This book was compelling. It's the story of a 27-year-old woman who likes to party and through a series of events winds up in a rehab clinic in Ireland.

The tone is funny and light; the subject matter is heavy.

At first, I didn't think much of the book. I got the funny and light part, and I could have kept turning the pages, but I didn't feel the weight of the message at all. I would have put it down if it hadn't been strongly recommended by someone I respect.

I'm glad I listened. About halfway through the book, I found myself entirely drawn in. I realized that the initial light tone was there for a very good reason. And while the book remained a page-turner with lots of comic relief, I felt myself learning a lot - about myself (strangely), and about addiction.

The writing style isn't my perfect match. There's a lot of telling, where I prefer to be shown something and draw my own conclusions about how someone feels. It's not a bad thing - this style is really popular, because it's easy to read, readers don't get confused wondering if they're interpreting a gesture or dialogue line correctly, and it certainly sells books. But for me, it's not what I'd gravitate toward.

That said, I was crying my eyes out during the last scene, and delighted to be doing so. More than anything, I admire the emotional depth of this novel, and the emotional openness of the writing.