very much a relationship study of multiple kinds!! i was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more exploration of the main characters' relationship together but it was still great to see them grow as individuals (though i would have loved to see their personalities be a bit more clear). these characters had clearly been each others center of gravity for so long and it was both beautiful and sad how they handled that when push came to shove. separating from someone so you can learn to love them better and be a better person for them is so meaningful to me. if only there has been more to their reunion and more conversation between them, this would've been 5 stars.

it will always be hard for me to handle books about depression but the fact that this one was about siblings and love and children, too, made it bearable. ness is so wonderful!

the metaphor in the nectarine scene was my favourite <3