Review Detail

Can you ever really get over pain…loss…love? Three teens have their fair share of issues, but can they find redemption in one another?

I was really taken with this story. I have had experience with suicide before. A good friend of mine was the victim. I never will know his side of the story, but reading this book made me feel closer to him somehow. I saw him in Conner.

Conner supposedly had everything. He was smart, hot, and rich. People hear this and think, “Well what’s the problem.” It is hard to look past these things and see the loneliness these people experience.

This was definitely an emotional story. The ending broke my heart. It brought to life all the injustices some people face in a blind world. We think money buys happiness when it doesn’t. We think people people that were blessed with great genes are happy when they aren’t. We believe people placed in unfortunate situations deserve what happens to them when it shouldn’t. I was definitely rooting for a change in these teen’s lives.

Change originates in each individual person. It was a conscience struggle for them. Vanessa struggled with her cutting addiction. Although in the end, there seemed to be no reprieve for that. Tony struggled with his guilt and sexuality. I saw the most progress in him by the end. And Conner… poor Conner struggled to find himself in a world of expectation and pain. His ending was the most tragic.

Hopkins’ books always find a close place in my heart. I always feel a sudden urge to fix the injustices of the world. It saddens me to think that these situations happen everyday. Although I am sure rehabs have peoples best interests at heart, we can see in this book that is does not always provide the help these teens/adults need. Progress towards a better us only happens when we consciously place one determined foot in front of the other.