For a debut author this book is wonderful. I mentioned, when I first started reading it how it just pulled me in. That feeling never stopped, from first page through to the last.

It's a book about acceptance as well as forgiveness. It's a book about becoming better, about realizing that we need to rise above. Most of all it's about love, chosen families and hope. Hope that it'll all be OK, that we will embrace instances that occur in life only to help us become better versions of ourselves.

It is not at all sugary saccharine sweetness throughout. It's messy, parts are uncomfortable, like life. Ms. Tompkins writing is lush and seemingly effortless. Her characters are well fleshed out and I'm sure I've had people in my life a lot like these people. I think this book will stay with me for some time. I look forward to hearing more from this author.