Emily lost her mom to cancer. Then her dad lost his business and their home because of the medical bills. Now they are living with the dad’s sister and her family. Emily feels like they are a charity case and resents it. She journals her feeling with letters to her mom. The story chronicles Emily’s journey back to God, after feeling deserted by him. The story shows character growth as well as religious growth. It has a little teenage angst as Emily finds herself first attracted to the boy next door, and then resents his holier than thou attitude. It’s a good story for teens and for others working through grief. ( )

More God references than I might like, but I knew that going in, so I enjoyed what I didn't skip over. ( )

Emily Curtis's life is turned upside down and inside out when her mother passes away. After his business closes and their home is foreclosed, Emily's father Brad is forced to make some tough decisions. Starting with packing their lives into a U-Haul and moving in with his sister, Darlene's family.

Emily's heart is filled with grief, and she finds herself feeling lost and alone. She tries to find the words to pray to God, but is unable to pray. Has God left her when she needs him most? Why can't she feel Him?

I LOVE this book. There were moments that brought tears to my eyes, and moments that brought comfort. READ THIS BOOK!
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This book was a goodreads.com first read contest win.

While I will admit that I did not like the title to this book. I found this a wonderful read.

Emily has lost her mom. She and her dad, Brad, are now living with his sister, Darlene, who is married to a banker. Uncle Chuck, the banker, and Darlene live in an upper class neighbor hood. Emily feels so out of place. She wonderful if anything in her life will ever be straightened out again.

Losing a parent at an young age is hard. Losing a parent when a teenager is even harder. Knowing that the parent will never be there again for all the first in the rest of your life. Your first child, your prom, your marriage. Emily is not looking for a substitute mom. Right now the only problems Emily is having is fitting in and trying to pray again.

Will Emily ever fit in. As we all know fitting in is something we grow out of in time. But Emily cannot pray. She has not been able to pray since her mom died. Will she ever be able to pray again?

This story is a wonderful read for any age but especially good for the young adult / teenager in your life. For everyone that has a teenager in there life whether it is a male or female this book would be great reading for them.

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Although intended for a teen audience, I found this book difficult to put down. I am far beyond my teenage girl years but this book brought so much of those years back to mind. It is a great book for anyone. Amy Clipston deals with loss and crisis of faith in a way that touches your heart. I would recommend this book to any parent with a teenage girl, any one dealing with loss, anyone dealing with issues of faith and anyone that loves a well written story. I've learned that books written for teens are filled with powerful messages for everyone.
I will pass this on to friends, I know they will enjoy it.
Read it! You will be glad you did.

Thanks Amy for a book that made a former teen think about what's important in life.
And...as my fathers daughter, I have always been a classic car girl. I think that aspect of the story made this book even more special for me.



I received this book free through a Goodreads giveaway. ( )