think that the end was rushed and Penn's probably going to need therapy to deal with his emotional issues --his tendency to run from his problems isn't just going to change overnight. But I did appreciate this book for what it was.