The novel explores the strains that an insecure teen-ager's quest for independence place on her relationships with others. Initially, Rachel Cooper has difficulty with relationships, especially those that involve receiving and giving love, because she feels uncertain about who she is. Insecure about her own attributes and lacking self-confidence, Rachel has difficulty accepting her parents' sincere love because she fears that accepting love diminishes her independence. Similarly, thinking that her classmate Helena is motivated only by pity, Rachel at first rejects Helena's overtures at friendship. The same feeling prevails when Lewis, who becomes Rachel's boyfriend, first notices her.

Mazer further illustrates the insecurity of youth when Lewis calls Rachel and hides behind the humorous facade of a German accent to help overcome his nervousness. Rachel's insecurity also causes her to accept her grandfather's bullying ways, his method of keeping others from penetrating his life and from...