I’m not sure I was ready for this one. I’d guessed it would overlap with what happened in Solitaire, but wasn’t 100% sure it would. I wasn’t sure how Oseman would handle it graphically, I think there were a couple of images in Solitaire, and she sort of glossed the particular scene probably because of this.
I really appreciated having Nick’s outside perspective on the situation as we know he’s been worried about Charlie for two books now and when it came to the point right when Charlie was going to tell Nick he loved him, Nick asks about the eating disorder and it throws both of them into confusion which was just so real.
The scenes that revolve around this with Nick’s mom and dad were just so well written and emotionally intense/draining that I couldn’t help but applaud Oseman’s ability to convey so much with subtle artwork and minimal text.
Oseman also did a great job of showing how important friends, family, and community are when it comes to something like this and the car trips and group text messages just gave me all the warm fuzzies. I’m still pissed at Nick’s brother for being a dick, but he got his when Tori kicked his phone from his hand and I might’ve cheered out loud for it.
My favorite part of the book really is just the sense of balance Oseman tries to give Charlie and Nick as they’re still navigating coming out and Charlie’s mental health/eating disorder and the sense of hopefulness at the end of the novel. I feel like there’s something I’m forgetting from Solitaire that’s giving me a sense of dread, but maybe I’m making that up?
Recommendation: This one takes a heavier turn, but it’s just as beautiful and giving as the previous volumes. In general, I struggle when books spend too much time on mental health issues because they’re either all or nothing. Oseman does a really good job of making it essential to the story but not the core center of the story. Charlie and Nick have to grow up fast due to Charlie’s mental health issues and although they struggle, they persevere and are finding their way with the help of their families and friends. I’m excited and anxious to see how the story/chapter concludes (or kicks off into their adult lives) with the final volume later this year.