There would be more stars for this book if it hadn't taken me a good 100 pages to really get into it. Also since I've been so busy moving, etc, those 100 pages took about a month. Gross.

Once I was interested in the story enough to read it on a regular basis I really started to like Emaline. I like that she doesn't let the boys in her life run or dictate her decisions. She's snarky and sarcastic when she wants to be, and she takes on so much that she gets overwhelmed which I definitely empathize with.

Spoilers now.

I was not a fan of the way Emaline and Luke broke up. For a couple together for 4 years, even a high school one, the break was short and not reflected upon much it seemed by either party. There was one moment where Emaline mentioned still being sad sometimes even with Theo but there didn't seem to be any real heartbreak over the boy that was her first love and with whom she lost her virginity. I do understand that I think some of the point was that Emaline was watching her life happen from the sidelines, but she lacked a certain amount of emotion felt in most teenagers. I don't know.

I really liked that the ending wasn't completely focused on Emaline and a happy ever after, especially with a boy. It was just her, figuring out how people are and how to live her life in a way she can manage. Great Dessen novel.