This was such an emotional story. I spent the first half both loving and hating the experiences Whitney and friends were experiencing. And the second half? As much as I spent it grinning, I did a lot of it through tears. 
 Until Blane forces his way into her life in middle school and adds a second friend to her circle, Whitney doesn't really have friends outside of her family. Whitney, Blane, and Franny become inseparable, even as Blane and Franny start dating in high school. The trio are not complete unless they are all there. But as events transpire that cannot be taken back, the pain becomes too much for the trio to remain as is. 
 Whitney is a tough nut who lets few people in. And even with Franny and Blane, who are in her inner circle, she holds herself apart emotionally. She is close to her family though, and I loved the way she eventually turned to her grandmother for help. 
 Blane is one of those people who is fiercely loyal and feels deeply. He was the glue that pulled Whitney and Franny together, and he worked hard to be what each girl needed of him. He loved them both, in their own ways, and I hated what he went through, especially in high school. But what those events showed about his personality was priceless and necessary for readers (and Whitney) to understand him in the second half. 
 And sweet, quiet Franny kept herself apart, but in a completely different way than Whitney. She was the one who needed the other two to keep her steady. When she joined the group, I started to put together what her ultimate place in the trio would be, but still loved her, loved the sweetness she brought to two otherwise stoic people, but hated where she left things as well. 
 This is a triangle, but it's also not (and there is no cheating, physical or emotional). It's realistic. It's what happens when three friends grow up together. But as the third wheel, Whitney sees the tenderness between Franny and Blane and wants nothing but for her two best friends to be happy, however that may happen. It is equal parts real and model, but it is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. And that moment Whitney sees what she feels is love? That was a crushing moment. 
 Part of what made this triangle NOT a triangle was the time gap. There was such a huge amount of time between the first and second halves of the book that while yes, in high school there was the feeling of a triangle, by the time they reach adulthood, the only thing left of that time is the memories. So folks who hate triangles, PLEASE don't let that turn you away from this book. Because that time gap? Absolutely makes this story. Without it, those emotions that are brought out in the high school scenes would be too raw to continue the story. The story needed that time as much as the characters did, and it changed everything. 
 And Whitney's grandma? I loved her. Her antics had me in hysterics, laughing even during some of the saddest moments in the book. As a constant in Whitney's life, she doles out some great advice and frustration as only family can dish out. 
 This was not an easy story, but it kept me enthralled, turning pages, wiping tears to the point my eyes were puffy and cheeks were raw. But it also found me hoping and laughing and smiling. There are some tough subjects, consequences for actions that lead characters to anger, sadness, depression and worse. But there is also time, healing, laughter, and ultimately love. 
 I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is also posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.