After having been in something of a reading slump for a few weeks, it was refreshing to pick this book up and really enjoy it. Unlike other books I've read recently, this book's depiction of therapy rang true. Maguire's issues felt real and scary, and the way she and her therapist worked through them felt realistic and sensible.
The romance was cute and charming too, even if Jordy did feel a little to perfect to be real. I'm willing to overlook that though, because when you're in love, the object of your affection can appear perfect because you're too besotted to notice the flaws.
I liked that friendships were important in this book as well as romance, and there was a very realistic and awkward relationship between Maguire and her stepfather. So often step-parents are portrayed as evil or annoying (probably because the step-child resents their presence), but here the step-father was trying hard despite Maguire's complex feelings about his presence in her life.
I'd recommend this one because it feels honest and personal and because Maguire and Jordy and their circle of friends are people I enjoyed spending a few hours with.
But don't just listen to me. Here's the blurb!
From the author of The Art of Lainey and Liars, Inc. comes a fresh, contemporary story about a girl coping with PTSD and the boy who wants to help her move on from the past. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen or Jenny Han.
Sixteen-year-old Maguire knows the universe is against her. No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when she's around. Like that time the roller coaster jumped off its tracks. Or the time the house next door caught on fire. Or the time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash--and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch.
Despite what her therapist tells her, Maguire thinks it's best to hide out in her room, far away from anyone she might accidentally hurt. But then she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star who wants to help her break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for him is to stay away, but it turns out staying away might be harder than she thought.
It sounds like a nice book. It's definitely refreshing to see PTSD portrayed realistically.
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