This was my second experience reading a dark and disturbing 2017 YA author debut (the other: Allegedly). I found this one to be more successful. It broaches the tough subjects of death and domestic abuse, but doesn't just throw them in the story for the shock factor. It fully explores them - the emotional and mental effects on not only the victims, but their loved ones as well. 
 Readers follow the rekindled friendship between Adam, a popular high school senior, and his former foster brother Julian, a quiet and socially anxious freshman trying to navigate the world years after his parents' death. Adam takes freshman Julian under his wing, and as he gradually learns more about how Julian has lived since he went to live with his uncle, his own life starts to spiral. 
 The most heartbreaking aspect of this book was hearing about the intense love Julian had for his parents and contrasting these memories with his current living situation with his abusive uncle. The injustice of it was too much to bear at times. Once I reached the big turning point of the story- when Julian finds himself in a deadly situation regarding his uncle - I couldn't put the book down. I felt as trapped as Julian was, and the only way I could possibly fall asleep was to know how Julian ended up. I proceeded to read until almost 2 in the morning and fell asleep emotionally drained (aka, the next day was rough). 
 I could've done without a certain part of the ending ((view spoiler)[when Russell shows up with a gun at the party at Adam's house (hide spoiler)] but otherwise I thought this was well done.