
Reach for this book when your teenager is reeling from a social betrayal that feels like the end of the world. It is an essential resource for a young person who has been hurt by a best friend or partner and needs to see a path toward healing that doesn't involve immediate, forced forgiveness. The story follows Sloane Emily Bell as she retreats to Hawaii after discovering her boyfriend and her best friend have betrayed her. In the lush setting of Oahu, she navigates the messy intersection of anger, new romance, and the difficult process of rebuilding her sense of self. It is a realistic, contemporary look at the complexity of teenage relationships and the importance of finding one's own voice before deciding who to let back into your inner circle. Parents will appreciate the focus on emotional resilience and the nuanced handling of trust and identity during the transition into late adolescence.
Includes kissing, sexual tension, and discussions of past sexual activity.
Deep emotional pain regarding betrayal and the loss of a primary friendship.
Depictions of social situations involving underage drinking.
The book deals directly with infidelity and social betrayal. It also touches on family secrets and the complexity of parental relationships. The approach is secular and highly realistic, offering a resolution that is hopeful but grounded in the reality that some relationships are permanently changed by hurt.
A high school student who is currently feeling isolated or 'burned' by their social circle and needs a story about reclaiming their own narrative away from toxic peers.
Parents should be aware of some underage drinking and sexual references typical for the YA genre. The book can be read cold by most teens, but a parent might want to discuss the scene where the betrayal is first revealed. A parent might notice their child withdrawing from long-term friends, deleting social media apps, or expressing a cynical 'trust no one' attitude.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the romance and the drama of the 'backstabbing,' while older teens (17-18) will likely connect more with the themes of identity and the transition into adult independence.
Unlike many 'breakup books' that focus solely on the romance, this title gives equal weight to the loss of a platonic female friendship, acknowledging that 'friend-breakups' can often hurt more than romantic ones.
Sloane Emily Bell's life is upended just before summer when she discovers her boyfriend and her best friend have been sleeping together. To escape the fallout, she heads to Hawaii to stay with family. There, she meets Finn, a local boy who challenges her to stop running from her problems and start facing herself. The story centers on her internal processing of betrayal and the development of new, healthier social connections.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review