Nine months ago London Castle’s brother Zach passed away. The strain on the family and how they have coped with it has literally torn them apart. London’s mom will not talk to her or acknowledge she exists. Her dad, a former missionary, spends most of his time at the church office and London is ostracized at school.
Grief stricken and alone, London seeks love and acceptance from her parents but rarely sees it. When Lili moves into her school she is unconditionally nice to London, which makes London wonder if she is really sincere or not. Not sure if Lili just wants to know how Zach really died or if she is really genuine, London finally lets this relationship grow. London starts to renew her relationship with her old boyfriend, but at the same time starts to care about Jesse, Lili’s brother. Her relationships with Lili, Jesse and Taylor slowly help her start to find her way back to normalcy and find ways to deal with her grief.
As the story comes to an end the truth of Zach’s death and what really happened start to come out. Maybe you can understand why London’s mother acts the way she does -- but can you forgive her?
Even though there really isn’t a happy ending to this story, the author leaves you with the hope that London and her family can make it.
Recommended by Joleen Waltman, Librarian, Idaho, USA
