After reading Namey’s first book, The Library of Lost Things, and loving the humor, the romance, and the bookstore setting, I wasn’t expecting or prepared for the emotional tsunami of this book. Set in Namey’s hometown of San Diego, it’s a beautiful portrayal of female friendship and the multiple ways love manifests. Although there’s a romantic element, it’s the story behind the relationships and the impact grief and guilt have on families and friendships that are the primary focus.
Willa, Luz, and Britton have been inseparable friends for a decade, but a single act of betrayal by Willa threatens to tear them apart. In order to gain the forgiveness she craves, Luz demands that Willa think about the real reasons for her actions in the week leading up to their high school graduation. As she begins to go through a box full of mementos that dredge up very painful memories, the narrative switches between graduation week and a past she needs to revisit in order to piece together the events that led up to her betrayal. Foremost is a near-tragic event at age 13 that affected them all and led to her mother mentally withdrawing and focusing all of her attention on her backyard garden, leaving Willa to find comfort and support from her friends’ families instead.
The heartbreaking journey Willa takes is difficult to read, as Namey does a masterful job of wringing all sorts of emotions from her readers. At times, especially at the beginning, it’s a bit difficult to understand where the set-up is leading, but it’s only a minor distraction which becomes clear as the story unfolds and ultimately reaches its conclusion. Have tissues handy for this one! Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Atheneum BYR through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
