About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is beginning to question the fallibility of authority figures or navigating the heavy burden of keeping secrets for friends. Set in the tight-knit Catholic community of a 1970s New Hampshire town, it follows seventeen-year-old Jocelyn as she investigates the disappearance of her childhood friend, Gabe. As she peels back layers of silence, she discovers that institutional loyalty and religious confession can sometimes be used to mask deep trauma and injustice. This is a sophisticated choice for older teens, offering a nuanced look at the intersections of faith, sexual boundaries, and the courage required to speak out against powerful systems. It is best suited for mature readers ready to engage with realistic, sometimes painful truths about trust and betrayal.
