I've liked Deb Caletti books in the past, so I picked this one up from the library. Unfortunately I had a bit of trouble getting into the story. It's told in the third person, but from alternating points of view if that makes sense. I just struggled a bit with it being written like that.

The actual "meat" of the story was quite good. I like that both teens had something that they were struggling with and how they sort of helped each other without knowing that they were. I also really liked Mads' aunt and uncle and the insight they had into her life and her choices. It can be hard to make your own choices in life when you think you are letting your parents down. I imagine that would especially be true if you are raised by a single parent. As a mother, I hope that I encourage my kids to follow their own dreams and not what they think I want for them.

I also was impressed with how the author dealt with the depression that Billy saw in Mads and how he stepped right in to address it. I think too often we tend to tip toe around the subject and what we might see in other people for fear of making things worse or awkward or uncomfortable. If we see someone struggling, we need to speak up...we need to step in and see what we can do to help out.

All in all, I think I would have given this a full 4 stars if it had been written in first person, or even first person alternating.