"The hideous thing is this: I want to forgive him. Even after everything, I do. A baby before my 17th birthday and a future as lonely as the surface of the moon and still the sight of him feels like a homecoming, like a song I used to know but somehow forgot." 
 Reena had a promising future ahead of her, graduating early with a high GPA and a chance to get into her school of choice. One thing Reena doesn't have is her long time crush, and family friend Sawyer. Sawyer is made up to be Reena's manic pixie boy. She soon finds out that there's more to him than his flawless complexion. One thing Reena wasn't expecting from life, and from her long time love is getting pregnant at sixteen, then losing that first love. As Sawyer disappears, Reena is left heartbroken and to deal with the struggles of teen pregnancy. 
 Now Sawyer is back after almost three years. This time he's not leaving without Reena. 
 Writing:5/10 
 Plot:5/10 
 Message:3/10 
 Characters:4/10 in general but 10/10 for the portrayal of teenagers 
 At some point while reading this I was making sticky notes of each time Sawyer was a complete asshole to Reena. I gave up once I realized that I was going through my entire pack. 
 I have to emphasize that I do not have a problem with the writing. The biggest problem I had was the way Sawyer treated Reena and how she felt inclined to apologize to him. Multiple times the love interest treated the main character without respect in both before and after scenarios. I can let Reena's choice not to dump him before slide, since she was young and "in love". What I cannot let slide is romanticizing an unhealthy relationship. 
 The novel started off well. We could relate to Reena and the person she was. Her friendships, her planing ahead, everything was sweet and well. As soon as Sawyer and her became a thing the entire book went downhill. The way he treated her and how she just took it. Not once did Sawyer apologize for his behavior, while Reena would apologize for pointing out his actions. This I can understand because of her age and maturity level. One thing that was inexcusable was how Sawyer would grab her, command her, and corner her into walls. 
 This is what happened when she spoke about leaving to university: 
 "'You don't have to play the smart card with me, okay? I know how smart you are. Look,' he said grabbing my wrist again, pulling me around a corner with enough force that my backpack thudded off the side of the building. My heart was banging away behind my ribs." 
 Another arm grabbing situation: 
 "'Okay,' he says finally, flipping up the wooden partition and stalking around in front of the bar. He grabs my arm, not gently. 'That's it.' 
 'What are you doing?' I hiss as he pulls me down the back hallway, past the office and the kitchen. He flips the lock on the patio door and pushes it open. 'Let go of me,' I tell him." 
 He commands her and she listens: 
 "'Come sit by me,' he says this time. 
 'Why?' 
 'Cause I'm asking you to.'" 
 The thing is I think the author knew what she was doing with Sawyer, which is why I didn't rate it one star. The MCs friend pointed out that the relationship was masochism. 
 Oh and you know the MOST romantic part. The first time he tells Reena he loves her is when he's high... 
 Other problems I had with Sawyer from before is that he constantly coaxed her to break rules. He convinced her to skip class, tried to get her to do drugs, got mad at her for not doing drugs...etc. 
 Another turn off would have to be the fact that she cheated on her new boyfriend then denied it to his face. 
 I have ZERO tolerance for cheating. 
 There were too many moments were Sawyer treated Reena like trash and she feared that he'd break up with her. She even puts up with him flirting with other girls. It's incredibly sad that this is being deemed "true love". 
 You do not treat someone you love like this. 
 This novel did convey the realistic aspect of teen pregnancy, like how you have to put your needs behind and be judged by not only friends/strangers, but also your family. The message though, was different and it sets a bad example for young girls. Sadly, the good aspects of this book were lost to the bad. 
 The author has potential, Cotugno's writing isn't bad. This book and the message it conveys romance wise...I can't express my distaste enough. 
 Overall thoughts: