4.5*
There is, blissfully, a content warning given at the start of the book. I will include it in my review, verbatum from the unfinished advanced copy, for your trigger warning needs:
This story contains content that might be troubling to some readers, including, but not limited to, depictions of and references to death, suicide, cutting and self-harm, vivid nightmare imagery, substance abuse, homelessness, childhood trauma, and PTSD. Please be mindful of these and other possible triggers, and seek assistance if needed from the resources on page 347.
Look, I know it might sound squicky, to have a case of the feels for your step-brother. But Lane knew (and liked) Grey long before anyone's parents shacked up. I didn't find it squicky in the least. I did, however, find it like the gut-gnawing, all consuming unrequited love that most of us have endured at one time or another. So I was sort of drawn to Lane from the start, because of how much I could relate to what she was going through in that regard. But soon, I became completely invested in her whole story. And kind of loved it, even when it broke my heart.
And it will break your heart. Lane has been through a lot in her life. She's lost her mother, is dealing with her own precarious mental health and physical health (she has extremely severe endometriosis), and is now living with the dude she's been in love with for ages. Oh and did I mention he has a girlfriend (Sadie)? Who even Lane can't help but like? Yeah. The story mainly follows these three, plus Sadie's brother, Connor, who's been shunned from their family by their garbage father.
Speaking of, there are a ton of sideplots, which I think worked well. None of them felt like too much (well, maybe one small one, but that's really not bad), and they all seemed to enhance the story. I liked that each character had some aspects of the plot that felt like their own. Because isn't that how life works? We all have our share of the shit, frankly. And the author does a brilliant job reminding us of that.
The relationships among the four main characters are fabulously well-developed. While the relationship between Grey and Lane is a bit at the forefront, Lane's relationships with each of them (and each of them with each other) are brilliantly showcased and seem so, so authentically messy. I also must add, Lane's relationship with her dad and stepmother are incredibly well-developed as well. And the stepmom? She's awesome, and it's clear that everyone really loves and cares about Lane.
Bottom Line: Very thoughtfully done and so very readable, I would absolutely recommend this one for anyone who can handle the content warnings. It's absolutely worth it!