"Natalie’s not an alcoholic. She doesn’t have a problem. Everybody parties, everybody does stupid things, like getting in their car when they can barely see. Still, with six months of court-ordered AA meetings required, her days of vodka-filled water bottles are over.
Unfortunately, her old friends want the party girl or nothing. Even her up-for-anything ex seems more interested in rehashing the past than actually helping Nat.
But then a recovering alcoholic named Joe inserts himself into Nat’s life, and things start looking up. Joe is funny, he’s smart, and he calls her out in a way no one ever has.
He’s also older. A lot older.
Nat’s connection to Joe is overwhelming, but so are her attempts to fit back into her old world, all while battling the constant urge to crack a bottle and blur that one thing she’s been desperate to forget.
Now, in order to make a different kind of life, Nat must pull together her broken parts and learn to fight for herself."- summary from Amazon
I really enjoyed Desir's previous book Bleed Like Me and have been trying to keep up with her other releases, but haven't been successful. But I was able to find time to fit this book in and I was so glad I did. This was such a compelling, insightful and emotional look at teen alcoholism and addiction, among other issues, and I really hope this book finds its way into the hands of teens struggling with this sort of thing. Natalie is a character that teens will be able to relate to, even if it's the smallest thing. Desir writes Natalie's voice so pitch-perfectly and it's a compelling read because of that as well as the forbidden tension between Natalie and Joe, which Desir handles effortlessly and without judgment. Overall, an audacious look at several tough subjects for teenagers that will make readers flock to the rest of Desir's bold oeuvre.
FTC: Received e-galley from Edelweiss. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.
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