Ugly Cry is an adolescent story about growth, facing one's fears and deriving strength from within but also from genuine friendships. Quinn is initially an unlikeable character but through losing her prized journal and subsequently being blackmailed because of it, she undertakes a journey that results in her becoming a more confident, resilient person. Goffney's simple writing style lays a strong foundation for keeping you turning pages, always providing persuasive plot hooks with an easy naturalness and I loved the tension between Quinn and Carter. 

Onto the not so good bits; Quinn's parents were extremely grating for most of the story. And the confrontation between Quinn's father and Carter seemed contrived. Quinn's father simply bumping into Carter and asking 'Excuse me, who are you?' translated into Quinn's father hating his own race and accusing Carter of criminality on the part of all of the characters. The whole encounter was completely blown up into being something it wasn't for the sake of the plot. I thought that more dialogue was needed from that exchange to truly convey the message it wanted to convey because asking a stranger what there're doing in your house didn't have the intended effect on me.

That aside, this book was blossoming, assertive young adult novel. 

It must also be noted that if you're like me and you have a serious thing about v*mit, then please skip the last page of chapter 15 and all of chapter 16, you're welcome!