While I've really loved some of Hoovers work, my expectations for this were pretty tempered since I didn't like a lot about some of her more recent stories (I'm looking at you Ugly Love and November 9). 
 This is nothing like those. It is also nothing like previous stories I actually loved. Awhile back someone told me to avoid reviews for this and I did. You may want to do the same (if you haven't been spoiled already).However at the same time you should not go into this looking for a romance or something you are going to get excited to ship, as you will be totally disillusioned. This is not the same kind of story as Hoovers others and at it's core a very sad and difficult one. But it is the most relevant thing she has ever put to page. I'm so glad she did. 
 Go read it.