One of the things I loved about this book, besides the winsomeness of its protagonist, Stevie, was that it didn't present easy answers. Stevie has grown up in an intolerable situation, but she loves her mother despite her mother's flaws, and is determined to be loyal to her.

Even when I wanted to shake Stevie and say, "You've got to get out of there, girl!" I believed it entirely when she continued to cling to her mom's empty promises.

It was exciting to see Stevie gradually begin to honor her own dreams and let go of blaming herself for her mom's choices.

I also loved Alan--tough, cynical, wounded and full of possibility. I'd have liked to see Stevie challenge him even more than she did, but I have a feeling that as she gains confidence in herself she will be more and more honest.

This is a book whose characters continue to live and breathe, even after the last page.