About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to navigate the heavy, lingering weight of grief a year or more after a significant loss. While many books focus on the immediate aftermath of death, this story speaks to the 'second wave' of mourning: the guilt of moving on and the fear of letting go of the past to embrace a new future. It is a deeply emotional, contemporary romance that explores how we carry our ghosts while finding the courage to love again. The story follows Oliver, who is still texting his deceased best friend, Sam, as a way to cope. When a stranger named Ben begins receiving these messages, a tender and complicated connection forms. Parents should know the book contains intense themes of mourning and sadness, but it is ultimately a hopeful guide for teens learning that happiness does not equate to betrayal of those they have lost. It is most appropriate for high schoolers who appreciate lyrical, character-driven dramas.
