One word to summarize this book : Beautiful. 
 It isn't perfect, there were quite a few flaws actually, like how the first few chapters felt a little childishly written, but I'm sure they can be overlooked. 
 The Survival Kit is a book about dealing with grief and loss. Rose loses her mother to Cancer and it kills her on the inside. She shields herself from emotions and blocks out anyone, and that eventually affects her social life. In fact, it affects everyone around her, and she unknowingly hurts all her loved ones. 
 Her family members aren't doing so well either, with her father getting drunk to ease the pain and her brother faking a sense of cheerfulness. I think everyone who is experiencing a similar case must read this book, it will hurt, yes, but it will help. 
 I think why this book touched me so much is the way Donna Freitas's characters are so believable. There were no typical mean cheerleaders or block-headed jocks, they were in fact understanding friends when Rose needed them. Jim and Krupa were wonderfully developed characters. I felt the most connected to Jim, that when he broke down into sobs, I secretly cried a little too. 
 The whole concept is Survival Kits, is what I think to rediscover yourself. I love how the author decided to take the extra mile by adding another playlist at the back of the book which basically retells the story in lyrics and tunes. 
 Donna Freitas, you've really overdone yourself this time.