A punchy, gritty book about a seventeen year old teenage girl, Mel, who is tough on the outside but needs stability and acceptance to thrive forward. Her tough exterior is often interpreted by others as negativity so she struggles to make friends. Her one true friend is Wai and Wai's brother Benny is Mel's boyfriend. Benny has moved to Auckland, from Dunedin, to perform in a band. Mel's mother walked out on her husband and family when Mel was young so Mel lives with her older brother Davy & his Swedish girlfriend and their 1 year old twin sons - life is chaotic in the bedsit flat. After a big bust up at school with her friend Wai and a teacher, Mel walks out, packs her backpack and heads off to her dad. While pleased to see her, he has his own life to led and this does not include having a moody teenager around. He gives Mel a loaded bankcard and Mel flies up to Auckland to be with Benny. Things flare up between Benny and her, so once again Mel walks out and heads up to Cape Reinga, the place where spirits leave to go to their homeland of Hawaiki Pamaomao (according to Māori tradition) . While travelling up to the Cape, Mel is seated next to an older woman who puts things into perspective for Mel. While at the Cape, Mel witnesses a flash of red - feels something and is spooked by the feeling. She learns that her best friend Wai has been killed in a car crash. Bereft with grief Mel seeks and is comforted by those who she loves dearly, Benny & her brother Davy. A good quick gutsy read that explores poor decision making. ( )