My heart absolutely broke for Shaynee! Six months ago her mom died of cancer. Her mother was one of those magical people--the kind who can coax a smile out of a sulky teen. She was a vibrant woman--a singer and songwriter. In death she is mourned steadfastly. Shaynee's father grieves terribly--working too much and enlisting Shaynee to care for herself and her younger brother, Lennox. Lennox is 11, and vastly better at coping with his mother's death. He delights in listening to her recordings and openly discusses their mother--as if she's keeping watch over the family. 
 Shaynee, on the other hand, can't bear to even speak of her mother. She's so angry--she lashes out at Lennox, her dad and even her BFF Tiffany. Nor can she pick up her guitar. Shaynee's always been into music. Has written countless songs and performed since she was little, but the music died with her mom, and so did Shaynee's social life. Tiffany has tried to be there, but Shaynee won't let her in. So, Tiff tricks Shaynee into getting a job at the coffeehouse where she works. 
 The freedom of finding new social connections--people who know nothing about about her personal tragedy--liberates Shaynee's spirit for the first time in months. Meeting first surfer Jared, and then singer Dean, sparks the long-dead beat of Shaynee's heart. She falls for Dean hard--but Dean has secrets that shatter the tenuous peace Shaynee had established. Jared alternates between confidante and c*ckblock. He's every bit as smitten with Shaynee as Dean is--and thinks his affection is returned. Well, not so much, but Shaynee is quick to tell Jared she's mean. So, when she acts mean, he's been properly warned. 
 Truthfully, Shaynee knows that Dean is her better match. He's a singer and plays three instruments. Oh, and he's kind and understanding. If only he'd been honest from the start. Then again, Shaynee hasn't been honest much, either. In fact, her denial is crippling her. It's a long road to acceptance--but it's great to see Shaynee walk it under her own power. 
 Shaynee could clearly play the grieving child card to win Dean's forgiveness--but she wises up, and 'fesses up, too. I was grateful. In lots of parts of the book, Shaynee's struggles are so suffocating, she falls into panic attacks. By the end this girl walks tall and strums a bold tune. Lennox (and her mom) would have been proud to see it. I liked it. You might too.