This story is about Sal trying to leave the gang life and his road to redemption. He connects to Vanessa, who he knew in high school, from renting a place from Vanessa's grandmother. I enjoyed that this romance was told in Sal's POV but wished I had Vanessa's insights. Sal had a lot of pressure with helping people form his old hood while trying to stay away from gang life. It was an aspect of the story that I enjoyed.