Review by Kirkus Book Review
Still recovering from the tragic death of her boyfriend, a teen girl finds solace in a growing friendship with his best friend. It was a horrific accident. Alex fell 30 feet from a cliff, and his best friend, Jake, was there when he died. His loss loomed large over everyone that summer after the accident, especially Alex's younger sister, Ash, and her friend Sarah, Alex's girlfriend. Now, over the course of her junior year, Sarah starts a comfortable friendship with Jake that begins to lead to something more. Both teens are plagued with guilt over what Alex would think about this--and how Ash will feel when she learns of their changing relationship. The slow build of Sarah and Jake's romance is authentic and genuine, involving late-night phone calls, meaningful conversations, and deep trust. Jake is open about the help he's receiving from his therapist, a welcome addition to the plotline. Sarah and Jake muddle their ways through other relationships that aren't quite right while readers pine for them to be together, and those who have been there will understand the realism of their journeys. Meandering through the seasons of the school year, the story drags at times, but it's worth sticking with it for the very real tensions and triumphs between the leads. The minimal physical descriptions included point to a White main cast. Offers textured relationships and honest heartaches. (Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
