tw: abuse by a step-parent, loss and grief, loss of a sibling, toxic living arrangements

I really loved this book. It was so much fun to listen to, yet a dark storyline. Brynn was such a great character and I was rooting for her all the way. Genuinely, I felt so bad for her and I couldn't wait until she got out of her mother's house. Dear Rachel Maddow is told in email format which is a format I really enjoy. Listening to the emails was engaging, really brought the story alive. We follow Brynn's emails to Rachel Maddow and a political story-line which I haven't read before. I liked seeing the school politics interfere with Brynn's life while she's grieving the loss of her brother. We also have a f/f romance!! I shipped Brynn and Mikayla ALL THE WAY and I really hated Sarah.

This story was very relatable given that it's set in PA, where I'm from really added to my reading experience. There aren't many YA novels set in PA and getting to see the characters getting ready to choose their colleges - specifically ones set in Philadelphia - was super relatable to me.

I really didn't want this story to end. As a debut novel, this was great. I do feel some of the character development could've been fleshed out and more developed but the characters were really great. I loved how Brynn had support outside of her toxic household. It definitely showed how you really don't know what someone is going through outside of school.

Sad this is over, but excited for more of the authors work! Hopefully more novels set in PA.