I had mixed feelings about this book. There are parts of the story that I was connected with and thought had the potential to be developed into a more meaningful and expansive story about Hollis Woods. Yet, the book had significant holes in the thread of the story and I felt that it did not give enough background to paint a full, clear picture of who Hollis was and how her life had unfolded. I thought the story of her and Josie lacked lucidity and authentic emotion. I never felt as if their relationship was developed enough to have them be as connected as they were depicted. Their only real link was as artists and even this association never seemed fully developed. I would have much rather have read a story that juxtaposed Hollis’ life with the Regan’s with the other foster homes in which she lived in and how those experienced shaped her worldview. I never really had a sense of her life, only in bits and pieces. The narrative with Josie did not really add anything to Hollis’ story. By showing her journey from foster child into a family who loved and accepted her would have been more powerful and given additional depth to her life story. I think that there is a foundation of a great book within this novel; I just do not feel that it reached its potential.