Oh wow. This book was so much. It has absolutely destroyed me, my heart is so shattered, but it was so dang good. I want to read it again and experience it all again, because it's a pain that you want to feel. There was so much said in few words, there are certain sentences squeezed in at just the right parts, just a small bunch of words tucked into a corner, that change everything in this story. If you're not careful, you might miss them. There are parts I read over and over because I had to go back and read it again. Yes, there's romance, and mystery, but once all the pieces are out and assembled, and you see the whole picture, you just have to go back and read it again knowing everything that you know and seeing it from a different perspective. Avery's story, growing up biracial and queer, moving to a Southern small town and adjusting to the change of pace and lifestyle, is sure to resonate with a lot of teens. Her mother Zora is such a strong, smart, fierce woman, who fought her way to the life she wanted, and she's so admirable. And Mama Letty? I will forever love Mama Letty. That woman is the definition of cantankerous, and by God she's earned it, and every cranky word out of her mouth made me smile, and even though her story was heartbreaking, it needed to be heard. I feel like this book is going to stick with me for a long time, I don't think I have cried this hard over a book all year. All the stars. All the awards. All the love.