Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for gifting me a digital ARC of this amazing novel by Chris Whitaker. 5 glowing stars - this book will take every part of you and leave you with characters you won't soon forget.
Duchess Day Radley is a 13-year-old who has been forced to be the adult at home, taking care of her younger brother, Robin, because mom, Star, is an alcoholic. Duchess is a self-proclaimed outlaw and woe be it to those to bully Robin or comment about her family. Walk grew up in small coastal Cape Haven, CA, was in a tight group with Star growing up, and is now the Chief of Police. Dealing with his own health issues, Walk is also living with regret because he testified at the trial of his best friend, Vincent King, decades ago upon the death of Star's sister, and sealed his fate in prison. Walk has made it a mission to look after Star and her family and is the only adult that Duchess has some faith in. Everything changes for all of them when Vincent is released from prison.
This is a beautifully written book that will totally grip you. All of the characters are so fleshed out that you can see them and feel their emotions. I'm not sure you will find a character like Duchess anywhere and you feel every ounce of her pain, strength, reliance and righteousness. Besides the main characters, you will also fall in love with Hal, Dolly and Thomas, and experience the atmospheric beauty of the settings. The mystery part of the story will keep you twisting until the ending. While it's a very emotional story, there is much hope and redemption in these characters.
Highly recommended - do not miss this one!
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