This is the story of three young friends: Lexi, an orphan, who after years in foster care between stints with her now deceased drug addict mother, lives in a trailer park with her great aunt, and twins Mia and Zach, golden children who come from a loving family and live in a state of the art modern home with every comfort. Against the odds they become the best of friends, and Lexi is welcomed into the heart of the twins' family, she is loved by their mother Jude, also a main player in this wonderful novel.
But one night something terrible happens that shatters everything. Lives are ruined, families torn apart. The consequences of that night carry repercussions for years afterwards, and this is the best part of the book for me. The first half is good, the second half is totally gripping and I really didn't want to put it down.
The characterisation is excellent, Lexi is a wonderful strong girl, and Jude, though some of her actions are not great, is someone I really felt for, I can't say much more as it would give away the plot, I would just add that who knows how any of us would behave until we have found ourselves in these situations, and I would hope never to do so.
I really enjoyed this book, it's engrossing, sad, and very readable, and I highly recommend it. I was desperate to finish it today, but now gutted that I have done.