About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the heavy transition from childhood to adulthood, specifically after experiencing a significant loss or the end of a formative era. It is an essential choice for teens who are struggling with the complicated, non-linear nature of grief and how it can fray even the strongest family and romantic bonds. The story follows Belly Conklin during a summer of mourning after the death of a beloved maternal figure, Susannah. It explores the messy reality of first loves, the pain of seeing parents as fallible humans, and the difficult process of saying goodbye to places and people that once defined us. While there is romantic tension and typical teen angst, the heart of the book is about emotional resilience and the realization that growing up often means losing things we aren't ready to let go of. It is most appropriate for readers aged 12 and up who are ready for a realistic, bittersweet exploration of terminal illness aftermath and emotional maturity.
