Again I can not believe I read a romance novel, but I picked this book up for 50 cents and thought I would give it a try. The plot was very simple but kept you engaged with a story line that would reach out and grab your heart when you least expected.

Reich takes you from a sibling suicide and the dark reasons that led up to the suicide to the outer reaches of a youthful friendship that entwined in the chaos that lead up to the unfortunate suicide.

The twists and turns that hit you make one love the ending of this book, but I would never tell my male friends. I could not believe a friend could fall in love with your step-father and what is worse, he almost raped you years earlier. I may have spoiled the best part of the book, but I hope I leave you wanting to know more and will enjoy this book, especially if you can pick it up for a bargain price.

Guys, it is okay to read this because there are a few glimpses into what a young woman really enjoys in sex, yet it will leave you wanting more details into this unknown realm of the female mind.

In a nutshell I would recommend this book that is easy to read and leaves you with a good feeling about the strength of friendships and what they can endure.

My best friend gave me this book as a gift and it was amazing! I loved this book and never wanted it to end. If you're looking for a great read, you've found it with this book! Lindsay Faith Rech does an excellent job... there's never a dull moment!!

Wow! This is not the typical chick lit fare! I could not put this one down and ending up reading and finishing it late in the night. This novel has a depth and sensitivity toward the characters that was totally unexpected. I was thinking this would be a nice light Red Dress Ink read, but it totally surprised me! I really cared for and ached with the characters. I felt their struggles, their vulnerabilities. Previously I had enjoyed Rech's first novel, Losing It much more than average chick lit, but this book surpassed even her first one. I will certainly pick up any of Rech's future books! Thanks for providing chick lit that has real substance and heart!!

Although I don't mean "joyride" in that it was literally a joyous book. It definitely had darker moments - much darker. This is *not* your ordinary "chick-lit" fiction. The storyline was engrossing though. Reading about Stella and Emily's friendship and how it evolved over the years from being barely teenagers to almost 30 year olds will make most women relive days with their own "best friend" and what kept them together over the years and what might have torn them apart. These two girls/women were closer than sisters - felt almost like sisters for most of their lives. As you read about all they have weathered together you wonder what could possibly be so terrible as to rip apart an almost life-long friendship. And you wonder whether or not this "thing" that is happening (it is kept a secret til almost the end) is going to be the death of it. There is a resolution, but you will have to read the book to see.
I highly recommend this book - it was a wonderful story. The dark side of it made it all the better.

In the first chapter Rech gets you with a premise that makes you want to keep reading - why is Stella flying to see Emily in Europe. From then on the story goes back and forth from the past to the present, with lots of melodrama in between. A gang rape, suicide, mentally ill parent,this isn't for someone looking for a laugh. I usually prefer books with a little humor and wit, and characters with a little more sarcasm, but this story was worth reading. Although at times I just wished the author would stay in the present instead of dipping back into the past, and some of the melodrama (especially the father) I didn't think was necessary, I enjoyed this book. It's a little on the serious side for chick lit, but a good read none the less.