I had a difficult time deciding if I liked this book. I enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the setting. The one part that bothered me was one small element. The book has a very religious tone. God is referred to, spoken about and discussed multiple times. In the end I decided that I did like the book, it was just that the religious piece was unexpected and I had to adjust. The book has a good message, that nobody really gets their ideal happy ever after. The book discusses the consequences of running away and takes a very realistic look at mother-daughter relationships. I also enjoyed watching Ivy and Paul's friendship grow because Paul doesn't really believe in God and Ivy had been raised in a very religious family and town.
