This is a story that starts with two teenagers who are seen as awkward and like each other. They don’t really know how to act on that and tread very carefully with each other. While they may not know how to act on their like of each other they do know that they can trust each other and share their secrets. Then Elliott gets torn away at the time Catherine needs him the most. They both don’t stop thinking about each other but being teenagers they are lost to their parent's rules. Elliott finally returns to Catherine their senior year of high school but must work to earn her trust again.
I was entirely invested in this book. Elliott’s persistence in earning Catherine’s friendship was wonderful. He warmed my heart by never giving up on her yet realizing that there were times that he had to give her some space or he would lose her forever. I like that Catherine made Elliott work to earn her back. She wasn’t mean, she wasn’t unforgiving, she was careful with her heart.
Jamie McGuire tackled bullying, racism, peer pressure, and mental health all while keeping the story realistic. She didn’t cover up the real world of being a teenager and showed that there is help available when needed. This is the first book I have read by Jamie but I am excited to read more from her.
