This book has been the topic of many heated discussions in my various reader groups. Some feel it's a disturbed love story featuring a pedophile. Others argue that it's a beautiful coming of age story. Obviously, every reader will have different responses to this story and those responses will steam from their own experiences with love, childhood trauma, and life experiences.

I will caution anyone considering this book, while it is NOT a graphic account of a young girl being groomed and touched (which I believe is the most common assumption), however it is very upsetting. The environment that Wavy is raised is not the social norm. Her parents are selfish, drug dealing, drug using, backwoods, alcoholic, mentally ill, sorry excuses for humans who should never have been allowed to reproduce.

The love that Kellan develops for Wavy stems from him seeing the situation and wanting to protect and care for her and her brother. It grows and morphs inappropriately. We get to see his POV, we see him struggle with right and wrong and how to proceed. What's interesting is the fact that he is so incredibly honest and open about his feelings. I think a lot of readers find this disturbing because it's difficult to hate this man. He is so not the scum on the bottom of your shoe. He does not fit the generalized pedophile stereotype. I've seen readers suggest that the author is trying to make you sympathize with this "monster" but I disagree. I think some may feel conflicted by their desire to hate him and inability to do so.

Wavy is one of the strongest characters I've ever read. She is intelligent, resilient, a survivor, and a fighter. Her homelife forces her to adapt and mature beyond her age at an advance rate. Her personal growth in this book is incredible. Poor thing can't catch a break. Again, I believe readers felt conflicted in the fact that you want Wavy to be happy, you want her to have her HEA but the one you believe is right for her. Not the one she wants.

I absolutely appreciated that this included multiple points of view not just from the main characters but from the teachers, police, family, and friends. This book is definitely a conversation topic, regardless of where you stand on the relationship between Wavy and Kellan, it's an outstanding read.