The day Marin's grandfather died, she left everything behind, moving across the country to her new East coast college town weeks before her freshman classes were set to begin. Marin also left behind a burgeoning relationship with her best friend Mabel. Six months later, Marin has decided to stay at her dorm over the holiday break, alone except for the one groundskeeper who periodically checks on her and but for an upcoming visit from Mabel. Marin is nervous, as she hasn't spoken or seen Mabel since she left California and doesn't know what their relationship status is. Friends? Lovers? Family?

Alternating between Then and Now chapters, the reader is taken on a wonderfully delicate and emotional journey as the layers of Marin's childhood and relationships are unfolded. The dichotomy between Marin's life in California and New York is exquisitely written. You can feel the heat of the sun in LA and the empty coldness of the deserted NYC campus as Marin awaits Mabel's arrival. Every sentence and word exude meaning and imagery. I wept as Marin came to terms with her past and present.

Simply lovely. Highly recommend.

I also have to note how much I adore the cover on this novel and the endpapers inside. So. Good. This one really stands out from the YA display shelves.