While language in some of Mazer's works might cause concern for parents and teachers, such is not the case with this particular novel. The dialogue realistically reflects teen-age conversation without being offensive. The novel deftly handles sexual situations, which are hinted at but never made explicit.

The novel ends with Willis suggesting that Sophie and he live together. However, Sophie questions the benefits of such an arrangement. Thus, the novel, without taking a moral stand on couples living together before marriage, does realistically depict an issue that sometimes faces young adults.