Review by: Denice DeAntonio

Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan collaborated to write this novel. This is a moving story about family, young adults, and sexuality. Asher and his Mom, a beekeeper, live in a small New Hampshire town. Asher is in high school and plays hockey. Lily is new to the school. Lily is an only child. Her mom, Ava Campanella, is a park ranger. Lily and Asher meet and begin dating. Asher and Lily appear to have a normal teenage relationship. They enjoy doing things together and look for ways they can be alone. Lily reveals to Asher a secret that may alter the dynamics of their relationship.

When Lily is later found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her home, Asher is accused of murder. As Asher goes to trial, defended by his uncle, more about Lily, Asher, and their families are revealed. This story moves fluidly between the past, present, and the different characters. In the end, the reader gets a complete picture of who Asher and Lily are and their family dynamics.

This story pulled me in from the beginning. It kept me on the edge of my seat as more and more was revealed until the shocking end. I didn’t see that coming.