This novel takes on a clichéd plot line and makes it irresistible. A student-teacher romance. A romance gone wrong. A few endless moments of heated passion. Secrets abound. Broken hearts. Tear-stained faces. And a curse.

Mejia introduces readers to Hattie, Peter, and the rest of the town through alternating narrative voices. In doing so, the reader develops a kinship with Hattie, and a passionate response to Peter, as we see him through Hattie's eyes.

The tricky situation is that Peter is Hattie's new English teacher. And while they met before officially knowing this, it doesn't keep it from being true. Mejia explores both of their worlds through this predicament, often forcing them to choose between what they want and what is right, and showing readers that resisting our most powerful desires are some of the hardest and scariest parts of life. Hattie and Peter would know. Just ask them.