About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is wrestling with questions of self worth, the complexity of family estrangement, or the pressure of defining themselves for the world. It is a deeply resonant choice for a child who feels like an outsider or is struggling to reconcile a painful past with their future ambitions. The story follows Michie, a high school junior aiming for an Ivy League scholarship while navigating the reappearance of the mother who left her years ago. It explores themes of identity, first love, and the courage required to heal from generational trauma. While it deals with heavy emotional subjects like abandonment and mental health, it is a hopeful, grounded contemporary romance that models how to build a support system and define oneself on one's own terms. It is most appropriate for mature teens aged 14 and up due to its sophisticated handling of emotional scars and romantic tension.
