I’m the problem, it’s me. 
This book came to me at the wrong time in my life. If i had read it 10 years ago or maybe 10 years from now, I think I would love it. I also think the hype over this book ruined it a bit for me, because I was not emotionally prepared for how heartbreaking much of this story is. 
Zevin’s writing is beautiful, and her prose should absolutely be studied. 
I wasn’t a fan of the shifting timelines, and the sad moments were just too sad for me. But the storytelling was immaculate, and the characters were more complex than nearly anything else I’ve ever read. 
I do recommend, but don’t go in expecting the lighthearted book about friendship and video games that I was.