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Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
Barely any
No graphic violence; a mother's neglect and absence as backstory
Language
Barely any
Mild language
Sexual Content
Some
Teen romantic relationship; nothing explicit
Substance Use
Barely any
A mother's alcoholism and abandonment are central; social teen drinking
Emotional Intensity
Barely any
The psychological cost of parental abandonment; distrust as a survival mechanism
What this book is about
Ruby Cooper has been fending for herself since her mother's drinking made their home uninhabitable. When a neighbor discovers she's been living alone, she's sent to live with her wealthy sister Cora, who left years ago. Dessen's novel is darker in setup than her usual summer romances—Ruby's distrust runs deep—but the author's signature warmth and careful character work carry the emotional resolution. The romance with Nate is a secondary story to Ruby's relationship with Cora.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
A mother's alcoholism and abandonment as backstory
Teen romance and family reconciliation
Reader Verification
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