While I've always enjoyed Eva Rice's writing in the past, I was pretty sure I knew how this book was going to go: Marnie, the main character, was going to fall in love with Freddie and vice versa and they would follow their dreams together with the help of an adult who is oddly invested. So I must confess, I was not invested in the story in the beginning, though something unexpectedly dramatic happened early on. But then! It got more complex.

Spoiler

Freddie is gay! Marnie is a budding alcoholic! Also family secrets!

I was reminded why I love Eva Rice: the way she writes characters and their relationships with each other speaks to me. I confess, I didn't care as much about Miss Crewe, but I'd gladly read more about Marnie and her family.