
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the weight of a mental health diagnosis, the isolation of grief, or the fear that their 'scars' make them unlovable. This raw and honest contemporary novel follows Shelbi, who is managing Type 1 Bipolar Disorder, and Andy, who is spiraling through grief-fueled alcohol abuse. Together, they navigate the messy reality of being neurodivergent and hurting in a high-pressure world. Nic Stone offers a sophisticated look at self-care, medical compliance, and the importance of healthy boundaries in relationships. While the themes are heavy, the book is deeply grounded in hope and the validation that mental illness does not define a person's worth. It is an essential read for families looking to normalize conversations about psychiatric health and addiction recovery for older teens.
Focus on emotional intimacy and some physical attraction/kissing.
Discussion of grief, self-harm scars, and the stigma of mental health hospitalizations.
Graphic descriptions of heavy drinking, blackouts, and the physical consequences of alcoholism.
The book deals directly and secularly with Bipolar Disorder, self-harm, and alcoholism. The approach is clinical yet compassionate, emphasizing the importance of therapy and medication. The resolution is realistic: it doesn't 'cure' the characters, but leaves them with better coping tools and a hopeful path forward.
A 16 to 18 year old who feels burdened by a 'label' or a mistake and needs to see a protagonist who is high-functioning, brilliant, and still manages a serious mental health condition.
Parents should be aware of scenes involving underage drinking and mentions of past self-harm. A parent might see their teen becoming increasingly withdrawn, expressing that they are 'broken,' or struggling with the pressure to appear perfect while hiding internal pain.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the romance and the 'coolness' of the characters. Older teens (17 to 18) will better grasp the nuance of the social commentary and the complexity of managing a chronic mental health condition.
Unlike many YA novels that romanticize mental illness as a quirk, this book treats it with medical and psychological accuracy while maintaining a fast-paced, engaging voice. """
Shelbi is starting over at a new private school after a mental health crisis at her previous one. She is determined to stay detached to protect herself. Andy Criddle is the 'perfect' politician's son who is secretly falling apart, using alcohol to numb the pain of a recent tragedy. When Shelbi finds Andy in a moment of total vulnerability, an unconventional bond forms. The story follows their developing romance as they navigate Shelbi's management of Bipolar disorder and Andy's journey toward sobriety, all while facing the intense social pressures of their senior year.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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