About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is standing on the precipice of adulthood, struggling with the pressure of high school expectations and the shifting dynamics of family loyalty. It is an ideal choice for a child who feels caught between their own ambitions and the comfortable, known world of their hometown. The story follows Emaline during her final summer before college as she navigates the fallout of a cheating boyfriend, a complicated relationship with her biological father, and a whirlwind romance with a visiting documentary filmmaker. Sarah Dessen expertly captures the emotional weight of growing up and realizing that your parents are flawed individuals. Through Emaline's journey, the book explores themes of self-discovery, the reality of blended families, and the importance of finding one's own path rather than following a prescribed script. While it contains romantic elements and some mature themes like infidelity and divorce, it remains firmly grounded in realistic contemporary fiction for ages 12 and up. It is a grounding read for teens facing big life transitions and the uncertainty of the future.
