This was a cute book. It is a little bit of a younger YA than I usually read, as Dan is only 14. And it did show, in the way he talks and acts. But it was still a fun and cute story.

Dan's life has been turned upside down. First his father announces they're broke, then that he's gay, and Dan and his mother have to move and start over. Dan is not happy about this. He doesn't like the house, he doesn't want to start at public school, he doesn't want to talk to his dad. But then he meets the girl next door, Estelle, and becomes fixated on her.

I know people had issues with the romance in here. Dan becomes pretty much obsessed with Estelle, in an almost creepy way. It could also be said that the things he did were unforgivable. But he's fourteen, he makes mistakes, and we do see him grow and actively try to be a better person. He does have his moments of unhappiness, and wanting to throw a tantrum, but he's learning to mature and how to be there for his mom, and I loved seeing that.

I do like how he and Estelle started getting to know each other, and she does get to know him and be his friend, instead of him just pining after someone he didn't know at all. Dan did let himself be used way too often, because she knew he liked her and used it against him, which always bugs me.

The story was fun, sure, but it also had its serious moments, what with everything Dan is going through. He has an absentee father that he doesn't know how to feel about, they have no money, his mom is falling apart. I think the story did a good job of balancing family themes, and more serious themes, but still being fun. It was a cute story, and I did enjoy it.

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Fiona Wood:

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