5 *****

I managed to resist reading this in one sitting; it was late at night and I forced myself to put the book down and turn off the light. So it was two sittings. Because this is a page-turner full of characters who are flawed, as we all are, and who grab your attention and make you want to know what will happen. Will the narrator, a foster child of 14, ever be accepted, will she ever be able to return home, what will happen to her? And to all the others - who suffer from various addictions. Alcoholism, anxiety, anorexia, adultery, addictive compulsive disorder; comfort eating and bullying and unhappiness. It's all there, and all told with sympathy and understanding, and, I believe, from something of the author's own experiences.

This book is not afraid to address people's issues, and does so in a gentle yet deeply understanding way. It is well written yet in an easily-read style, with a touch of humour, of intelligent understanding, and with an empathy that draws the reader in. Will there be a sequel, to let us know whether the narrator not just survives but hopefully thrives? I do hope so!

I'm grateful to Netgalley for allowing me to read a pre-publication edition. This is my own honest opinion of the book.