Honestly, I didn't love this book quite as much upon reread. I did still quite enjoy it (four stars isn't a nothing rating), but it wasn't one I fell in love with.

I did still quite enjoy the characters. Lauren and EB have such distinctive personalities and voices. I love when you read a book with two narrators who sound like different people. I'm pretty sure I could turn to any random page in this book and know immediately who was speaking just from their tone. In my mind, that's one of the strongest aspects of this book and one of the reasons I'd highly recommend it.

It also captures the pre-college life so well. Both characters are in a transitional period, trying to figure out if they should keep up friendships and relationships and dealing with leaving their family. It's a period of ending before college has a chance to begin. But it's so well done. It's one of those books that feels so real in that way.

As for the negatives, it does feel a little melodramatic at times. It has such a real, down to earth vibe (like a lot of Sara Zarr's books), but then the characters just have down and out fights or there are secret affairs or a million other things. I think it could have been toned down just a little bit without losing any of the story.

I also don't think it handles race very well. One of the main characters dates a black boy and I found a lot of the discussion on that very cringey. Like I definitely think it needs to be discussed and I'm glad they at least tried, but at one point she even says she thinks black babies are cuter. (I'm writing this way later so I can't think of any other examples, but I just remember kind of cringing every time they tried to discuss race.)

Overall I do think it's a good book. It's definitely worth the read, especially if you're looking for something college focused. Sara Zarr is a great writer and while I don't love Altebrando as much, I did still enjoy both sections and I'd recommend giving it a go.