After moving into a dank and drafty basement suite in West Edmonton with her truck-driving father, nasty stepmother, and Ash, her taciturn twin brother, seventeen-year-old Greta doesn't have high expectations for her last year of high school.
When she blacks out at a party and is told the next day that she's had sex, she thinks things can't get any worse. She's wrong. While Greta deals with the confusion and shame of that night, her stepmother and father choose that moment to disappear, abandoning Ash and Greta to the mercy of their peculiar landlord, Elgin, who lives upstairs. Even as Greta struggles to make sense of what happened to her, she finds herself enjoying her new and very eccentric family, who provide the shelter and support that has long been absent from her life. Much to Greta's surprise, she realizes there is still kindness in the world—and hope.
"An easy read, with well-developed writing and plotting…While the story is not picturesque, it is raw and emotional, allowing the door to be opened for many different sensitive conversations. Highly Recommended."
"This is an exciting YA title…A taut page-turner…Strong characterization for both the main and secondary characters made this a treat to read. Even though this book was about a pretty heavy-duty topic, Lawrence actually made room for some humour and love of food. Highly recommended."
“This book offers a grand slam of excellent writing, well-developed characters, a compelling plot and a universal theme.”
“Realistic and in-depth…Thus incredibly written story deals with several tough aspects of our modern life, while still managing to maintain and give hope to its readers…an excellent reminder that when difficult times come your way, you should never give up hope.”
“For fans of realistic fiction…as in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak.”