Point of View

The point of view of the novel is first person. For the first fourteen chapters, the first person narrator is Emma Thomas, a young college student who is struggling to deal with her past. Starting in Chapter 15, the narration is split between Emma Thomas and Evan Mathews, Emma’s high school boyfriend who reenters her life at her mother’s funeral.

The story is told through exposition and dialogue. Emma’s past and present are shown through her and Evan’s viewpoints. Emma is guilt ridden about her past and does not want to acknowledge it. To have a future, she must face her past and overcome her demons. Emma’s story leaves the reader spellbound and breathless.

Language and Meaning

The language of the novel is simple yet powerful. The book is intended for a general audience so the language is not difficult or...