Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
 What You Left Behind is an emotionally driven and realistic story. This is my first book by Jessica Verdi and her writing style is captivating and beautiful. The story tells about a single teenage parent, Ryden Brooks. He held a huge responsibility of being a parent and raising a child at a young age. His girlfriend, Meg Reynolds, passed away because of cancer. Instead of receiving treatments, she chooses to conceived their child. He was devastated and blames himself for Meg's death. As a senior high school student, it's stressful to him to take all this and as well as prepare for his future to get a scholarship. 
 He wasn't truly over her and still mourns her death. What's good in this mystery is that Meg wrote journals for him. He thinks that these journals will help him to become a good father for Hope (his daughter). There are bits and puzzles along the way. At his work, there was this girl, Joni, captures his interest. She was optimistic and fun to be with. Being with her enlightens Ryden whenever he feels stressed and down but he is scared that she might not like him because he has a daughter. 
 I love how this is being told in the male perspective. Most of the YA books I've read are written in the female perspective and this is really refreshing for me. You can just feel Ryden's emotions and my heart breaks for him to carry such responsibility he wasn't ready for. Life isn't constant as the way we planned. It can change anytime and we need options. Of course, there are times we cannot do it alone. Sometimes, we need help to get through it. Another thing I love is Ryden's relationship with his mother. Strong relationship and I like how his mother gives him a sense of independence. She supports him no matter what. I must say some parts made me teary-eyed. It is a good ending and I love the protagonist's character development. 
 I am surely looking forward to reading more of Jessica Verdi's novels. I am definitely recommending this book. It was such a beautiful realistic story that touched my heart.