I picked this book up at the library once for no other reason than I thought the title was odd and I figured if I didn't like it, I could return it unread. I didn't even read the blurb or anything. I ended up being blown completely away. 
 The book hooked me from the very first word. I think Maria McCann is a genius. I truly do. What an emotional rollercoaster this book is. Books and movies almost never affect me, but when this book was over I didn't know what to do with myself. I never wanted it to end, but on the other hand the story is so tragic and turbulent that I needed it to end. 
 That said (and despite my five stars) it is not a perfect novel. There are places where the plot wanders off the path and gets lost for a few dozen pages. There is a slow spell towards the middle and every now and then things happen that are slightly less than believable, but as Poison once said, "Every rose has its thorn" and this is one of my absolute favorite books even with its minor flaws.