I like Julia Phillips. From the very beginning, I wanted to help her deal with the tragedy of a lost friend, the heartache of believing it was her fault and the confusion of remembering things that may not have happened. I wanted to help her feel less afraid and less alone. But what really got me was that Julia didn't actually need my help...she got stronger as the book progressed. She learned to deal with her situation, the strange circumstances and mysteries surrounding her, and the people who may not want what's best for her. 
 In short, this book had me intrigued from page 1. Immediately I liked the characters, their intelligent interactions, and the descriptive way the book was written. But, the best was yet to come. The second half of the book had a twist and when it was revealed, I had to buckle up because I knew it was going to be quite a ride! 
 The premise of this story is unique and, at times, there was lots to wrap your head around. Who was who and how did this all happen...and could this be happening in the real world around you right now? Ms. Swank does a great job of building her alternate world, describing it in such a way that it puts you right in the middle of it all, even when you're not sure you understand what's going on. 
 All the characters in this book are well-developed and necessary to the story. Evan, our second main character, is a mystery from the very beginning. A boy who had no interest in Julia just a few days before and is all of a sudden very interested and involved in her life. He is intense and Julia feels an unexplainable connection to him immediately. He seems to know something that we're not privy to and, at first, I wasn't quite sure if I should trust him with Julia. Ahhhh...but there's more. His name is Reece. He's got a connection to Julia as well. He's less mysterious than Evan but he's the kind of guy you know can break your heart. Undoubtedly he will play a much bigger role in coming books. And I'm very glad...since I've already decided which team I'm on! Yes, I know that a love triangle is par for the course in today's YA and can become tedious. However, I think that it works in this book because it's actually not the main plot line. Julia has other things to deal with, and some important decisions to make, and the boys are not her only concern. 
 Ms. Swank does a wonderful job of taking you inside Julia's head and heart and keeps you engaged until the last page. She builds a world where there are more questions than answers. She creates characters you'd like to know and that you feel a connection with. And she leaves you wanting more. What else can you ask for? Go read this book!