Change is not easy – for anyone. But most of the time, it’s entirely necessary in order to continue living.

This book was slightly confusing to begin with, but was quickly made clear. The narrator goes by two names, because she’s essentially two different people: AJ and Della. AJ is responsible, scheduled, and on top of EVERYTHING. But Della is relaxed and permanently on vacation.

Della/AJ has grown up with two separate lives. Her dad and older twin siblings live in Florida, while her mom, (step)dad, and (half)sisters live in Michigan. And Della/AJ is split between the two. While this is common for many families, what struck me as odd, and SO challenging, was that no one in Della’s/AJ’s life knew about the other half of who she was (beyond her parents and siblings). No one talked about it. No one knew. Her lives are completely separate.

Until they’re not. Everything gets messed up and one of AJ’s little sisters from Michigan has to join Della on her summer in Florida. Her two world’s collide and she even learns a little something regarding her childhood nemesis (yes, an enemies to lovers subplot!).

While there was a lot of beautiful YA drama woven together in this book, what I truly loved about it were the messages: that change is scary. That change is important. That in order to become comfortable with who you are and the life you live, you have to be willing to welcome change into your life. And also? You can’t expect to be happy with who you are, if you’re not willing to show the world the person you have become.