first time maybe and forever, I’m speechless on my review of a book. this book is beautifully written and wonderfully performed. The subject matter, however, is difficult to digest. The whole situation is sad. there’s no two ways about that. And I’m not trying to spoil anything but inevitably that’s probably going to happen in this review. We all know that. a 13-year-old person cannot consent to any sexual act. Cannot and should not. that fact never leaves your mind. when you’re reading this book. The conundrum comes when you realize that the other party involved truly means no harm, and in fact is so wounded themselves that you actually start to have some empathy for them. It is a very messed up place to be. It tugs at you in every single direction. In some other reviews that I read day had said that this book was glorifying a pedophile and I don’t think that’s the case. I had my own issues with this person apart from the fact that they were clearly the adult in the situation that involved the child, most having to do with their violent tendencies. there’s a lot of problems in this book but given this child’s upbringing and what could have happened to her and what could have turned out to be her life, it didn’t end nearly as bad as it could have. this will have you questioning things. and wondering what in the hell you just read.