Rating: 4 out of 5.

I loved this book and read it in one sitting. The growth of Rae throughout the book was wonderful to read. She went from grief-stricken and alone to hopeful and outgoing. The friendship with fellow theater-lover Mac was beautiful. I remember being in high school and having that one best friend that just “got” me. Someone you could trust with all of your troubles, fears and hopes with and know that they would always be there to support you. I loved re-living those wonderful memories as I read this book.

The friendship between Rae and co-star Joss was fantastic to read because it was girl power at its best. Rather than being catty and competitive, Joss was 100% there for Rae, even when Rae was prickly and stand-offish. She was determined to be a good friend to Rae and helped Rae bloom. That is what I’ve always strived to do in my relationships with my girlfriends and it was refreshing to read this rather than the standard “mean girls” trope we see so frequently in YA books.

Let me just say, as a child of the 80’s, I was 1000% there for all of the music references. It was a beautiful trip down memory lane as Rae remembers all of the songs and artists her father loved. I could picture in my mind my own memories of first hearing the songs mentioned in the book and the fun times I had with friends while the music was blaring in our cars or at our homes. This gave me all the feels.

Even though this book centers on the grief of a teenager in the aftermath of losing her father in a car accident, it’s really a book about moving past grief to something else, and believing in kindness and hope. I highly recommend you pick up with beautiful and fun book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Katie and Brey PA and the author. All opinions are my own.