Claire and Gibsie have been best friends forever. When secrets are revealed and sides have been chosen, they need to decide where they stand. 

Though not my favourite of the series, this book was still really good. It was full of heartbreak, angst, and hope. I absolutely adore Gibsie and Claire. Their friendship and love for one another is so beautiful. Their emotional connection is so raw and deep. You cannot help but root for them. 

Gibsie is known as the goofy prankster of the group who always has a smile on his face. Beneath the bright exterior hold so many secrets that hold him back from pursuing his Claire-Bear, he thinks that she will think less of him or pitty him. He would rather just keep the past buried. When he was young he lost both his father and sister in a boating accident and there is a rumour around town is that his stepbrother r***** Lizzie's sister, leading to her suicide. 

When the truth comes out, it is far worse than anyone could imagine.

For years Mark r**** Gibs. As a child Gibs had to endure the torture and assault of his step-brother. He turned to someone he thought he could trust, his babysitter (Lizzie's sister), but she didn't believe him. That is until she literally walked in on it happening. She took her own life out of the guilt of not believing Gibs and allowing him to suffer for so long.

The revelation was absolutely crushing and devastating to read. 

Claire is the friend every person dreams of. She is caring, thoughtful, empathetic, and supportive. She makes mistakes, but she does it out of her need to fiercely protect those she loves.

Was she right in revealing the truth about the letter like she did, absolutely not, but her claws came out and she was trying to protect Gibs.

The trust between these two is so solid, I mean he even sleep walks to her when he is having a nightmare. 

I completely get the backlash against Lizzie in this book. Yes, she is grieving and in pain, but she is a truly awful person. She is so mean and cruel. I wanted to reach into the book and slap her so many times. Even if what she thought was true was, Gibs beared zero of the blame. Lizzie was just angry and trying to find someone to blame. I was so happy when Claire finally put her in her place, she has no right to lash out at Gibs. She needs serious therapy. 

I really hope we get a book 2 for Claire and Gibsie, I don't feel like their story is over. 

Tropes: friends to lovers, sports, slow burn, found family, hidden trauma