Stead can brilliantly summon what it feels like to be a young adolescent. The author as usual deftly interweaves her plot strands into an organic whole, and between the multifocal plot and the exploration on growth and self-recognition 'Bulletin,' Starred The handing-down of advice and wisdom from older girls and women is a welcome theme throughout the book and far too rare in female coming-of-age stories it s just one of many reasons this astonishingly profound novel is not your average middle-school friendship tale. This memorable story about female friendships, silly bets, different kinds of love, and bad decisions is authentic in detail and emotion another Stead hallmark. captures the stomach-churning moments of a misstep or an unplanned betrayal and reworks these events with grace, humor, and polish into possibilities for kindness and redemption. Stead s writing filled with humor, delightful coincidences An immensely satisfying addition for Stead s many fans. 'Winsome, bighearted, and altogether rewarding.' 'Booklist, 'Starred

'Winsome, bighearted, and altogether rewarding.'

Goodbye stranger rebecca