My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a VERY good book and I read the complete book in less than 48 hours! I would like to give it 4-1/2 stars because it is better than a 4 -star book. I didn't, only because it is not quite as good as Winter Garden, another Kristin Hannah book. (If you haven't read that one, be sure you do; it is wonderful!)
The main family in the story is the Farraday family. Jude is the mother of twins, Mia and Zach, who were born after much difficulty. To say Jude is a 'helicopter parent' is a huge understatement. She borders on controlling, involving herself in every aspect of her children's lives, including walking her daughter to class the first day of high school. She is motivated by love, and the need to protect them, but it is still hovering.
Lexi Baill is an orphan, the daughter of a drug addict who has been in and out of foster care since she was a toddler. She is lucky to have a social worker that truly cares for her. After her mother dies of an overdose, she is left without family and any possiblity of leaving foster care....until a great aunt is found in the same town as the Farradays. The aunt works at Walmart, and lives on the 'wrong' side of town, but she immediately loves Lexi and shows her what family really means.
Mia and Lexi have a lot in common, both being unsure of themselves and feeling like 'outcasts'. They immediately become best friends. Jude, of course, has misgivings about her daughter befriending the dauther of a drug addict. But since Jude grew up with a mother who showed her no love, she empathizes, and decides to allow the friendship. The girls become fast friends. Complications arrise when Zach and Lexi realize they are attracted to one another. For Jude, friendship is acceptable, but a romance is another thing.
Things continue along relatively happily until late in senior year, when there is a tragic accident, just before graduation. Fingers are pointed and blame is placed, and all must learn to live with the consequences of poor decisions. Once you pick this book up, you will not be able to put it down until you finish.
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