How does a nice, popular, pretty cheerleader from a loving family become a homeless meth head? All it takes is the wrong boy and a past hurt that hasn't healed. This is Laurel's story, told with ache and beauty by one of the most talented authors writing today.

I expected more violence and gore, but the story is almost gentle in its tragedy. Laurel slowly but surely slips into this awful life. I just kept thinking, "Oh my God, this is how it happens," because it's always been hard for me to wrap my head around good kids from good families becoming drug addicts and runaways. Reading this book made me see and understand how it's possible, how it happens every day.

BTW, this was a really great audiobook. The narrator really brought Laurel to life and it was the perfect length for an audiobook: 3 CDs. ( )

This book needed to be written. The author is skilled and I will be checking out other books of hers. That noted, the way this book was written--dialogue in italics only, a narrator who drove me nuts for no real reason, and being stuck inside only said annoying narrator's head the entire time--made it an experience I wished to end. It's a quick and heartbreakingly annoying read. We don't see any conflict, only crying. We see the aftermath of tragedies, and relationships aren't built up enough to make the sad parts sad. Recovery is portrayed as a given, with none of the hard work, setbacks, or consequences really shown. We know what the narrator -thinks- about it. She sure does -think- a lot. I wanted her to -do- and experience the things she kept thinking about. Also her boyfriend was unrealistic, and their relationship was instalove with sudden drugs. I was annoyed. ( )

Reading this book was visceral…I *felt* Laurel’s pain and struggles. It’s a powerful must-read for anyone who has known young people gripped by addiction. ( )

Since I have never taken meth myself, I can't comment on how 'real' or 'authentic' Laurel's story is. But, for someone without that experience, it does feel real. You connect to Laurel. You cheer for you. You cry out for her. You cry with her. This is a truly powerful story, but one that readers should mentally prepare themselves for before picking up this book. This is definitely a book worth reading, but, only if you are ready for it. ( )

Hurricane Katrina took her mother and granmother. And even though Laurel Daneau has moves on to a new life--one that includes a new best friend, a spot on the cheerleading squad, and dating the co-captain of the football team--she can't get past the pain of that loss. Then her new boyfriend introduces her to meth, and Laurel is instantly seduced by its spell, the way it erases, even if only temporarily, her memories. Soon Laurel is completely hooked, a shell of her former self, desperate to be whole again, but lacking the strength to break free. But with the help of a new friend--and the loyalty of an old one--she is able to rewrite her own story and move on with her own life.